Audible Book Review - Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

I just realized that in the last two weeks or so I've listened to three books that in total came to about 42 hours. That is still six hours less than Words of Radiance, but that extra six hours took me another week to get through. I blame pacing and life events. The latest book I've finished is the most recent Pratchett book, Raising Steam. Narrated by Steven Brigs, like many of his audio books, it was a lot of fun. Featuring Moist von Lipvig, the lovable con artist turned government controlled problem solver, the story did involve a lot of other characters as well. We got a better look at Harry King, Adorabel Dearheart von Lipvig, and the Lowking of the dwarfs, as well as being introduced to Dick Simnal, the genius of the steam, and Thunderbolt, his lawyer. And don't forget Sam "Stoneface" Vimes. Here's the link for Audible's page for the book. The story moved well and was enjoyable. There was intrigue, action, and the usual amount of self-reflection. Every Pratchett book I've read will call the reader forward to think of something that goes far enough beyond the Discworld that it enters our own life.

Plot: Moist von Lipvig is Vetinari's go to man when things need to be done. And something needs to be done with the Rail Way. Unlike the Post Office, the Bank, or the Mint the Rail Way is new to Anhk-Morpork and Moist is put in charge of the city's interest in the enterprise. Moist fits right in - helping to buy the landed needed for the rails, thinking up idea for them to incorporate, fighting off fundamentalist dwarfs. [Wait! What was that last one?] The rail way keeps Moist moving and out of trouble (as much as possible) but now the dwarven religious leaders have taken a stand against all things dwarfish (i.e. everything). Now in addition to keeping things on track Moist has to contend with pint sized fanatics with his name on their list of "things to do away with."

My personal favorites: Moist is always a fun character and his wife, Adorabel, is even better. The pacing of the book was good. It ebbed and flowed from planning to implementation to action. The book's time frame was longer than many of Pratchett's other books, which was nice. As usual the humor was superb. I liked the scenes with Moist and Vimes, they are opposites in many ways, but yet so similar. I liked Moist's comment that if Vimes is "Vetinari's terrier" than Moist is "Vetinari's scoundrel."

Considerations: Like the other Discworld books there is no vulgar language and very little strong language of any sort. The action is free of gore or gratuitous violence. And aside from a few innuendos used rather appropriately there is no sensuality. I cannot remember ever hesitating to recommend a Discworld novel and it holds true with Raising Steam.

I hope to see more Pratchett books, but also knowing of the challenges that he is facing I don't have any expectations. One reviewer mentioned that this book felt like a "kind of a farewell" and whether it is or not I was very satisfied with it. The total length was just over 12 hours.