Interesting Times - (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Discworld is more complicated and satisfactory than Oz . . . has the energy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the inventiveness of Alice in Wonderland . . . brilliant." --A. S. Byatt

When war, magic, politics, and one deliciously inept wizard collide, zany mayhem ensues in this delightful satire in Sir Terry Pratchett's internationally bestselling Discworld series.

To the fine denizens of Discworld, the phrase "May you live in interesting times" is a curse. No one wishes to hear those words, especially not Rincewind. The distinctly unmagical sorcerer has barely survived more than a few "interesting times" and he isn't looking to experience any more. But when a request for a "Great Wizzard" arrives in Ankh-Morpork via carrier albatross from the faraway Counterweight Continent, Rincewind is named emissary.

The Agatean Empire's current ruler is on the brink of downfall, and chaos is all but certain to arise in the wake. For some incomprehensible reason, someone believes Rincewind will have a mythic role in the war and the ensuing bloodletting. Cohen the Barbarian and his extremely elderly Silver Horde are already hard at work planning for the looting and pillaging.

Anyone can be a hero, but there's only one Rincewind--and he believes he owes it to the world to keep that one alive for as long as possible.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Interesting Times is the fifth installment in the Wizards collection (and the 18th Discworld book). The other books in the Wizards collection include:

The Color of MagicThe Light FantasticSourceryEricThe Last ContinentUnseen Academicals

From the Back Cover

"May you live in interesting times" is the worst thing one can wish on a citizen of Discworld--especially on the distinctly unmagical sorcerer Rincewind, who has had far too much perilous excitement in his life. But when a request for a "Great Wizzard" arrives in Ankh-Morpork via carrier albatross from the faraway Counterweight Continent, it's he who's sent as emissary. Chaos threatens to follow the impending demise of the Agatean Empire's current ruler. And, for some incomprehensible reason, someone believes Rincewind will have a mythic role in the war and wholesale bloodletting that will surely ensue. (Carnage is pretty much a given, since Cohen the Barbarian and his extremely elderly Silver Horde are busily formulating their own plan for looting, pillaging, and, er, looking wistfully at girls.) However, Rincewind firmly believes there are too many heroes already in the world, yet only one Rincewind. And he owes it to the world to keep that one alive for as long as possible.

Review Quotes

- "This spinner of crazy science-fiction tales is a very sophisticated jester." --"The Times"

- "Cracking dialogue, compelling illogic and unchained whimsy... Pratchett has a subject and a style that is very much his own." --"The Sunday Times"

About the Author

SIR TERRY PRATCHETT is one of the most popular authors writing today. He lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998. His first Discworld novel for children, "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents," was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal.