Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

Small Gods (Discworld, #13)

by Terry Pratchett

Brutha is a simple lad. He can't read or write, but he's pretty good at growing melons, and his wants are few. He wants peace and justice and brotherly love, but most of all he wants his god, who's currently in the shape of a tortoise, to choose someone else.

Reviewed by Artemis on

4 of 5 stars

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The first Terry Pratchett book I ever read was Good Omens, a collaboration with Neil Gaiman (one of my all-time favorite authors). After Good Omens I went on a Gaiman binge and read (almost) everything he’s published. But I never picked up a Pratchett book until a good friend threw his copy at me and demanded I read one.

Small Gods tells the story of unremarkable guy named Brutha, who stumbles upon the Great God Om as a tortoise in the Temple melon garden. Needless to say this is a very interesting little story in the Discworld series. I really enjoyed this story once it got moving. The first 150-200 pages were slow, building the plot slowly but very deliberately. The dialogue between Brutha and Om is fantastic.

Pratchett plays on some great themes in Small Gods, and really opens a nice dialogue on theology, philosophy and the misuse of each by mankind. He also asks a pretty big question – what happens to the gods when people stop believing? This story is funny and sharp with its satire, which weaves throughout Pratchett’s impressive storytelling ability.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 February, 2016: Finished reading
  • 18 February, 2016: Reviewed