A Conversation for Ask h2g2

Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 181

Jim Lynn

Hexwood is sort-of representative. It's the most 'adult' of her 'children's' books. 'Fire and Hemlock' is a similarly toned book. And my personal favourite is 'The Homeward Bounders'

And I'd disagree that the Chrestomanci books are sub-Rowling. Witch Week perhaps, but Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant are both great fun.

One problem is that Jones' books do run the gamut from extremely young to adult fiction. The one thing she always does, though is tell a good story.


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 182

Tefkat

Order them from the library fords. Ours charge 80p per book ordered - or nowt if you know a kid that can order them for you.

Or wander into every charity shop you pass and spend a couple of minutes scanning the bookshelves.

smiley - cappuccino

Thanks Jim. Don't know when I'll next get time to read now that gardening weather's here but I'll definitely look for more DWJ if they're going to be as good as Hexwood.

smiley - cappuccino

Can't remember who mentioned him but what's wrong with David Eddings?


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 183

IctoanAWEWawi

I did, I don't like him, that's what! Doesn't mean no-one should, I just think he does Fantasy-by-numbers with 2D characters. Oh, and goes on for far too long (not as bad as Tad williams tho'). I thought he was OK for the first bit then he just started boring me. See, said I'd be in trouble for that (recalls the huge number of Eddings related user names at university.....)

Duck & run!


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 184

IctoanAWEWawi

Tefkat, that was not supposed to sound quite how it did. Stick a few smilies on the end smiley - smiley


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 185

a girl called Ben

I remember when I read the Belgariad that I found it lightweight but surprisingly compelling. Ideal bathtime or beach reading.

I confess I did not then persue the other Eddings cycles

B


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 186

Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like

I must say, you are doing the worst impersonation of being 'off-line for the forseeable' that I have seen in recent times. smiley - winkeye
smiley - shark


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 187

DA ; Simply Vicky: Don't get pithy with me!

Yes,ben, what gives?

I'm enjoying Holdstock, wondering what to do when I finish 'Celtica'. I've grabbed a NZ fantasy by one Dale Elvy. First Hunter, part 1 of the Spirit Shinto series (of course)I'll let you know what it's like... The Holdstock is, of course, awesome.


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 188

IctoanAWEWawi

Hi Della, I'd seen the Celtica boook by him but haven't had the guts to go and buy, I've had some bad experiances of fantasy authors re-writing legends. So you reckon it's good then? Has he kept to the legend or has he made up his own story but using the existing names?

In fact wasn't Merlin in one of his other books? Erm, the one in france I think....


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 189

a girl called Ben

What gives is that I am doing 14 hour days, 5 days a week, and 6 hour days the other two. I have no recent experience of Bank Holidays, Jubilees or World Cups. (Though the last two are not a loss, imho).

So in theory I have no time for online stuff.

On the other hand, if I did not pop into h2g2 every few hours, I would be stark staring mad by now. As it is I gibber in the kitchen twice a day.

I have noticed that most of the songs I am posting in Back Again F25868?thread=100636&latest=1 are incredibly dark. Talking of which, I am going to unashamedly plug my Front Page entry today: A749469

The 'offline for the forseeable' is more of an alibi for ignoring threads I don't like than anything else. And in fact I am only following half a dozen or so.

B


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 190

Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like

We feel suitably priviliged here, I'm sure. smiley - winkeye
Hope you do actually go (any) mad(der) in the near future though.smiley - ok
smiley - shark


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 191

a girl called Ben

I am not sure whether to do a smiley - tongueout smiley or a smiley - hug one!

Still - I am actually taking this weekend off, so that's cool

B


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 192

Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like

Glad to hear it.smiley - smiley
All work etc etc.
But it does help to pay the mortgage, doesn't it?
smiley - shark


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 193

a girl called Ben

I am thinking of having a t-shirt printed which says:
"Will Work for Money"

Can we drag this thread back on to the subject of SF, Fantasy and Humour?

One thing which struck me reading the Oddessey was that so far as Homer was concerned the beasts he wrote about were real. It gives the whole thing a completely different flavour to modern SF and Fantasy, where everyone knows it is metaphor.


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 194

DA ; Simply Vicky: Don't get pithy with me!

Ictoan, he's made it his very own. It's special, get it and I promise you'll love it, or your money back. Oops, I shouldn't promise what I can't deliver. But you'll love it.


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 195

Ted (known for leaving incredibly long postings), The Cynic

Douglas Adams= smiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - cool
Terry Pratchett= smiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - cool
The Truth= smiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - cool
HHG2TG= smiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - coolsmiley - cool


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 196

Tefkat

I've had Celtica out from the library for ages, but hadn't got around to reading it for some reason. If it's really that good I'd better take it into my bath with the scented candles and the birthday smiley - cappuccino and smiley - choc (Galaxy - what else would do for a Fantasy/SF binge?)


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 197

DA ; Simply Vicky: Don't get pithy with me!

You will smiley - love Celtica, Tefkat, I promise!smiley - cat


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 198

IctoanAWEWawi

Still haven't got round to reading it! He's got another one out now as well hasn;t he?


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 199

DA ; Simply Vicky: Don't get pithy with me!

He has? Tell me details! I smiley - love his books - my son is still force-feeding me Tamora Pierce fantasies, and Star Wars novels. I'd like an excuse to read something else...


Did Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams know each other, considering the fact that their writing styles are identical?

Post 200

You can call me TC

To get back to TP vs DNA.

I recently read (Christmas present to one of my sons) "The Last Hero". Did anyone else notice a tribute to DNA in that? I can't quote because it'll get whisked away by the mods, along probably with the rest of this posting. But there is definitely a paragraph written in DNA's style and it's a real non seq and is never mentioned again. Just like in Douglas' books. And to seal the homage, Mr Pratchett finishes off with "What goes around, comes around" - in case someone didn't notice.

Now, even if they couldn't stand each other, I think that is a very fitting tribute, and somehow, even though it could be TP showing off - "look I can write in any style I like" - I don't get the feeling that it is.

The book was first published in 2001, so I shall regard this paragraph as a little nod in his direction.

Otherwise I found "The Last Hero" a bit fabricated, but most of all it was the pictures that bothered me in the edition I read. (On the front is a parody of the picture "The Scream", not that that got in the way of reading, but it's just to identify the book for anyone interested)

However, it had all my favourites in it except Vimes - and my hero Captain Carrot saved the day. Although he didn't look as sexy in the pictures as I imagine him to be. No Nanny Ogg or Granny Weatherwax either, come to think of it. Still, it wasn't a very long story.

Sometimes you get the feeling someone said "Write a story and include everyone's favourite" So you get Carrot, Rincewind and Leonardo da Quirm flying this space ship, both the Ridcully brothers and Ponder Stibbons, who saves the day, looking - a stroke of genius this - suspiciously like Harry Potter (I wouldn't have imagined him that way, but that particular picture was really good!)

Sorry - ramble from a Terry Pratchett fan. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Off to read Night Watch now.. smiley - footprintssmiley - moon


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