The Truth: (Discworld Novel 25) (Discworld Novels)

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William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork’s first newspaper. Well, with a name like that… This is a terrifically funny outing. One of my favorite moments was when the search for a missing dog leads to a parking garage horse stable encounter with an informant named Deep Bone. And this priceless story from The Ankh-Morpork Times:

I thought maybe a maypole,” said Mr. Tulip reflectively. “An’ then a display of country dancing, land tillage under the three-field system, several plagues, and if my –ing hand ain’t too tired the invention of the –ing horse collar” Deep Bone says, "Could be, could be, could very well be". This line is a parallel to the lines from the Monty Pythons "Candid Photography (Nudge Nudge Wink Wink)" sketch. Pratchett uses another reference to Monty Pythons when they are reviewing the "dogs" being delivered to the newspaper office and have to point out to the owners that some are cats and one is a parrot. The Ankh-Morpork City Watch characters also appear in this novel, but have limited roles and are seen mainly from de Worde's perspective which is not a flattering one. C.M.O.T. Dibbler also puts in an appearance. Infinity plus described it as an "excellently plotted tale of mystery and murder" and "an hilarious take on the newspaper business", its only fault being that the book's title was "descriptive" but insufficiently "fun". [3] In 2000, Terry Pratchett first published his 25th Discworld novel – The Truth. It’s about words. It’s about a free press, the first of it’s kind in Ankh-Morpork, and about the social, cultural and economic forces that weigh upon us and all of our decisions. It’s also about relationships and family and internal elements of our nature that keep us moving forward.

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Meanwhile, a conspiracy is afoot in the city to depose the Patrician, Lord Vetinari. The wealthy and powerful (but anonymous) Committee to Unelect the Patrician hire Mr. Pin and Mr.

After the two return to the office, William learns of Lord Vetinari's reinstatement, and asks Sacharissa out. Afterwords, Mr. Tulip, reincarnated as a woodworm, comments on the "-ing good wood."

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Newspapers invade the Discworld. After a while it becomes clear that articles don’t always need to necessarily tell the whole truth to sell newspapers. But when a plot to overthrow Lord Vetinari threatens to shake up Ankh-Morpork, they realize only the truth can save them. Pin and Tulip manage to catch off-guard the normally impassible Patrician with Charlie, a witless Vetinari look-alike that they had previously kidnapped and forced to collaborate. The line, 'Every day, in every vay, ve get better and better.' comes from one of the first positive-thinking mantras, coined by Emile Coue (1857-1926), French psychotherapist and pharmacist. Coue's study of hypnotism convinced him that auto-suggestion could cure anything but actual results showed no improvement. The line has come to represent trite and simplistic solutions to complex problems and is parodied in countless literature and film. One of the themes explored in this book is the role of media in society. The toughest criticism of this is offered by Vetinari at the end of the book: "How come there is always the same amount of news?"

Reread 2020: So much of Pratchett's satire has hit home in this read. Pratchett was a journalist at the beginning of his writing career so it's fun to see him compare investigative journalism (broadsheets) vs people pleasers (tabloids) in this novel about the first Discworld printing press. I read this about 15 years ago and quite enjoyed the satire and parody about "the truth" that's printed in newspapers (if it's published, it's ink-validated). It's about time for a re-read. Or maybe I'll buy the digital audiobook and listen to it, if the sound quality is good. This book comes after The Fifth Elephant in sequence, but could be read as a stand-alone. I have certainly noticed that groups of clever and intelligent people are capable of really stupid ideas.”There’s just too many people in the city,” Mr. Windling repeated. “I’ve nothing against .... outsiders, heavens know, but Vetinari let it go far too far. Everyone knows we need someone who is prepared to be a little more firm.” William de Worde wants to publish truthful stories, but not everybody signs in on this agenda. Almost immediately after the first issue of the A-M Times, a new paper is published by the guild of wood engravers, sponsored by dark money and filled with sensational stories and conspiracy theories. The public seems more interested in this ‘yellow’ press of gossip and outright invention than in the investigative efforts of William. The theme of this novel is the TRUTH. And journalism. And if there is any connection between the two.