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Children's Circle Stories #1
Dragons at Crumbling Castle: And Other Stories
Dragons have invaded Crumbling Castle, and all of King Arthur’s knights are either on holiday or visiting their grannies. It’s a disaster!
Luckily, there’s a spare suit of armour and a very small boy called Ralph who’s willing to fill it. Together with Fortnight the Friday knight and Fossfiddle the wizard, Ralph sets out to defeat the fearsome fire-breathers.
But there's a teeny weeny surprise in store . . .
Fourteen fantastically funny stories from master storyteller Sir Terry Pratchett, full of time travel and tortoises, monsters and mayhem!
‘So funny I dropped my spoon laughing!’ – King Arthur
Luckily, there’s a spare suit of armour and a very small boy called Ralph who’s willing to fill it. Together with Fortnight the Friday knight and Fossfiddle the wizard, Ralph sets out to defeat the fearsome fire-breathers.
But there's a teeny weeny surprise in store . . .
Fourteen fantastically funny stories from master storyteller Sir Terry Pratchett, full of time travel and tortoises, monsters and mayhem!
‘So funny I dropped my spoon laughing!’ – King Arthur
339 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
691 people are currently reading
7496 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
684 books46k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 835 reviews
May 14, 2024
Dragons at Crumbling Castle - 4/5
There’s a dragon sighting at Crumbling Castle. Since only one person was brave enough to show up for work in the morning, he’s sent to the castle by orders of the king to investigate and scare off the dragons.
I’ve read an earlier version of this story in the A Stroke of the Pen anthology. This version is definitely a bit different. It comes across as a little bit more polished and funny. But the theme of the story, that fighting isn’t always the answer, is equally strong in both versions.
The Great Speck - 5/5
Two astronomers from two different countries notice a great speck floating in the air. It seems to be a livable planet. So the two countries prepare to claim it for themselves.
This reminds me of so many things. On one hand, it’s a small scale version of the space race. And on the other hand, you can already see some rough ideas that will later be expanded on and used in the Discworld series. The concept reminds me a bit of Jingo, though the way the story is executed reminds me of the first two Rincewind books. The ending is quite funny and the core theme of the story is brilliantly put on display here.
Hunt the Snorry - 4/5
Colonel Vest is on a big expedition in the Amazon rainforest to find the legendary Snorry. But no one knows what it looks like.
The twist at the end made me laugh. It’s a funny little story.
Tales of the Carpet People - 4/5
The carpet is fraying. And the carpet people living in a village on the edge of the carpet need to move. They want to go to a place they only know from legends of old. A place on the other edge of the carpet. To get there, they need to cross the middle of the carpet. But many dangers await them there.
The concept of the Carpet People is just so good and the world building is done right. So it’s easy to understand why Terry Pratchett wrote multiple short stories and one full length book about them. This one is a little bit similar to the full length book in terms of concept. It’s an adventurous and enjoyable short story.
Hercules the Tortoise – 4,5/5
Spring has arrived and Hercules the Tortoise enjoys his garden. But he’s also curious about what lies beyond the shed. He doesn’t want to escape from his garden, he just wants to explore.
A very straight forward and small scaled but adventurous and relaxing story where nature and animals are firmly at the core.
Dok the Caveman - 4/5
This isn’t the first caveman inventor story by Terry Pratchett I’ve come across. This one is very similar to “How it all began” which can be read in A Stroke of the Pen. Amusing little story about how technical innovations can change the world.
The Big Race - 3/5
A company builds a steam-driven car and challenges multiple types of cars to a race, including a more standard petrol-driven car.
This feels like a very early precursor of what will later become the Moist von Lipwig subseries in the Discworld. Fun and solid concept with a lot of potential, though the execution is not quite there yet.
Another Tale of the Carpet People - 4/5
What happened to the Carpet People after their adventurous trek across the mighty carpet? Why, some seem to have caught a taste for adventure and are boldly daring to go sailing beyond the carpet, to explore the legendary floor.
Adventurous, humorous and entertaining from start to finish.
The Great Egg-Dancing Championship – 3,5/5
There’s an egg-dancing tradition between two rival towns. Many eggs are rolled onto the floor and the dancers get a quick look at the pattern before they’re blindfolded and try to dance in between the eggs without breaking them. To the rival townspeople, this is their most important event of the year. It’s like a war they fight out on the dance floor.
Silly and amusing premise. Though the heart of the story is actually a tale of love between two people from the rival towns. It’s similar in concept to Romeo and Juliet, and “Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh!” from another Terry Pratchett anthology, Father Christmas's Fake Beard.
Edwo, the Boring Knight - 4/5
A king who has three sons sends all three of them out into the world with a mission to prove themselves, as is tradition. Despite the prime minister’s suggestions of sending the youngest son Edwo to either the moon or the bottom of the sea, the king sends Edwo somewhere to a forest with nothing but an old donkey to accompany him. But after a while, the donkey stops and tells Edwo he’s the most boring person he’s ever met.
It’s a clever and charming story about a guy with an unlikeable character trait. Basically, one negative trait you have doesn’t have to define you. And as we say in Dutch: op elk potje past een dekseltje (there’s a lid out there for every pot, which means there's someone out there for everyone).
The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time - 3/5
The passengers of a bus quickly realize they’ve travelled back in time as they see an angry Roman legion coming straight towards them. But the bus isn’t done time travelling just yet.
An episodic time travel story that jumps from one short little adventure to the next. It’s good but every story just feels a bit too short to really make an impact.
The Abominable Snowman – 2,5/5
A bored rich man goes looking for the abominable snowman.
Takes a while to get to the point but the concept is pretty solid.
The Blackbury Monster – 3/5
The mayor of Blackbury wants to do something special to put his town on the map. And the suggestion is made that the town needs its own Loch Ness kind of monster.
Solid concept done well.
Father Christmas Goes to Work - 4/5
The wife of Father Christmas says she’s sick of him only having to work one evening a year. So he gets himself a real job at the zoo.
I already read this story in another Terry Pratchett anthology, Father Christmas's Fake Beard. It shows that some people are best suited for a particular line of work.
Overall, a solid collection of short stories that were written quite early in Terry Pratchett's career. They show a lot of promise and potential, though the best was yet to come.
There’s a dragon sighting at Crumbling Castle. Since only one person was brave enough to show up for work in the morning, he’s sent to the castle by orders of the king to investigate and scare off the dragons.
I’ve read an earlier version of this story in the A Stroke of the Pen anthology. This version is definitely a bit different. It comes across as a little bit more polished and funny. But the theme of the story, that fighting isn’t always the answer, is equally strong in both versions.
The Great Speck - 5/5
Two astronomers from two different countries notice a great speck floating in the air. It seems to be a livable planet. So the two countries prepare to claim it for themselves.
This reminds me of so many things. On one hand, it’s a small scale version of the space race. And on the other hand, you can already see some rough ideas that will later be expanded on and used in the Discworld series. The concept reminds me a bit of Jingo, though the way the story is executed reminds me of the first two Rincewind books. The ending is quite funny and the core theme of the story is brilliantly put on display here.
Hunt the Snorry - 4/5
Colonel Vest is on a big expedition in the Amazon rainforest to find the legendary Snorry. But no one knows what it looks like.
The twist at the end made me laugh. It’s a funny little story.
Tales of the Carpet People - 4/5
The carpet is fraying. And the carpet people living in a village on the edge of the carpet need to move. They want to go to a place they only know from legends of old. A place on the other edge of the carpet. To get there, they need to cross the middle of the carpet. But many dangers await them there.
The concept of the Carpet People is just so good and the world building is done right. So it’s easy to understand why Terry Pratchett wrote multiple short stories and one full length book about them. This one is a little bit similar to the full length book in terms of concept. It’s an adventurous and enjoyable short story.
Hercules the Tortoise – 4,5/5
Spring has arrived and Hercules the Tortoise enjoys his garden. But he’s also curious about what lies beyond the shed. He doesn’t want to escape from his garden, he just wants to explore.
A very straight forward and small scaled but adventurous and relaxing story where nature and animals are firmly at the core.
Dok the Caveman - 4/5
This isn’t the first caveman inventor story by Terry Pratchett I’ve come across. This one is very similar to “How it all began” which can be read in A Stroke of the Pen. Amusing little story about how technical innovations can change the world.
The Big Race - 3/5
A company builds a steam-driven car and challenges multiple types of cars to a race, including a more standard petrol-driven car.
This feels like a very early precursor of what will later become the Moist von Lipwig subseries in the Discworld. Fun and solid concept with a lot of potential, though the execution is not quite there yet.
Another Tale of the Carpet People - 4/5
What happened to the Carpet People after their adventurous trek across the mighty carpet? Why, some seem to have caught a taste for adventure and are boldly daring to go sailing beyond the carpet, to explore the legendary floor.
Adventurous, humorous and entertaining from start to finish.
The Great Egg-Dancing Championship – 3,5/5
There’s an egg-dancing tradition between two rival towns. Many eggs are rolled onto the floor and the dancers get a quick look at the pattern before they’re blindfolded and try to dance in between the eggs without breaking them. To the rival townspeople, this is their most important event of the year. It’s like a war they fight out on the dance floor.
Silly and amusing premise. Though the heart of the story is actually a tale of love between two people from the rival towns. It’s similar in concept to Romeo and Juliet, and “Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh!” from another Terry Pratchett anthology, Father Christmas's Fake Beard.
Edwo, the Boring Knight - 4/5
A king who has three sons sends all three of them out into the world with a mission to prove themselves, as is tradition. Despite the prime minister’s suggestions of sending the youngest son Edwo to either the moon or the bottom of the sea, the king sends Edwo somewhere to a forest with nothing but an old donkey to accompany him. But after a while, the donkey stops and tells Edwo he’s the most boring person he’s ever met.
It’s a clever and charming story about a guy with an unlikeable character trait. Basically, one negative trait you have doesn’t have to define you. And as we say in Dutch: op elk potje past een dekseltje (there’s a lid out there for every pot, which means there's someone out there for everyone).
The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time - 3/5
The passengers of a bus quickly realize they’ve travelled back in time as they see an angry Roman legion coming straight towards them. But the bus isn’t done time travelling just yet.
An episodic time travel story that jumps from one short little adventure to the next. It’s good but every story just feels a bit too short to really make an impact.
The Abominable Snowman – 2,5/5
A bored rich man goes looking for the abominable snowman.
Takes a while to get to the point but the concept is pretty solid.
The Blackbury Monster – 3/5
The mayor of Blackbury wants to do something special to put his town on the map. And the suggestion is made that the town needs its own Loch Ness kind of monster.
Solid concept done well.
Father Christmas Goes to Work - 4/5
The wife of Father Christmas says she’s sick of him only having to work one evening a year. So he gets himself a real job at the zoo.
I already read this story in another Terry Pratchett anthology, Father Christmas's Fake Beard. It shows that some people are best suited for a particular line of work.
Overall, a solid collection of short stories that were written quite early in Terry Pratchett's career. They show a lot of promise and potential, though the best was yet to come.
November 22, 2017
I’ve somewhat neglected Terry Pratchett over the last few years. I read a few of his books in the Discworld series when I was very young and I didn’t really like them. So I’m yet to pick up another book from there (despite owning several) any time soon.
Instead I’ve been very selective about the material I read of his. I read Nation and was really rather impressed with its balance of humour and postcolonial themes. This year I read The Long Earth and I was swept away with the sheer scope of its ideas, again, made great by the undercurrent of ridiculous humour. So there’s no denying the talent of the writer. Perhaps I was too young to appreciate his humour in the Discworld series or perhaps I just didn’t understand it at the time.
In A View From the Cheap Seats: Selected Non-fiction Neil Gaiman explained why Terry Pratchett was so important to him as a writer and as a friend. I was quite touched by his words and felt that I ought to give Sir Terry’s Discworld another go some time in the future. But I’m being very careful with what I choose to read. I don’t want to be put off again if I chose the wrong book. Next year Good Omens will be going on my 2018 reading list. It seems like the best place to start, a collaboration with one of my favourite authors is bound to produce great results. It might give me a reason to pick up a Discworld novel.
Here, though, we see some of Terry’s very early work. It’s almost like Pratchett is experimenting, playing with words and themes to see if his writing has the desired effect. It is clearly the work of an inexperienced writer, and it shows many ideas that he would one day use to make his writing so remarkable and unique: so distinctively his own. They were all enjoyable, full of charm and wit, without being insufferable in their humour. The balance is perfect. Sometimes I feel like Pratchett tries too hard, inserting a joke or pun wherever possible, but here it was just right.
So, overall, a very strong collection
Instead I’ve been very selective about the material I read of his. I read Nation and was really rather impressed with its balance of humour and postcolonial themes. This year I read The Long Earth and I was swept away with the sheer scope of its ideas, again, made great by the undercurrent of ridiculous humour. So there’s no denying the talent of the writer. Perhaps I was too young to appreciate his humour in the Discworld series or perhaps I just didn’t understand it at the time.
In A View From the Cheap Seats: Selected Non-fiction Neil Gaiman explained why Terry Pratchett was so important to him as a writer and as a friend. I was quite touched by his words and felt that I ought to give Sir Terry’s Discworld another go some time in the future. But I’m being very careful with what I choose to read. I don’t want to be put off again if I chose the wrong book. Next year Good Omens will be going on my 2018 reading list. It seems like the best place to start, a collaboration with one of my favourite authors is bound to produce great results. It might give me a reason to pick up a Discworld novel.
Here, though, we see some of Terry’s very early work. It’s almost like Pratchett is experimenting, playing with words and themes to see if his writing has the desired effect. It is clearly the work of an inexperienced writer, and it shows many ideas that he would one day use to make his writing so remarkable and unique: so distinctively his own. They were all enjoyable, full of charm and wit, without being insufferable in their humour. The balance is perfect. Sometimes I feel like Pratchett tries too hard, inserting a joke or pun wherever possible, but here it was just right.
So, overall, a very strong collection
September 17, 2019
I'm a big fan of the late Sir Terry Pratchett. I even much enjoy his children stories. Sir Pratchett is a great place to turn when I need a break from serious readings. 9 of 10 stars
March 1, 2018
Събота следобед. Навън е толкова горещо, че мозъкът ми работи на половин оборот. Седя си в старото кресло и усещам как по раменете ми се появява едно неопределено гъделичкане. Впоследствие се оказа, че това са наченките на първото в живота ми слънчево изгаряне. (Каякът по Камчия наистина не се оказа лоша идея. Неизползването на слънцезащитен крем обаче не беше от най-хитрите ми изпълнения). Кротко си разговарям с Тери Пратчет в аквариумно мудния следобед. На фон тихичко ми звучат Depeche Mode и от време на време си прекъсвам разговора, за да помогна на Дейв Гаан да си доизкара куплета. После отново се гмурвам между страниците.
