According to the writer of the best-selling crime novel ever to have been published in the city of Ankh-Morpork, it is a truth universally acknowle...
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Oct 17, 2011
Dan
rated it: 
Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch and his wife Sybil take Young Sam and go on vacation to Sybil's ancestral lands in the country. Fortunately for the Commander, crime soon rears its ugly head and he soon finds himself ensnared in a web of lies, smuggling, and murder! Can Vimes get to the bottom of things before he finds himself at the bottom of the river known as Old Treachery?
I always forget how good Terry Pratchett is during the year or years between new books. More...
I always forget how good Terry Pratchett is during the year or years between new books. More...
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Nov 29, 2011
Tana
rated it: 
Spring, 2011
OH MY GOD, just logged on and saw that this finally has cover art.
I've been waiting for this book since...well, for a really long time. Not nearly as long as some people, I know, but GOOD LORD this wait might actually be worse than the tension and neuroses that afflicted me while counting down to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Also, chickens! A lifetimer! VIMES IS ON A SHIP! I'm not really sure what's going on.
September 28, 2011
Also, to w More...
OH MY GOD, just logged on and saw that this finally has cover art.
I've been waiting for this book since...well, for a really long time. Not nearly as long as some people, I know, but GOOD LORD this wait might actually be worse than the tension and neuroses that afflicted me while counting down to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Also, chickens! A lifetimer! VIMES IS ON A SHIP! I'm not really sure what's going on.
September 28, 2011
Also, to w More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Laura
rated it:
We saw Terry Pratchett at Town Hall Tuesday. He’s frail compared to the man I saw at Kane Hall back in the 1990s, but still sharp. He took questions, and one, predictably enough, was which of his characters he was most like. “In my heart I know it’s Rincewind,” he said, grinning. But then he continued in a more thoughtful vein:
“Twice I’ve kneeled in front of the Queen and she’s swished a very large sword over my head and fortunately, she’s missed every time. When I stood up a k More...
“Twice I’ve kneeled in front of the Queen and she’s swished a very large sword over my head and fortunately, she’s missed every time. When I stood up a k More...
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Feb 04, 2012
AnEyeSpy
rated it: 
"Snuff" (Discworld series 39) by Terry Pratchett has double meanings: extinguish (candle, life) or tobacco to sniff (cause sneeze). Serious issues, humanity and sorcery, are tackled with humor. Commander (and reluctant Lord) Sam Vimes, arrives with family for holiday at his wife Sybil's country estate, and senses evil afoot. Amid son Sam's silly pre-occupation with poo, encouraged by meeting his favorite author Miss Beedle, are base crimes: kidnapping, murder. But the submissive goblin
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Oct 31, 2011
Saga
rated it:
Pratchett's latest induced a fair few laughs, but felt structurally weak, even a tad disjointed. While Vimes still upholds the position of one of my favorite Discworld characters ever, his role was a tad overdone in an almost superhuman-ish fashion, which makes it harder to identify with the rugged, stubborn cob character I originally fell in love with. The whole Goblin rights issue seemed also like an infirmer repetition of Unseen Academicals' acceptance of Orcs, topped with one of the most uni
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Feb 11, 2012
Nick
rated it:
One day, one very sad day, Sir Terry Pratchett will be taken from us by the progression of Alzheimer's disease. I hope that day is a long time in coming though, since as he gets older and fights against the dimming of the light he simply gets better. I have read all his books and in this tale he returns to one of my favourite characters in the bizarre world on Amkh Morpork; Sam Vimes, Commander of the City Watch. Actually that His Grace, The Duke of Ankh, Samuel Vimes to you lot (but don't c
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Oct 25, 2011
Erastes
rated it: 
about ¾ of the way through and enjoying myself immensely. You'd have to be a real Sam Vimes fan I think though to truly "get" the book and to enjoy it as much as I am, it's classic Vimes and it shines a light on him away from Ankh and his job there. I know he's been away before, to Uberwald--but he was on official business at the time and here he's acting under his own steam even though he's justifying it! :D
Willikins is brilliant, as is Sybil as ever and Young Sam is exactly More...
Willikins is brilliant, as is Sybil as ever and Young Sam is exactly More...
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Oct 14, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Okay it's Pratchett, so the fact that it's good is a given.
And yet... I think Pratchett has overmined the seam of 'oppressed species shows that they are as human as you or I'.
