tari_roo | Book Review: Snuff by Terry Pratchett

Title: Snuff
Author: Terry Pratchett
No of Pages: 378
What it says on the back:
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a policeman taking a holiday would barely have had time to open his suitcase before he finds his first corpse.
And Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is on holiday in the pleasant and innocent countryside, but not for him a mere body in the wardrobe. There are many, many bodies and an ancient crime more terrible than murder.
He is out of his jurisdiction, out of his depth, out of bacon sandwiches, and occasionally snookered and out of his mind, but never out of guile. Where there is a crime there must be a finding, there must be a chase and there must be a punishment.
They say that in the end all sins are forgiven.

My thoughts:
I have known for many years that I am desperately in love with Sam Vimes. When I first read Guards, Guards! I was more interested in Captain Carrot (as I think Terry intended me to be) but by the end of the book and especially in subsequent reads as I grew older, Sam Vimes emerged as the hero. It was especially the moment in Guards, Guards when he realises that Sybil’s bedchamber was one of a spinster who had every expectation of never having a man in it, and Vimes is touched by the idea. Night Watch completely sealed what was already a done deal for me – my love affair for Vimes. Thus was great and in the other Ankh Morpork novels I love glimpses of Vimes and people’s impressions of him.
I found Snuff in a second hand book shop in Plettenberg bay. Hardcopy edition. Brand new (probably read once). I was ecstatic and purchased it immediately. And read it in 24 hours. J
As there is so much love in the book (i.e. me squeezing) its hard not to flail around and just wail in delight about everything. So, let me focus on the downside, the not quite there, the uncertain (there isn’t a lot). Perhaps I am cynical or perhaps too tired, but I had less laugh out loud moments reading Snuff than I usually do in a Pratchett. Also Vimes did a lot of monologuing, perhaps too much. But that also may be because I read it, nay practically, mainlined it.
The good? Oh, the very very good. Pride and Prejudice mentions, gentle pokes at. Poo! Young Sam Vimes – just so, so cute! And endearing. Sybil Ramkin continues to be a woman I envy, both for her gentle wifey firmness, her determination to keep Sam healthy and well... for being Sybil. Wilikins! Argh! Love love love! Underappreciated, oppressed people being freed! Vimes teaching the copper ropes to a young impressionable Constable. Wee Mad Arthur!! Poo! Miss Beedle!
Ok, ok, i can randomly spout off slews of characters, scenes and squee moments, but it comes down to this. Beautifully crafted story, underlying emotions eloquently painted in strokes of cyncical, awesome humour. Familiar characters expanded and fleshed out to a degree most pleasing. New characters to make you smile in delight at meeting them. A plot that grabs you by the nose hairs and very determinedly frogmarches you to the end, because there are no chapters and a screaming need to ‘find out what happens!’.
I treasure each and every new Pratchett book. I do. I do. I love love the foot notes. Especially the one about writers J \o/
Read it? Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!