Book Review // Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett
Wow, it's crazy to think I am already ten books into the Discworld series. I believe this book ended the run the last time I got this far (back in my early twenties). I can't remember why; I believe I struggled to read it, and the momentum was gone. Hopefully, I will have better luck this time.
Title: Moving Pictures (Discworld #10)
Author: Terry Pratchett
Fluff: 'Holy wood is a different sort of place. People act differently here. Everywhere else the most important things are gods or money or cattle. Here, the most important thing is to be important.'
People might say that reality is a quality that things possess in the same way that they possess weight. Sadly alchemists never really held with such a quaint notion. They think that they can change reality, shape it to their own purpose. Imagine then the damage that could be wrought if they get their hands on the ultimate alchemy: the invention of motion pictures, the greatest making of illusions. It may be a triumph of universe-shaking proportions. It's either that or they're about to unlock the dark terrible secret of the Holy Wood hills - by mistake...
Review
As mentioned, as a twenty-something, I read this novel, which knocked out my momentum of Discworld reading. I couldn't place what caused it; it just happened. Now, having re-read it, I remember. I found the plot slow and longer than it actually needed—almost a filler piece for another tale. Now, don't get defensive against me. Like most Discworld novels, it has its highs and lows, but for me, this was a miss that seemed to drag on.
Firstly, the positives: Hollywood satire fits nicely into the world of the Disc, and it was nice to have a bit of a side character story, allowing for Cut-me-own-throat Dibbler and Detritus to shine. But the negatives won out. Because of the lesser characters, I felt less connected or caring about the plot line. Also, certain aspects fell flat, such as the build-up to the 1000 elephants that nothing happened with... I must be missing something. Also, calling it Holy Wood felt lazy, and though the Cthulhu/Lovecraft fits well, it all just felt too on the nose.
Overall, I felt this was a prologue to an Unseen University story that didn't happen, and I was left wanting more but not wanting to read it. I am ready to go into Reaperman book 11 but need a break.
What are your thoughts on this title? Please drop me a comment and let me know.
