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58th out of 218 books
—
35 voters
The Bromeliad Trilogy (Bromeliad Trilogy #1-3)
In a world whose seasons are defined by Christmas sales and Spring Fashions, hundreds of tiny nomes live in the corners and crannies of a human-run department store. They have made their homes beneath the floorboards for generations and no longer remember -- or even believe in -- life beyond the Store walls.
Until the day a small band of nomes arrives at the Store from the...more
Until the day a small band of nomes arrives at the Store from the...more
Hardcover, 512 pages
Published
September 30th 2003
by HarperCollins
(first published 1989)
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This is a children's novel (most of my favorite books are children's books). A bunch of nomes.... try to find their way home. There are lots of great barbs towards religion (some of the nomes live in a giant Store, and semi-worship "Arnold Bros (est. 1905)". They have religious wars over whether or not there is anything outside of the store - the main argument of the "store only" faction being that The Store has "Everything Under One Roof", so.. duh - nothing else outside! Their arch nemesis is...more
This book is technically written for children, but honestly, I have trouble believing that a lot of 5th-8th graders will get the satire in here. I would say that this is *appropriate* for children, but that it is a great book for readers of all ages. If you're looking for a laugh and enjoy British humor, then this is laugh-out-loud funny and I highly recommend it.
Basically, these three short novels tell the story of a group of gnomes trying to live their tiny lives in a big world. In the first b...more
Basically, these three short novels tell the story of a group of gnomes trying to live their tiny lives in a big world. In the first b...more
What might appear as a simple fantasy about four inch nomes who live unnoticed by the slower and bigger humans is a comment on society, religion, and xenophobia. These nomes are not the garden variety gnomes. Masklin and his band of Outside nomes ride a truck to another world, the Store. The Store nomes don’t believe there is an Outside and don’t want to leave the closing store believing Arnold Bros (est. 1905) will provide as he always has. Masklin prepares them for their inevitable move by int...more
Quite frankly, I see no reason why I should ever find myself in conversation with someone who HASN"T read this trilogy.....go read it!
An absolute must-have for children aged 12-13, but immensely enjoyable at all ages, loaded with Pratchett's ever so deceptive wisdom, and precisely observed human folly.
The story revolves around a civilisation of Nomes that have lived for generations in a department store, who do not believe that anything exists outside the store 'world'. But one Nome learns that...more
An absolute must-have for children aged 12-13, but immensely enjoyable at all ages, loaded with Pratchett's ever so deceptive wisdom, and precisely observed human folly.
The story revolves around a civilisation of Nomes that have lived for generations in a department store, who do not believe that anything exists outside the store 'world'. But one Nome learns that...more
First, to be clear, this is a collection of three smaller novels aimed at young adults: Truckers, Diggers, and Wings.
It's rare to find a Pratchett book set outside Discworld, which--much as I love Discworld--is kind of refreshing (as it was with Pratchett's recent "Nation," which I enjoyed even more than this much earlier effort). Just as page-turning as his other work, with the added benefit of aiming at a younger audience, this is a good one to give to any kids you know who you hope to turn in...more
It's rare to find a Pratchett book set outside Discworld, which--much as I love Discworld--is kind of refreshing (as it was with Pratchett's recent "Nation," which I enjoyed even more than this much earlier effort). Just as page-turning as his other work, with the added benefit of aiming at a younger audience, this is a good one to give to any kids you know who you hope to turn in...more
Nov 15, 2011
Animaliac the books lover
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone :)
Recommended to Animaliac by:
Family
Shelves:
favourites,
amazing-animals-stories
this book is really quite amazing and I would love it if there was another book in the series, for I would really like to know what happens in the near future.
