Raising Steam
- Thread starter UnseenTerryPratchett
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Just hoping, really really hoping, it doesn't fall as flat and as unconvincing as the Discworld story in "Science of Discworld 4". I read that with some dismay - it didn't read as if Terry had written it (Rhianna? Rob?) - It didn't seem to be in the classic Pratchett voice, somehow. That read like indifferent to slightly good fan fic, to be honest. I just hope he got the mojo back for this one...
But they are completely different styles of writing due to the number of authors involved, I'm listening to it just now on audio book read by Michael Fenton Stevens love it, while there is more science than Disworld it's not distracting from the enjoyment for me as I dont buy them just for the Discworld chapters. 
Totally agree with you Dug - DW Science and unadorned Discworld are different animals and should be treated as such.
I do understand the 'quality' concern though because Snuff - while being a good ride overall - definitely lacked that special Pratchett snappy sparkle, mainly I think due to the embuggerance and the need to rely on voice-recognition software. Although in some ways it's helped with Terry's narrative writing it's taken an alarming toll on Vimeses dialogue at the very least and as that's crucial to Snuff I was increasingly irritated by the wordy running commentary he started spouted during bits where he really wouldn't have wasted his time (until it was over) - like nattering on while fighting the bolshie blacksmith or Stratford...
Vimes is a man of action not a feckin' lecturer!
Having said that the new style would perhaps suit Vetinari or Moist better since they're both superlative verbal wordsmiths (I still think Moist's too oily mind! :twisted: ) so on the whole I'm looking forward to Raising Steam, especially as I'M certain that's going to be the theme for the Manchester convention :dance:
I do understand the 'quality' concern though because Snuff - while being a good ride overall - definitely lacked that special Pratchett snappy sparkle, mainly I think due to the embuggerance and the need to rely on voice-recognition software. Although in some ways it's helped with Terry's narrative writing it's taken an alarming toll on Vimeses dialogue at the very least and as that's crucial to Snuff I was increasingly irritated by the wordy running commentary he started spouted during bits where he really wouldn't have wasted his time (until it was over) - like nattering on while fighting the bolshie blacksmith or Stratford...
Vimes is a man of action not a feckin' lecturer! Having said that the new style would perhaps suit Vetinari or Moist better since they're both superlative verbal wordsmiths (I still think Moist's too oily mind! :twisted: ) so on the whole I'm looking forward to Raising Steam, especially as I'M certain that's going to be the theme for the Manchester convention :dance:
Well, you can't tell much from the first 30 pages (at "bedtime stories" over Skype etc), but there is definitely some sort of steam engine involved, and the Undertaking is mentioned. No further details. They're still polishing it so there's no way to tell how much will be changed from what we heard.
Okay, here are my predictions about the book, without knowing anything about the plot. Come back here in October and see if any are right.
1. Vetinari will assign Moist to take over the Undertaking project because its current progress is too slow.
2. The steam engine will be created not by dwarfs (who would oppose machine replacements of manual labor) but some odd inventors, possibly Hubert and Igor.
3. There will some kind of conflict between golems, dwarfs, humans and the idea of the steam engine, which would replace human workers with totally inorganic machines.
4. Harry King will be an important character in the story, one of the chief sponsors of the Undertaking.
5. "Stampmaster" Stanley will become one of the biggest advocates of steam engine power and embrace a new hobby obsession of model steam engine set collection
6. The exploration of the "Undertaking" made possible by the engine will unearth some kind of ancient civilization that predates Ankh Morpork and spur a battle between those who want to plunder its wealth and those who want to preserve it. Or perhaps a race of beings living down there that will create a conflict with those wishing to forcibly move them from their homes. Expect long-winded philosophical discussions from Vetinari on the subject of progress vs. preservation.
7. Some capitalist villain a la Gilt will emerge who will be the chief advocate for using the steam engine to take away jobs and destroying what is found "underground."
