Going Postal

Terry Prachett is my favorite author, and Going Postal is my favorite of his many novels set in his imaginary Discworld, an alternate universe Prachett created to spoof traditional fantasy and human foolishness. Moist Lipwig, a dashing con man, is heading for the gallows, but is given a second chance. He must save Ank-Morpork’s derelict postal service. Moist (what a name!) tries to get out of the job, but I love the way he gradually has a change of heart and takes on the challenge with his usual flare. There is romance, danger, and an amazing satire on the internet.… show more.

The Discworld books are the best kind of serious play, exploring aspects of our everyday world by turning them upside down, filling them with dwarfs and vampires, and embedding them in a non-stop action story – which somehow manages to say intelligent and important things about the central topic. Going Postal is about a clash between Ankh-Morpork’s government-run Post Office and the privately-owned clacks service (like email but with different technology). Both sides get a fair shot and the conflict is resolved by an almost magical piece of communication by a trickster who understands the magic of language.

Hell is a 9-5 and this book proves it. If your choices for the afterlife were a dark void of nothingness or working in customer service, you may need some time to ponder your options. There is no need to wax poetic about Terry Pratchett; his volumes stand for themselves. However, I can’t think of another author who could write a ‘dying giving the main character a new lease on life’ story that doesn’t make me want to roll my eyes.