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What are readers saying about Nation?
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-05 05:58:29.
(Language: English)
 
I've just finished reading Nation, after reading mixed reviews I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. I love books that get you thinking and this definitely did that and it's the first Terry Pratchett book that has actually had me shedding a tear. It is totally different to Sir Terry's Discworld books so if that's the style and tone you are expecting from Nation then you need to think again. I borrowed the copy I read from a friend but I think I will be going out to buy my own copy so that I can re-read it. It was just brilliant! 
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-05 01:59:44.
(Language: English)
Thought-provoking, humourous, tinged with sadness at times. A welcome departure from Disc World, proving what a great writer Pratchett is.
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Tim posted a review at 2010-01-03 05:18:42.
(Language: English)
Seems strange to read a book by Terry Pratchett that isn't set on the Discworld. Regardless of this it is brilliantly written and the thinking runs deep.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-08 05:46:34.
(Language: English)
Very good "normal" story by Pratchett. Starts off great and continues well until near the ending where it becomes too predictable. But in general a very worthwhile read with some deep messages that makes you think about life in general.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-04-14 02:37:52.
(Language: English)
There are many smaller scenes and setups in the book which are written brilliantly and really tie the reader to the text. But the story as a whole cannot keep up with the great work in the details, and so one is always a little reluctant to keep on reading when a chapter is over. Still a good read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-07 03:13:20.
(Language: English)
after finishing the book i realsied just how great it was.... the man is a genious with the english language... the book is a story of where we all come from.. a story aabout our past ancestors coming to turns with a modern world.. fabulous not yet finished the book,,,first time i have read a book and not sure where the story is going...kind of nice really
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-26 10:32:56.
(Language: English)
Although this is not a disc world story, this book is absolutely fantastic. Terry Pratchett at his best. A nice story if that's all you want but beyond that it is amazingly thought provoking. The last chapter is the best but without the rest of the book setting it up it wouldn't be so good. This is a book that I will definitely read again, and soon.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-07 05:04:36.
(Language: English)
Very very different from the usual Pratchett book, not set on the Discworld but on a slightly different version of our own world. The fact that at one point the King has a go at His mum, and his daughter is a (quite understandably) murderess, isn't even the best thing about the book...for me, its the reason we are born in water, we do not kill dolphins, and look to the stars, at the beginning
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-06 07:54:07.
(Language: English)
A compelling island story about a boy who unexpectedly accends to chief as the result of a tsunami and the adventures that it brings. The first Pratchett I have ever read as the artwork on the covers usually look too 'silly' but I was impressed by the seriousness and interest of this one.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-15 05:45:51.
(Language: English)
This is one of the best books Terry Pratchett has ever written, tackling the none to small topics of religion and science not to mention ancestry, the meaning of life and what happens when you die, he has pulled off a deep, thought provoking challenging book that still retains his trademark humour and sense of fun. Not for the kids though, the opening chapters are very dark.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-14 01:48:04.
(Language: English)
When I first picked up this book, I hadn't realised it wasn't part of the Discworld series, once I had realised I put it back on my bookshelf and forgot about it for a while. Until one day one of my good friends whom happens to be a non Pratchet fan was reading it and professed they loved it. So I decided to give it a go, and boy did I enjoy it, yes immensely not only that but I never wanted to finish it as I really didn't want to read the inevitable. Yes as Folk have said its thought provoking and there is the subject of religion in but don't let theses things put you off. (To coin a phrase)At the end of the day it is a story a rather brilliant story that anyone can enjoy, Pratchet fan or not.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-20 08:39:21.
(Language: English)
I know that this is a departure for Terry Pratchett, and not everyone thinks very highly of this latest offering. Admittedly, it lacks the intensely vivid and colourful descriptions and depth and range of characters that fans of the discworld have come to expect, but I still loved this. It is a darker story, but I found it a very satisfying read, and it touches on themes common to human experience in a more touching way than his previous works have done. I enjoyed reading something different from him, as much as I will always love the discworld novels. There is a sense that he is writing in ways and about subjects that are not directly within his comfort zone, but for me it is still a great book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-28 03:19:31.
(Language: English)
A Pratchett book not on Dicworld, but not exactly on earth either. Mau is returning to his Island, to his Nation, after completing the rites of adulthood. His return will allow him to become a man. But a great wave overtakes him and when he wakes, he discovers his Nation in ruins. The 'Sweet Judy' is struck by the wave as well, she crashes on the Island leaving only one survivor, two if you count parrots. It's a story about religion and science. Taboos and shaking them off. Tradition and reason. It's a story about gods and men and demons. Like all Pratchett's books, it's a light read thats easy to breeze through. In the guise of an adventure book, Pratchett manages to cram very deep themes and thought provoking issues, while managing to be entertaining and funny. Well worth the read. And rivals Small Gods in it's execution.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-12 10:38:55.
(Language: English)
I heard Terry Pratchett talk about his new, non-Discworld book, Nation, at the first ever Australian Discworld convention a few years back - and with feelings of apprehension. He has completely put all my doubts to rest with this book. It is energetic, feeling and a brilliant stand-alone story. It doesn't miss out on his usual witty sillicisms and his simple observations on characters (whether human or otherwise) that resonate profoundly with real life. Moving, fun and thoroughly enjoyable!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-11 03:23:20.
(Language: English)
One of Terry Pratchett's best.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-12 12:07:50.
(Language: English)
Terry's latest novel was everything I expected it to be, and more. A wonderful plot twisted in with his wicked humour, I seriously enjoyed it, and loved every single moment of reading it. I can't wait until the next Pratchett novel! (Its on my Christmas list - a novel of his ALWAYS makes an appearence)
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Ian posted a review at 2009-10-13 04:36:48.
(Language: English)
Sir Terry delivers again. First to say that this is not a Discworld novel, but set on a world very similar to our own, a couple of hundred years ago (with the typical Pratchett tweaks). Set in the south Pacific, a tropical storm kills all the inhabitants of one of the islands, bar one boy. The story progresses as other refugees from the storm arrive at the island looking for somewhere to live, including a shipwrecked English girl. As with all Pratchett novels, you read this on one level as a witty story, but on a deeper level this contemplates religion, relationships and the similarities between different people as well as the things that separate us for no reason at all. (Read October 2009)
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-28 08:06:37.
(Language: English)
This book is about (amongst other things) science and religion. Terry Pratchett demonstrates a particular view of religion in his discworld novels - that the goda are created by man and not the other way round. This book is set in something closer to our own world and here he demonstrates - don't believe something just because someone tells you it's true. Question it but don't dismiss it either. This applies to both science and religion.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-13 10:15:48.
(Language: English)
This is an engaging and moving story set on a fantasy desert island. Mau and Daphne find themselves cut off from their friends and family and have to learn to cope with their changed environment. A lovely book - great for adults as well as children.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-28 02:04:47.
(Language: English)
Terry Pratchett does a non-discworld story, set here on Earth... sort of. It's a book about youth, from a man who knows that life is coming to an end for him, and about religion from a man usually identified as an atheist but obviously wonders if there's more to life than we see. Mostly it's a book about the importance of thinking and questioning, from one of the finest minds of our time. It's also a pretty good story :-)
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-14 02:12:57.
(Language: English)
Brilliant!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-14 11:16:13.
(Language: English)
I love it when Terry gets on the subject of Gods (see "Small Gods" for more). The whole existence/non existence what is the minimum requirement of a God is brilliant. This is the story of Mau and how his life changed for ever in one night. It's about survival, development of a Nation and the clash between cultures and religion. An excellent read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-06 10:40:09.
(Language: English)
A PTerry book which isn't set in Discworld. The action is mainly on an exotic island somewhere on a "parallel" Earth. It's an entertaining effort but perhaps other writers may be able to do more with the material. The ideas are original and the underlying messages PTerry conveys are thought provoking. Get only if you are a PTerry fan
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Patrick posted a review at 2009-12-15 11:02:30.
(Language: English)
It seems like a simple story but then it's got "layers", I really like the subversive satire Terry Pratchett builds into his stories and this is one of his best. I think he tends to give people what they expect with the continuing Disc World books (which is fine) but when he steps outside that you realise just how good a story teller he is.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-28 01:00:52.
(Language: English)
A lot of people have been raving about this, and why it is the best Pratchett book for ages. It is set in a mildly alternate universe, in what might or might not be the South Pacific (the mutiny on the Bounty and Moby Dick are referenced); in Pratchett's characteristic liberal humanist way, religion and good behaviour are explored, in a coming-of-age tale for his two teenage protagonists. Lots of gently witty one-liners, but the one that will linger with me longest is the observation that "the perfect world is a journey, not a place". Awfully good. The latest Terry Pratchett to appear in paperback, continuing his Tiffany Aching series after A Hat Full of Sky. This is a tremendously accomplished novel. Thirteen-year-old Tiffany's struggles with her own imminent adulthood are beautifully contrasted with the Wintersmith's attempt to become human, and with Tiffany's rival Annagramma's attempts to become a real witch. As ever, Pratchett's basic message is a very human and compassionate one. This is all combined with his usual firecracker wit, and although there are also plenty of vignettes from the characters in the previous books of his Witches sub-sequence, I think even a reader who had read none of the previous Discworld novels would enjoy this.
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