And... I thought so when I read Unseen Academicals so to see him retread this ground again is a little disappointing.
There is also some very clunky writing and a lot of characterization that seems very at odds with previous books. I found it hard not to read without thinking constantly about Pratche More...
And yet... I think Pratchett has overmined the seam of 'oppressed species shows that they are as human as you or I'.
And... I thought so when I read Unseen Academicals so to see him retread this ground again is a little disappointing.
There is also some very clunky writing and a lot of characterization that seems very at odds with previous books. I found it hard not to read without thinking constantly about Pratche More...
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Feb 22, 2012
Maurinejt
rated it:
Usually when I don't a like a Terry Pratchett book it is because Pratchett isn't committed to the subject matter. In his best books, he cares a great deal and it shows. This wasn't the case here, I liked parts of this book very much. Vimes in the country, socializing with (i.e., threatening) the nobility is a beautiful thing. The main thrust of the story, the exploitation of the goblins, was handled with sincerity--though it was somewhat clumsy and heavy-handed. However, there were actuall
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Feb 11, 2012
Laurie
rated it:
Sir Terry’s latest Discworld novel tackles, as more than one of his past books has, racism. In the past it’s been trolls and golems; in this book, it’s goblins. Goblins are even less lovable, it seems, than beings made of stone or from animated clay. They are hard to understand (some say they can’t talk), they eat disgusting things, and worst of all, they stink to high heaven. Oh, and their religion involves saving all their earwax, toenail clippings and snot. But they are sentient beings for al
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Feb 08, 2012
gina
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoy Pratchett and discworld to no end. This book was no exception. It does have a different "vibe" or feel about it as other reviewers have pointed out but I didn't mind this at all. I loved getting to see more deeply into Vime's world and of course, his wife and son are hugely entertaining. It is truly a shame that we will, eventually, loose Pratchett from this earth, as I believe he is one of the best writers in existence. What he presents as "fantasy" holds
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Feb 08, 2012
Kate
rated it:
Not my favourite Pratchett.
There were some really good sections, and I kept reading to the end.
I guess when he's good he's very good so my expectations were high.
I kept getting lost, especially with the minor characters, there were so many of them, many of whom were very lightly described so when returned I'd forgotten who they were.
There was a lot of travelling around, and I did wonder if some of the plotting was created simply to transport a character More...
There were some really good sections, and I kept reading to the end.
I guess when he's good he's very good so my expectations were high.
I kept getting lost, especially with the minor characters, there were so many of them, many of whom were very lightly described so when returned I'd forgotten who they were.
There was a lot of travelling around, and I did wonder if some of the plotting was created simply to transport a character More...
Feb 07, 2012
Nicholas
rated it:
Sometimes I wonder if, given enough time, Pratchett would have chronicled Vimes' adventure right up until the point of his death. The guards books have the strongest continuity and the most narrative focus of any of the Discworld novels, so it wouldn't surprise me. Beyond anything else, the draw comes from characters who don't quite match the traditional fantasy archetype. Vimes remains the rightful center of these books because he's essentially a irritable man too straightforward to tolerate an
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Jan 26, 2012
Scurra
rated it:
This one is a tough call. Whilst I enjoyed it a lot, and it's certainly clear that Pratchett has settled into his new writing style well (some books back I was seriously worried that his well-advertised condition was proving too much for him), there is also the growing sense that he is running out of places to go with his well-established characters. We lost Death a long time ago, and the Witches had to be diminished to a supporting cast for Tiffany, who has now come to the end of her story.
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Jan 20, 2012
Cynthia
rated it:
SAM VIMES! What can I say? Sam and Lady Sybil are the ideal couple (not perfect, but ideal) and together they change the world. Another five star rating from me for a Pratchett book. It is a Sam Vimes mystery novel, so it is pretty much a given that I am going to love it. But, as is always the case with Mr. Pratchett, it is much more than simply a DiscWorld mystery. It makes lovely and powerful statements about our prejudices and social issues. As always, Pratchett is the consumate satirist. I w
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Jan 18, 2012
meeners
rated it:
i have been reading terry pratchett's books longer than i have known most of my best friends, and in a way i feel as close to him as i do to them. i suppose the implicit analogy is apt in more ways than one. having survived the trials and tribulations of the past, some friendships simply slide into nostalgia and a quiet, comfortable affection: all those conversations that begin "do you remember the time when..." and "i can't believe we used to..."; all those old habits and se
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Jan 11, 2012
Lee
rated it:
I have to confess that I didn’t ‘get’ Pratchett’s books when I picked up my first one. I started with the first book, The Colour of Magic, and it was a poor choice (not his best by a long way). Recommendations for them kept turning up though, so I finally gave another one a go, it was Guards! Guards! and boy was it good.
