Snuff

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

For nearly three decades, Terry Pratchett has enthralled millions of fans worldwide with his irreverent, wonderfully funny satires set in the fabulously imaginative Discworld, a universe remarkably similar to our own. From sports to religion, politics to education, science to capitalism, and everything in between, Pratchett has skewered sacred cows with both laughter and wisdom, and exposed our warts, foibles, and eccentricities in a unique, entertaining, and ultimately serious way.

At long last, Lady Sybil has lured her husband, Sam Vimes, on a well-deserved holiday away from the crime and grime of Ankh-Morpork. But for the commander of the City Watch, a vacation in the country is anything but relaxing. The balls, the teas, the muck - not to mention all that fresh air and birdsong - are more than a bit taxing on a cynical city-born and -bred copper.

Yet a policeman will find a crime anywhere if he decides to look hard enough, and it’s not long before a body is discovered, and Sam - out of his jurisdiction, out of his element, and out of bacon sandwiches (thanks to his well-meaning wife) - must rely on his instincts, guile, and street smarts to see justice done. As he sets off on the chase, though, he must remember to watch where he steps... This is the countryside, after all, and the streets most definitely are not paved with gold.

Hailed as the “purely funniest English writer since Wodehouse” (Washington Post Book World), with a “satirist’s instinct for the absurd and a cartoonist’s eye for the telling detail” (Daily Telegraph, London), Terry Pratchett offers a novel of crime, class, prejudice, and punishment that shows this master at his dazzling best.

©2011 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

I feel like I just discovered a gem!

Where does Snuff rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

I really didn't know Terry Pratchett's work but when I saw all of the other reviews, I thought I'd give Snuff a try. It was so enjoyable that I listened to it without taking breaks to listen to other stuff.

What did you like best about this story?

Commander Vimes is a great character, someone that I couldn't help but cheer for throughout the whole book.

Which character ??? as performed by Stephen Briggs ??? was your favorite?

Willikins, the butler, is by far my favorite! He'd be a great guy to know and have in your corner.

Commander Sam Vimes, Go!

Always a good listen! Memorable, decisive, uplifting! I listen over and over.... Word art perfectly performed!

Another great Discworld novel

Any additional comments?

If you love the Discworld novels, especially those that involve the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, this is a no-brainer. It is very Vimes centric, but that ain't a bad thing. I love how Mr. Pratchett fleshes out what was essentially a throw-away species rarely mentioned in some of his other books. Also, Sam Vimes rules. 'Nuff said.

He's still got it...

Terry Pratchett, despite suffering from a rare form of Alzheimer's, is still the most prolific writer today. The man seems fundamentally incapable of producing inferior work, and the Discworld series is just as meaningful, funny and fascinating has it has always been. Nearly 40 books in the series, and I find myself still hungry for more. The Vimes books are my favorites and this one certainly does not disappoint.

The City Watch is Back!

Once again, Stephen Briggs did a bang-up job narrating Discworld. The story is also good, with Sam Vimes at the helm from start to finish, ably supported by Willikins, his valet. Filled with Pratchett's customary satire, puns, and social commentaries, Snuff felt like the old City Watch. Lots of action scenes, including a "dam slam" on a river dubbed Old Treachery, a bonfire, gallows hill, brass knuckles, knives, crossbows, bullocks, bullets, and blood.

It may be slightly darker than most of the series, involving enslavement, drugs, smuggling, kidnapping, murder, and the summoning dark. It's also a little bittersweet, as Commander Vimes must face a personal watershed.

The plot in broad terms:

Reluctantly, Vimes takes a "repairing lease" to the Ramkin Estate, accompanied eagerly by Sybil and son Sam, now six. Young Sam finds plenty to interest him in the country, including a human skull and poo. Plenty of poo. Sammy is obsessed with scat.

Likewise, his daddy smells something that stinks to high heaven. With reliable Willikins at his side, and supported staunchly by his duchess, he deals with the dark secrets hidden in the shire, along the way teaching police procedures to a young rookie constable. But Freeny Upshot isn't totally green, and sometimes he surprises his new mentor.

Meanwhile, and unbeknownst to Vimes, his mates at Pseudopolis Yard are pulling on another end of the smuggling string. This means we get to see old friends like Cheery Littlebottom, Sergeant Colon, Nobby Nobs, Igor, Wee Mad Arthur, Carrott, and Lord Vetinari.

Lady Sybil also plays a role, dropping "notes" in the right ears, exercising her political clout and social savvy to transform goblins from trash to treasures in the eyes of society.

By the time everyone's collective efforts yield results, a new species is added to the Shire Watch. A goblin. (And something chuckle-worthy happens to Nobby and even Colon!)

Throughout the entire narrative, Sam uneasily accepts his uncomfortable intimacy with the summoning dark (see Thud).

Mild complaints: I grew tired of young Sam's focus on poo. Ewww. Also, the moralizing is occasionally overdone, when Vimes gets on his soapbox.

Good story, nicely narrated and easy to follow.




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This book relates like English Historical Fiction!

I don't listen to a lot of Fantasy or Sci-Fi, but love love love this book! It relates like English Historical Fiction and I literally laughed out load a number of times. I only listen to my audiobooks while I'm working, and I found myself really looking forward to work!

Absolutely entertaining from first to last!

I hated for the book to come to an end. I could go on listening to the adventures of Sam Vimes forever.

One of the best of Vimes

This is one of the best of the night watch series from Discworld, in my opinion. The characters are so animated and wonderful. I wish there had been more. We miss you Terry. #Inspiring #Magical #Satire #Funny #Heartfelt #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Great tale of Sam Vimes

it's got action, it's got humor, it's got poo. all the things someone on vacation would love

great

always love Pratchett, and Stephen Briggs is great at the voices. brings the characters to life in a while new way.