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| Making Money (Discworld) | 
 enlarge | Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $2.96
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (101 reviews)
Sales Rank: 66182
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1.5
ISBN: 0061161640
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780061161643
ASIN: 0061161640
Publication Date: September 18, 2007
Release Date: September 18, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Money for nothing and your clacks for free September 20, 2007
33 out of 38 found this review helpful
It seems, after reading Terry Pratchett's latest Discworld novel "Making Money", that money does make the world go `round, even if that world is flat and balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle.
In "Making Money", Terry Pratchett and his `hero' Moist von Lipwig do for and to the monetary system exactly what they did for and to the post office in "Going Postal". The result is the same - - - - a Buster Keaton-like romp through the strange and wonderful world of Discworld.
It is impossible to detail the plot of this book without giving away spoilers so I think it best just to say that Lord Vetinari has determined that Ankh-Morpork's monetary system is in dire straits and in need of improvement. Vetinari picks, in his inimitable way, Moist von Lipwig to lead the way. In essence, Moist is set-up by Vetinari to become Ankh-Morpork's Alan Greenspan. Unlike Greenspan, however, Moist must deal with a cast of characters that have no idea as to what Moist is up to or trying to achieve. (Well, maybe that isn't so unlike Greenspan!).
"Making Money" feature a cast of old but mostly new characters. As to established characters, Vetinari is featured and his is as delightfully Machiavellian as ever. There are cameo appearances by DEATH, the Watch, and CMOT Dibbler. However, new or newer characters play the largest roles. Moist's second appearance is terrific. Pratchett does a very nice job turning him into what I hope is a regular role. Moist's girlfriend the chain-smoking Adore Belle Dearheart makes her presence felt. Mr. Bent, the oh-so serious bank manager plays straight man to Moist's light-hearted con-man character. Bent is tied to the old ways - where money must be based on gold and nothing but gold. There is something very William Jennings Bryan-like about Bent and his straight-laced approach is the perfect foil for Moist's extraordinarily flexible approach to monetary issues. Moist's antagonists are the Lavish family, Cosmo Lavish and his rather large sister Pucci (of whom Pratchett says in a great line, "she had no idea how to handle people and she tried to make self-esteem do the work of self-respect, but the girl could flounce better than a fat turkey on a trampoline".) They make good foils for Moist and Vetinari.
As always the plot has many twists and turns and one-liners fly almost as fast as the slings and arrows of the Assassins' Guild. Pratchett has a great way with humor and manages to combine that humor with a good deal of insight into how `things' work in the real world. His look at the monetary system in "Making Money" can now stand with Pratchett's look at rock music Soul Music, religion Small Gods, the post office Going Postal, and movies Moving Pictures as some very funny looks at our world through the prism of Discworld.
"Making Money" was a fun book for me to read. It was typical Pratchett (high praise) and I think most Pratchett fans will enjoy it. I certainly did. L. Fleisig
A little unfocused ... but, hey, it's Pratchett! September 20, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Average Terry Pratchett is better than 90% of everything else. _Making Money_ isn't outstanding, by Pratchett standards, but it's funny, absorbing, and thought-provoking. Its flaw is, perhaps, that it tries to be a few too many other things besides.
_Making Money_ has a lot of plot elements, not all of which connect up. We get *two* villains AND a henchman AND Moist's search for a master engraver AND the Glooper AND missing gold AND Miss Dearheart's golems AND the mint employees AND ... These conflicts are mostly resolved individually, rather than coming together in the climax. Indeed, the good guys finally win because of a last-minute _deus ex machina_ combined with an awfully convenient set of incriminating documents--not, really, because of anything Moist does.
But, to tell the truth, I didn't much care. _Making Money_ is a journey, rather than a destination, but what a journey it is! There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and there are some really interesting asides on what exactly money *is*. If the book is something of a series of vignettes, at least they're fabulous vignettes.
Another entertaining addition to the Discworld series September 20, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Terry Pratchett and his Discworld series need no introduction. Indeed, given the fact that the series has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, Pratchett's latest requires very little in the way of hype. By now, when one purchases a Disworld novel, one should know what to expect. And though making people laugh is not an easy gig, the author, somehow, always rises up to the challenge and delivers a book that lives up to the high expectations which are inherent to any Pratchett new release.
Following up on Going Postal, Terry Pratchett lets Moist Von Lipwig, he of the golden suit and new Postmaster General, the man notorious for introducing the commemorative cabbage stamp with the cabbage-flavored glue, once again shine in the spotlight. Naturally, familiar faces from various Discworld novels make appearances throughout Making Money.
When Lord Vetinari informs the Postmaster General that he plans to put him in charge of the Royal Mint, Lipwig is acutely aware that this is a man he can't say no to, and thus his life becomes more complicated. As if this predicament wasn't enough, to his dismay he suddenly finds himself running the bank next door. He soon realizes that the mint runs at a loss. He also discovers that a panoply of people want him dead. And, to add to his woes, he must take the Chairman of the bank, a dog named Mr Fusspot, for walks. But Moist Von Lipwig is always up for a challenge, even though he is about to be exposed as a fraud.
Witty humor permeates the narrative and the dialogues, of course. Which is not surprising, for this aspect has become Pratchett's trademark. Like a majority of the Discworld novels, Making Money is, in light of the current market, "light" fantasy fare. Still, after plowing through Thiong'o's Wizard of the Crow and then reading the first half of Donaldson's Fatal Revenant, I found Pratchett's latest to be oh so satisfying! You will find yourself smirking and chuckling in every single chapter, and there is not a boring moment in this one.
Watching Moist Von Lipwig trying to dig himself out of this hole makes for an enjoyable reading experience. In addition, it was interesting to witness Pratchett's introduction of the paper denominations instead of gold, as well as the parallel between the repercussions this causes on Ankh-Morpork's national economy and our own, if only from an historical standpoint. Though the Discworld installments can at times feel a little absurd, there is an underlying intelligence which pervades every page. This, in my humble opinion, is nothing short of brilliant.
The timing for Making Money's release is perfect. Summer is all but over, and everyone is back in school or at work. Hence, we could all use a few laughs, something that Making Money provides in industrial quantity.
This book should please Terry Pratchett's legions of fans and anyone looking for a light fantasy offering. As is the case with most Discworld books, you can enjoy this one even if you're not familiar with the entire saga.
Making Money appears to contain all the necessary ingredients to make it yet another memorable Discworld novel! It will be released in just a few days, so keep an eye out for that book.
Revives my interest... September 19, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've only read the first 87 pages (after getting the book today) but I'm engaged in the story, amused at the humor, pleased at the quality of writing, and appreciative of the small touches he incorporates. Someone spoke of Pratchett going flat for him. That happened to me half a year ago. But this book is fresh to me and I'm happy.
 Don't set your bar high September 19, 2007
12 out of 21 found this review helpful
I have been a reader of Terry Pratchett since I read the Good Omen a decade ago. I do think he is one of the world's funniest writers, while at the same time one who hits our cultural quirks right on the head. So it was with great anticipation that I waited for this book.
I have to say I am disappointed. I don't know if I've just read him too much, if the subject wasn't interesting, if he'd strayed too far from the original idea for the series, or if my favorite character DEATH was not included. I just couldn't get into this one. I feel horrible for having to write a poor review, but it just didn't strike me as interesting, or even funny. Think I'll go back to a few of his earlier ones to relight my enthusiasm and maybe come back to this again. But I'd suggest other fans not set their bar very high.
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