In Snuff, we’re back on the trail of Commander Vimes, this time having a holiday at his country residence, when he stumbles across smuggling, slaughter and goblin-tra More...
In Snuff, we’re back on the trail of Commander Vimes, this time having a holiday at his country residence, when he stumbles across smuggling, slaughter and goblin-tra More...
Jan 08, 2012
Alytha
rated it:
Finished the latest Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, Snuff.
I quite liked this one. To be honest, I'd read the phonebook if Terry had written it, but this is a really good novel. I admit that I was a bit worried after Making Money and Unseen Academicals, which I didn't like that much, but Terry is back in pretty good shape here.
Of course, the main subject matter, the acceptation into society of yet another previously hated and persecuted humanoid species, is not terrib More...
I quite liked this one. To be honest, I'd read the phonebook if Terry had written it, but this is a really good novel. I admit that I was a bit worried after Making Money and Unseen Academicals, which I didn't like that much, but Terry is back in pretty good shape here.
Of course, the main subject matter, the acceptation into society of yet another previously hated and persecuted humanoid species, is not terrib More...
Jan 07, 2012
Wileyacez
rated it:
The thought that Terry Pratchett is coming to the end of his life is heartwrenching. Years ago, I coined the phrase, "a Pratchett moment," when trying to persuade someone to read Pratchett. After all, I explained, they are light, fluffy, and funny on the surface, but you will always come to a point in your life after reading them when you realize that you are having a Pratchett moment. For all that the books are fantasy on the surface, they also address the things, both large and sm
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Jan 06, 2012
Sequelguerrier
rated it:
Some writers of series, somewhere along the way run out of steam. Their characters tire. Their stories loose verve. Their worlds go a bit stale ... There are many examples of the process in many literary genres. Take Marcus Didius Falco and his adventures as a Roman PI, where they were bright and new and funny for the first six or seven books, they have become a tad dusty lately. And there are many worse , much worse than that, where you feel the author may no longer be further involved in creat
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Jan 04, 2012
Matt
rated it:
In many ways I'm tempted to give this five stars. At this point the opportunity to spend more time with the character of Sam Vimes would be worth three even if he just sat on a bench for the whole book eating chocolates. This has a lot more than that. But, while it has an exciting adventure with some interesting twists, it's not as good as many of the previous Pratchett books about the Night Watch. Pratchett's writing is as witty as ever, and the character of Vimes remains one of the greatest in
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Jan 03, 2012
Nate
rated it:
Sam Vimes is taking a vacation. Something that, given his history, you just know isn't going to go well for a great many people. Because even in the countryside there are crimes, and a policeman, even on vacation, can't stand to see crime and not do anything about it.
This book is... Well, it's Pratchett. But it's somehow both more and less. For only the second time in his lengthy and wonderous career Terry Pratchett has overwritten a book (the first being Unseen Academicals). This c More...
This book is... Well, it's Pratchett. But it's somehow both more and less. For only the second time in his lengthy and wonderous career Terry Pratchett has overwritten a book (the first being Unseen Academicals). This c More...
Dec 29, 2011
Lemurkat
rated it:
Sir Terry Pratchett is one of my favourite authors, and although his early onset alzheimers now prevents him from typing his novels (he dictates them with voice recognition software, I believe), they are still a worthy contribution to the world of fantasy literature. His writing style has shifted a little bit - with more rambling vocabulary and the occasional wild tangent, but the plots are still sound, the humour still present and the characters as memorable and familiar as old friends. "
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Dec 27, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I'm a huge fan of the Discworld and the City Watch books in particular but I didn't care for Snuff as much as I could have -- or should have. Down in my gut I feel Commander Sam Vimes has had a great run but now he's so over-powerful, so unbeatable, and full of so many powerful allies (Vetinari, Lady Sybil, his unstoppable assassin-butler, the demon who lives in his head, every City Watch post ever, etc) he's no longer much of a joy to read. He has no challenge. He has no mountain to climb.