Book one, truckers:
this is the first book in the series and is really well written (apart from many errors, E.G. grammar and things) It has a great plot and story line and I really enjoyed reading it :)
Book two, diggers:
this book, like the first, was extremely enjoyable and well written (with errors). though I was disappointed that it sagg...more
Book one, truckers:
this is the first book in the series and is really well written (apart from many errors, E.G. grammar and things) It has a great plot and story line and I really enjoyed reading it :)
Book two, diggers:
this book, like the first, was extremely enjoyable and well written (with errors). though I was disappointed that it sagg...more
Composed of three J books: Truckers, Diggers, Wings. Not sure why they are cataloged as J books but they are short and make a good gateway drug for kids to Terry Pratchett and I think everybody should get addicted to Terry Pratchett. Unfortunately hard to find. My library only has the first one but we are ordering the other two - because why should the Mighty CML be the only place in town to get them.
anyway, it's about these little people who live in our world but we don't know about them; think...more
anyway, it's about these little people who live in our world but we don't know about them; think...more
I love the way Terry Pratchett takes on large issues in a small way in this series. When an author can show how organized religion limits personal spiritual development, how personal perspective keeps us from seeing the world around us, how limits to our language limit our ability to think and comprehend, and how love and community can overcome all of these things... Well, then I have to salute that author. And, once again, I salute Terry Pratchett, who uses small people to demonstrate huge issu...more
The bulk of most people's lives are spent interpreting what the norm is and then adjusting their actions and attitudes to deal with it. Then, on occasion, some revelatory incident tugs the carpeting out from underfoot, yanks the bunny slippers off our toes and we are forced to deal with (or ignore) a new definition of what is real (which ultimately can be as volatile as the previous definition was). This human plight is illustrated with pithy charm and adroit humor as Terry Pratchett introduces...more
This was a series of children's books. Though there were interesting moments, and the book did diverge somewhat in tone from the Discworld books (which it was nice to see Prachett is capable of, there being so freaking many Discworld books), this was not by any means a great or transcendent children's series. The characters were sketched out, they never seemed like real people (or Nomes, rather). The world they inhabited was not as captivating or developed like say, Harry Potter's world. The mos...more
September 16, 2006
***
Veronica wasn't feeling well last night, so she wanted me to read to her. It was the first time I'd been able to get her interested in this, which is maybe an indicator of how poorly she felt, that she didn't try to pick something else.
***
Veronica wasn't feeling well last night, so she wanted me to read to her. It was the first time I'd been able to get her interested in this, which is maybe an indicator of how poorly she felt, that she didn't try to pick something else.
Das Buch war in meinen Augen insofern faszinierend, weil man unsere Welt einfach mal aus einer anderen Perspektive gesehen hat. Man lernt, wie Dinge auf andere Wesen wirken könnten, die viel kleiner sind als wir und man wird an die Vorstellung gewöhnt, dass die Erde eben nicht nur uns alleine gehört, sondern vielen anderen Lebewesen auch, wir uns aber dennoch verhalten, als wären wir das Ultimative.
Vom Stil her kam das Buch leider nicht an den gewohnten Pratchett Stil heran in meinen Augen. Es f...more
Vom Stil her kam das Buch leider nicht an den gewohnten Pratchett Stil heran in meinen Augen. Es f...more
It's hard not to like a series of books based on the premise that gnomes come from outer space, let alone one that links that idea to tiny bromeliad-dwelling frogs venturing beyond their tiny flower to the larger world beyond. These books are a bit slower moving than Pratchett's Discworld novels but still full of Pratchett's excellent observations about human nature, questions about religion, and spatial awareness. Pratchett can write an ending like no one else (narratively satisfying, indeed),...more
It was an okay book. I felt it just kind of ended in the middle of the story--good thing I have the other books in the series. It was an interesting premise. I'm not sure I liked the religious overtones--it didn't dis religion so much as imply it was a bunch of made-up stories that kept people from really understanding the real world. Despite that, it was nice to read a book that had a group of people learning to work together to help each other and the old and young. There were some funny parts...more
Някъде в Южна Америка има едни растения, които растат на върха на високи дървета. В тях се събира вода, а във водата живеят жабки, които си мислят, че този цвят е целият свят. Точно това са бромелиадите. И това е едно много подходящо наименование на трилогията, защото номите също така живеят с представата, че един Магазин е целият свят, че няма нищо друго, което да се намира Навън. Сравнението с жабите и тези цветове се промъква много умело през цялата третата книга и допълва цялостната картинка...more
Ce gros pavé rassemble sous une seule couverture Les camioneurs , Les terrassiers et Les aéronautes . Trois romans de Pratchett qui racontent les aventures d'une espèce de petit peuple. Des ... gnomes, oui, qui partent en quête d'un monde meilleur, pensent le trouver dans un grand magasin avant de devoir s'enfuir à la recherche d'un monde meilleur
.
