I just finished reading Terry Pratchett's Nation and I have to say it was quite an enjoyable read. I've posted both the U.S. cover (the shipwreck) and the U.K cover (the really cool one with the silhouette) so you can easily identify the book when you run out to buy it on my recommendation. Aside: Why do U.S. publishers tend to go with inferior artwork on our books? I have been disappointed on numerous occasions to find that I prefer the U.K. cover art to the U.S. cover art on books I have purchased. Anyway, enough of that, where was I? Oh yes. I first heard of Terry Pratchett when someone said to me, in response to a particularly corny pun, "I bet you love Terry Pratchett." A ringing endorsement if ever I heard one. Shortly thereafter, one of my favorite authors, Patrick Rothfuss, posted a glowing review of Nation on his blog, which sealed the deal. I doubt Nation is representative of Pratchett's body of work, given the sheer number of Discworld books, but I would read more of his books based on the quality of this one.
Nation takes place on a parallel Earth where things have developed differently in some aspects but are the same in other aspects. Pratchett refers to the parallel world concept as "The great big multiple-universes get-out-of-jail-free card." I will admit that as a plot device in Stargate SG-1, and Star Trek (you name it) and even loosely in the "Who shot J.R.?" season of Dallas the parallel world idea kinda pisses me off, but in Nation it works for me.There is nothing in Nation that is overly complex. I have recommended it to my kids to read. However, the book actually provides a vehicle for some very complex subjects; if you wish to spend time contemplating them. Subjects such as faith, tradition, science, leadership, good and evil are all given some analysis and character development within the story that unfolds.
With its island setting, the book brought back memories of reading Call it Courage and Island of the Blue Dolphins when I was young. I loved the adventurous nature of those books and the "what would I do in that situation?" thoughts that they inspired. I would put Nation in the same category, but at my advanced age (well beyond the age of 10 when I read Call it Courage), I resonate more with the deeper contexts in Nation that just weren't present in the other adventure books I read.
I know I haven't said much about the story and that's on purpose. I don't like book reviews (or movie reviews) that divulge the entire plot. (Unless they hated the movie/book, in the which case they just saved me a ten-spot or more) So, because I liked Nation I'll let you read it yourself to discover what the plot is. Or you can search on-line for someone else's review that reveals the whole story.