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Dec 26, 2011
wychwood
rated it:
Because my brother is awesome, he let me read his Christmas present before he did. Huzzah.
I thought this was better than the last couple I've read; not unproblematic, but basically pretty good. The reliance on "henpecked husband" humour in the early part of the book was disappointing, though - I expect Pratchett to mess with stereotypes, not just rely on them unquestioningly. Someone else said that Vetinari and Willikins were both out-of-character verbose, and I would have to More...
I thought this was better than the last couple I've read; not unproblematic, but basically pretty good. The reliance on "henpecked husband" humour in the early part of the book was disappointing, though - I expect Pratchett to mess with stereotypes, not just rely on them unquestioningly. Someone else said that Vetinari and Willikins were both out-of-character verbose, and I would have to More...
Dec 20, 2011
Tim
rated it:
Terry Pratchett stays great, and any novel is a revelation in itself. The novels featuring the city watch (Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, etcetera, culminating in Thud!) were always growing in awesomeness.
But I hate to admit that while Snuff was still pretty awesome, it couldn't top Thud! .
Somehow the subseries of the City Watch suffers from predictability. Sam Vimes has seen all and conquered everything, and since Thud! he even got "The Summoning Dark" as an all More...
But I hate to admit that while Snuff was still pretty awesome, it couldn't top Thud! .
Somehow the subseries of the City Watch suffers from predictability. Sam Vimes has seen all and conquered everything, and since Thud! he even got "The Summoning Dark" as an all More...
Dec 16, 2011
Chris
rated it:
Sam Vimes really can never steer you wrong. If you take anything else away from this book, take that.
Vimes has always been one of my favorite characters mainly because he embodies a lot of the qualities that I really love. From the beginning, way back in Guards! Guards! he shows that redemption is possible. He starts as a washed-up copper who's lost his will to be what he was meant to be. The night watch is a laughable institution, without the respect of anyone in the city. Over the co More...
Vimes has always been one of my favorite characters mainly because he embodies a lot of the qualities that I really love. From the beginning, way back in Guards! Guards! he shows that redemption is possible. He starts as a washed-up copper who's lost his will to be what he was meant to be. The night watch is a laughable institution, without the respect of anyone in the city. Over the co More...
Dec 09, 2011
Tammy
rated it:
I do believe Sam Vimes is my all time most favoritest character. *Sigh* That's fair warning that this reviewer is slightly biased :-)
SNUFF is everything a Sam Vimes/Ankh-Morpork City Watch/Discworld novel should be - complicated. In general, you could say this is a book about goblins, just as THUD is about dwarves and trolls. But Discworld novels are about SO MUCH more, and especially they are about us. Yup, set in a fictitious "fantasy" world but unmistakably the stories ar More...
SNUFF is everything a Sam Vimes/Ankh-Morpork City Watch/Discworld novel should be - complicated. In general, you could say this is a book about goblins, just as THUD is about dwarves and trolls. But Discworld novels are about SO MUCH more, and especially they are about us. Yup, set in a fictitious "fantasy" world but unmistakably the stories ar More...
Dec 07, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
Premise: Commander Sam Vimes is taking a vacation to his wife's estate in the country. But just because you drag the copper out of the city doesn't mean he won't drag his sense of justice with him, and when mysterious and nefarious things are being done to the local goblins, Sam decides maybe the country isn't so boring after all.
Another reviewer put it well when she said that it's a Monsters Are People Too plot, this time around focusing on goblins. Pratchett himself basically lays More...
Another reviewer put it well when she said that it's a Monsters Are People Too plot, this time around focusing on goblins. Pratchett himself basically lays More...
Dec 05, 2011
Snuff takes on the hilariously twisted journey of Sam Vimes on Vacation. Well, of course, a true copper is never on vacation, so despite all of the efforts of Sam's wife Sybil, manservant Willikens, and even the bad guys to keep him otherwise occupied, Sam manages to find a crime so despicable, so dastardly, it almost makes your head spin.
I thoroughly loved this, from front to back. Sam Vimes has always been one of my favorite literary characters and Sybil and little Sam now stand side More...
I thoroughly loved this, from front to back. Sam Vimes has always been one of my favorite literary characters and Sybil and little Sam now stand side More...
