Going Postal

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Arch-swindler Moist von Lipwig never believed his crimes were hanging offenses, until he found himself with a noose around his neck, dropping through a trap door, and falling into...a government job? Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be an impossible task. Worse, the new Postmaster could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, money-hungry Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical head, Mr. Reacher Gilt. 

But it says on the building 'Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Glo m of Ni t'.... Inspiring words (admittedly, some of the bronze letters have been stolen), and for once in his wretched life Moist is going to fight. And if the bold and impossible are what's called for, he'll do it; to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and deliver that invaluable commodity that everyone requires: hope.

©2004 Terry Pratchett (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic Reviews

 

• Audie Award Finalist, Fiction (unabridged), 2005

"Thanks to the timely subject matter and Pratchett's effervescent wit, this 29th Discworld novel may capture more of the American audience he deserves." (Publishers Weekly) 

"Instead of revisiting old characters, Pratchett again takes on the task of further rounding out his already beautifully imagined Discworld, doing it with his usual blending of good laughs and unexpected depths." (Booklist)

New readers start here....Buy this book!

I've been a Pratchett fan most of my life and he has only gotten better over time. His more recent books especially those which feature Moist Von Lipwig and Commander Vimes are especially brilliant. I may have listened to this book a dozen times over the years. It's funny at multiple levels with cleverly drawn and complex characters, mixed with marvelous satire on our society. If you are new to Pratchett, start here...then go on to Making Money, the back to back sequel which is (if that's even possible) even better. The narration also demands hearty praise. Stephen Briggs has narrated the more recent Pratchett books, he brings wonderful voices and humor to what is already terrifically funny writing. If you are already a fan of Pratchett this rendition of one of his best books will make your day.

A pleasure as always.

Like all prolific writers, however brilliant, Terry Pratchett has his ups and downs. Some books are better than others. This is one of them. Set in Ankh Morpork, where the story can brush up against long-standing favorites like Vimes, the Patrician, and the wizards, <u>Going Postal</u> introduces a new cast of characters, and with them, a new energy. Part of Pratchett's genius is that he can be funny, even farcical, without being <i>mean</i>, and that comes through strongly in this story, with his trademark mix of whimsy, cheap shots, social commentary, and a truly engaging and hilarious plot and cast. No one else can write like Pratchett, and no one else should try.

And, as always, Stephen Briggs reads Pratchett's work exactly the way it wants to be read, with energy and understanding and a straight face. There are other performers who can read Pratchett's writing well - Nigel Planer generally does a good job - but no one seems to get <i>inside</i> the story the way Briggs can.

It's impossible to judge which books will be a particular reader/listener's favorites, and which will simply be enjoyable, but <u>Going Postal</u> is strong, witty, and highly entertaining.

Finally on AUDIBLE!!!

First off this book is incredible and very much in the "City Watch" realhm of Terry Prachett's Discworld. Regular Discworld readers will know what I mean.

The sense of irony and the parallel between today's phyiscal mail systems and the internet debacles are crystal clear.

You have it all embezzlement, murder, blackmail and the birth of stamp collecting.

Terry Pratchett is that rarest of authors, the one who gets beter and better with each outing.

My only regret is I didn't wait before buying the CD release of this book. After all who wants to both with CD when you can have it all on an IPOD.

Also, please forgive any typos,my screen keeps jumping.

For laughing outloud!

I just started listening to Terry Prachett's stories a month ago and can't stop. Was lucky enough to download "Guards!Guards!" and "Mort" before Audible removed them. Stephen Briggs makes all the difference in the listening. The Author and Narrator are excellent together. Very very very funny stories and am catching myself laughing outloud often. "Going Postal" was right up there with all the rest. Hard to decide which is best, so listen to them all. All his stories are a total delight and you won't want to miss any of them. Highly, highly recommend! They are a great escape from the insanity of our own world.

Romantic fun and (con) games

This book, whose main character is an unapologetic con man, is a delightfully funny and imaginative book. The "hero" wants nothing more than to continue relieving gullible idiots of their money, but he is forced by a mysterious duke to serve as town postmaster or be killed. In the course of his work, he is captivated by a crabby, chain-smoking gollum purveyor whose sole redeeming grace is her unexpected love for her robotic charges. The story takes turn after unexpected turn, with a motley crew of assorted thieves, wizards, vampires and Igors.

Wonderful!

I consider myself a connoisseur of audio books and this is one of the best I have heard. The book and its narrator are both a pleasure to read. This is my first experience with Terry Pratchett and certainly will not be my last. Great characters all performed excellently by the narrator. Check it out, you will not be sorry.

Hilarious

This book is fun and hilarious to listen to. Terry Pratchett writes a hysterical book about one of the most mundane subjects: the post office. Stephen Briggs does a fabulous job reading this book and captures the characters personalities quite well. I find myself sitting in my car once I have reached my destination just to listen to a "little bit" more. If you want to listen to a great book that is fun and interesting this is the book for you!

Brilliant Narration

Stephen Briggs superbly conveys the sense and humor of Pratchett's writing. His voice characterizations and accents are flawless. I've not heard anyone else read Pratchett, but I can't imagine it being done better. I've enjoyed the Audible versions of this and 'Wee Free Men' better than any other Discworld books I've read.

This one's a keeper

I was first introduced to Terry Pratchet through the book Good Omens - which I really hope audible offers in audio someday. He has a wonderful sense of humor and I was drawn to this particular story because my dad actually works for the post office himself. I got a HUGE kick out of the idea of a career criminal being made post master general. I believe this is set in Disc World (I haven't read those books) but you don't need to have read Disc World to enjoy it. This is set in a "modern fantasy" world containing things like werewolves, golums, and vampires - the most successful lawyer in the city is a zombie. It's quirky and fun. I highly recommend it!

delightful

This was fun;Pratchett takes on the post office. The protagonist (Moist) is a professional con man who is hanged for his crimes - or the crimes of his alias - but the Patrician arranges for him to not die (a talented hangman). As his punishment, he is on parole as the new Post Master General, charged with reviving the Post Office of Ank Morpork. Mix in a few golems, pin collectors, the idea of stamps as money and an evil business consortium who are running the Clacks (long-distance semiphore signalling) and you have another good yarn from Pratchett.

Witness The Path of Progress in Ankh-Morpork!

Stamps - are one of those things that you take as a given until you realise that some clever bugger had to come up with the idea in the first place and then convince others that it's the thing that should be done.