„Дракони в порутения замък“ ми хареса едва доловимо по-слабо от „Прахосмукачката на вещицата“ – също сборник с разкази на Тери Пратчет от времето, когато е бил млад (и „не чак толкова умен, колкото се извъдих после“). Тери Пратчет го споменавам често. Пиша за него, когато споделям впечатления за други книги, вметвам по някой негов цитат из разговори, често осмислям разни неща от живота си чрез неговия иронизиращ, но и самоироничен поглед върху света. Тери Пратчет е отколешен приятел. Толкова отколешен, че буквално съм отраснала с него (тате, благодаря ти!). По онова време не беше особено популярен в България, та нямаше и твърде много издадени негови книги тук, но си беше любов от пръв прочит. Още относително ме е страх да го чета в оригинал, да не би да не разбера смешното. Пробвала съм единствено с A Blink of the Screen и A Slip of the Keyboard – там го разбрах въпросното смешно, че и другите неща, които никак не бяха забавни. И все пак. Изпитвам твърде голямо уважение към Тери Пратчет, за да го чета ей така, не напълно подготвена. Но и това ще стане. Обещавам (си).
За „Драконите“ обаче ми беше думата. Не знам кога точно Тери Пратчет е осъзнал, че всъщност чак толкова го бива, че да живее от едното писане. Да, пописвал си е, дори е продавал разкази, че и няколко романа, докато още е работел други неща, обаче… дали си е казвал „В мен наистина има ГИГАНТСКИ потенциал, само трябва да работя неуморно и ще стана НЯКОЙ НАИСТИНА ДОБЪР В ПИСАНЕТО“. Едва ли се е надъхвал именно така, но потенциалът със сигурност е бил там. Мисля, че в онзи Тери от шейсетте вече е горяла искрицата, която е щяла да лумне в наистина жежка клада. И в разказите му, макар и леко наивни, и не изцяло оформени, прозира онзи Тери Пратчет, в който се е превърнал. Радвам се, че момъкът с коженото яке и бележника никога не се е отказал да пише. И се радвам, че сме се открили.
„Дракони в порутения замък“ ми хареса едва доловимо по-слабо от „Прахосмукачката на вещицата“ – също сборник с разкази на Тери Пратчет от времето, когато е бил млад (и „не чак толкова умен, колкото се извъдих после“). Тери Пратчет го споменавам често. Пиша за него, когато споделям впечатления за други книги, вметвам по някой негов цитат из разговори, често осмислям разни неща от живота си чрез неговия иронизиращ, но и самоироничен поглед върху света. Тери Пратчет е отколешен приятел. Толкова отколешен, че буквално съм отраснала с него (тате, благодаря ти!). По онова време не беше особено популярен в България, та нямаше и твърде много издадени негови книги тук, но си беше любов от пръв прочит. Още относително ме е страх да го чета в оригинал, да не би да не разбера смешното. Пробвала съм единствено с A Blink of the Screen и A Slip of the Keyboard – там го разбрах въпросното смешно, че и другите неща, които никак не бяха забавни. И все пак. Изпитвам твърде голямо уважение към Тери Пратчет, за да го чета ей така, не напълно подготвена. Но и това ще стане. Обещавам (си).
За „Драконите“ обаче ми беше думата. Не знам кога точно Тери Пратчет е осъзнал, че всъщност чак толкова го бива, че да живее от едното писане. Да, пописвал си е, дори е продавал разкази, че и няколко романа, докато още е работел други неща, обаче… дали си е казвал „В мен наистина има ГИГАНТСКИ потенциал, само трябва да работя неуморно и ще стана НЯКОЙ НАИСТИНА ДОБЪР В ПИСАНЕТО“. Едва ли се е надъхвал именно така, но потенциалът със сигурност е бил там. Мисля, че в онзи Тери от шейсетте вече е горяла искрицата, която е щяла да лумне в наистина жежка клада. И в разказите му, макар и леко наивни, и не изцяло оформени, прозира онзи Тери Пратчет, в който се е превърнал. Радвам се, че момъкът с коженото яке и бележника никога не се е отказал да пише. И се радвам, че сме се открили.
January 27, 2015
When Terry Pratchett was a young man, he worked at a newspaper. These short and humorous stories were published in that paper, the 'Bucks Free Press' as part of their 'Children's Circle' page. They're a wonderful glimpse into the early development of a writer - but they're also wholly enjoyable on their own merits.
Dragons at Crumbling Castle: The title story is a charming and punny, if not altogether unfamiliar-feeling, tale of a quest to slay some dragons who turn out to be more congenial than expected. (LOL, the Sports Page.)
Hercules the Tortoise: If you ever happen to have a child whose pet turtle goes missing after being let out to crawl around the yard - this is the perfect story for that moment.
The Great Speck: A simple yet very true analogy about cooperation vs. nationalism and one-upmanship. And a story about the two nations resident on a floating dust mote going to visit a passing, neighboring dust mote.
Hunt the Snorry: Basically, an extended joke with a pretty funny punchline, making fun of Great Hunts and glorious quests.
Tales of the Carpet People: Pratchett fans who've read his recently re-published first novel "The Carpet People" will be familiar with the characters here. I actually think the conceit works better in a shorter format.
Dok the Caveman: The Dawn of Civilization, according to Pratchett.
The Big Race: Have you ever wondered why we use gasoline-guzzling cars, rather than steam-powered ones? Here's Pratchett's theory.
Another Tale of the Carpet People: Here, the Carpet People set out on a voyage of exploration (with certain parallels to the storybook conception of Columbus' famous voyage) and 'discover' the Rug.
The Egg-Dancing Championship: A small-town folktale of rivalries surrounding two neighboring villages' (rather silly) traditonal contest.
Edwo the Boring Knight: Edwo may be boring (in fact, he bores a dragon stiff - literally), but this story of a youngest son off to seek his fortune, is not.
The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time: A typical London bus takes a most unusual route...
The Abominable Snowman: A funny spoof of the traditional style of British Scientific Expedition to Foreign Parts (and the British tradition of package holidays).
The Blackbury Monster: The mayor of a sleepy small town comes up with an innovative way to attract tourism: pretend there's a monster in the lake. However, the fallout from his scheme isn't quite what he expected.
Father Christmas Gets A Job: In today's job market, even our much-beloved Santa Claus might find he's not very 'employable.'
Many thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read this collection. As always, my opinions are my own.
Dragons at Crumbling Castle: The title story is a charming and punny, if not altogether unfamiliar-feeling, tale of a quest to slay some dragons who turn out to be more congenial than expected. (LOL, the Sports Page.)
Hercules the Tortoise: If you ever happen to have a child whose pet turtle goes missing after being let out to crawl around the yard - this is the perfect story for that moment.
The Great Speck: A simple yet very true analogy about cooperation vs. nationalism and one-upmanship. And a story about the two nations resident on a floating dust mote going to visit a passing, neighboring dust mote.
Hunt the Snorry: Basically, an extended joke with a pretty funny punchline, making fun of Great Hunts and glorious quests.
Tales of the Carpet People: Pratchett fans who've read his recently re-published first novel "The Carpet People" will be familiar with the characters here. I actually think the conceit works better in a shorter format.
Dok the Caveman: The Dawn of Civilization, according to Pratchett.
The Big Race: Have you ever wondered why we use gasoline-guzzling cars, rather than steam-powered ones? Here's Pratchett's theory.
Another Tale of the Carpet People: Here, the Carpet People set out on a voyage of exploration (with certain parallels to the storybook conception of Columbus' famous voyage) and 'discover' the Rug.
The Egg-Dancing Championship: A small-town folktale of rivalries surrounding two neighboring villages' (rather silly) traditonal contest.