D'après certaines sources, il s'agirait d'un livre pour enfants du bon Terry, qui conserve cependant bien des traits caractéristiques de l'auteur :...more
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D'après certaines sources, il s'agirait d'un livre pour enfants du bon Terry, qui conserve cependant bien des traits caractéristiques de l'auteur :...more
I was perusing the library's catalog last week & noticed they had a Pterry book I hadn't read yet: The Bromeliad Trilogy: Truckers, Diggers, and Wings.
In the first of the 3 books, we meet Masklin, the putative leader of a small band of Nomes, trying desperately to survive in the English countryside. Only 4 inches high, but stockily built, they have evaded human attention (more or less) for many, many years. His tribe hitchhikes on a truck and ends up at The Store - which is inhabited by tho...more
In the first of the 3 books, we meet Masklin, the putative leader of a small band of Nomes, trying desperately to survive in the English countryside. Only 4 inches high, but stockily built, they have evaded human attention (more or less) for many, many years. His tribe hitchhikes on a truck and ends up at The Store - which is inhabited by tho...more
This is maybe the best story I have read in years. I wish there was more of it. I will be buying the rest of whatever this T. Pratchett has done. Aimed at young adults- whatever. This is a serious story told in a way that kids could understand.
It is about a group of four-inch tall gnomes that live in a department store and think "The Store" is the entire universe, ruled by the omniscient deity "Arnold Brothers (est. 1905)". The devil who takes bad gnomes is called "Prices Slashed", "Bargains Gal...more
It is about a group of four-inch tall gnomes that live in a department store and think "The Store" is the entire universe, ruled by the omniscient deity "Arnold Brothers (est. 1905)". The devil who takes bad gnomes is called "Prices Slashed", "Bargains Gal...more
Aug 17, 2007
John Wiswell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fantasy readers, younger readers, satire readers
The Bromeliad cast a spell over me that made me read all three books in just four days. I couldn’t help myself at their cuteness, humor and wonderful satire. It's a strange wedding of children's fantasy and adult satire, that parents may enjoy as much as their children. The books follow gnomes who have lived in a department store for so long that its slogans have become the writ of their religion. They don’t believe anything exists outside the store and look to the “founders” as deities. The col...more
Mar 08, 2011
Claudiu
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone with a heart not made of stone
Well...this is a shocker.
The first two books, namely 'Truckers' and 'Diggers' were pleasant to read. Some adventure, a lot of humor in classic Terry Pratchett style, and quite a bit of charm. Sure there are some elements that you'd recognize immediately as Terry Pratchett's own little tropes and tired cliches, but they're all in good measure and fun.
But 'Wings'...this one really drives home the whole point of this trilogy. I can't spoil it and I won't...but had I read this at a ripe age of 12-1...more
The first two books, namely 'Truckers' and 'Diggers' were pleasant to read. Some adventure, a lot of humor in classic Terry Pratchett style, and quite a bit of charm. Sure there are some elements that you'd recognize immediately as Terry Pratchett's own little tropes and tired cliches, but they're all in good measure and fun.
But 'Wings'...this one really drives home the whole point of this trilogy. I can't spoil it and I won't...but had I read this at a ripe age of 12-1...more
This is my first non-Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. While it had similarities to his other writings I've read, The Bromeliad Trilogy is nicely different enough to make a difference. If that makes sense.
