Status
Available
Call number
Publication
London : Corgi Books, 1996.
Description
Sourcery, a hilarious mix of magic, mayhem, and Luggage, is the fifth book in Terry Pratchett's classic fantasy Discworld series. Rincewind, the legendarily inept wizard, has returned after falling off the edge of the world. And this time, he's brought the Luggage. But that's not all�?� Once upon a time, there was an eighth son of an eighth son who was, of course, a wizard. As if that wasn't complicated enough, said wizard then had seven sons. And then he had an eighth son - a wizard squared (that's all the math, really). Who of course, was a source of magic - a sourcerer. Will the sourcerer lead the wizards to dominate all of Discworld? Or can Rincewind's tiny band stave off the Apocalyp
User reviews
LibraryThing member pwaites
Sourcery is the fifth Discworld book and stands alone from any of the others. However, it’s definitely not one I would suggest starting with. If you’re interested in Discworld, I would suggest trying Guards! Guards!, Going Postal, or Small Gods.
Sourcery is one of the weakest books, and is more
I guess I just don’t find the plot of this one compelling. It’s very loose and unstructured, even if it’s grand in scale. There’s also the issue of Rincewind being the only memorable character. All the other wizards up to Moving Pictures are completely forgettable and get changed every book. The odd assortment of people Rincewind ends up traveling with really aren’t that intriguing or anything more than one note characters. In fact, they don’t even really do anything.
The installment also does badly on the female character front – at the levels of the first two books in the series. Conina is the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian but actually wants to be a hairdresser. She’s a fearsome fighter due to her barbarian genes, but she’s more a joke and walking sex appeal than anything else. She’s also the only female character to speak, or even to be named, in the entire book.
Sourcery‘s saving graces? There’s a pretty good Rincewind scene near the end that serves as a very memorable moment for his character. Vetinari’s introduced. The Librarian gets a significant amount of page time. It’s also, being a Pratchett novel, reliably funny.
I’d recommend this one only to people who are already fans of the series.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Sourcery is one of the weakest books, and is more
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reminiscent of The Light Fantastic than anything else. It follows Rincewind and the wizards of the Unseen University when a sorcerer shows up, ready to take over the world.I guess I just don’t find the plot of this one compelling. It’s very loose and unstructured, even if it’s grand in scale. There’s also the issue of Rincewind being the only memorable character. All the other wizards up to Moving Pictures are completely forgettable and get changed every book. The odd assortment of people Rincewind ends up traveling with really aren’t that intriguing or anything more than one note characters. In fact, they don’t even really do anything.
The installment also does badly on the female character front – at the levels of the first two books in the series. Conina is the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian but actually wants to be a hairdresser. She’s a fearsome fighter due to her barbarian genes, but she’s more a joke and walking sex appeal than anything else. She’s also the only female character to speak, or even to be named, in the entire book.
Sourcery‘s saving graces? There’s a pretty good Rincewind scene near the end that serves as a very memorable moment for his character. Vetinari’s introduced. The Librarian gets a significant amount of page time. It’s also, being a Pratchett novel, reliably funny.
I’d recommend this one only to people who are already fans of the series.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Needed a good bit of silly fun today, and this did the trick. A sourcerer has emerged to wreak havoc on the carefully balanced Discworld, and it's up to the chronically inept Rincewind to keep everything from coming apart at the seams. Assisted by everyone's favorite homicidal wooden trunk, a very
As usual, Pratchett's whipped out some amusing lines, silly puns, and a perfectly fine escapist read.
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violent young woman, and a beginner barbarian, the quest gets underway.As usual, Pratchett's whipped out some amusing lines, silly puns, and a perfectly fine escapist read.
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LibraryThing member redfiona
I didn't like this book on first reading, which may have had more to do with the conditions than the book (peevishly hungover is not a good way of starting a new book). However, I was determined to work my way through the Discworld books, so I started it again.
I'm happy that I did so, because,
The opening scene with Ipslore and Death is particularly strong, and I was itching to find out what happened next to Rincewind after the end of the book.
I'm happy that I did so, because,
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while certainly not the best of the Discworld books, there are lots of enjoyable parts to this book, and bad puns about geese will always amuse me. I liked a lot of the characters, particularly the hat, and felt sorry for poor Coin.The opening scene with Ipslore and Death is particularly strong, and I was itching to find out what happened next to Rincewind after the end of the book.
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LibraryThing member isabelx
When the rats flee the Unseen University Rincewind knows that something ominous is afoot. And it's not only the rats that are leaving; the ants, bedbugs, cockroaches and even the Gargoyles are going too, as they know that a sourcerer is coming, the eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son, a
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source of magic, and that means big trouble - perhaps even the Apocralypse. Show Less
LibraryThing member harrietbrown
Things I Learned: Luggage: Beware the sapient pearwood baggage! Beware the talking wizard's staff! Beware the talking wizard's hat! In general, it's a good idea to be wary of talking inanimate objects.
Comments: The novel was a little more complicated than your average Discworld novel, if only
Comments: The novel was a little more complicated than your average Discworld novel, if only
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because of shifts in the space-time continuum. Magic was afoot and very heavily, too. Rincewind the wizard has to save the world. He meets up with a female assassin, a barbarian hero, the Luggage, the Hat, and a portly Seriph. All of them have aspirations for which they may not be talented or qualified. Will our heroic friends turn the tide of magic overrunning the world? Anything is possible ... Show Less
LibraryThing member jnicholson
Rincewind returns and is now a more rounded character. When a sourceror arrives at Unseen University, it is up to Rincewind to defend wizardry against the newcomer. Some brilliant parody is to be found in this novel. Also to be found is Terry Pratchett's invitation to readers to draw their own map.
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
The idea of a 'wizard squared' was an interesting concept, but I found this hard to get into. Lots of witty observations, as in all the Discworld novels. I particularly liked: 'Abrim laughed. It wasn't a nice sound. It sounded as though he had had laughter explained to him, probably slowly and
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repeatedly, but had never heard anyone actually do it." !!! Show Less
LibraryThing member gercmbyrne
Terry Pratchett is a god who walks among men. The entire Discworld series is a joy and only a strange mad creature cursed by gods and man would refuse to read and love these books!
Rincewind the worlds worst wizzard battles a Child who happens to be a Sorceror, the wizards of UU, the creatures of
Rincewind the worlds worst wizzard battles a Child who happens to be a Sorceror, the wizards of UU, the creatures of
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the dungeon dimension...and all he ever wanted was as nice boring life! Show Less
LibraryThing member horomnizon
This was the first Discworld book that I ever read and I wasn't really sure what I had gotten into after the first couple chapters. I was a little confused at times, but Pratchett does a good enough job explaining things that you don't really have to read the series in order. This one hooked me
This story of a not-quite-wizard who has to go on a great adventure was laugh out loud great at points. Discworld might not be Earth, but in some aspects, it might as well be - the irony and sarcasm Pratchett uses lets you see his opinions on politics, religion, and philosophy pretty easily.
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enough that I'm now endeavoring to read them all (eventually).This story of a not-quite-wizard who has to go on a great adventure was laugh out loud great at points. Discworld might not be Earth, but in some aspects, it might as well be - the irony and sarcasm Pratchett uses lets you see his opinions on politics, religion, and philosophy pretty easily.
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LibraryThing member lorax
One of the weaker Discworld novels (and, not coincidentally, one of the earlier ones, and a Rincewind novel to boot). The Unseen University featured here is very different from that in the later books, with the familiar characters entirely missing, and the contrast is a bit jarring if you read the
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books out of order as I did. I'd recommend this for Discworld completists only -- I bought it when I realized that, weak though it might be, it was at least a Discworld novel I hadn't read yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member comfypants
The story isn't as strong as the previous Discworld books (this is the 5th). The whole threatened-fabric-of-reality thing is getting worn a bit thin. But it has better, more humorous characters than the last two books, and it's a lot of fun.
LibraryThing member jaygheiser
The 8th son of an 8th son becomes a soceror, but it turns out OK in the end.
LibraryThing member kaylol
It is as good as all the other Terry Pratchett books I've read. Rincewind is hilarious! This time he has to win over a sourcerer who is :dangerous for the world and the university and life in general.
LibraryThing member mjmorrison1971
It kept me going while writing reports - probably not the best of the disc world series but entertaining nonetheless. I think the lack of real world social/political commentary found in many of the books was what I felt was missing but probably made it a better report writing read.
LibraryThing member zabet17
I think I have hit the wall with Terry Pratchett. Perhaps I will try this one again later....
LibraryThing member Teipu
Summary:
When a new sourcerer, an eight son of an eight son of an eight son (or better a wizard square), was born, it was clear that the Discworld is in trouble again.
We follow the wizard Rincewind, the barbarian hairdresser Conina, the hero in training Nijel and Creosote, Seriph of Al Khali, on
Opinion:
I'm not a big fan of Rincewind, as he's always too deep in self-pity, but the Luggage and the Librarian make that even.
Not the best Discworld book but it has some very funny moments and even it has a closed ending, one storyline ends in a nice cliff-hanger.
When a new sourcerer, an eight son of an eight son of an eight son (or better a wizard square), was born, it was clear that the Discworld is in trouble again.
We follow the wizard Rincewind, the barbarian hairdresser Conina, the hero in training Nijel and Creosote, Seriph of Al Khali, on
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their journey to rescue the world from crazy magicians, the Ice Giants and the Apocralypse.Opinion:
I'm not a big fan of Rincewind, as he's always too deep in self-pity, but the Luggage and the Librarian make that even.
Not the best Discworld book but it has some very funny moments and even it has a closed ending, one storyline ends in a nice cliff-hanger.