Edwo the Boring Knight: Edwo may be boring (in fact, he bores a dragon stiff - literally), but this story of a youngest son off to seek his fortune, is not.
The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time: A typical London bus takes a most unusual route...
The Abominable Snowman: A funny spoof of the traditional style of British Scientific Expedition to Foreign Parts (and the British tradition of package holidays).
The Blackbury Monster: The mayor of a sleepy small town comes up with an innovative way to attract tourism: pretend there's a monster in the lake. However, the fallout from his scheme isn't quite what he expected.
Father Christmas Gets A Job: In today's job market, even our much-beloved Santa Claus might find he's not very 'employable.'
Many thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read this collection. As always, my opinions are my own.
September 14, 2014
I should start this review by saying I’ve been a big Pratchett fan for over half my lifetime. He could publish a book of his shopping lists, or of all the occasions when he’s got up in the middle of the night to go to the loo, or of the noises he’s heard people making while getting up out of chairs and I’d buy it in hardback on the day it came out and be excited about it.
So, this is a children’s book and I am forty (luckily I’m a very young forty, I’ve lived a very virtuous lifestyle). Was it still readable and enjoyable? Flip yeah! It’s a cosy book with nice illustrations and a great use of fonts and font sizing to make certain words leap out at you. The stories, while short and simple, are peppered with Pratchetty ways of seeing the world (the Sports Page is a nice example, I shan’t spoil this by explaining it). Also, because the stories were written decades ago it has little references that are of the time and which adults will enjoy, such as the Rumbelo tribe (remember the electrical goods retailer? You’d have bought a Hi-Fi there or a crimper, in the days before ipods and docks).
It’s a children’s book in the spirit of Roald Dahl, you won’t find the language or the plots dull.
So, this is a children’s book and I am forty (luckily I’m a very young forty, I’ve lived a very virtuous lifestyle). Was it still readable and enjoyable? Flip yeah! It’s a cosy book with nice illustrations and a great use of fonts and font sizing to make certain words leap out at you. The stories, while short and simple, are peppered with Pratchetty ways of seeing the world (the Sports Page is a nice example, I shan’t spoil this by explaining it). Also, because the stories were written decades ago it has little references that are of the time and which adults will enjoy, such as the Rumbelo tribe (remember the electrical goods retailer? You’d have bought a Hi-Fi there or a crimper, in the days before ipods and docks).
It’s a children’s book in the spirit of Roald Dahl, you won’t find the language or the plots dull.
January 24, 2020
Take delight in these stories from a very young Terry Pratchett, before he became Sir Terry.
“Dragons at Crumbling Castle”
“Hercules the Tortoise”
“The Great Speck”
“Hunt the Snorry”
“Tales of the Carpet People”
“Dok the Caveman”
“The Big Race”
“Another Tale of the Carpet People”
“The Great Egg-Dancing Championship”
“Edwo, the Boring Knight”
“The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time”
“The Abominable Snowman”
“The Blackbury Monster”
“Father Christmas Goes to Work”
At seventeen, Terry Pratchett went to work for his local paper, where, in addition to reportage, he also wrote stories for the paper’s “Children’s Corner.” It is from these pages that Dragons at Crumbling Castle was created.
Ye Olden Day News
In the days of King Arthur there were no newspapers, only town criers, who went around shouting the news at the tops of their voices.
King Arthur was sitting up in bed one Sunday, eating an egg, when the Sunday town crier trooped in. Actually, there were several of them, including a man to draw the pictures, a jester for the jokes, and a small man in tights and soccer cleats who was called the Sports Page.
A tiny dragon
“It’s the green variety. They grow to be thirty feet tall,” said Fortnight, “and then they take to roaring and rampaging and walking on the grass and other lawlessness and wicked deeds.”
“What sort of deeds?” asked Ralph interestedly.
“Oh—well, I don’t know. Leaving faucets running and slamming doors, I suppose.”
Dok the inventor
Poor old Dok! Nothing ever quite went right, ever since he had invented language when he accidentally dropped a very heavy stone on his foot. And then there was the time when he’d stuck a seed into a hole in the ground, patted the earth around it, and invented farming. A wild horse had come along and eaten the first plant.
He sat in his damp, cold cave and shivered. Idly he picked up two dry sticks that had come from the tree and, for want of anything better to do, began to rub them together. . . .
Child-friendly stories for all ages - especially Terry Pratchett fans.
Enjoy!
“Dragons at Crumbling Castle”
“Hercules the Tortoise”
“The Great Speck”
“Hunt the Snorry”
“Tales of the Carpet People”
“Dok the Caveman”
“The Big Race”
“Another Tale of the Carpet People”
“The Great Egg-Dancing Championship”
“Edwo, the Boring Knight”
“The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time”
“The Abominable Snowman”
“The Blackbury Monster”
“Father Christmas Goes to Work”
At seventeen, Terry Pratchett went to work for his local paper, where, in addition to reportage, he also wrote stories for the paper’s “Children’s Corner.” It is from these pages that Dragons at Crumbling Castle was created.
Ye Olden Day News
In the days of King Arthur there were no newspapers, only town criers, who went around shouting the news at the tops of their voices.
King Arthur was sitting up in bed one Sunday, eating an egg, when the Sunday town crier trooped in. Actually, there were several of them, including a man to draw the pictures, a jester for the jokes, and a small man in tights and soccer cleats who was called the Sports Page.
A tiny dragon
“It’s the green variety. They grow to be thirty feet tall,” said Fortnight, “and then they take to roaring and rampaging and walking on the grass and other lawlessness and wicked deeds.”
“What sort of deeds?” asked Ralph interestedly.
“Oh—well, I don’t know. Leaving faucets running and slamming doors, I suppose.”
Dok the inventor
Poor old Dok! Nothing ever quite went right, ever since he had invented language when he accidentally dropped a very heavy stone on his foot. And then there was the time when he’d stuck a seed into a hole in the ground, patted the earth around it, and invented farming. A wild horse had come along and eaten the first plant.
He sat in his damp, cold cave and shivered. Idly he picked up two dry sticks that had come from the tree and, for want of anything better to do, began to rub them together. . . .
Child-friendly stories for all ages - especially Terry Pratchett fans.
Enjoy!
January 14, 2020
What an absolutely daft lot of stories, but hey, what fun. Who cares that they were all daft, they were a pleasure to read, and a great amount of comedy, went into them.
Even at his younger age, as he was when he wrote these for kids, Terry Pratchett,
then had a terrific sense of humour, and story telling.
Read and enjoy these silly,but delightful, little yarns. If you have children, or grandchildren , of a young age like I have,you will have a great amount of enjoyment reading these to them.
Much better entertainment than the same boring rubbish on the telly! And better than the gaming consoles.!
Even at his younger age, as he was when he wrote these for kids, Terry Pratchett,
then had a terrific sense of humour, and story telling.
Read and enjoy these silly,but delightful, little yarns. If you have children, or grandchildren , of a young age like I have,you will have a great amount of enjoyment reading these to them.
Much better entertainment than the same boring rubbish on the telly! And better than the gaming consoles.!
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November 21, 2017
A collection of short stories that Sir Terry Pratchett wrote for a child-friendly audience whilst he was a young journalist on a local newspaper. Collected here, along with some wonderful illustrations by the Dahl-drawer, Quentin Blake, are (I assume) a book of fourteen the best ones.
It's a mixed collection (topically) but the general outlook is the same: very Pratchett-esque fantasy stories that use real-world events or situations and plonk them straight in the middle of a fantasy world. There is a commentary after each story about it, which explores the links between it and Terry's later writings, particularly Discworld stories.
