Nation

A wonderful non-Diskworld book from Terry Pratchett

Although this is not a part of his Diskworld series, Terry Pratchett has written a wonderful book filled with his personal brand of humor and poignancy. It has been classified as a children's (or young adult) book, but there is plenty for adults to enjoy. In fact, adults may understand more of the humor in some parts than children, or at the least, I hope so.

The story is based around two young characters: a boy from the Pacific Islands who has lost his tribe, and an English girl shipwrecked on the island with him. It is ostensibly a story about growing up and accepting people for who they are, instead of where they were born (or whether or not they wear trousers, for that matter), but it could just as well be a story about pelicans that drink beer and octopuses that climb trees. There is adventure, a bit of horror, plenty of fantasy, and a touch of rommance - namely, enough variety to satify most any reader.

The story may be dissapointing to the romantics in the crowd, but cynically, life will be disappointing to them as well. The story ends right where it should, but like most good stories, you are left with the disappointment that it is over.

To make a long story...less long, go buy this book, and read, no, TREASURE it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very well done overall

I really enjoyed reading this book. As it was my first book of Terry Pratchett's, I didn't know what to expect and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I like the way this books sucks you in and you never know what to expect (though a few things were a given, but not enough to bore you). An unusual read that surprisingly does not remind me of any other books that I have read, and that is a rarity.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

SO GOOD!!

I loved this book! It was sad in the right parts and funny and romantic in all the others! Mao is so sweet and 'Daphine' is independent! The only part that was dissapointing to me was the end! but at least it worked out for some people!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

In his young adult novel Nation, British fantasy author Terry Pr

In his young adult novel Nation, British fantasy author Terry Pratchett explores coming of age when laws and social structures cease to exist. A Tsunami in the fictional Pelagic Ocean strands a native boy, Mau, and shipwrecks on the same island a girl named Erminitrude from someplace akin to Mid-Victorian England. Surrounded by death and destruction, Mau and Erminitrude overcome their fear and distrust of each other and work together to save themselves and other survivors and misfits who arrive on the island in the wake of the great wave.

Mau assumes the position of chief, not through force or manipulation, but purely through service. He sacrifices his own well-being for the good of the weakest individuals within the group and courageously defends his new tiny Nation against pirates and cannibals. Erminitrude changes her name to Daphne and begins to appreciate the nobility of those she once dismissed as “uncivilized” and recognizes the savagery of some supposedly civilized people.

The novel is rich with allusions and a humor that appeals to teens and adults alike. There are some mystical/fantasy elements and an occasional scene with mild profanity or nearly profane slang. The book begins with the native creation myth of Mau’s people, including an introduction to the ancestral gods of life and death. Through the myth, the reader gains exceptional insight into Mau’s thoughts and motives and the gift of examining traditional western values and ideas from a different point of view.

The first chapter feels slightly confusing until the worlds of Erminitrude and Mau converge on the island. From that point forward, Nation builds momentum by blending high-seas adventure with thoughtful contemplation. Overall, Pratchett offers an enchanting tale of self-discovery and triumph of the human spirit.

Laurie A. Gray
Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (Vol. XIII, No. 1, April 2009); used with permission.

Zuko

I loved u to.

Mimi

I still like u friends?

Awesome!

I didnt realize how attached I was to the characters till the end. An amazing tale of adventure and science.

Not a Discworld story!

This story is based in "our" world, not Discworld, but it is still written with similar style and feel, and has the same warped look at politics, religion, and relationships that those books have. A good read, very funny, full of action at parts, and how people REALLY think when they're going through the motions of being a hero. Historical fiction in nature, taking place in an equatorial island setting.

/ :

I didnt like it very much, it was ok at some parts but i wouldnt buy it

3 out of 5

It could be better

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

???

I cant wait to read it so right niw 5 star!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Highly Recommended

This was an excellent book, I listened to it in Audiobook format and have a full review at littlesqueed dot blogspot dot com

Great Story

This book was in the excellent tradition of Terry Pratchett. It started out very captivating and continued keeping my interest. I spent the night reading this through because I did not want to miss anything that was going to happen. Great Story.

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Mau is away from his small island when a giant wave destroys his village, leaving him alone - and unable to complete the ceremony that would have given him his man's soul. It takes all his strength just to carry on, with the voices of his ancestors haunting him.

Daphne finds herself the lone survivor when the ship she was traveling on crashes into Mau's island on the same wave. With little to guide her but her grandmother's training for high society, she isn't sure whether to approach Mau as a potential friend or foe.

As other survivors gather on the island, Mau and Daphne form a bond and work to create a society that's all their own. Mau begins to believe in himself despite his fear that he lacks a soul. Daphne realizes there are far more important things than propriety.

But when all they've gained is threatened by an outside enemy, will their makeshift community be able to hold steady?

NATION has everything you could ask for in a novel. Its dramatic scenes are both poignant and moving, with Pratchettt's customary humor keeping the proceedings from straying into melodrama. Both main characters are distinctive, and it's a pleasure watching them come into their own throughout the story. The villains are suitably creepy and brutal. Little details of the setting and cultures make it all feel so real.

Highly recommended to both teens and adults.

What if you lost everything and the only life you have ever known?

A young girl and young island boy rebuild "the nation" after a tsunami wipes out everything and everyone they know. Imagine what it must be like to overcome these massive obstacles and grief to reconstruct a way of life.
It is one teen title that many ages will come to love- multi layers within the story deal with coming of age, religion and acceptance of other cultures. I love Terry Pratchett's other books but this one is my favorite by far.

A great YA read.

In a parallel universe set in the time when the British were still exploring and claiming new worlds a plague has affected many of its citizens. On its quest to bring the daughter of the new king back to London, the Sweet Judy is shipwrecked by a tidal wave. On his journey into manhood Mau had just found the canoe that will take him to his home island where he will become a man. When he arrives, Mau finds that the tidal wave has taken the lives of his entire island Nation. But when much is taken, something is returned and together Daphne and Mau confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne's sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives¿all of them hungry and all of them frightened. Nation was my first Terry Pratchett novel and I enjoyed the journey into this imaginary world and the story told with realism and humor. The characters question faith, struggle to keep their new family safe and overcome the hurdles of a lifestyle turned upside down all while forging a new Nation. I recommend this book to all YA readers.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Heart Of the Matter

Terry Pratchett has never,never failed in the thirty some-odd books through which I have pursued him to inform, entertain, and to ultimately please this very picky reader. He has stirred the cauldron of thought and ladled a plate full of tasty reason, the mere aroma of which must bring tears of joy to the eyes of the most jaded epicure. Now, Buddy, if you can say better than that,--give it your best shot. I do not need to see an outline or synopsis of Terry's new book to make a critical judgment. It is far too late for that. You see, I just know.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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