Night Watch
From lspace:
<quote>This Discworld novel is scheduled to be released in November 2002.
The working title for this book was The Nature of the Beast, but this was discarded when Frances Fyfield published a book with exactly that title in the UK in late 2001.
The cover will be a parody of the famous Rembrandt painting commonly known as The Night Watch, done by Paul Kidby.
_Night Watch_ will be published in the UK and the USA simultaneously.
Comments by Terry:
"The current book (technically a Watch book) will be, like T5E, light on the jokes in order to give Sam Vimes room to fight..."
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 5 Sep 2001
It's been established in the Assassins Guild diary that there are female Assassins, and I'll give nothing away in saying that Vimes meets one in the next book. Others might turn up. It depends on the plot.
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 5 Nov 2001
All I'll say is that it concerns the City Watch and the action takes place on the day Lady Sybil's baby is born -- and that the preceding statement, while technically accurate, is entirely misleading!
-- Terry as quoted by Colin Smythe in email, 12 Apr 2002
</quote>
Amazon.co.uk Review
<quote>The new Discworld novel Night Watch has the power and energy that characterizes Terry Pratchett at his occasional best, as well as the wild surreal humour he always gives us. Sam Vimes, running hero of the Guards sequence, finds himself cast back in time to the Ankh-Morpork of his youth--a much nastier city, with an actively deranged Patrician and a sadistic secret police--and finding himself filling in for Keel, the tough honest copper who teaches the young Vimes everything he knows. And, more worryingly, who dies heroically in the insurrection Vimes knows to be imminent. With a psychopath from his own time rising in the vile ranks of the Cable Street Unmentionables complicating things, Vimes has to ensure that history takes its course so that he will have the right future to go back to, and to keep his younger self alive--this is Pratchett's plotting at its most thoroughly constructed and wonderfully devious. Ankh-Morpork has for a long time been one of the most thoroughly imagined cities in fantasy--here Pratchett gives us a fascinating gloomy glimpse of its past and of the younger selves of some of his best-loved characters, and of the brief-lived People's Republic of Treacle-Mine Road. --Roz Kaveney </quote>
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Synopsis
Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch had it all. But now he's back in his own rough, tough past without even the clothes he was standing up in when the lightning struck.
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That just about sums up all the info I'm aware of on that one.
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Wee Free Men
again from lspace
<quote>This book is scheduled to be released in May 2003
This will be another Discworld children's novel. The title is only a working title, and therefore not definite. Terry initially referred to this project as _For Fear of Little Men_ (see below), but _The Wee Free Men_ is the name he's been using most recently.
Comments by Terry:
"I'm also planning _For Fear Of Little Men_ (working title!) a classic fairy story but with the addition of the Nac Mac Feegle."
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 10 Jun 2001
"Let's just say: when they trash a mushroom, it stays trashed..."
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 10 Jun 2001
"The next full length DW book will be published in November 2002, to be followed by The Wee Free Men in May 2003."
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 3 Sep 2001
"It is possible that there will also be books in the spring -- certainly the Wee Free Men will be one, and it will be on the line of Maurice, ie, set on DW but ostensibly written for children and set outside the pattern of the main novels. I've not made any other decisions."
-- Terry on alt.fan.pratchett, 4 Sep 2001
</quote>
And from an interview somewhen:
"The book I’m working on at the moment which is called 'The Wee Free Men' is set on chalkland on Discworld. It’s a Discworld book but a lot of the mythology of the chalklands and the feeling of the chalklands and some of the mythology and folklore of the chalklands is built into it."
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Can't find any firm plot details or proper reviews for this one.... but it's not due out until next year.
------
I'm fairly certain there's also a new diary and calender out at the end of the year, but I've no details to hand
Finally, Terry's doing a small tour in the UK, the details being:
Saturday 2 November
1.00pm
Forbidden Planet,
71 New Oxford Street,
London,
WC1A 1DG
Tuesday 5 November
4.30-5.30pm
WH Smith,
The Arndale Centre,
Manchester
M4 3AD
Wednesday 6 November
12.30-1.30pm
Borders,
94-96 Briggate,
Leeds
LS1 6NP
5.00-6.00pm
Hammicks,
15 James Street,
Harrogate
HG1 1QS
Thursday 7 November
4.30pm
Waterstone's,
128 New Street,
Birmingham
B2 2DB
5.00-6.00pm
Ottakar's,
9 The Square,
Market Harborough
LE16 7PA
Hope that helped
Rob
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(9/5/02 8:39 pm) Reply
omg...