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LibraryThing member debnance
Yet another Discworld book. Here, the eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son is born, destined to be a sorcerer. Sorcerers and wizards compete to control the world.
LibraryThing member njstitcher
Another great book from Pratchett continuing the story of Rincewind the Wizard and the Luggage.
LibraryThing member love2laf
Amusing as always. Not one of my faves in the discworld series, but there's a hell of a lot of books in the series. Most of the books stand alone, but this one is important to read before reading Eric.
LibraryThing member 391
This is one of my favorites in Rincewind's storyline - the ending is a total nail-biter for me, and reading from about 3/4 of the way through to the end is like sprinting towards a finish line. It's so, so good (though I immediately had to start Eric to reassure myself that Rincewind was ultimately
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alright :D ) Show Less
LibraryThing member eddy79
And we are back to Rincewind in the Discworld novels. can;t remember much about this one except to say that it kept me reading to the end, so it must have had something to keep me interested. Seemed like a short read too.
LibraryThing member Alan_Dawson
Loved it, I do like poor old Rincewind and the antics he gets up to. It was really easy to read and i couldnt put it down as like any of Terry's books. **Spoiler, so dont read on if you want the book to remain a suprise. -- It will be interesting to see if Rincewind actually returns from his
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predicament and i loved how a Barbarians daughter, who had all the instincts and traits of her farther just wanted to be a Hairdresser! Funny ;o) Show Less
LibraryThing member ZabetReading
I think I have hit the wall with Terry Pratchett. Perhaps I will try this one again later....
LibraryThing member fiverivers
As always Pratchett delivers entertaining story-telling with wit and style. In this Discworld tale we return to Rincewind and the legendary Luggage, in a Discworld upheaval caused by the release of sourcery (essentially raw, wild magic) by a son held puppet by his father's power and consciousness
As a reader, it's refreshing to read a writer's work that suspends my disbelief (quite the feat given this immprobable world, and quiets the editor. Pure, entertainment at the top of its form.
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that has been locked into an iron staff.As a reader, it's refreshing to read a writer's work that suspends my disbelief (quite the feat given this immprobable world, and quiets the editor. Pure, entertainment at the top of its form.
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LibraryThing member kittyNoel
Sorcery
By Terry Pratchett
Some people end up on all the adventures... it's to bad for Rincewinds that once again he's pulled into adventure. On diskworld there is an eighth color, great wizards are the eighth son of an eighth son... eight is a special number when you are dealing with magic.
When Sorcery is let louse on the world dangerous things happen. Rincewind takes it upon himself to run away. Trying to get as far away as possible only to find he cares and is the only one left to do anything about it. The world may survive (since this is book 5 out of 38 thats a safe guess) even if Rincewind gets stuck in the Dungeon Dimension at of it all.
Theres not much to really say about this book... the only question I had is where are the witches will all these wizard towers and magic being brought up from nowhere... I KNOW its not a story about them... but Diskworld is generally very good about covering all the options about people who might be able to have an effect on the situation and this was the first time I really questioned things...
By Terry Pratchett
Some people end up on all the adventures... it's to bad for Rincewinds that once again he's pulled into adventure. On diskworld there is an eighth color, great wizards are the eighth son of an eighth son... eight is a special number when you are dealing with magic.
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Wizards and women also don't mix. The why is nether really covered it;s just not done. So when a wild and diferent Wizard becomes astranged from the Unseen University builds a family has seven (wizard) sons then has an eighth things get complicated. When Sorcery is let louse on the world dangerous things happen. Rincewind takes it upon himself to run away. Trying to get as far away as possible only to find he cares and is the only one left to do anything about it. The world may survive (since this is book 5 out of 38 thats a safe guess) even if Rincewind gets stuck in the Dungeon Dimension at of it all.
Theres not much to really say about this book... the only question I had is where are the witches will all these wizard towers and magic being brought up from nowhere... I KNOW its not a story about them... but Diskworld is generally very good about covering all the options about people who might be able to have an effect on the situation and this was the first time I really questioned things...
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Awards
Prix Imaginales (2002)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1988-05
Physical description
272 p.; 17.2 cm
ISBN
0552131075 / 9780552131070
Local notes
Omslag: Josh Kirby
Omslaget viser nogle personer på et flyvende tæppe med et stort sværd. I bunden af billedet ses en kuffert eller kiste med masser af små ben under og en krokodille
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Discworld (engelsk), bind 5
Omslagsillustrationen har signaturen Kir, men der er ikke credits til Josh Kir på anden vis, men så kan man jo slå det op selv
Omslaget viser nogle personer på et flyvende tæppe med et stort sværd. I bunden af billedet ses en kuffert eller kiste med masser af små ben under og en krokodille
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Discworld (engelsk), bind 5
Omslagsillustrationen har signaturen Kir, men der er ikke credits til Josh Kir på anden vis, men så kan man jo slå det op selv
Other editions
Megamagikeren by Terry Pratchett (Hardcover)
Similar in this library
Pages
272
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |