Unseen Academicals

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

""Nobody writes fantasy funnier than Pratchett.” —Booklist

Discworld lives on in Unseen Academicals, the 37th novel in Sir Terry Pratchett's beloved fantasy series. Discword has succumbed to a powerful magic that could tear it apart. Soon colleague is pitted against colleague, brother against brother, sons against fathers as all become infected with a frightening condition know as football fever (well, we Yanks call it soccer madness).

The wizards at Ankh-Morpork's Unseen University are renowned for many things—wisdom, magic, and their love of teatime—but athletics is most assuredly not on the list. So when Lord Vetinari, the city's benevolent tyrant, strongly suggests to Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully that the university revive an erstwhile tradition and once again put forth a football team composed of faculty, students, and staff—or lose the funding that pays for their nine daily meals—the wizards of UU find themselves in a quandary. To begin with, they have to figure out what it is that makes this sport of foot-the-ball so popular with Ankh-Morporkians of all ages and social strata. Then they have to learn how to play it. Oh, and on top of that, they must win a football match without using magic.

And the thing about football—the most important thing about football— is that it is never just about football.

Filled with his usual sharp wit, sagacious observations, and keen social commentary, Unseen Academicals demonstrates the satirical genius of Terry Pratchett.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Unseen Academicals is the seventh book in the Wizards series.

©2009 Terry and Lyn Pratchett; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Stephen Briggs

No idea why they are pushing Tony Robinsons and these new peoples narrative. Nigel Planner and Steve Briggs did a great job.

Always a joy

Terry Pratchett is always a good choice, and Stephen Briggs is great to listen to.

A strange, but good book

This book is well VERY different, but I still liked it. The wizard series is Ldiffrent.

Another Gem by Sir Terry

Great characters - new friends and old favorites alike - weave their way through the goings on surrounding a momentous game of football as only the denizens of Discworld can. The story is as enjoyable as any in the series, the football references (and gentle pokes) are hilarious, and the narrator masterfully delivers this Pratchett gem.

Jolly good fun.

The late Sir Terry Pratchett was a remarkable comedic story writer. This book, written while Sir Terry was already suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease, does not lack anything. His genius wit, his comedic timing and sardonic sense of humor all add to the brilliance as Stephen Briggs narrates and performs the audio novel, with flawless diction.