MLO Knitting

How appropriate that my first review after Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America is Terry Pratchett’s newest (and likely last) Discworld book, Unseen Academicals (Discworld). Pratchett, for those who do not know, has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. No amount of wishful or positive thinking is going to change that sad fact.

Unseen Academicals (Discworld) involves a cast of characters associated with Unseen University – the Wizard’s University in Ankh Morporkh. It seems that the portly wizards must take up soccer (“foot the ball” in the book) in order to keep themselves in food. It also centers on the night cook, Glenda, and the journey of self-discovery of the dribbler Mr. Nutt.

Of course, Lord Vetinari has already decided that this game of hooligans must be tamed in the same manner as the criminals had been in earlier books. They must be organized! He decides that it is fortuitous to involve the wizards in this.

The story is complicated in ways that other Discworld novels are not. There was something off about this novel. I believe it is a sign of Pratchett’s deterioration. Unlike other Discworld novels I was not laughing out loud as I was listening to the wonderful narration of Stephen Briggs. Usually, my husband is wondering if I have lost my mind from my incessant giggling when I listen to a work by Pratchett.

Unseen Academicals (Discworld), though a worthy addition, is not as good as others within the franchise. I will recommend it to those who love the series.