Jingo (Discworld Novels (Paperback))

von Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0061059064 Kommentar abgeben

Zu Beginn des Romans taucht plötzlich eine Insel zwischen Ankh-Morpork und Al-Khali, der Hauptstadt von Klatch, aus dem Meer auf. Beide Städte erheben Anspruch auf die Insel. Lord Vetinari, dem Patrizier, ist es nicht gelungen, den Hohen Rat davon zu überzeugen, daß Gewalt keine Lösung ist, obgleich er die Ratsmitglieder daran erinnert, daß Ankh-Morpork keine Armee besitzt, und seines Wissens nach "eine solche allgemein als unabdingbar für die erfolgreiche Durchführung eines Krieges gilt". Hauptmann Mumm von der Wache für Recht und Ordnung muß herausfinden, wer den Prinzen Khufurah, den Gesandten von Klatsch, angeschossen hat und deren Botschaft in Brand gesteckt hat, ehe ein Krieg ausbricht.

Pratchetts Charaktere sind sympathisch und unglaublich unterhaltsam, angefangen bei Kapitän Karotte, der immer die guten Eigenschaften seiner Mitmenschen sieht und diese beim Fußballspiel umzusetzen weiß, bis hin zu Wachtmeister Colon und seinem Kumpel Korporal Nobbs, die in der Lage sind "auf einem nassen Bürgersteig den Boden unter den Füßen zu verlieren". Dann ist da noch der mysteriöse D'reg, der 71stündige Ahmed. Welche Rolle spielt er bei alledem, und warum 71stündig? Falls es Ihnen nichts ausmacht, sich über die Dummheit von Menschen im allgemeinen und Regierungen im besonderen krankzulachen, werden Sie Ihre wahre Freude an Jingo haben. --Nona Vero

Good Fun But . . .
I recently read Terry Pratchett for the first time through an advanced reader's copy of "The Fifth Element." I greatly enyoyed that book and immediately went out and purchased"Jingo." While to a large degree similar--though I felt the former to be better plotted and more tightly written--I found the similarities here beginning to wear thin midway through the book. It wasn't that I was bored, or found Pratchett's writing lacking in inventiveness, but that his use of plot devices were already becoming familiar. Not a good sign, if a reflection upon the other 23 Discworld titles. I think I'll give Pratchett a rest; perhaps after a few months the next title I read will appear fresher.

Intelligent humor
There are very few writers who can make you laugh out loud just seconds after making your heart clench. In fact, Terry Pratchett is about the only one I've ever read who could do that. The basic plot is very simple. Two countries, who haven't warred in centuries, find an island, that may or may not have value, situated between them. And for various political reasons both sides begin to prepare for war. It's up to the lowly city guard to put a stop to it. Led by a reformed alcoholic and an oddly naive and carefree captain who sees only the best in people (odd mainly because he's still alive, it is Ankh-Morpork after all) the chances for success don't look too good. Especially when Vetinari, the Patrician, is relieved of his duties by the nobility in preperation for the war. And when the foreign ambassador is killed right under the city guard's collective nose? Well, not even a nice game of football is going to do any good. This was easily my favorite of all the discworld novels, the humor was just as good as in Interesting Times but I felt that the plot and the shading of the characters was slightly superior. The only negative thing that I could say about this book (and quite frankly all of the discworld novels) is that you had better be a fast reader. I read it in under six hours, you need that kind of speed, otherwise I believe that the constant off-subject footnotes would get in the way. Small problem, but one that can be annoying at times.

But By Jingo...
(Note, this is based on the British Version, and if there are some differences, bear with me...) War, greed, politics, underhanded schemes, a Leonardo Da Vinci-like. This book has it all. I'd have to say this is one of my favorites of my many Discworld novels. It rates to me on a level of Feet of Clay and Men at Arms. Commander Vimes, the ever reluctant gentleman, and his new pocket orginizer add an interesting insight into the ever famous "Trousers of Time". The Patrician's foresight and amazing ingenuity is shown fully in this novel, a rarity to see because of his position. With Reg Shoe being brought into the Watch (remember him from Reaper Man?), the wide range of previously used characters, including the minor character Dorfl from Soul Music and Detritus from many of the previous novels, is extended. An enjoyable read, and quite insightful... if you can stop laughing enough to look into it.
Siehe auch:

• Feet of Clay (Discworld Novels (Paperback))
• The Last Continent
• The Fifth Elephant
• Men at Arms (Discworld Novels (Paperback))