Dragon at Crumbling Castle is a lovely collection of stories: some are funnier than others, some are written better than others, but they're all quintessentially Pratchett. I also loved the fact that the stories were not edited in any way, and are in fact directly how they were originally published (apart from the fact that they were serialised in the newspaper; they have been put together fully for the purposes of this book).
Sorry, but how can I resist beautifully bound books about Dragons? I can't. It's even in a bathtub!
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It's a mixed collection (topically) but the general outlook is the same: very Pratchett-esque fantasy stories that use real-world events or situations and plonk them straight in the middle of a fantasy world. There is a commentary after each story about it, which explores the links between it and Terry's later writings, particularly Discworld stories.
Dragon at Crumbling Castle is a lovely collection of stories: some are funnier than others, some are written better than others, but they're all quintessentially Pratchett. I also loved the fact that the stories were not edited in any way, and are in fact directly how they were originally published (apart from the fact that they were serialised in the newspaper; they have been put together fully for the purposes of this book).
Sorry, but how can I resist beautifully bound books about Dragons? I can't. It's even in a bathtub!
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Shop | Etsy
August 5, 2020
It was so much fun to discover some new (to me) stories by one of my favorite authors! Learning that Terry Pratchett "taught himself to write by reading as many books as he could carry home from the Library" endears him even more to me. Julian Rhind-Tutt's expressive voice is a delight as always.
March 20, 2015
4.5 Stars
http://bookslifewine.com/r-dragons-at...
Dragons at Crumbling Castle is an adorable selection of short stories and illustrations. This title is a book club pick - it's a bit younger than I normally care to read - and I'm pretty happy I was introduced to this novel via my book club.
There are quite a few short stories in Dragons at Crumbling Castle and each of the stories are full of adorable illustrations and wonderfully fun font choices. My favorite stories in the book are:
Tales of the Carpet People
Another Tale of the Carpet People
Dragons at Crumbling Castle
The Great Speck
The introduction to Dragons at Crumbling Castle says that some of these stories were later worked into full length novels. That made me happy as my top favorite stories were the "Tales of the Carpet People" and The Carpet People is one of the full length novels. I do plan to pick that story up soon.
Dragons at Crumbling Castle is an MG (middle grade) book and I've already recommended it to a few co-workers. I also highly recommend it as a great book to read to young(er) children. Dragons at Crumbling Castle is full of imagination and whimsy - simply adorable
http://bookslifewine.com/r-dragons-at...
Dragons at Crumbling Castle is an adorable selection of short stories and illustrations. This title is a book club pick - it's a bit younger than I normally care to read - and I'm pretty happy I was introduced to this novel via my book club.
There are quite a few short stories in Dragons at Crumbling Castle and each of the stories are full of adorable illustrations and wonderfully fun font choices. My favorite stories in the book are:
Tales of the Carpet People
Another Tale of the Carpet People
Dragons at Crumbling Castle
The Great Speck
The introduction to Dragons at Crumbling Castle says that some of these stories were later worked into full length novels. That made me happy as my top favorite stories were the "Tales of the Carpet People" and The Carpet People is one of the full length novels. I do plan to pick that story up soon.
Dragons at Crumbling Castle is an MG (middle grade) book and I've already recommended it to a few co-workers. I also highly recommend it as a great book to read to young(er) children. Dragons at Crumbling Castle is full of imagination and whimsy - simply adorable
February 24, 2024
I listened to this audiobook in one go. It was so cute and awesome 😍🥰
August 1, 2016
3,75 / 5
En esta ocasión se trata de una inédita colección de catorce cuentos de tono más infantil que reúne a una gran cantidad de personajes altamente disparatados; como tortugas aventureras, héroes sensibles, gente minúscula, cavernícolas inventores o un papa Noel en busca de empleo, en una serie de aventuras alocadas que representan una excelente forma de introducir a jóvenes lectores en el universo de Terry Pratchett, aunque los adultos también podemos saborear los inicios del amado hombre del sombrero. Aunque todos son divertidos, amenos y bastante cortos, reconozco que los dos relatos de la Alfombra se me hicieron algo tediosos, demasiado alargados para mi gusto y comparando con el resto de la colección, aunque no por ello poco disfrutables. Del resto me quedo absolutamente con Dok El cavernícola, La Gran Mota y el que da nombre al libro, Los dragones del castillo ruinoso; son mi top 3 de la antología.
La selección de historias, de lo más variadas y descacharrantes, denotamos a un Terry Pratchett primerizo y más adolescente, con ciertos elementos fantásticos y una ironía reconocible, donde varias de ellas transcurren en el escenario ficticio de Gritshire, sin ser este realmente relevante ni un hilo conductor. Se pueden ver claramente retazos de lo que el hombre del sombrero sería capaz de realizar años después. Fantasía, suspense, humor y crítica social se recogen en estos catorce relatos cortos puramente entretenidos y altamente divertidos. La edición que ha publicado Montena es una gozada, en tapa dura y tamaño mediano, con muchísimas ilustraciones desenfadadas a cargo de Mark Beech, cambios tipográficos cuando el cuento lo requiere y con la excelente traducción de Manu Viciano.
En esta ocasión se trata de una inédita colección de catorce cuentos de tono más infantil que reúne a una gran cantidad de personajes altamente disparatados; como tortugas aventureras, héroes sensibles, gente minúscula, cavernícolas inventores o un papa Noel en busca de empleo, en una serie de aventuras alocadas que representan una excelente forma de introducir a jóvenes lectores en el universo de Terry Pratchett, aunque los adultos también podemos saborear los inicios del amado hombre del sombrero. Aunque todos son divertidos, amenos y bastante cortos, reconozco que los dos relatos de la Alfombra se me hicieron algo tediosos, demasiado alargados para mi gusto y comparando con el resto de la colección, aunque no por ello poco disfrutables. Del resto me quedo absolutamente con Dok El cavernícola, La Gran Mota y el que da nombre al libro, Los dragones del castillo ruinoso; son mi top 3 de la antología.
La selección de historias, de lo más variadas y descacharrantes, denotamos a un Terry Pratchett primerizo y más adolescente, con ciertos elementos fantásticos y una ironía reconocible, donde varias de ellas transcurren en el escenario ficticio de Gritshire, sin ser este realmente relevante ni un hilo conductor. Se pueden ver claramente retazos de lo que el hombre del sombrero sería capaz de realizar años después. Fantasía, suspense, humor y crítica social se recogen en estos catorce relatos cortos puramente entretenidos y altamente divertidos. La edición que ha publicado Montena es una gozada, en tapa dura y tamaño mediano, con muchísimas ilustraciones desenfadadas a cargo de Mark Beech, cambios tipográficos cuando el cuento lo requiere y con la excelente traducción de Manu Viciano.
March 18, 2015
This was a fun little collection of early Pratchett stories for kids all ages. They were told as if they were children's tales, but there is always an undercurrent of humor that's a treat to adults. Kinda like his later work in that respect.
This book was chosen as a March 2015 book selection in a Good Reads group that I'm in, Flights of Fantasy. Little did we know when we nominated it and voted it in, that it would appear on our group shelf in the very month that Sir Pratchett passed away.
That's a sad coincidence, but at the same time I'm glad we had the book on hand to read. Those of us that have read Sir Terry and those that haven't but have felt his influence can take this moment to celebrate his life, and his body of work. I've also been working on some of the early Discworld novels, and this was a nice sidetrack in that pursuit.
So delve in here and meet the Carpet People, and the citizens of Blackbury. We also meet some dragons, and we learn how Father Christmas sucks at other jobs. It's lots of fun, without being too heavy (even rhinos can fly, it seems).
