Carpe Jugulum
A Discworld Novel
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4.5 • 118 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Another brilliant installment in Terry Pratchett's acclaimed Discworld series, "The novel exudes the curious feel of old-fashioned vampire and Frankenstein legends. . . . Pratchett lampoons everything from Christian superstition to Swiss Army knives here, proving that the fantasy satire of Discworld 'still ate'nt dead.'" — Publishers Weekly
King Verence, in a fit of enlightened democracy and ebullient goodwill, invites Uberwald's undead, the Magpyrs, into Lancre to celebrate the birth of his daughter. But everyone knows you don't invite vampires into your house, even stylish, sophisticated ones with fancy waistcoats — unless you want permanent guests. Once ensconced within the castle, these wine-drinking, garlic-eating, sun-loving modern vampires have no intention of leaving . . . ever. Standing between the Magpyr family and Lancre are a coven of four: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat, and young Agness. And as the Lancre living are about to discover, there's only one way to fight. Go for the throat, or as the vampyres themselves say . . . Carpe Jugulum!
The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Carpe Jugulum is the sixth in the Witches collection. The Witches includes:
Equal RitesWyrd SistersWitches AbroadLords and LadiesMaskeradeCarpe Jugulum
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Carpe Jugulum--seize the throat--is the motto of the family of "vampyres" who attempt a hospitable takeover of the kingdom of Lancre in Pratchett's 23rd Discworld novel. When the goodhearted king invited the Magpyrs to celebrate the birth of his daughter, he couldn't know that these modern bloodsuckers would have no intention of leaving. By controlling everyone's mind, they try to turn Lancre into a sort of farm, and no one can think straight enough to stop them. That is, until the vampyres meet up with the local witches: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat Garlick and Agnes Nitt (who is literally of two minds about everything). The perplexing skirmishes that ensue will leave readers shaking their heads in hearty dismay even as they groan at the puns and explanatory notes that pepper the tale. Death (scythe and all) and Igor (of Frankenstein film fame) provide the best gags. The novel exudes the curious feel of old-fashioned vampire and Frankenstein legends--full of holy water, religious symbols, stakes through the heart, angry mobs, bad pronunciation and garlic. The vampyres, however, have risen above these clich s even if their servant, Igor, still has a taste for dribbly candles and squeaky hinges. Pratchett lampoons everything from Christian superstition to Swiss Army knives here, proving that the fantasy satire of Discworld "still ate'nt dead."
Customer Reviews
Pratchett is genius; Harper Collins should be punished
Just because you KNOW people are going to buy Pratchett's works does not mean you should skip on the ePublishing details. Harper Collins did just that. Pratchett's work is a pure delight, and HP managed to annoy me repeatedly. Death's voice is sometimes not in Small Caps, which is unforgivable. The footnotes have been turned into cumbersome endnotes. There are strange scene divisions and random page breaks. It's a sloppy ePub and I'm saddened to see Pratchett's humor reduced to sloppiness. Shame on you Harper Collins.