Going Postal

Going Postal

Going Postal has to be one of Pratchett's funniest books. Alright, so I say that about almost all of his works. In that case … let's say that if I had a list of Pratchett's top five books, this would be on that list, somewhere close to the top.

Like most of his other popular books, Going Postal is set in Discworld. Aaah, but there is something new here – the author has taken leave of some of the beloved Discworld characters (Vimes, Ridcully, etc.) and focused on creating an entirely new lead. The man in question is Moist von Lipwig. He oozes charm and, as can be expected of such charming folk, he is a con man. Well, it looks like his days of swindling folk is over since the Patrician has nabbed him. And is making subtle threats about detaining him … unless the man uses that brilliant mind of his to help spice up the post office. Say what? A con man thinking of the best possible ways to revive the post office, a civil service that is something of a joke in almost any age. Ooh, you know this will not be a normal story.

And it's not. Moist has his hands full. In between determined folks wanting him to fail and the Patrician expecting him to flee, Moist has his hands full.  And that he was suddenly developing interest in the enigmatic Miss Dearheart, the chain-smoking lady in charge of the Golem Trust. Fortunately for Moist (and everyone else working at the Post Office), no situation is too dire for the ex-con man. He has a way with words and, let's face it, he knows how to woo the crowds. It will be hard not to love Moist and his questionable ways by the end of the novel!

Where the overall content is concerned, this novel certainly lived up to expectations. I loved the way Pratchett draws parallels to real life in the story. Thus, in his own quirky way, he points out how stamps came about and became useful (in the following novel, he notes how act as currency). Then there is his comment about competition in the marketplace and how it can help consumers (i.e. the post vs the clacks operators).

I must also mention, again, Moist von Lipwig. Pratchett must have a soft spot for this character because he has taken such care to flesh out this character. You don't find the flawed yet morally righteousness of Vimes nor do you come across the goody-two-shoes nature of Carrot. It looks like the author found a fun little middle ground in between these two characters and through his musings, Moist was born. Do note, Moist is so much more than a rough mixture of Vimes and Carrot; he has double the charm evident in both these characters and he can make an entrance. Well, to be fair, Carrot is somewhat similar but in a 'King Arthur' kind of way. Moist, he is Discworld's Frank Abagnale Jr.