Shortly after Sir Terry passed, I saw this tweet that I loved, and I feel that it fits this book:
"Pratchett wrote incredibly smart, insightful, and true things about what it means to be human. And then he added jokes and dragons." Chris Farnsworth @chrisfarnsworth
This book was chosen as a March 2015 book selection in a Good Reads group that I'm in, Flights of Fantasy. Little did we know when we nominated it and voted it in, that it would appear on our group shelf in the very month that Sir Pratchett passed away.
That's a sad coincidence, but at the same time I'm glad we had the book on hand to read. Those of us that have read Sir Terry and those that haven't but have felt his influence can take this moment to celebrate his life, and his body of work. I've also been working on some of the early Discworld novels, and this was a nice sidetrack in that pursuit.
So delve in here and meet the Carpet People, and the citizens of Blackbury. We also meet some dragons, and we learn how Father Christmas sucks at other jobs. It's lots of fun, without being too heavy (even rhinos can fly, it seems).
Shortly after Sir Terry passed, I saw this tweet that I loved, and I feel that it fits this book:
"Pratchett wrote incredibly smart, insightful, and true things about what it means to be human. And then he added jokes and dragons." Chris Farnsworth @chrisfarnsworth
September 1, 2018
This is a great kids book, although it appealed to me less as an adult (some kids books are... basically only for kids!) But I loved the illustrations, and the way the text was playful (use of fonts as art), and of course, all of the great puns. I could imagine small children laughing at many, many things in this book. It's a wonderful one to read with your kids.
Read
December 17, 2023Iztikšu bez vērtējuma, jo likās, ka mērķauditorija (t.i. bērni) no sirds smietos un viņiem patiktu, taču kā personīgi mani vairumā gadījumu konkrētie joki atstāja "'ā, jā, šis atkal joks" līmenī.
February 7, 2021
«Cuando pases la página, leerás los cuentos que escribí siendo muy joven, en su mayoría tal y como se publicaron por primera vez, aunque mi yo adulto haya trasteado un pelín con algunos detalles: un retoque aquí, un pellizco allá y alguna nota al pie de página cuando era necesaria, porque mi yo joven no era tan espabilado como él creía.
Pero ese chico inocente de la motocicleta y mi yo adulto, el del sombrero negro y la barba, somos la misma persona. Y lo único que los dos hemos querido siempre es escribir para gente que sea lo bastante mayor para comprender. Y para imaginar...»
«Los dragones del castillo ruinoso» es una colección de cuentos que Terry Pratchett escribió para un pequeño periódico de su ciudad, muchos años antes de comenzar la saga de Mundodisco. Los cuentos se incluyen tal cual como fueron publicados originalmente, con algunas pequeñas notas al pie utilizadas como recurso humorístico por Terry.
En este libro encontrarán 14 cuentos en los que ya se puede ver el tipo de humor que Pratchett desarrollaría años más tarde en la saga Mundodisco y demás novelas que escribió. Se asemejan a los cuentos de hadas, pero para un público juvenil-adulto porque contienen chistes y referencias que lectores más chicos podrían no entender.
Es una lectura muy entretenida y linda, ideal para conocer los primeros pasos de Pratchett como escritor y para introducir a jóvenes lectores en la fantasía humorística.
Pero ese chico inocente de la motocicleta y mi yo adulto, el del sombrero negro y la barba, somos la misma persona. Y lo único que los dos hemos querido siempre es escribir para gente que sea lo bastante mayor para comprender. Y para imaginar...»
«Los dragones del castillo ruinoso» es una colección de cuentos que Terry Pratchett escribió para un pequeño periódico de su ciudad, muchos años antes de comenzar la saga de Mundodisco. Los cuentos se incluyen tal cual como fueron publicados originalmente, con algunas pequeñas notas al pie utilizadas como recurso humorístico por Terry.
En este libro encontrarán 14 cuentos en los que ya se puede ver el tipo de humor que Pratchett desarrollaría años más tarde en la saga Mundodisco y demás novelas que escribió. Se asemejan a los cuentos de hadas, pero para un público juvenil-adulto porque contienen chistes y referencias que lectores más chicos podrían no entender.
Es una lectura muy entretenida y linda, ideal para conocer los primeros pasos de Pratchett como escritor y para introducir a jóvenes lectores en la fantasía humorística.
October 17, 2016
Kapakta, Pratchett'ın adının hemen yanında, "olağanüstü komik" yazıyor; ve bu, gördüğüm en haklı sloganlardan biri -hem Terry hem de bu kitap için.
Terry Pratchett'ın aşırı erken dönem hikâyelerinden oluşan bu fantastik absürt ve komik kitap, hakikaten de süper eğlenceli. Ayrıca Diskdünya'nın temel fikirlerini görmek ya da PKDick'e uzanan esinlenmeleri fark etmek çok güzel. Dilcambazlığı ise, daha o dönemlerden göstermiş kendini.
"Biliyor muydunuz, dünyada 7,777,777,777,777 fıkra olduğunu ve hepsi anlatıldığında bir lamba söndürülmüş gibi, dünyanın da sona ereceğini savunuyorlar. Bütün fıkralar anlatıldığında artık dünyaya gerek kalmayacakmış."
Evet, henüz hepsini anlatmış olamazlar.
Terry Pratchett'ın aşırı erken dönem hikâyelerinden oluşan bu fantastik absürt ve komik kitap, hakikaten de süper eğlenceli. Ayrıca Diskdünya'nın temel fikirlerini görmek ya da PKDick'e uzanan esinlenmeleri fark etmek çok güzel. Dilcambazlığı ise, daha o dönemlerden göstermiş kendini.
"Biliyor muydunuz, dünyada 7,777,777,777,777 fıkra olduğunu ve hepsi anlatıldığında bir lamba söndürülmüş gibi, dünyanın da sona ereceğini savunuyorlar. Bütün fıkralar anlatıldığında artık dünyaya gerek kalmayacakmış."
Evet, henüz hepsini anlatmış olamazlar.
March 25, 2017
Para cualquier fan de Terry Pratchett, vale la pena leerlo. Se nota muchísimo que aún estaba desarrollando su estilo y que aún le quedaba mucho por aprender, y siempre es bonito ver el progreso de un autor.
Mis cuentos favoritos han sido A la caza del ronquero, Hércules la Tortuga, Dok el Cavernícola y Otro relato del Pueblo de la Alfombra.
Mis cuentos favoritos han sido A la caza del ronquero, Hércules la Tortuga, Dok el Cavernícola y Otro relato del Pueblo de la Alfombra.
February 10, 2017
I'm quite fond of Pratchett's writing for younger readers, so even though these stories aren't as well crafted as his more mature writing, they definitely contain the same sort of sensibility and humor as the rest of his work.
Library copy
Library copy
March 24, 2015
I ordered this and had been meaning to read it to my kids at bedtime, but hadn't found the time. When Terry Pratchett passed away, I promised myself I would do it that night as a little tribute to him, and I went home and did. Unfortunately, life is not a fairy tale, and my kids were not interested at all, and so I finished reading the title story to myself while my kids jumped frantically around me. It was still a strangely cathartic experience. In another year or two I'll give this book another shot with my daughter, the older of my two kids, and see if it catches her interest at that point.
May 31, 2023
Šo grāmatu man ieteica jaunākais dēls, kurš par to bija stāvā sajūsmā. Un kā lai nebūtu sajūsmā par Pračetu? Grāmatā ir dažādi stāstiņi par ļoti dažādiem varoņiem, sākot ar ļoti sīkiem, kā Tepiķa tauta, kas mājo tepiķa šķiedrās un beidzot ar lieliem pūķiem. Bērnam vislabāk patika teiksmas par Tepiķa tautu, bet man pašai par autobusu Nr.59, Ziemassvētku vecīti un garlaicīgo bruņinieku Edvo.
