Book Review: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
Book: Going Postal
Author: Terry Pratchett
Genre: Fantasy
Julia Rating: 10
Comments: The first Pratchett book (that I know of) with the character Moist Von Lipwig – confidence trickster extraordinaire. It begins with the ending of his life as a confidence trickster and forger. Moist undertook the name of Albert Spangler to dupe people, and he is to be hung by the neck until dead… well almost dead anyway. When he awakes from the hanging in the Patrician of Ankh Morkpork’s office, Moist discovers he has survived a hanging only to be given something worse – a government job. Lord Vetinari makes it simple – become Postmaster General, or leave via a pit of spikes. Moist decides on to take the Postmaster General job.
Moist discovers very quickly that he is expected to seriously take on his position as Postmaster General when he tries to run off on a reasonably fast nag – only to find his Golem probation officer carrying him back to Ankh Morpork. So, he gets cracking and turns the ancient and very disused post office into a profitable business – encountering only a smattering of death threats, potential mutilations, a press agent who tends to quote you exactly (to your undoing) and a woman who looks very good in a severe dress.
I really love this book and the character. Terry Pratchett has outdone himself again (also, it’s kind of the prequel to Mr. Pratchett’s newest creation: Making Money