h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Works of Terry Pratchett - A4509830
Author: GodBen-The god of doors, ducks, eunuchs, and car dealerships ( O-> ) - U518809

OK, it's a short run-down of all of Terry Pratchett’s novels. Well the run-downs are short . . .

If you lose interest about a third of the way down, I don’t blame you.

This entry has been tried many times before, from what I can see, but never as well and comprehensively - well done!

Pehaps worth mentioning the Discworld computer games?

H2G2 links for you:

A666119 The Origin of Terry Pratchett's Discworld
A292790 Terry Pratchett's Discworld
A1088093 Terry Pratchett's Discworld - the Computer Game
A471368 'The Carpet People' by Terry Pratchett
A1941572 Discworld II - Missing Presumed...!?

Very good job made of an enormous subject to tackle

Great Really good synopsi of the the plots as well - which entice but don't reveal.

Didn't spot any factual errors - but in the Wee Free Men Tiffany led a quiet life not a quite life -

Disappointed you couldn't work in a mention of Yoh-less, such a great name.

Well done GodBen - I have been trying to get this together (not very sucessfully) for months after picking it up at the Flea Market - you can see my efforts at A2372447. Shame we didn't 'meet' before so we could collaborate.

I like the way you have done the synopses like a story in its own right. What do you think of incorporating the main characters idea into your entry?

It would be worth mentioning that many of the DW series are available as audio books - both in abridged and unabridged forms. There are also other franchise elements such as the computer games, a role play game, the quizbook and plays - all detailed in my entry so you needn't do the research.

I would be very grateful if you can get the Tom Paulin quote in (see my footnote 2) as it's one of my favourite quotes - if you want an official reference it's also the first of the 'reviews' quotes in the paperback edition of Interesting Times.

If you want a hand or further ideas for integrating anything in, let me know.

Scrumph

PS I also have another entry stuck in the pipeline - main character biographies - started but not progressed as much as the works entry A2448560. Do you want to collaborate on that?

Skankyrich >> Pehaps worth mentioning the Discworld computer games?<<

I’ve add a section on them, and I’ve incorporated all those links into the entry.


McKay >>in the Wee Free Men Tiffany led a quiet life not a quite life<<

And my inability to spell strikes again!


Scrumph >>What do you think of incorporating the main characters idea into your entry?<<

That’s a good idea. It may take some time though as it’s been a while since I’ve read half the books.

>>It would be worth mentioning that many of the DW series are available as audio books - both in abridged and unabridged forms.<<

Would it be alright if I took the audio and calendars and diaries section from your entry? I’ll put you down as a co-author (of course).

>>I would be very grateful if you can get the Tom Paulin quote in<<

I’ve put in a footnote with it. When I first saw that quote I thought it was sarcasm, because I couldn’t understand why else they put that in the reviews section.

>> PS I also have another entry stuck in the pipeline - main character biographies - started but not progressed as much as the works entry A2448560. Do you want to collaborate on that?<<

Sure. I had considered doing an entry like that once I had finished this one.

Where's "Thud!"?

I know it's not out but it HAS been announced and is coming in October/November.

http://www.paulkidby.com/progress/index.html has a short hint at the plot.

Great entry, thought about doing something like this for ages.

You just mispelled "First" in the Trukers section and "Came" in the Pratchett Portfolio section.

Quality entry.

Yes, please help yourself to anything you want from my entry - I'll delete it once your one has been picked. I'll concentrate my efforts in supplying the main characters for the DW books if you like.

The Tom Paulin quote was not sarcasm - he said it in all seriousness. I had the good fortune to see it live, but the way he said it (I even seem to remember he flung the book aside as he said it) and the fact it was flying in the face of the evidence of a best selling author was very, very funny. I think the memory will stay with me for many years. I was almost cross when Terry started using chapters again in Going Postal - but the intros creating the intrigue and ocassional misdirection save it.

Great stuff - and thanks for incorporating those suggestions so quickly!

Looks good to me!

HPB >>Where's "Thud!"?<<

I’ve added a section on Thud!, but the thing is that we don’t know who’s going to be in Thud! (except Vimes) so a character list can’t be added for it.

LeRue >> You just mispelled "First" in the Trukers section and "Came" in the Pratchett Portfolio section.<<

for finding those. I know that there’s at least one ‘Dicworld’ in the entry, but I don't know where. for the first person who finds it.

scrumph >> I'll concentrate my efforts in supplying the main characters for the DW books if you like.<<

Thanks. I’ll try and do the non-Discworld ones.

>>The Tom Paulin quote was not sarcasm - he said it in all seriousness.<<

Yes, I just found this transcript. Very enlightening: http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:k__NE4EQBcEJ:www.the-snu.co.uk/Pratchett.html

>>I was almost cross when Terry started using chapters again in Going Postal<<

I know what you mean, prefer not having chapters. There’s almost an impetus that if you start a chapter you have to read to the end of the chapter even if you don’t want to.

I found a good quote Terry made about chapters: “Life doesn't happen in chapters -- at least, not regular ones. Nor do movies. Homer didn't write in chapters. I can see what their purpose is in children's books ("I'll read to the end of the chapter, and then you must go to sleep") but I'm blessed if I know what function they serve in books for adults.”

One more thing, Eric is ever so slightly based on Dr Faust or Dr Faustus, a pretty freaky story, and film I think, in its own right. Just said this cause you say that Wyrd Sisters is a parody on McBeth.

A fine attempt at an epic topic

Will have to have a slower read-through but can't see any glaring points of note at first glance

Jules

"I’ve added a section on Thud!, but the thing is that we don’t know who’s going to be in Thud! (except Vimes) so a character list can’t be added for it."

Nobby aswell, and his pole dancing girlfriend.

Theres an inspector type person too: Mentioned somewhere in this audio interview http://orangeword.co.uk/DOCS/0102.htm (scroll down)

OK, I added the bit about Faust, as well as adding some more info on Eric. It's ironic that the shortest novel in the series now has the longest synopsis.

That audio interview was good. Well worth the hour.

there's THUD the board game as well

A mammoth topic - well done!

Only one typo I spotted in a quick read through

rouge -> rogue in the Carpe Jugulum section.

Matt

Well done, GodBen! I really like this.

I've a number of suggestions to make, but I haven't time at the moment, so it may be Thursday before I get a chance to give it a good going over.

Typo: Nomes = Gnomes

No, they're called Nomes in the book.