Terry Pratchett: Collection of early stories wins over critics
Bestselling fantasy author Terry Pratchett has released a collection of some of his early stories.
鈥淒ragons at Crumbling Castle,鈥� which is meant for middle-grade readers and was published on Feb. 3, consists of various tales by Pratchett that were published in the 1960s, long before he became the genre legend that he is today. Pratchett, who is behind such works as 鈥淣ight Watch,鈥� 鈥淭he Color of Magic,鈥� and 鈥淩aising Steam,鈥� among others, was the bestselling writer in England before J.K. Rowling of 鈥淗arry Potter鈥� fame came along, according to NPR.
Pratchett鈥檚 new collection is earning mainly positive reviews so far. wrote of the book, 鈥淭hough these stories lack the perfectly timed wordplay of Pratchett鈥檚 later work, they are a charming and funny sample of his early fictional imaginings. Accompanied by Beech鈥檚 wiry Quentin Blake-like illustrations, as well as numerous typographical flourishes, this volume will please both its intended audience and older Pratchett completists.鈥�
was also won over by the book, calling it 鈥渞ollicking鈥�.聽 The author admits to some minor editorial massaging, but these [stories] feature characters heroic or hiss-worthy, pranks and battles aplenty, sly twists on familiar tropes and his trademark mix of silly humor and acute moral commentary鈥�. Juvenilia from a genius, showing bright signs of future masterworks.鈥�
And writer Tasha Robinson called the book 鈥渁n enjoyable look at an early talent.鈥�
鈥淭丑别听Crumbling听颁补蝉迟濒别聽stories are still antic and entertaining, with a sense they were written in stream-of-consciousness bursts, as unfettered exercises in imagination and positivity,鈥� Robinson wrote. 鈥淭hey're airy, energetic and goofy.鈥�
