SYNOPSIS:
Greetings, adventurer! We lay before you this most comprehensive gazetteer encompassing all the streets of Ankh-Morpork, as well as information on its principal businesses, hotels, taverns, inns, and places of entertainment and refreshment, enhanced by the all-new and compleat map of our great city state. Our city has grown well beyond its ancient walls, but the remit of this commission from the honourable Guild of Merchants was to 'map the city', the pulsing organ of commerce and culture, the heart as opposed to the body, and this we have done. In spades. We ask that when you pore over this glorious work you spare some thought for the humble cartographers and surveyors who made journeys into the darker corners of our metropolis - no less dangerous than the wilds of Skund or Bhangbhangduc. To some the only memorial is the map you now possess. Others, in their quest for knowledge, paid the highest price that scholarship demands, which is to say, a day off in lieu. And so we dedicate this map and these accompanying words to the officers, councilors and members of the Merchants' Guild and to all who will find in its pages paths yet to tread and places yet to explore within the magnificent wonder that is the city of Ankh-Morpork.
REVIEW:
"When dragons belch and hippos flee
My thoughts, Ankh-Morpork, are of thee
Let others boast of martial dash
For we have boldly fought with cash
We own all your helmets, we own all your shoes.
We own all your generals - touch us and you'll lose.
Morporkia! Morporkia!
Morporkia owns the day!
We can rule you wholesale
Touch us and you'll pay." (First Verse of We Can Rule You Wholesale, the National Anthem of Ankh Morpork)
If you’re a fan of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, this quirky book is going to be a great item to pick up as its not only a guide to the city but includes a giant map to help you find your way round. Full of Pratchett’s humour alongside a whole range of fun added (including Adverts for Morporkian Businesses) this book is a great addition to the world as it really brings it all to life.
Finally throw into the mix a “travellers guide” and all in it was something that I had not only a lot of fun perusing, but one I’ll use quite a few more times when rereading my favourite books. Great stuff.
1 comment:
As always with Pratchett, it's the richness and depth of his world along with his eye for detail and character that make his writing a joy to read.
I like quirky books like this. :)
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