Raising Steam
(Discworld novel 40)
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4.4 • 261 Ratings
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- £5.99
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
'The world lives between those who say it cannot be done and those who say that it can . . . it's just a matter of thinking creatively.'
Moist von Lipwig is a con man turned civil servant. As head of the Royal Bank and Post Office of Ankh-Morpork, he doesn't really want or need another job. But when the Patrician Lord Vetinari gives you a task, you do it or suffer the consequences. In Moist's case, death.
A brand-new invention has come to the city: a steam locomotive named Iron Girder, to be precise. With the railway's introduction and rapid expansion, Vetinari enlists Moist to represent the government and keep things on track.
But as with all new technology, some people have objections, and Moist will have to use every trick in his arsenal to keep the trains running . . .
'The most serious of comedies, the most relevant and real of fantasies' Independent
Raising Steam is the third and final book in the Moist von Lipwig series, but the Discworld novels can be read in any order.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A brash new invention brings social upheaval, deadly intrigues, and plenty of wry humor to the 40th installment of Pratchett's best-selling Discworld fantasy series. When intrepid inventor Dick Simnel comes to Ankh-Morpork looking for a backer for his revolutionary steam engine, the Iron Girder, entrepreneur Sir Harry King is quick to grasp the possibilities. So is Ankh-Morpork's ruler, Lord Vetinari, who immediately puts master facilitator (and former con artist) Moist von Lipwig in charge of the Discworld's first railway. But while the would-be railway tycoons are busy cutting deals for right-of-ways, supplies, and second class coach service, a group of radically conservative dwarf extremists are determined to stop the railroad, along with anything else that threatens "the truth of pure dwarfishness." In a realm where "even the factions had factions," Moist finds himself cast as Vetinari's agent to help defeat a political coup that could re-ignite ancient hostilities between dwarves and trolls. As always, Pratchett's unforgettable characters and lively story mirror the best, the worst, and the oddest bits of our own world, entertaining readers while skewering social and political foibles in a melting pot of humanity, dwarfs, trolls, goblins, vampires, and a werewolf or two.
Customer Reviews
Still going
Am still reading but am writing this review to say love the footnote system, finally able to enjoy Mr Ps writing digitally without hunting down the footnotes.
Pullman class
I finished this with real regret. Terry Pratchett on top form with clever allegories, sideswipes and jokes. I loved the 'Railway Children' and the development of goblins as a species on the Discworld is both interesting and superbly handled. My only regret was a complete absence of Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax but, perhaps, they will appear when the railway starts to go wrong and resembles the average commuting experience into London. I'd love to hear GW's comments on the wrong sort of snow.
Sad to say
I have loved all his books but this one seem to change half way
Through as if some one was finishing it off.
I cannot put my finger on it but just became hard work and not
Enjoyable for me. Put it down and have never had the urge to finish