Smieklīgi un asprātīgi notikumu risinājumi, apburoši zīmējumi un, ka es Jums saku, grīda ir pilnīgi plakana!
Smieklīgi un asprātīgi notikumu risinājumi, apburoši zīmējumi un, ka es Jums saku, grīda ir pilnīgi plakana!
October 20, 2022
This book of short stories for Terry Pratchett's early career are wonderful and I see hints of the Discworld in them. I especially liked Father Christmas Gets a Job.
February 16, 2022
Няма значение коя книга на Тери Пратчет прочетете най-напред. Първата среща с творчеството на Сър Тери е винаги паметна! Но ако имате около себе си подрастващи читатели, които искате да запознаете с необузданото въображение и заразителното чувство за хумор на големия британски писател, то „Дракони в порутения замък“ (изд. „Прозорец“) е повече от удачен избор. А за верните почитатели на Сър Тери, то се знае, книгата е направо задължителна! Подобно на наскоро издадената (и вече представена на „Книжни Криле“) „Пещерният човек, който пътуваше във времето“, книгата „Дракони в порутения замък“ също представлява сборник с кратки, но извънредно забавни истории, майсторски илюстрирани от Марк Бийч – един сериозен конкурент на Куентин Блейк и Тони Рос. Готови ли сте да се впуснете из дебрите на килима или да посръбнете ароманет чай в компанията на дракон? Напред тогава! Хващаме автобус 59А и се завръщаме в щурия свят на Тери Пратчет! Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
January 5, 2016
Now remember friends, 3 stars means "I liked it", it's not a bad review!
I'd like to begin by saying that I'm what society would call "a fan" of Terry Pratchetts.
The word "fan" usually instills this feeling of 333 tarantulas walking up and down my body about to sting me because when I hear the word "fan" I either picture the electronic device stirring the air or I picture a lunatic without a shirt and the words "I want a baby with you" written with Edding across her breasts.
*shivers*
Not that kind of fan, honestly.
Instead I just adore this man's humour and accomplishment throughout his life (and I'm not just talking about the money he made over the years)!
This book contains some of Terry Pratchett's very early stories, like from his teenager years. Apparently the author did his best to hide them but they were found nevertheless and somebody thought it would be funny to publish them. And honestly, it is!
Naturally, the stories aren't THAT good. I mean, teenage TP had a bit to learn, which he himself says in the introduction, but one can sense the greatness, the unique ideas and hilarious jokes just waiting around the corner.
The book contains 14 stories about all kinds of subjects.
We have the name-giving dragons at Crumbling Castle, the Carpet People that later got their very own novel, Father Christmas, "normal" people trying to prove that a steam-engined car would be a good/bad idea, a heroic tortoise, a Snowman, knights, time travel and much more.
It didn't make me laugh out loud but just to "hear Terry Pratchett's voice", albeit his younger one, was giving me this warm feeling inside and I'm glad I have this collection of short stories in addition to the others.
Moreover, each story was wonderfully illustrated by Mark Beech whom I had never heard of before but who did a splendid job (his quirky illustrations reminded me a little of Quentin Blake who worked with Roald Dahl).
All in all, I recommend this book to all people liking TP's sense of humour. Also, probably because he was quite young when he wrote these stories, this seems a very good book with which to introduce younger readers to this author!
I'd like to begin by saying that I'm what society would call "a fan" of Terry Pratchetts.
The word "fan" usually instills this feeling of 333 tarantulas walking up and down my body about to sting me because when I hear the word "fan" I either picture the electronic device stirring the air or I picture a lunatic without a shirt and the words "I want a baby with you" written with Edding across her breasts.
*shivers*
Not that kind of fan, honestly.
Instead I just adore this man's humour and accomplishment throughout his life (and I'm not just talking about the money he made over the years)!
This book contains some of Terry Pratchett's very early stories, like from his teenager years. Apparently the author did his best to hide them but they were found nevertheless and somebody thought it would be funny to publish them. And honestly, it is!
Naturally, the stories aren't THAT good. I mean, teenage TP had a bit to learn, which he himself says in the introduction, but one can sense the greatness, the unique ideas and hilarious jokes just waiting around the corner.
The book contains 14 stories about all kinds of subjects.
We have the name-giving dragons at Crumbling Castle, the Carpet People that later got their very own novel, Father Christmas, "normal" people trying to prove that a steam-engined car would be a good/bad idea, a heroic tortoise, a Snowman, knights, time travel and much more.
It didn't make me laugh out loud but just to "hear Terry Pratchett's voice", albeit his younger one, was giving me this warm feeling inside and I'm glad I have this collection of short stories in addition to the others.
Moreover, each story was wonderfully illustrated by Mark Beech whom I had never heard of before but who did a splendid job (his quirky illustrations reminded me a little of Quentin Blake who worked with Roald Dahl).
All in all, I recommend this book to all people liking TP's sense of humour. Also, probably because he was quite young when he wrote these stories, this seems a very good book with which to introduce younger readers to this author!
July 18, 2015
Toto bola mojá prvá Pratchettovka (ja viem, hanba my!) a veeeľmi sa mi páčila!
Ujo Prachett má neskutočnú fantáziu a ak sú aj ostatné jeho knihy takto šialené, tak asi o strašne veľa prichádzam. Asi idem pekne pomaly pokračovať ďalej a zisťovať o čo som sa pripravil.
Btw. táto kniha, resp zbierka krátkych príbehov, mi pripadala ako taká učebnica dejepisu, vlastivedy, a nejakých prírodných vied... že ako deckám vtipným príbehom úplne podprahovo niečo vysvetliť. Veľmi som sa bavil!
Ujo Prachett má neskutočnú fantáziu a ak sú aj ostatné jeho knihy takto šialené, tak asi o strašne veľa prichádzam. Asi idem pekne pomaly pokračovať ďalej a zisťovať o čo som sa pripravil.
Btw. táto kniha, resp zbierka krátkych príbehov, mi pripadala ako taká učebnica dejepisu, vlastivedy, a nejakých prírodných vied... že ako deckám vtipným príbehom úplne podprahovo niečo vysvetliť. Veľmi som sa bavil!
January 10, 2024
Pirmas sakinys: Karaliaus Artūro laikais nebuvo laikraščių, tik šaukliai, kurie vaikščiojo po miestą ir iš visos gerklės plyšojo, skelbdami naujienas.
Įvyko nesusipratimas, nes tikėjausi naujesnės Terry'io Pratchett'o kūrybos (kad ir vaikams), o pasirodė, kad "Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje" yra pirmieji sero paauglystės kūrinėliai: trumpos istorijos savaitraščio "Bucks Free Press" skilčiai "Children's Circle", rašytos Uncle Jim pseudonimu ir išleistos po 40-50 metų – 2014-aisiais.
Istorijos iš esmės nepakeistos: "Visos jos iš esmės liko tokios pačios, kokios išvydo dienos šviesą, nors suaugęs aš visgi šiek tiek pasikrapščiau prie kai kurių smulkių detalių – vienas kitas pataisymas, vienas kitas niuansas, nedidelė pastaba puslapio apačioje. Dariau tai todėl, kad mano jaunesnysis "aš" dar nebuvo toks protingas, kokiu save laikė." (11 p.)