...we love you. Please never leave!
LOL, that was really really nice of you to find all of that! Wow- I really really want to read Night Watch now! Can I wait until Nov.?!
Well, I wish I lived in England so I could meet TP. *sigh* Life is not fair.
P.S.- What is the latest news on Good Omens?
Mrs Grim
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/6/02 1:25 pm) Reply
Re: omg...
*blush* gee thanks.... but now you want more?!
Well, if you haven't seen this before, you should, its a quote from Neil Gaiman.
"I asked Terry Gilliam how the Good Omens movie was going. His reply?
" 'I'll warn you in advance that we created a very different climax. And we dropped favorite characters. We added some scenes involving cattle drives in the Old West and song and dance sequences from our favorite Bollywood films. We also tried to make the Metratron more Jewish for the sake of the financiers. Woody Allen would be perfect...or maybe Mel Brooks. Then there is the snuff movie that Crowley is producing which we get to see in utterly graphic detail...we thought it would make him more active in believable evil. And we eliminated most of the comedy. I felt it held the book back from being the 'great and profound work' which we hope the film will be.'
"So I don't think we're going to have anything to worry about..."
But, in all seriousness, the best site for info on the movie is www.smart.co.uk/dreams/gofact.htm
For the lazy among you, in summary:
Terry Gilliam will be the director, but he had a bit of trouble getting the cash together so for the moment he's doing something a bit cheaper, but he will come back to it.
No-one has denied that Johnny Depp and Robin Williams are playing aziraphale (or however its spelt) and crowly.
In related news (news? this is pretty olds really), Pratchett has said he wouldn't mind working with gaiman on a sequal (668:the neighbour of the beast) but doesn't think they'll be able to find time for the next few lifetimes.
By the way, Dreamworks (chicken run,shrek) are doing the nomes trilogy.
Rob
Notepadfreak Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/8/02 9:00 am) Reply
Re: omg...
Well, I'm now actively worried about Vimes's safety. Wasn't a character supposed to die soon, or did that turn out to be Cohen? I was a little vague on that point.
Where are the Chalklands?
Thanks for the info.
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/8/02 3:28 pm) Reply
Re: omg...
I think terry has some way to go with vimes yet- all the tribulations of fatherhood for starters- so he's probably safe for now.
I initially thought that the soon to be deceased character was Lu Tze after his beheading in Thief of time, but I think Cohen is the one he was refering to.
The chalklands are in and around Wiltshire, england. The most famous legend (or at least the only one I know) about the area goes something like:
There were these smugglers and they'd hidden some barrels of rum in a pond. One night they were fishing them out when a public official of somekind saw them, and queried there actions. Fearing for there freedom the most quick witted of the smugglers pointed at the reflection of the moon in the water and said 'do you see that big round cheese floating in the water? we're trying to get it out.' Apparently the policeman didn't question them further, but spread the word that some idiots were trying to rake in the moon. To this day wiltshiremen are known as 'moonrakers.'
I don't know if this is the legend terry means.... more likely it'll be something a bit less specific about pixies and fairies, given that the book involves the nac mac feegle (hopefully with slightly less broad accents.... I don't think I could go an entire book struggling to translate them, and it must be even worse for you foreigners who've never heard a similar accent spoken.
rob
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(9/8/02 7:49 pm) Reply
Re: omg...
Well, just rub it in on the accent thing...yes, I know us foreigners are so dull.
That's interesting about the legend. Where DO you find out all about this? I never heard about the character dying thing. I mean, I feel EXTREMELY out of the loop. But I have been out of everything in general for the past few days. I suppose that school does that to you.
Thanks again for the info! We'd be lost and confused (truthfully) without someone who knew what was going on. SPF, we need to get connections!
Mrs Grim
Persephassa Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/9/02 5:02 am) Reply
Re: omg...
Wahey! Sounds great! I'm glad dreamworks are doing the nomes stuff - I think they have the power and imagination to pull it off.
BTW with that Neil Gaman/Terry Gilliam quote earlier on - there were enough people who took it seriously to send Terry Gilliam *huge* amounts of death threats! <sigh> some people can't take a joke.
**********************
There is a theory which states that if anyone ever discovers what the universe is for and why we are here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarrely inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(9/12/02 2:15 pm) Reply
Jokes
Are you serious?! I thought anyone who'd read Good Omens would have a sense of humor. How couold anyone be stupid enough not to see through that? Oh my...
