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A Blink of the Screen

Collected Shorter Fiction

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
A collection of short fiction from Terry Pratchett, spanning the whole of his writing career from schooldays to Discworld and the present day.
 
In the four decades since his first book appeared in print, Terry Pratchett has become one of the world's best-selling and best-loved authors. Here for the first time are his short stories and other short-form fiction collected into one volume. A Blink of the Screen charts the course of Pratchett's long writing career: from his schooldays through to his first writing job on the Bucks Free Press, and the origins of his debut novel, The Carpet People; and on again to the dizzy mastery of the phenomenally successful Discworld series.
 
Here are characters both familiar and yet to be discovered; abandoned worlds and others still expanding; adventure, chickens, death, disco and, actually, some quite disturbing ideas about Christmas, all of it shot through with Terry's inimitable brand of humour. With an introduction by Booker Prize-winning author A.S. Byatt, illustrations by the late Josh Kirby and drawings by the author himself, this is a book to treasure.
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 2, 2015
      Diehard Pratchett fans will celebrate this first-ever collection of short fiction from the world-famous author of the Discworld novels. These 32 pieces, which show Pratchett “playing with words to see what happens,” include his student writing and stories that anticipate his later novels. The author’s wry wit shines early on with the publicity-minded devil of “The Hades Business,” written at age 13. “Kindly Breathe in Short, Thick Pants,” “And Mind the Monoliths,” and “There’s No Fool like an Old Fool Found in an English Queue” celebrate “half-baked politicians” and bureaucrats. In “The Glastonbury Tale,” “Twenty Pence, with Envelope and Seasonal Greetings,” and “Once and Future,” Pratchett twists classic tales from Chaucer, Dickens, and T.H. White. Discworld characters Cohen the Barbarian, Granny Weatherwax and her fellow witches, the wizards of Unseen University, and Lord Vetinari, ruler of Ankh-Morpork, make appearances in a special section of Discworld-related works. “Short stories cost me blood,” Pratchett reminds readers, citing his much greater comfort with novels. Though the stories here aren’t his absolute best writing, there is plenty to entertain curious fans. Longtime Pratchett illustrators Josh Kirby and Paul Kidby provide entertaining artwork.

    • Kirkus

      January 15, 2015
      A short story collection covering the entire career of one of our most prolific, and beloved, fantasy writers. Pratchett (Dragons at Crumbling Castle: And Other Tales, 2015, etc.) wrote the first story in this collection when he was just a teenager, and it's astonishing to see how much of the Pratchett-ness is there already. His ability to create a character in a phrase and a plot in a paragraph; his wit; his knowingness-it's all there. Yes, some of the earlier stories are, though funny, a bit glib. And there are a few bits of Discworld ephemera that are probably for fans only. But then there's the loner at the outer edges of the multiverse whose peace is shattered by two intruders from the universe next door. There's the hero who shows up at the door of the writer who just killed him off. There's a time traveler named Mervin who gets stuck in a not-quite-England in need of a king, a bunch of witches who are pretty tired of Esme always winning the Trials, and a letter to Father Christmas that doesn't come from the sort of person you'd expect-or from a person at all. One of the main draws of this collection for serious fans, or aspiring writers, will be the chance to trace the evolution of Pratchett's craft-but there's plenty here for readers who have never heard of him to enjoy.

      COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Booklist

      February 15, 2015
      Well, here's a treat: the first collection of short fiction from the creator of the fabulously popular Discworld series. About half the book is given over to Discworld stories, with the other half comprising a fascinating miscellany, including newspaper writings done early in Pratchett's career. The author's very first published short story is here, too, written nearly 55 years ago (he was 13). Also here is the story that sparked Pratchett's collaboration with Stephen Baxter, The Long Earth (2012). In addition, there is is a hysterical transcript of a fake political broadcast, a spoof of The Canterbury Tales, a story about a guy who's hired as Hell's public relations director, and a clever tale about Christmas cards come to life. The quality ranges quite considerably, but as a representation of the short-fiction career of one of the fantasy genre's most respected authors, this volume will be much sought after by Pratchett's many devoted fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

    • Library Journal

      February 15, 2015

      This collection spans the entirety of Pratchett's prolific career, beginning with the first short story he ever published (when he was just 13), "The Hades Business." Included here are original tales that inspired his "Bromeliad" trilogy and "The Long Earth" series (coauthored with Stephen Baxter) as well as some welcome additions to the "Discworld" canon. Each piece is introduced by the author, giving readers an idea of its where, when, and why. VERDICT With an introduction by A.S. Byatt, this volume provides insight into the extraordinary mind and wit of Pratchett and reveals how he evolved as a writer. An excellent introduction to his work for new readers and the piece de resistance for longtime fans.[See Prepub Alert, 9/22/14.]--Elisabeth Clark, West Florida P.L., Pensacola

      Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Library Journal

      October 15, 2014

      Though a third of the stories here are set in Pratchett's blockbuster Discworld universe, this collection ranges over Pratchett's entire career. There's even an introduction from A.S. Byatt comparing Pratchett to British fantasy stars from Tolkien to Rowling.

      Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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