The Truth: Discworld, Book 25

I hate Terry Pratchett.I get home from a hard day at work, I cook dinner, I eat dinner, I wash up, and then sit down to some TV. In a short time, I'm so sick of commercials I turn off the TV and begin reading.The problem is that I start reading and then the next thing I know it's 5am, and I've got to get up in an hour, so I think, "might as well keep reading for another hour." Then I look up again and it's 10:30, I haven't slept and I'm 4 hours late for work, so I call in sick and finish the book.The absolute worst part, even when I'm finished with the book, I'm so anxious to read more Pratchett that I am compelled to run to the bookstore and get the next one.So, basically, Pratchett sucks because I'm out of sick days.

This entry in Terry Pratchetts wonderful Discworld series concerns the disruption caused when the magical fantasy world discovers the pros and cons of daily newspapers. Many old friends appear, including Gaspode the Talking Dog and Captain Carrot of the City Watch. We are also introduced to several new characters, including a reformed vampire (hes taken the pledge not to drink human blood) and Discworld's first gossip columnist.Pratchett, as always, manages to be funny and touching, wildly inventive, and pointedly analytical, all at the same time.

I was completely taken by surprise first time I read this-- Pratchett introduced a few new main characters in later novels, including The Truth. I definitely like William deWord, Sacharissa, vampire news photographer Otto Chriek, dwarf Goodmountain, and the invention of the newspaper. I've read this 6-7 times, it's always fun. I'm replacing my paperbacks and hard bound Pratchett novels with Kindle versions due to vision problems, and Kindle is the answer for now. Kindle readers who love intelligent, insanely funny, "anything goes" satire will love this book-- at least most of us do :)

This is one of my favorites in the Discworld books. As someone who does a lot of writing I can so get into and enjoy the mind of William de Worde, but there are also so many fascinating characters either added or fleshed out in this book. Imagine a vampire photographer who uses flash photography! Pin and Tulip are -ing hilarous (you have to read the book to understand the -ing reference) and worth the time the book takes even if nothing more were to happen in the story. The Truth gives you time to visit with the Archchancellor of Unseen Univerity, the Bursar, Vetinari, CMOT Dibbler, Cheery Littlebottom, Vimes, Captain Carrot, Angua, Igor, and Mr. Slant so you aren't ignoring your favorite characters even while you learn about the life of a mild-mannered newsletter writer like William. Anyone who didn't grow up to be what their father planned for them to be will relate to William and find themselves cheering for him to succeed. I highly recommend this book. We took it along on a road trip and everyone who listened as it was read aloud has been demanding a chance to read the book for themselves, too.

I recommend this as a starter for anyone interested in The Discworld books. Its a good stand alone that has many of the series main characters in side roles. It gives a good sense of the intelligence and humor of Pratchett's work. Its not my favorite of the series but a good point to go anywhere from.

I gave a copy of this book to my son who is a journalist and graduated just as newspapers were going out of business all around the US. He's thoughtful and experienced, though disappointed about newspapers and reporting today. I think he will enjoy the humorously insightful descriptions of the new "ruthless" role of Discworld's first writer of truth who starts the first ever publishing business on Discworld that affects the everyday citizens who, incidentally, make up a very diverse group in Discworld and stirs up an amazing amount of turmoil. It's a great escape into a story that doesn't quit, even when you've finished the whole book. Delightful, Insightful FUN!

It's important to note that in the Discworld, newspapers have never existed. The engravers guild, in order to preserve their monopoly on printing, preventing anyone from using a mechanical press. That is until a group of dwarfs arrive from the mountains yearning to make money by printing.Along comes young William de Worde, a prodigal aristocrat whose broken from his wealthy father to make it on his own. When William visits the printing shop, he finds himself plunged into the new world of journalism. Together with a proper young lady named Sacharissa, they set out to create the Disc's first newspaper called the Times.As luck would have it, just as they're starting out, a huge story breaks. The metropolis of Ankh-Morpork's leader, The Patrician, is accused of stabbing his clerk with a knife and then trying to flee the city with embezzled funds. The City Watch is baffled by the case, but William soon finds a "man" on the inside, the mysterious Deep Bone. Aided by Sacharissa, the dwarfs, and a vampire photographer (on the wagon, meaning he only drinks animal blood) who turns to dust if he uses flash photography, William is determined to get to the bottom of things. But the truth isn't always so easy to set free, especially when hired goons are trying to kill you.This was a good addition to the series, but it could have been better. When I first read the description, I thought for sure there'd be some Citizen Kane references in there. I was expecting William to be one of those larger-than-life type characters like Charlie Kane and his real world counterpart William Randolph Hearst. That never materialized, which is disappointing. Instead William is an earnest young man in search of The Truth, which is OK too, but don't we all like more grandiose characters?There are some good insights into what makes the news, especially in the comparison between the Times and its rival The Inquirer--which despite its name is more based on Weekly World News. As the Deep Bone indicates there are references to Watergate and also the hired goons Mr. Pin and Mr. Tulip are based on the killers in Pulp Fiction, as evidenced by the line, "Do you know what they call a sausage-inna-bun in Klatch?"On a side note, this story probably was the template for the later Going Postal, the first in the series I read. That involved the creation--resurrection really--of the post office in a similar fashion. Though the central character of that one, Moist von Lipwig, was more interesting. Conmen are just more exciting than conflicted aristocrats.And that's all the news fit to print.