Mrs Grim
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/29/02 4:31 pm) Reply
New news: NW and NZ
Are there any New Zealanders around (I don't recall anyone owning up to it, but I suppose there could be some secretive ones)? or anyone planning a holiday? If so they might be interested to know that Terry will be touring the country in November. Provisional details include:
Thursday 14 November
Hamilton (Whitcoulls Centre Place) 12.30pm
Auckland (Dymocks Atrium) 6pm
Friday 15 November
Auckland - venue TBA
Saturday 16 November
Wellington (Dymocks Lambton Quay) 12.30pm
Johnsonville (Ahradsens Paper Plus) 5pm
When confirmed the details will be at www.randomhouse.co.nz or email michelleh@randomhouse.co.nz for more details.
In the UK (and I believe the US.... and quite possibly a few other places) Night Watch will be released on 5th NOvember, so it might be a chance to get an early signed copy. I'd certainly recommend going to a Pratchett signing if you can make it. Turn up early, and expect a long queue, bbut don't worry if you are at the back as he always stays until everyone is satisfied.
Rob
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(9/29/02 6:30 pm) Reply
Signed books
I would practically kill for a signed copy of a Pratchett book! Eh- scratch the 'practically'.
Does he come to the US? I don't suppose he'd ever come near WI...I wouldn't if I were him...*sigh* Anyone want to get me a sighed book...?
...I didn't think so...
Mrs Grim
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(9/30/02 3:41 pm) Reply
Re: Signed books
Yup he pops over occasionally. He was last there in march/April 2000 when he visited Texas, Cleveland, WA, OR, CA and NY. he was also in Canada in May 2002 in VC, AB and Toronto I don't know if any of those were near WI.... I can only make guesses at what some of the initials stand for and my US geography is fairly poor anyway. Full details are available at www.co.uk.lspace.org/fand...ing-tours/
The bookshops usually get a load signed for themselves so it might be worth contacting the Canadian ones if you're that desperate
I think theres somewhere in the UK that sells signed pratchetts by mail order.... I'll try and dig it out for you if you want.... but I'm going away for the rest of the week, so it might not be untill next monday.
rob
Notepadfreak Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/2/02 1:40 pm) Reply
vbcbb
Is the publication date for Nightwatch different outside the UK? I keep reading things that make it look like some people have allready been able to buy it.
I'm confused.
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/9/02 12:50 pm) Reply
Re: vbcbb
vbcbb? is that a code I don't understand, or just someones cat walking over the keyboard?
Many moons ago.... about 24, I think, but it could be more.... new books were published first in the UK and a few other lucky countries, and then later in the US and elsewhere. Then Terry changed his US publishers and release dates are now the same on both sides of the pond. I'm not sure what the situation is in The Rest of the World (TM), but I think everywhere gets them at the same time.
If you've heard of people having read the book already then its probably a review or proof copy. These are sent to the people who ought to have that sort of thing and then sometimes sold on to others.... I've seen a few auctioned off for charity. Rest assured, Night Watch has not yet officially been released anywhere.
On the signed book front ppint, the original guerrilla book store owner, (you've heard of him, but can you remember where? answers on a postcard please. Or in a reply if you can't psycically deduce my address) gets lots of signed DW copies, and will happily post them around the world at practical cost (and, of course, that's cutting his own throat). His web page is www.i-m-t.demon.co.uk/ email him if you're interested.
Rob
Notepadfreak Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/12/02 11:41 am) Reply
hehe
No, its not a code, it's me being too lazy to log in and then far too lazy to think of a relevent title and just spreding general confusion...there's a moral in there somewhere.
Proof copies...ok, that makes me slightly less jealous but wouldn't you just love to get your hands on one?
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(10/12/02 12:57 pm) Reply
Night Watch
A proof copy...*sigh* Wow...that would be so neat...
Yeah, well, Terry Pratchett doesn't come close enough to my wonderful state. Maybe I should fix it so that where I go to college next year will be somewhere he stops in! Hmmm...
I can't see myself explaining why I need an autographed copy to my parents. My dad would just blink and my mom would suggest that I read one of her Anne McCaffery books and get it autographed. Frankly, I find those books quite boring.
I know I'll have to buy Night Watch in hardcover. I won't be able to wait. I usually don't buy hardcovers unless I am going insane with suspense. Harry Potter 5 will DEFINATELY be a hardcover book. If I can't snatch Night Watch from the library within a week of it coming out I'll give in and buy it!
