Zivan reviewed The Truth by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, #25)
Review of 'The Truth' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
The Truth is peak Pratchett
Paperback, 443 pages
English language
Published Sept. 14, 2001 by Corgi.
The denizens of Ankh-Morpork fancy they've seen just about everything. But then comes the Ankh-Morpork Times, struggling scribe William de Worde's upper-crust, newsletter turned Discworld's first paper of record.An ethical joulnalist, de Worde has a proclivity for investigating stories -- a nasty habit that soon creates powerful enemies eager to stop his presses. And what better way than to start the Inquirer, a titillating (well, what else would it be?) tabloid that conveniently interchanges what's real for what sells.But de Worde's got an inside line on the hot story concerning Ankh-Morpork's leading patrician Lord Vetinari. The facts say Vetinari is guilty. But as William de Worde learns, facts don't always tell the whole story. There's that pesky little thing called the truth ...
The Truth is peak Pratchett
This is one of the books that I consider part of the "speedrunning modernity" set of discworld books; it's about the press. I enjoyed this book, but I think there are better ones in the series.
No sé si llegaría a decir que es el mejor libro de la saga pero desde luego estaría sin dudarlo en un top de los mejores. Además supone un gran punto de inflexión en el Mundodisco. Pratchett (#speakHisName) hace avanzar su universo rápidamente hacia la revolución industrial. Esto le permite tratar más temas y qué mejor manera de empezar que con un mundo que él conocía tan bien como la prensa. Una reflexión sobre el cuarto poder y el populismo que no ha envejecido absolutamente nada desde su publicación.
A great 25th book in the Discworld series. The story focuses on some previously unknown characters, but it's still discworld, no doubt about that.
Unlike some of the previous Discworld books, the story in this book is quite simple and most of it is just used for laughs. There is some satire about the "News business", but it serves mostly for quick jokes and less to sustain the story. I liked that Pratchett progressed from this to a more developed story during the evolution of the Discworld series, but in this one the lack of a very elaborate story does not bother me too much. Still, I felt that more could be done with the characters in the book, so I was left wanting a bit more.
However, the conclusion to the story of Mr. Pin and Mr. Tulip is absolutely sublime; funny and emotional.
IN particular some of the characters have somewhat altered in their behaviours and outlook....
Una magnífica obra que habla sobre el periodismo, sobre qué es (o debería) ser el periodismo de verdad, como cuarto poder fiscalizador, sobre las fake news y sobre los poderosos en la sombra.
Todo esto con la sátira, gracia y saber hacer de Pratchett.
Another gem from the late, great Terry Pratchett.
One of the very best Discworld satire stories.
Love the characters, the way the city feels 'alive', and the story is excellent. The humor is much less forced than in some of his stories.
reread 6/8/13
What a wonderful book. It's great to see the Watch through other eyes and William de Worde has a wonderful perspective as Discworld's first (?) journalist. Pratchett must have had lots of fun introducing more technology (and breathing even more life into his world) and satirising newspapers and the consumption of news. Clever and funny (as Pratchett's books usually are). One of my favourite Discworld novels.
Basically, the best discussion of journalism and power anywhere.
The Truth is one of my absolute favorite books in the Discworld universe. William deWord, Miss Cripslock, I could go on and on. A fantastic and exciting read that makes me want to take up journalism.