I would suggest reading this as a trilogy in that you read one right after the other. While the books, I believe are considered separate, (yet related, therefore a trilogy), it actually reads like a book with parts I, II, and III.
I would suggest reading this as a trilogy in that you read one right after the other. While the books, I believe are considered separate, (yet related, therefore a trilogy), it actually reads like a book with parts I, II, and III.
Love this trilogy; more appropriate for the younger audiences than most of the Discworld books. I first listened to it on audio, and finally got this for Christmas to read in print. Part sci-fi, part fantasty, and part satire (what Pratchett isn't?) adds up to a cute, humorous, intelligent read. The audio was quite fun, though I missed a few of the jokes by listening. Of course, that just meant it was all the more lovable as a "reread".
It's Pratchett, so it automatically gets 3 stars from me. A fun "alternate" reality involving nomes who live life 10 times faster than humans.
Soapbox time: This is a kid's book so I think he could have gone lighter on his religion bashing; save that for the stories aimed at adults. Of course if he did that, he wouldn't have much of a tale. So maybe he should have added a bit more to increase the "PG" factor.
Soapbox time: This is a kid's book so I think he could have gone lighter on his religion bashing; save that for the stories aimed at adults. Of course if he did that, he wouldn't have much of a tale. So maybe he should have added a bit more to increase the "PG" factor.
I am currently reading my way through Terry Pratchett's ouvre. And THE BROMELIAD TRILOGY is yet another work of genius and delight.
It was originally market in the U.K. as a "young adult" book, but is basically no different than any of his other masterpieces: pure comedy, perfect logic, barbed satire, and narrative drive. Plus it it is, of course, exactly the sort of book one wishes one's children to read.
It was originally market in the U.K. as a "young adult" book, but is basically no different than any of his other masterpieces: pure comedy, perfect logic, barbed satire, and narrative drive. Plus it it is, of course, exactly the sort of book one wishes one's children to read.
I had a proof copy of Truckers from when I was a temp at the publisher. I read it, loved it, and had it in my bookshelf for years without realizing that it was Terry Pratchett, and that there were more in the series. It's a great series for someone who was a huge Borrowers fan as well, and these are much more like real novels than that series. Why is it that we humans so much love stories about tiny people in the walls, when we are horrified by actual tiny creatures in the walls?
Loved Truckers, Diggers, and Wings. Who doesn't love reading about a magical world hidden within our normal world with we humans completely oblivious? Loved the ingenuity involved with nomes escaping from between the floors and walls of a department store and fleeing out to the countryside only to have to deal with complete unknowns out there. The truck driving was great!!
I was soooo excited when I found this entire series of Terry Pratchett's for a dollar at the library. Owning any Pratchett pretty much makes me happy. This series follows the life of a group of "nomes" (four inch) people). It is very cool because as it begins they are all very ignorant, but by the end both their understandings and their insights (and the vocabulary) grow. I think Pratchett used this book to examine how people think and react to new ideas.
I think this another kind of book were you have to read it at least twice before you can get all the humor. It is hilarious! I read it for the second or third time just a little time ago, and I still think it is one of the most funny books, I have ever read. It is about Nomes, who have lived in a hole all their small little lives, and how they discover that they don't belong where they are now, that the world in much bigger than then (being about four inches tall). And how they each deal with th...more
Does what Pratchett does best: use a fantastic (in both senses of the word) story to reflect real-world issues. Also, puns.
So the basic premise is this: there's tiny little aliens on our world called nomes. Only they've been here for so long they've forgotten they're aliens. And because they're so tiny, they think the whole world is limited to the small patch they inhabit. During the course of the books, the nomes keep being forced to move, and in moving, they are forced to reconsider their worl...more
So the basic premise is this: there's tiny little aliens on our world called nomes. Only they've been here for so long they've forgotten they're aliens. And because they're so tiny, they think the whole world is limited to the small patch they inhabit. During the course of the books, the nomes keep being forced to move, and in moving, they are forced to reconsider their worl...more
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Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel,...more
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