Mrs Grim
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/12/02 2:35 pm) Reply
Hardcovers
My First Hardback, a Cautionary Tale
Once upon a time, when I was young and innocent, I never used to buy hardcovers. Afterall, I reasoned, if I only buy paperbacks then I have the same time to wait between books as those that buy hardbacks. I'm patient enough to wait an extra nine months. And besides, hardbacks cost almost three times as much, think of the money I'd save.
Then, shortly after a birthday, Masquerade came out. I had some spare money. I was tempted.... it was my birthday.... I'm alowed to treat myself.... would that be *so* wrong? So I gave in and bought the hardback.
From that day on I was trapped. With a sinking feeling I realised that if I were to wait until the next paperback came out before purchasing another pratchett I would have to wait over a year for my next fix. It was an option I didn't have the strength to face.
So now I am doomed to haunt the shelves of bookstores. Waiting, impatiently for the next Pratchett offering. Pouncing on it wide eyed and wide walleted. Caring not for the cost, or the rapidly decreasing space on my bookshelves.
Let that be a lesson to you my child. Once you have bought a hardback you too will be doomed to face my fate.
The End
rob
pleased he resisted the temptation to mention his precious during the birthday bit
actually, come to think of it I did recently buy a paperback: an original, illustrated version of Eric.
Patrician with faithful Luggage
(10/13/02 4:00 pm) Reply
Re: Hardcovers
An illustrated version? How cool! WHERE WHERE WHERE????? I simply adore Eric!!!! Now I want one!!!!!
The only hardcovers I get are HP, the others I steal from Grim if she gets them- and I know you'll get the next Amelia. I'm a poor not-quite-college student, I buy most stuff at 1/2 price books (copy of Pride and Predijuce- 20 cents, oh yeah!). I don't want to become a hardcover addict, they're too bulky and heavy.
Scarlet Phoenix
robcraine Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/14/02 3:38 pm) Reply
Eric with pics
You may have noticed that Eric is shorter than the other DW novels.... it is a somewhat known fact that Eric first came out in 1990 with pictures by Josh Kirby (may-he-rest-in-peace). It has identical text to the version you have, with about 20 pictures- some interspersed with text and others two-page spreads.
AFAIK it hasn't been published with all its pics for about 10 years, and I haven't heard of any future plans, either.
My first, unillustrated, Eric seems to have gone on permanent loan to someone, so I was thinking about buying a new copy anyway, and when I saw an Illustrated version in the second hand section of Amazon (at the same price... £7.99... as it cost in 1990) I knew I had to snap it up.
Its not as good as TLH, but well worth getting if you see a cheap copy anywhere. the ISBN are:
0-575-04636-8 hardback
0-575-04836-0 paperback.
Hmmm.... I suppose you'll want to know about Terry's short works, including at least 3 set on the disc.
I've also noticed that nobody's taken me up on my ppint challenge so I'll re-state it:
You *have* seen the name before: Where was it? and what question did he ask?
rob
Mrs Grim Commandress of the City Watch
(10/15/02 2:32 pm) Reply
Re: Eric with pics
Unfortunately, I started out also STEELING myself against buying hardcovers because of the cost. Also- you just can't 'snuggle up' to a hardcover book. When you want to read in bed or drag it along somewhere it is big and cumbersome. But, I have found that I simply cannot wait for books to get into paperback. So I buy them and SPF gets to read them when I'm done and then SHE buys the paperbacks. *sigh* Oh well...I'm such a sucker!
Oh- y'know I was telling you about the Eric book I saw in France? I'm purty sure that's the illustrated one. It was a bit pricey so I didn't get it. Guess I should have- then I wouldn't have to hunt for a X-mas present...
Mrs Grim
Persephassa Out of mind, be back... sometime
(10/16/02 5:02 pm) Reply
hardbacks
I got given my first hardbacks as presents (started with Carpe Jugulum). I have managed to resist on a couple - I waited for Fifth Elephant to come out in paperback (due to being able to nab it off a friend, and being broke!), but I couldn't wait for The Truth. And my Pratchett buying friend has gone to Germany now <sigh>, so I think I am going to have to get Night Watch in hardback. My student loan going on Pratchett (I can't think of a better way, can you?)
**********************
There is a theory which states that if anyone ever discovers what the universe is for and why we are here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarrely inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened
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