Book Review – Going Postal

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Voyager
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: October 2005

Renowned con man Moist von Lipwig is being put to death for his crimes. As the trapdoor drops beneath his feet and the rope around his neck tightens, it appears that there is no more to the criminal’s story. But in Going Postal, Terry Pratchett has another idea about life and death, and the choices one makes between them. Lipwig is offered a second chance—a second life. He is to take over the position as postmaster for the city of Ankh-Morpork, and though the job may seem tedious and benign, danger and sabotage sneak around every corner. Can Lipwig handle running a haunted post office, challenging the clacks system, and still run away from a tracking golem and werewolf?

Much like in Small Gods, The Truth, and Monstrous Regiment, Terry Prachett has strayed away from his standard set of Discworld favorites (Sam Vimes, Rincewind, and the Witches) and focused on a set of brand new characters. These are the antihero Moist, the collecting fanatic Stanley, lovely Miss Dearheart, golem guardian Mr. Pump, and senile Junior Postman Groat. Only one recurring character plays an important part in Going Postal, Vetinari, while others make small, meaningless cameos.

If you’re a fan of the Discworld series, chances are you aren’t even reading reviews and are just buying the books when they come out. No need to fear here; Going Postal is every bit adventurous, witty, fun, and exciting as previous novels. The characters are never dry—excuse the pun, Mr. Moist—and by far, the storyline only dragged in the middle when politics became the fore fronting issue, leaving ghosts and stamps and funny love in the background. Prachett’s wry observations on both ancient and present day societies is never condescending; his pokes are soft and enchanting, often evoking moments of thought with a smile creased across the reader’s face.

Going Postal is a candidate on the final 2005 Nebula Awards Ballot. An entertaining read with fresh, quirky characters, a plot that delivers (ack, more puns!), and set in a world that is forever growing and becoming more mature in all its silliness.

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