On the Discworld, Imp was a bard from Llamedos who everyone suspected of being Elvish (took me half way through the book for that one to sink in... I know, I know, I'm slow...)

Coming to Ankh-Morpork, the Capital city, he forms an unlikely alliance with Glod (a dwarf - a wonderful character who thinks he's good at striking a deal, but when he haggles ends up paying more than his original price...) and Lias, a Troll. The Trolls have a rather pragmatic view of life and name things literally, thus the music they play on rocks is simply call, "Music with Rocks in it". (Later the group gets called, just as imaginatively, "The Band With Rocks In It"). When Imp comes across a magical guitar that seems to respond to his very being, all sorts of strange things happen... And when they team up with "Cut-my-own-throat-Dibbler", the resident conman, even stranger things are afoot... Of course, they all change their names to more appropriate, and more familiar ones... Buddy, Cliff...

Meanwhile, Death (anthropomorphic representation type being) is brooding over the meaning of life and abandons his job TO FORGET. He tries various things to do so, and the results are hilarious. I won't tell you what they are as I don't want to spoil it... but needless to say, his absence presents a bit of a problem...

And Albert, his manservant, decides that the only one who can take over the mantle for a while is Susan, Death's Granddaughter (adopted, of course... and in this book, as a young girl). The Death of Rats enlists the help of a Raven to interpret for him and goes after the girl...

Of course, the other thing is that the Guild of Musicians don't like the new band that's appearing and taking the world by storm... and especially the fact that they're not properly paid-up Guild members... and even more than that, they don't like the fact that the toughs they send to sort things out have a strange habit of returning as gibbering wrecks or simply not returning...

Not only this, but the wizards, led by their fearless Arch-Chancellor Ridcully are on the case and on the loose...

Well, there you have it as far as the START of the major plot threads go. Discworld, in case you've been asleep your whole life and failed to hear about it, is a place of magic and myths come to life. It has some similarities with our world. However, having such a high magic field, some things from other universes have a habit of trying to get into the Discworld when they're not meant to... and Music With Rocks In is one of those things, and naturally must be stopped.

The Disc is a place full of richly depicted characters and locations, based in part on our world (Ankh-Morpork, for instance, is based on London... though I didn't realise this for ages...), but has a history and vitality all its own. It rivals the best serious fantasy for the range and complexity of races (I do not even exclude Tolkein, in my view the greatest fantasy writer ever in this regard), and it's just sooooo funny. The humour comes from all over the place and lands on top of you in a big heap. There were many occasions when I had to stop reading because it's quite hard when the pages won't keep still, being as they are in the grip of someone who is in the grip of hysterical laughter.

This is one of my favourite Discworld books, although I wish it were longer. The humour is spot on, the characters memorable, and it's just plain brilliant. The plot I've already described will give you some idea of just how surreal it all is. If you're a fan of Discworld, you'll absolutely love this one. If you're not a fan, this may not be the best one to start with as some knowledge of the series helps, though it's not essential.

On of my favourite excerpts comes from early in the book:

It is said that whosoever the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad. In fact, whosoever the gods wish to destroy, they first hand the equivalent of a stick with a fizzing fuse and Acme Dynamite Company written on the side. It's more interesting, and it doesn't take so long.

And that really sums it all up nicely. If that didn't make you laugh, Pratchett isn't for you. If it made you into a giggling maniac (there's no shame in that) then go out and buy a Discworld novel right now. I'd personally recommend starting with something like Moving Pictures or Pyramids (links to reviews below), as they're more immediately enjoyable without knowing the series. Then read Mort, Reaper Man, and Soul Music in that order. (But by then you'll be hooked and obsessive about reading every one of the Discworld books - just like me! Bwahahahahahahaa...)


Reviews of other Discworld Novels:

The Colour of Magic

The Light Fantastic

Mort

Reaper Man

Moving Pictures

Pyramids

Small Gods

The Last Continent

The Fifth Elephant

Thief of Time


Other Pratchett Books:

Diggers

Only You Can Save Mankind


Recommended: Yes