The Iron within. Review on Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett

The fourth book following the adventures of the esteemed Granny Weatherwax, easily one of the most prominent characters of Terry Pratchett's discworld series is, like all his books, an experience one never forgets. The book Lords and Ladies deals with one of my favourite themes ''Illusions''. Like all Terry Pratchett books, the line between Illusion and reality is strongly drawn. I guess that comes from his previous line of work i.e. a journalist where sensationalism is all.

The great thing about his writing is that one can easily identify with the thoughts and witticisms hilariously encountered, and ofcourse, beautiful philosophy hidden behind apparently light remarks. The mans knowledge and observations of human nature are edifying, if not simply genius.

Mr. Pratchett's style of writing is concise, his character sketches called by some as ''inadequate''. I personally feel that it is infact this conciseness of style that gives his book that element of ''genius''. Before long the character becomes something you perceive within loosely constucted - almost grotesque - guidelines, thereby completing the illusion.

Nearly all Mr. Pratchett's books deal with the element of illusion, in a world (a discworld) constructed merely by ''some joke of the Gods'' and exists on the edge of reality. The intention was ofcourse to draw parallels between personal worlds (some riding on the backs of 4 elephants, cruising through space upon the Great A'tuin - a space Tortoise) and the 'real' world. Beauty, strength and ''charisma'' are all illusions and, as the author rightly percieves are things to be wary about rather than embrace.

''its like rats saying, 'yeah, but you know what, the Cat had style.' ''

Trolls, Dwarfs, Witches, Vampires, Elves - its all ''headology'' as Granny Weatherwax puts it. In other words, the knowledge of human behaviour.

Terry Pratchett's books like the ones in the ''Unseen University'' each have a character and attitude of their own. Do read his books if you have an inclination for this sort of thing.