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Going Postal  By  cover art

Going Postal

By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Stephen Briggs
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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)

Featured Article: 20+ Whimsical Terry Pratchett Quotes


As the author of more than 50 best-selling titles, Sir Terry Pratchett is still influencing the hearts and minds of children and adults alike, even after his passing in 2015. Marked by his ability to make the mundane extraordinary and build continually unfolding fantasy worlds, Pratchett’s hilarious novels are deservedly beloved. Dive into the quotes below to experience Pratchett’s singularly affecting blend of humor, magic, and heart.

What listeners say about Going Postal

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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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50 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A witty story of an ex-conman

I have listened to a decent nunber of Discworld stories, and this is probably my favorite. Prachett has matured as a writer throughout the series, they have become a little bit less madcap, a little darker, and more focused on social commentary than mocking trite fantasy worlds. They are still funny, but they are also much more satisfying to listen to. Going Postal revolves around an entirely new (and appealing) character, and, while many favorites make guest appearances, it is accessible to the non-fan, and even to those who are not necessaily big lovers of fantasy. What makes it work is tight plotting, a very good sense of humor, and a relevant plotline full of conmen and corporate intrigue in a fantasy world. If you like later Prachett (Monsterous Regiment, for example), this is a good choice. If you are looking for sword-and-sorcerey parodies, this is probably the wrong way to go.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Too much whimsy...

If you like your humor whimsical you'll enjoy this book. But you'd better be ready for some really, really whimsical stuff. I mean so whimsical that if your plimbfidget falls off the armador case evertime someone cracks a whosgroggin then you'll love this book. Not my cup of tea. I tried to stay with it but only got half way.

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4 people found this helpful