Typical Terry Pratchett with many of his established characters plus some new ones, including a talking dog. Story line is very up to date and centres around the introduction of newspapers, either serious ones or 'popular' ones reporting on 'fake news'. Lots of interesting concepts of Discworld technology reflecting modern developments in this world.

Oh dear, how I miss this man.Every sentence is dripping with either wit or philosophy. Down and out Funny wit, or sly wit, take your choice. And every book makes you think afresh about the world we live in, how we got to where we are and what we do with our world.Yes, I miss this man.

I have been a fan of Terry Pratchett since his works were first published many years ago and have remained a fan ever since, All of his books are very good but those of the Discworld series are possibly his finest. I own the whole Discworld series of books in hardback so it seemed only logical to buy them in Kindle as well in order to have a portable Terry Pratchett collection.

Easily one of the best in the discworld series. It's a novel that shows how shrewdly observant Prattchett was about the world. Reading the book again is scary how well it mimicks the world of today despite being set in a fictional fantasy land. Well worth a read (or listen, if you get the audiobook).

I love the Discworld books and have read them all many times over both in and out of order. This book can be read as a standalone but if you can read in order you will know more about a lot of the characters.

I am slowly making my way through Pratchetts work. And yet, I have not been let down by any of his books. Obviously there are going to be novels that I really like and others not as much. But, what I find with Terry is that he is getting better with each book. The Truth introduces new characters and sees more of familiar faces. What I like most, is even with new characters I feel like I have known them for years. The only problem I am having, is it's embarrassing laughing to myself whilst reading the book in the staff room. It is funny and brilliantly put together.

As usual, re reading a pTerry book is like reading it again for the first time.Always something new leaps off the page into the back of your eyes and exciting the grey cells with nuances missed the last time.

This is another book in the series that I have sought out in order to fill in the gaps. It's the chance to find out more about Mr. De Worde's life, having been a source of pain for Pratchett's protagonists over the years with his factual reporting.There are two mean villains - Mr. Tulip and Mr. Pin - who scare the general populus with their tasks given by the Ankh-Morpork elite, and it is up to Mr. De Worde to find out 'the truth' whilst dealing with the city's first printing press and thus first city newspaper.Gaspode plays a role in this (always a favourite) as well as his homeless brethren ('bugrit'!); and there's a host of other characters too - Vimes, CMOT Dibbler, etc.This is a definite read for the fact that it establishes Mr. De Worde's character so that we can understand who he is, and his philosophy, when we encounter him later in the series. It's also memorable for giving us a great insight into Otto, the vampire photographer - a 'black ribboner' who struggles when using a flash to take pictures!

This is an excellent Terry Pratchett Discworld novel. It is witty, lively, funny but also very deep, clever and thought provoking. This is definitely a good read.Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels are marvellous. Just give the first two a miss (The colour of Magic and The light fantastic) as they are wobbly, and whatever you do don't read the last one (Raising steam) ; Raising Steam (clearly not written by TP!) is appallingly poor and would put you off the author, which would be a shame as his books are masterpieces!

Like every Discworld book, connotations between, real and fantasy come close.A great insight into, running a Newspaper, and striving for the truth.

What can i say, I am a Terry pratchett fan, here we follow the adventures ofvWilliam Dr Word who in his quest after the truth ends up bringing newspapers and printing presses to Ankh Morpock, much to the amusement, amazement, and irritation of its various citizens.

I must admit to being a fan of Terry Pratchett, particularly those featuring the watch. There were two new characters in the hired thugs and their inept performance. Recommended for Pratchett fans!

the printing press arrives in ankh morpork. the industrial age is coming! good story based in the big town itself.

As with all Pratchett books this is a wonderful read with old characters like Vetinari and Vimes taking a role in a another story of advancement in Ankh. This, however, is one of those gems that as well as providing an enjoyable story takes you deep into thought. A lovely critical analysis of modern journalism and especially the behaviour of people surrounding headline news. Thoroughly enjoyed, worth a read.

Typical Pratchett - not one of the better ones - but sends me to sleep quicker than the others so far!