Nation

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The sea has taken everything.

Thirteen-year-old Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle, Daphne - a girl from the other side of the globe - is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.

Together, the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. And slowly, other refugees arrive - children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives - all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down....

Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.

©2008 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Absolutely Delightful

Very much NOT your "Blue Lagoon" saga. The characters and the "rights of passage" experienced by them are full, deep, rich and sophisticated. These guys rocked my world on the way to work and home daily and I went out to find more Terry Pratchett. I have come to believe his humor comes through better in audio with the right narrator, of course. The lead female character is a fine role model for young kids. I believe this is supposed to be a young adult novel but it has plenty of appeal to a broader audience as well, particularly considering Pratchett's humor - I think it ought to be included on school reading lists as required reading - beats a Clockwork Orange which I still don't think I get!!!

A diamond through and through

This is one of the most serious, yet amazing books that I've read by Terry and I wish there had been more like this. I love the Discworld series, but this will have a close place beside them in my heart. #Inspiring #Magical #Satire #Funny #Heartfelt #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

All around good story

Been wanting to hear something by Pratchett, but didn't have a good starting place. It was only after I listened to Nation that I realized it was a kids book (or so I've heard). Still really enjoyed it for it's story. It was clever, well paced, and... well, cute.

I cried a little

I loved it. Thanks for the great performance and writing, what an amazing set of growing characters. We miss you Terry!

Powerful

I have read and listened to this book multiple times and it always punches me in the gut. Terry Pratchett was a genius with words and Nation is simply beautiful.

Good story, but should've been recorded differentl

The music they put in here and there on top of the reading is annoying as hell. Stephen Briggs reads way too fast and doesn't animate different characters.
But its a good story.

Short, witty and entertaining.

Loved it. Easy to listen to. No chapter felt like it dragged on longer than it should.

Wow. Amazing.

The story. The characters. The narrator. All perfection. Use the credit. Get it. You won’t regret it.

Transcends categories

Like a previous reviewer, I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett's, but not blind to the fact that some of his novels are better than others.

That said, I've been listening to "Nation," and find it amazing. First of all, don't be mislead by the category of "young adult" reader. I'm pushing 60 pretty hard. The man reading this story does a truly fine job of interpreting characters and situations, and that alone makes this edition both worthwhile and entertaining.

But the real treasure here is Mr. Pratchett's understanding of the human spirit, and his ability to distill that which we all feel and know into a story. If Mr. Pratchett doesn't win some sort of recognition for this one, somebody's just not paying attention. It has everything: Brit humour, pathos, adventure, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, theology, and a stack of other 'ologies. And a rude parrot. And puking birds. It's really good.

I've read all of the Discworld series, and "Good Omens" as well, and feel that "Nation" is perhaps the best plotted story Pratchett has given us, if not his most meaningful philosophically. It is evident that he knew from the first page how he was going to reach the last page, as well as the points he wished to make while getting there. This book is a joy to read for any age and any level of understanding.

Very Good Indeed: Coming of Age

I must start by saying that Terry Pratchett is one of my top 10 favorite authors next to Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, PG Wodehouse and Robert Jordan. So going into this book, I probably have a pro-Pratchett bias. If you feel this is makes me unqualified to review this book, click the no next the question was this helpful and move on to the next review.

This title is an exploration of the coming of age plot. The main character is literally coming to age by the practices of his tribe when a strange and sudden tragedy forces him to come into full adult responsibility for the lives and health of others. Through a collection of near strangers his world is expanded. He grows to realize strongly that his world view may not be the only one out there.

Many reviews I have read from non-professionals like myself have stated that this book has a strong anti-religion theme. However, if anything it has a strong anti-tribalism theme (if you are thinking anti spears look up what tribalism actually means). The growth of this character is not the rejection of his father's religion but the realization that just because it was the one he was raised with does not make it better than everyone elses.

If anything this book has a pro-religion theme. As with many of Pratchett's works while they might take the mici out of The Gods from time to time the gods in this book definitely do exist. Philosophy has always been a strong theme in every book I have read by Mr. Pratchett and I think this is one of the defining reasons why I like his work. Well that and the 4 or 5 hours I spend smiling and laughing after I book the book down just thinking of my favorite bits.