Must Be Funny In a Pratchett's World (Making Money - Terry Pratchett)

Name: samueltyler

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Product:	Making Money - Terry Pratchett
Date:	14/12/07 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great characters, interestinf story

Disadvantages: Too clever for its own good at times, pacing issues

I've just heard the news that Terry Pratchett, author of over 30 books in the Discworld series, has been diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer's. It got me thinking about some of my other long term authors and how their work as had peaks and troughs - usually descending rapidly in quality in later years. Pratchett has always managed to avoid this as although his books are invariably set in Ankh-Morpork the actual stories tackle different subjects each time. That is until now as his latest book 'Making Money' revisits the cast of 'Going Postal' and reuses similar story plots. Could this work in what may be one of his last books?

Moist von Lipwig is back in his second starring role in a Pratchett novel as the head of the increasingly successful Post Office. Things have become so successful for the former con man turned man of the people that he no longer fears from his life. With this boring fact in mind he is reluctant to take on the role of bank manager for a struggling chain, especially one were the Chairman is a dog that likes to play with an unusual chew toy. Can Moist modernise the banking sector in the same way he did the post office? Not if the nasty and rich Lavish family have anything to say about.

Enjoyment of 'Making Money' is almost entirely dependent on two variables - your enjoyment of Pratchett's novels, and you enjoyment of 'Going Postal' in particular. 'Making Money' is typical Pratchett fair in so many ways. It is set in Ankh-Morpork and although Lipwig has only appeared once before the rest of the book is jammed full of characters that we have met many times. This leads to one of the issues with the books that has haunted the Discworld series for years - how do you cater for new readers? There are so many subplots and cameos in this book that will go over the heads of people who have only previously read 1 or 2 Pratchett novels. 'Making Money' is not particularly accessible to first time readers, but to long term fans it is a joy.

One area in which Pratchett triumphs is his characterisations. 'Making Money' is full of the characters that we have known and loved for years with many getting extended cameos. However, in my opinion it is the relatively unknown characters that are the most fun. Lipwig is a great creation, up there with the best of Pratchett's inventions. He is a restless character that will take risks to get the job done often resulting in amusing outcomes. The bad guys in this novel are also particularly good. The Lavish family are well thought out as they try and oust Lipwig from the bank. Cosmo's slow decline into madness is a great read.

There are issues with the pacing of this book that I feel Pratchett has always struggled with. The first 100 pages are slightly too slow, then the middle section is fantastic. This central section sees the baddies try and create a plan to unseat Lipwig and the canine Chairman who has taken over the bank. Unfortunately for Pratchett he stumbles into confusing cerebral mode near the end were he tries to add ideas of magic to the story that leaves me cold. The book still works well, but many people will be put off by the concluding section. The problems are nowhere near as bad as those seen in 'Reaper Man' or 'Hogfather', but it does prevent the book from being up their with is best work such as 'Masquerade' or 'Guards, Guards'.

'Making Money' is certainly a fan service book and not one that should be read by the casual reader. Far too much has gone on over the past 30 books or so for a person just to jump in. Personally I would love to be able to go back a start again with the Witches early books, or even more so the Guards. 'Guards, Guards' is always the book that I advise people to start with as it's a good one and earlier enough to not be confusing.

With a limited number of books left in the Pratchett led 'Discworld' series 'Making Money' shows that although Pratchett is not on top form he is still a great author. It is witty, intelligent and for the most part very well written. If he can just concentrate on the simple stories that make the books so great and try and iron out the confusing cerebral sections he would he back to his very best. I really enjoyed the character of Lipwig and I hope that he appears again in the future. The 'Discworld' books have given me a lot of joy through my life and I hope that they continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Mr Pratchett, I salute you.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Price: amazon uk - £10.44
play.com - £10.99

Summary: Another top Discworld novel from a national treasure