"Kai kurios iš tų ankstyvųjų istorijų netgi įkvėpė mane parašyti savo pirmąjį romaną "Kilimų žmonės" ("The Carpet People")" (11 p.)
Knyga skirta 5–10 m. vaikams, todėl mano vertinimas neobjektyvus: tiek dėl nepamatuotų lūkesčių, tiek dėl ne tos tikslinės auditorijos. Turėtų patikti mėgstantiems Roald'ą Dahl'į (Roald'as Dahl'is man patiko labiau nei "Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje") ir David'ą Walliams'ą ("Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje" man patiko labiau nei David'as Walliams'as). Patiko istorijos apie kilimų žmones, "Nuobodusis riteris Edvas", "59A autobusas keliauja į praeitį", "Blekberio pabaisa", "Kalėdų Senelis eina dirbti į zoologijos sodą".
Lietuviškai pasirodė ir trečiasis šios serijos rinkinys (antrojo kol kas nėra) – "Netikra Kalėdų senio barzda".
Įvyko nesusipratimas, nes tikėjausi naujesnės Terry'io Pratchett'o kūrybos (kad ir vaikams), o pasirodė, kad "Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje" yra pirmieji sero paauglystės kūrinėliai: trumpos istorijos savaitraščio "Bucks Free Press" skilčiai "Children's Circle", rašytos Uncle Jim pseudonimu ir išleistos po 40-50 metų – 2014-aisiais.
Istorijos iš esmės nepakeistos: "Visos jos iš esmės liko tokios pačios, kokios išvydo dienos šviesą, nors suaugęs aš visgi šiek tiek pasikrapščiau prie kai kurių smulkių detalių – vienas kitas pataisymas, vienas kitas niuansas, nedidelė pastaba puslapio apačioje. Dariau tai todėl, kad mano jaunesnysis "aš" dar nebuvo toks protingas, kokiu save laikė." (11 p.)
"Kai kurios iš tų ankstyvųjų istorijų netgi įkvėpė mane parašyti savo pirmąjį romaną "Kilimų žmonės" ("The Carpet People")" (11 p.)
Knyga skirta 5–10 m. vaikams, todėl mano vertinimas neobjektyvus: tiek dėl nepamatuotų lūkesčių, tiek dėl ne tos tikslinės auditorijos. Turėtų patikti mėgstantiems Roald'ą Dahl'į (Roald'as Dahl'is man patiko labiau nei "Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje") ir David'ą Walliams'ą ("Drakonai Griūvančioje Pilyje" man patiko labiau nei David'as Walliams'as). Patiko istorijos apie kilimų žmones, "Nuobodusis riteris Edvas", "59A autobusas keliauja į praeitį", "Blekberio pabaisa", "Kalėdų Senelis eina dirbti į zoologijos sodą".
Lietuviškai pasirodė ir trečiasis šios serijos rinkinys (antrojo kol kas nėra) – "Netikra Kalėdų senio barzda".
July 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this short stories collection that Terry Pratchett originally wrote as a young man for his newspaper. On audiobook...they are the perfect length for running errands, or working on the yard. Light, short, fun, silly short stories! They'd make great little bedtime stories for children as well.
Read
July 20, 2016I will preface this by saying that I am a massive, massive Terry Pratchett fan - to the extent of dressing up in Discworld outfits, going to cons and even owning some of his books in German, which I don't speak a word of. This one, unfortunately, was not for me.
After just finishing A Slip of the Keyboard which is brutally honest (not to mention funny, sad and thought-provoking) this book just comes across as rather dishonest - on the part of the publishers, that is. The material is Sir Terry's oldest stuff from when he worked for the Bucks Free Press as a young man. I figured that out before I bought it, but to the uninitiated it's packaged to look like new material. It's been padded out with big text and pictures as if they're trying to justify making it a hardback. And the pictures, well - the artist, while good, has clearly copied Quentin Blake's style down to a T. His name is only printed in tiny letters on the inside, which also feels pretty deceptive.
That's before you even get to the stories. Terry Pratchett actually dedicates the book to his "younger self, who thought these stories were pretty good". Even HE thinks they're not. If it were anyone else, these would not have been published. At least not without considerable editing to give them some semblance of plot, and remove words like "interestedly". The stories are mildly funny but read like they were written by an inexperienced teenager - because they were.
The saving grace of this book is that it's an interesting historical document - you can see Terry's ideas bubbling away, ideas that eventually turned into The Carpet People, Truckers, Discworld. If this was printed as a cheap paperback with "early work by Terry Pratchett" clearly stated on the cover, I would feel much happier.
I feel like the publishers are taking advantage of two markets here: those who auto-buy any Pratchett book, and those buying books for kids who they hope will recognise the name and the Quentin Blake-ish illustrations.
I still love Sir Terry and am sure that some fans will get enjoyment out of this, but I'm going to put this book down and wait for something new.
After just finishing A Slip of the Keyboard which is brutally honest (not to mention funny, sad and thought-provoking) this book just comes across as rather dishonest - on the part of the publishers, that is. The material is Sir Terry's oldest stuff from when he worked for the Bucks Free Press as a young man. I figured that out before I bought it, but to the uninitiated it's packaged to look like new material. It's been padded out with big text and pictures as if they're trying to justify making it a hardback. And the pictures, well - the artist, while good, has clearly copied Quentin Blake's style down to a T. His name is only printed in tiny letters on the inside, which also feels pretty deceptive.
That's before you even get to the stories. Terry Pratchett actually dedicates the book to his "younger self, who thought these stories were pretty good". Even HE thinks they're not. If it were anyone else, these would not have been published. At least not without considerable editing to give them some semblance of plot, and remove words like "interestedly". The stories are mildly funny but read like they were written by an inexperienced teenager - because they were.
The saving grace of this book is that it's an interesting historical document - you can see Terry's ideas bubbling away, ideas that eventually turned into The Carpet People, Truckers, Discworld. If this was printed as a cheap paperback with "early work by Terry Pratchett" clearly stated on the cover, I would feel much happier.
I feel like the publishers are taking advantage of two markets here: those who auto-buy any Pratchett book, and those buying books for kids who they hope will recognise the name and the Quentin Blake-ish illustrations.
I still love Sir Terry and am sure that some fans will get enjoyment out of this, but I'm going to put this book down and wait for something new.
March 29, 2015
I collection of cute short stories from Pterry's journalist days. (As a side note, I may have teared up a bit reading the intro... *sniffs*)
Anyway -
There are some gem lines and Pratchettisms hidden throughout, but, mostly, the stories are just "cute" and definitely aimed at the younger set. Some do have really nice messages and lessons and whatnot, to boot.
That said, my favorites were "Dragons at Crumbling Castle" and "Dok the Caveman" were my faves. Next would be "The Great Speck" and "Another Tale of the Carpet People".
***
ETA: Jer was just reading this, and he reminded me that you can see a lot of little nuggets which sort of turn into Discworld things. The one wizard in Crumbling Castle is totally a proto-Rincewind, for instance, and a character at some point is called Stronginthearm, and lots of little stuff like that.
Anyway -
There are some gem lines and Pratchettisms hidden throughout, but, mostly, the stories are just "cute" and definitely aimed at the younger set. Some do have really nice messages and lessons and whatnot, to boot.
That said, my favorites were "Dragons at Crumbling Castle" and "Dok the Caveman" were my faves. Next would be "The Great Speck" and "Another Tale of the Carpet People".
***
ETA: Jer was just reading this, and he reminded me that you can see a lot of little nuggets which sort of turn into Discworld things. The one wizard in Crumbling Castle is totally a proto-Rincewind, for instance, and a character at some point is called Stronginthearm, and lots of little stuff like that.
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