Two Very Different Books

I was reading two books at once this time, a habit which drives the husband nuts. I had started Obsession by John Douglas first, and it was really what I was wanting to focus on. It's a non-fiction book that looks at the motives and behaviors of serial rapists, stalkers, and sexual predators. My other book is from the other end of the spectrum, Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. I was reading Hogfather with a dual purpose: to make the holidays a little more humorous and for my book discussion group.

Obsession discusses not only the motives and behaviors of such criminals, but how people can avoid being victims, fight back when they are attacked, and the justice system in such cases. John Douglas's feelings of sympathy for the victims of such acts, as well as his anger at the fallacies in the public mind and well as the justice system come across clearly. He even discusses the criminals that inspired Thomas Harris to create Hannibal Lector. Many of the accounts were quite upsetting, there were parts that were definitely not easy to read.

Hogfather was light-hearted, funny, and also insightful. What else can I say? It was another great book by Pratchett. Death and his grand-daughter Susan must prevent the Audtitors (of the Universe) from destroying the Hogfather (Discworld's Santa Claus). Pratchett looks at the human need to believe in myths, and speaks a great truth about the human psyche. "You must believe the small lies to believe the big ones." The big lies refer to things like justice, equality, and other noble concepts that many of us hold dear. Death tells Susan, "If you don't believe them they will never come to be." I may have paraphrased both those quotes a bit, and I apologize for any mistakes I made in them.

Both books are ones I would recommend, though for completely different reasons. I hope everyone has a great new year.

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

I read another Terry Pratchett novel years ago, so long ago I can't remember the title. I have seen a couple of the movies based on his works, "Hogsfather" and "The Color of Magic", they were both hilarious.

This book is the first installment of the Discworld series. It started a bit slow for me, but first novels can drag a bit since they are setting up the rules of the universe. Towards the end I was beginning to see the humor I expect from Pratchett. Terry is very good at playing with words. He utilizes puns, as well as phonetics as a source of humor. Terry also has a talent for absurdity in situations.

We are introduced to Rincewind, a failed wizard and a featured character in the Discworld, and Twoflower, a tourist from the Counter-weight Continent. Their personalities are exact opposites. Rincewind is pessimistic and terrified of everything, this attitude isn't unfounded as bad things continually happen to him. Twoflower is an optimist, unafraid, and excited about everything around him. This contrast adds to the humor. Sometimes Twoflower's attitude saves them, often Rincewind is dragging Twoflower out of harm's way. We also meet The Luggage, an icon of the Discworld. It is made of sapient-pearwood, has teeth and hundreds of feet. It will follow its owner anywhere and will protect him and his belongings. Death also makes several appearances in this book. We even get to see him at home and his white steed. Death must collect the souls of any wizards personally and becomes quite peeved with his "near Rincewind experiences".

I look forward to the further adventures of Twoflower, Rincewind, and Death.