This is a classic Pratchet book and that is my problem. It has all the usual Pratchet devices: Lord Vetinari, Wizards who don't want to use magic, more mythical monsters given charachters (Golems this time) and a story of our hero against adeversity. he protagonist is a serial con-man employed by Lord Vetniari to re-establish the post office against the modern communication system and throughout the course of the book the charachter of the protagonist develops well but predictably. Many other stereotypical charachters make their contributions and there are the usual Pratchet twists on observations of life.

The book is however a pale comparrison to Pratchets earlier "Colour of Magic" and "Light Fantastic" when his style was new and it lacks the originality of "Moving Pictures" and "Eric". It is a good read but far from his best work.