Dwarf vs. Troll

[Gabe495]

I wonder if the whole dwarf vs. troll conflict is an analogy for something in real life. I know this may be just trying to find more meaning in what may be just a good fiction. What are your thoughts?

[Meh]

It totally is, man. Maybe not a specific conflict, but it's definitely about racism, a religious war, or something else like that. The entire book has such a deeper level to it. It's possible just to read it for its entertainment value, which is immense, but there's so much there.

[Ari]

As Pratchett is an awesome satirist, the whole Koom Valley thing probably reflects a real situation or bit of history. The first thing that springs to mind is the situation in the middle east, which has been going on for thousands of years. I think THUD is Pratchett's best book so far. It is such scathing satire on the human condition: racism, organized crime, religion, drugs, war and law enforcement -- all in one book.

[Amanda]

I think Pratchett is commenting on any time you get two (or more) groups who hate each other for reasons of culture, history, religion...whathaveyou. They get so entrenched in the hate that that it becomes part of their worldview. They are xenophobic because...they are. They don't really even need any other reason.
How can Pratchett be so funny about things that, looked at another way, aren't funny at all? In Jingo he did it with rampant nationalism and the race to war and in The Monstrous Regiment he poked a sharp stick at militarism and sexism.
Recent books have skewered bureaucracies, monetary systems, a free press, international relations and religions of all sorts. And he always leaves me laughing.

[Gerald]

Is Koom Valley Jerusalem? Do the Dwarfs and Trolls represent the Jews and the Palestinians? It really could be anything, but I seriously enjoyed this book.

[David]

Absolutely. If you live where I do (Northern Ireland), it's very easy to see parallels in real life, especially around the 12th July every year ...

[[deleted user]]

Thud would have to be my favourite Discworld book (and I love 'em all). @Cayr is right - it probably is a real situation. I like the idea of Jerusalem. It fits so well, doesn't?

And since somebody mentioned 'Jingo' that whole scenario of an island rising to the surface and being claimed by 2 nations actually happened.

[M.T.]

Hello everyone.

I loved this one, too. As for the setting, I reckon he's made it real enough for us to be able to see the similarity with many areas of world politics; but not so real that scary people wearing big beards or balaclavas are going to think it's about them and seek him out to have a 'chat' about being cheeky.

I love going postal, mainly because it's about marketing which I used to do for a living. I also love any of the Vimes ones but Night Watch is particularly good.

Cheers

MTM

[James]

Vimes recitation of "Where's My Cow" in the cave may have been the best scene in the book

[M.T.]

Yeh actually I'll have to read it again because I wasn't a parent last time and now I am...

[M.j. Holmes]

I concur with Revjvm. AS a parent, who reads to one's child, lovingly I might add, it was a story point that brought me to f'ing TEARS.

-M-
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[Meera]

I think what is also wonderful is that it reminds us that a lot of times, things are different from what we perceive. Like the trolls and dwarfs actually were cobbling a treaty, but the future gen thinks they were fighting. It also reminds us to keep clear of fanatics who twist facts.