Pyramids by Terry Pratchett fantasy book reviewsPyramids by Terry Pratchett

fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsIt seems there is no subject too big or too small, too esoteric or too familiar, that Terry Pratchett won’t tackle in DISCWORLD. His 1989 Pyramids, seventh in the series, sees the author exploring Egypt and just entering the groove that would become more than forty novels in the DISCWORLD setting. The humor in Pyramids is some of Pratchett’s best, but the book still leaves something to be desired for plot. As such, I’m guessing it won the 1989 British Science Fiction Award for historical grounding, wordplay, stabs at theme, and accomplishments to date, rather than consistent storytelling or characterization.

Pyramids is the tale of Teppic, son of Teppicymon XXVII who is king of the desert land Djelibeybi. Teppic was sent to the Assassin’s Guild in Ankh-Morpork for grooming into an “educated young man.” After graduating Teppic finds he’s needed back in Djelibeybi due to a family emergency. Djelibeybi is stuck in a time warp, so the state of the kingdom compared to Ankh-Morpork is a shocking experience. Though determined to follow with tradition, Teppic soon finds what’s best from history may not be the best for his country.

Djelibeybi is Pratchett’s go with Egpyt. Running amok are pyramids, gods, bangled handmaidens, desert lands, ghost kings, camels, and all other manner of the ancient land. Mummies come to life, crocodiles lurk in rivers, and the riddle of the Sphinx fools everybody. And Pratchett keeps all of it rotating at a steady tilt for the entire length of the novel; for action and adventure, there is no shortage.

But for as nicely paced as Pyramids is, characterization and plot take a hit. In the movement of events there are some things which don’t quite fit together. The story is occasionally bumbling. Ptraci, for example, never quite settles into the story enough to allow her character to fully occupy the position she ultimately finds herself in. She disappears in the middle of the story simply because there was nothing for her to do. Likewise, the armies Teppic finds in a neighboring kingdom, while delved into in relatively significant fashion, play little to no role in the overall story. They seem to be merely digression so we can laugh at Trojan horses and point to burgeoning Greek power. But most importantly, Teppic, as main character, is never presented in a fashion that has you chasing the story with interest. The reader more phlegmatically follows along, and if it weren’t for You Bastard, Teppic’s tale may have dried up like the desert he rules. Ahh, You Bastard, the world’s greatest mathematician — and a camel…

DISCWORLD by Terry PratchettIn my opinion, Pyramids is among the top three of the DISCWORLD novels, humor-wise. Less slap-stick than Men at Arms and more subtle than The Color of Magic, Pratchett’s wordplay in Pyramids is at times among the best I’ve read. You Bastard’s internal dialogue, the personalities and conversations at the Greek — err, Ephebien — tavern, and the architects as they banter and discuss the technique and commerce of pyramid building (like coffins!) is a stomach-jiggling delight. Pratchett humor waves a bright flag of erudition with one hand while pushing the story along with the other, wordsmithing every step of the way.

The themes of Pyramidsare not as developed as the humor, however. Facets Pratchett would later rework with Small Gods and Thief of Time, the novel tackles following tradition merely for tradition’s sake (i.e. blindly), time in the long term, and the perception and effect of religious dogma. Perhaps biting off more than he could chew, there is little balance to the moralizing save the final page. Undoubtedly Pratchett would also like to have left more room for the value of custom and culture — which he does in later novels.

In the end, Pyramids is a solid middle entry in the DISC. The pace paves over many plot inconsistencies as Pratchett keeps the story moving in gloriously humorous and adventurous fashion. Playing with all manner of Egyptian stereotypes and real history, time gets twisted, the dead walk again, and pyramids vent time in bolts of blue lightning to keep their entombed kings alive — DEATH even letting matters be. Pyramids is often cited as a good entry point to Pratchett. I won’t disagree, but there are better books on the DISC.


Pyramids by Terry Pratchett fantasy book reviewsLots of fun, especially with the audio edition read by Nigel Planner. The audio production quality is labelled “vintage,” and you can tell it was produce decades ago, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I thought it suited the story well and I can’t imagine anyone better than Planner for performing this story. You won’t regret purchasing the audiobook of this one!

~Kat Hooper

Published in 1989. It isn’t easy, being a teenage pharaoh. You’re not allowed to carry money, uninhibited young women peel your grapes for you, everyone thinks you’re responsible for making the sun rise and the corn grow, you keep dreaming about seven thin cows and seven fat cows (one of them playing the trombone), and on top of everything else, the Great Pyramid has just exploded because of paracosmic instability. And then you’ve got to deal with all these assassins, sphinxes, huge wooden horses, mad high priests, philosophers, sacred crocodiles, gods, marching mummies, jobbing pyramid builders and Hat, the Vulture-Headed God of Unexpected Guests. And all you really wanted was the chance to do something for young people and the inner cities.

Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric Terry Pratchett Discworld: 1. The Color of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards Guards! 9. Eric book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Moving Pictures Reaper Man book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Witches Abroad book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Small Gods fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Men at Arms book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Soul Music fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Maskerade book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Feet of Clay book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Hog Father Jingo book review Terry Pratchett Discworld The Last Continent book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Carpe Jugulum book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Carpe Jugulum, The Fifth Elephant book review Terry Pratchett Discworld The Truth book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Thief of Time book review Terry Pratchett Discworld The Last Hero fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Thud! book review Terry Pratchett Discworld Making Money Terry Pratchett Unseen Academicals Discworld Terry Pratchett Unseen Academicals Discworld, Snuff fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviews

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Authors

  • Jesse Hudson

    JESSE HUDSON, one of our guest reviewers, reads in most fields. He lives in Poland where he works for a big corporation by day and escapes into reading by night. He posts a blog which acts as a healthy vent for not only his bibliophilia, but also his love of culture and travel: Speculiction.

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  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.

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