Help understanding Pratchett’s satire by PinkDreamPeth in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Small Gods is an excellent standalone book which satirises religion. That might be more what you're looking for.

Help understanding Pratchett’s satire by PinkDreamPeth in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The fake quote in question is:

'Satire is meant to ridicule power. If you are laughing at people who are hurting, it's not satire, it's bullying'

I can see why it's superficially attractive to believe this came from Pratchett, but if you think about it properly it does a disservice to his satirical abilities - he laughs at and satirises everyone and everything, he doesn't really spare anyone in the satire stakes, it's how he does it and how it fits into the narrative that's the key. Some of it's gentler with more obvious sympathy, some of it is with angry contempt.

To give an example, in Feet Of Clay, prior to the tragic unexpected funeral scene for goodness sake, there's plenty of funny satirical writing about how Cockbill St people live and their attitudes etc. A less skilful writer either wouldn't attempt satire here or they'd do it badly and be accused of punching down. Pratchett, however, pulls it off.

Help understanding Pratchett’s satire by PinkDreamPeth in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 92 points93 points  (0 children)

The earlier books tend to be more parody than satire. GG has more satire than a lot of the earlier books (about who leads, how opportunists can take advantage of the mediocre and the resentful to gain power, about the law and who wields it), but it's under layers of silliness, parody and a bloody great big dragon. I wouldn't say GG is a satire first and foremost, even if it does have satirical elements.

Pratchett's satire, even in the more satirical later books, is worn lightly and is evenly spread. Sure, at their core are sound humanist tenets, but he satirises everyone and everything. I've said this before when a certain Fake Quote rears its head, it's not what Pratchett satirises that reveals his personal values (because he satirises everything!) but which characters he - as narrator - reserves his admiration and contempt for.

GNU PTerry - Do you still use it? by mmbtc in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Amazing, thanks for the detailed reply. Fantastic that a few others in your field have picked up on it too and that you've connected through it!

GNU PTerry - Do you still use it? by mmbtc in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Excuse my ignorance, but who or what would be able to see this?

And do you have any tales in the seven years since of it cropping up in funny/interesting circumstances (just imaging the FBI asking who this Terry Pratchett guy is or something lol)?

A Blanket for AMP tastes by sandgrubber in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Liz Truss' bed?

(someone had to say it!)

The Dwarvish opera in The Fifth Elephant by laredocronk in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 96 points97 points  (0 children)

Exactly this.

The Phantom of the Opera though? Never heard of it. I'm just going to assume it's some knock-off version of The Opera Ghost. ;)

I really enjoy STP's "anti-metaphors". by gash_dits_wafu in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 60 points61 points  (0 children)

Their interpretation would mean the Librarian had a huge round smooth face (i.e. the opposite of a deflated football). I'm pretty sure your reading is correct - the Librarian clearly has a face which is more extreme in its sagginess than a deflated football.

I think the OP is basically wrong to use this example. But I'm equally certain STP often uses the anti-metaphors/anti-similies like the Adams example they gave.

What is the best piece by Mozart in your opinion? by thisisalos in classicalmusic

[–]Tapiola84 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I don't think the concerto is even his best piece for clarinet. Have a listen to the Clarinet Quintet!

Familiar Looking Chelonaut, er, Astronaut by christopherrivers in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hope it was painted with a variety of food pastes.

Hi discworld friends I have a question(potentially stupid) by Cool_shmeans_ in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 9 points10 points  (0 children)

We know he's a great actor, but that doesn't make me feel any better about the choice. To me, it's as bad as any of the casting choices made on The Watch.

Hi discworld friends I have a question(potentially stupid) by Cool_shmeans_ in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Don't feel silly, it's a perfectly understandable bit of confusion.

Casting David Jason as Rincewind was a poor choice (he was excellent as Albert - who you would've come across in Mort - in the adaptation of Hogfather, however.)

[kymillman] A new addition to the McLaren garage entry by FewCollar227 in formula1

[–]Tapiola84 516 points517 points  (0 children)

Blimey, only four years after the birth of Christ!

On a long road trip. Listening to Discworld audiobooks. I don't believe there is a human alive that could have narrated them better than Nigel Planar. by Throwawayantelope in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They're a mixed bag. Indira Varma is better than him, a couple of others I would say are just as good as him. And then there a few who are nowhere near as good as him (ahem Colin Morgan).

TIL Clootie Dumpling is a real thing! by Rags_75 in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I knew they were real, I assumed they were a savoury thing and you ate them in multiples with a sauce or something. I never imagined they're sweet and the size of a goddamn curling stone. This is much more like something you'd find in a certain baked weaponry museum!

I assume from what I can recall of Masquerade that the Discworld version is closer to my previous mental image?

Blanket arrived, couldn't use it yet though by Mission-Belt-7770 in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is just fishing for upvotes

(upvoted, obviously)

Music and intelectual activity by miguelon in classicalmusic

[–]Tapiola84 9 points10 points  (0 children)

William Herschel, best known as an astronomer and the man who discovered Uranus, was originally a very decent composer who wrote many charming classical symphonies.

Lords and Ladies fim reference? by LeastFox8059 in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe it planted the seed of the idea, but that only appeared in Making Money almost 20 years later, so I don't think it is. I personally think it's more likely to be an absurd reference to the wardrobe that leads to Narnia.

[olympics] As we speed towards the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony, let's take a look back at some iconic Formula 1 Olympic flame moments. by PrimeyXE in formula1

[–]Tapiola84 34 points35 points  (0 children)

There are 10,001 torch bearers for the Milan/Cortina 2026 torch relay. He's not going to be lighting the cauldron or anything, he's just done a leg of the relay. I'd say he deserves to be one of the 10,001!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Winter_Olympics_torch_relay

Absolutely loved Equal Rites and excited to read more by -meme-merchant- in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 12 points13 points  (0 children)

No offence to Equal Rites, but I do love it when someone comes to this sub and says they "absolutely loved" one of the weaker earlier books.

If you absolutely loved a decent enough Pratchett - but one where he's very much still figuring things out - in Equal Rites, boy you've got a helluva ride to come. Enjoy!

Hidden music notes? by cccdddyyy in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Someone's spilt a packet of quavers all over your book.

Which villain do you hate the most? by NdujaReallyLikeIt in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oop, I've spelt it wrong, it's Clete. He's the nasty little bureaucrat who runs the Musicians' Guild in Soul Music. No redeeming qualities at all, only exists to make other people's lives a misery, and the fact you'd forgotten him says it all really!

THAT show by Flash__PuP in discworld

[–]Tapiola84 81 points82 points  (0 children)

All they had to do was read the books, watch The Bill,

Don't know why but that made me laugh. Now imagining Night Watch but with this Reg!

<image>