8. Moist will take the side of the preservationists and the anti-steam faction, after originally being a strong advocate for it. In the end, he will figure out a way to use the steam engine beneficially
9. The book will begin with Moist as a thoroughly 'housebroken' member of the middle class who has thoroughly purged all of his 'adventurous' impulses. Vetinari will assign him to the Undertaking project as a way of reinvigorating his entrepreneurial and showman qualities.
10. If Moist and Adorabelle are not married by this time, the whole conflict between preservation and progress will drive a wedge between them that will be magically resolved when they both find themselves on the same side at the end.
1. Vetinari will assign Moist to take over the Undertaking project because its current progress is too slow.
2. The steam engine will be created not by dwarfs (who would oppose machine replacements of manual labor) but some odd inventors, possibly Hubert and Igor.
3. There will some kind of conflict between golems, dwarfs, humans and the idea of the steam engine, which would replace human workers with totally inorganic machines.
4. Harry King will be an important character in the story, one of the chief sponsors of the Undertaking.
5. "Stampmaster" Stanley will become one of the biggest advocates of steam engine power and embrace a new hobby obsession of model steam engine set collection
6. The exploration of the "Undertaking" made possible by the engine will unearth some kind of ancient civilization that predates Ankh Morpork and spur a battle between those who want to plunder its wealth and those who want to preserve it. Or perhaps a race of beings living down there that will create a conflict with those wishing to forcibly move them from their homes. Expect long-winded philosophical discussions from Vetinari on the subject of progress vs. preservation.
7. Some capitalist villain a la Gilt will emerge who will be the chief advocate for using the steam engine to take away jobs and destroying what is found "underground."
8. Moist will take the side of the preservationists and the anti-steam faction, after originally being a strong advocate for it. In the end, he will figure out a way to use the steam engine beneficially
9. The book will begin with Moist as a thoroughly 'housebroken' member of the middle class who has thoroughly purged all of his 'adventurous' impulses. Vetinari will assign him to the Undertaking project as a way of reinvigorating his entrepreneurial and showman qualities.
10. If Moist and Adorabelle are not married by this time, the whole conflict between preservation and progress will drive a wedge between them that will be magically resolved when they both find themselves on the same side at the end.
After rereading Thud! (where the Undertaking was first set up), I was left wondering about the whole 'steam' aspect: one of the plot points established in T! is that one of the dwarvish devices discovered and given to the city is basically a perpetual motion machine. To quote:
"'How interesting,' said Vetinari. 'Hauling trucks? Underground, you say?'
'Oh yes,' said Carrott. 'Even with miners in.'
'I shall give this some thought,' said Vetinari, avoid Mr. Pony's outstretched hand. 'And what could we make it do in this city?'
He and Carrott turned questioning faces to Mr. Pony, who shrugged and said, 'Everything?'"
So the impression given is that Vetinari's having the beginnings of a notion to use the device to create an Ankh-Morpork Underground. No need for steam trains.
Personally I wouldn't mind if the idea of the dwarvish engine has been thrown out: it immediately seemed a little shark-jumpy to introduce a perpetual motion machine to Ankh-Morkpork. Everything that has made A-M great over the years is from the characters having to address real-life problems and Pratchett coming up with hilarious and inventive ideas for that.
"'How interesting,' said Vetinari. 'Hauling trucks? Underground, you say?'
'Oh yes,' said Carrott. 'Even with miners in.'
'I shall give this some thought,' said Vetinari, avoid Mr. Pony's outstretched hand. 'And what could we make it do in this city?'
He and Carrott turned questioning faces to Mr. Pony, who shrugged and said, 'Everything?'"
So the impression given is that Vetinari's having the beginnings of a notion to use the device to create an Ankh-Morpork Underground. No need for steam trains.
Personally I wouldn't mind if the idea of the dwarvish engine has been thrown out: it immediately seemed a little shark-jumpy to introduce a perpetual motion machine to Ankh-Morkpork. Everything that has made A-M great over the years is from the characters having to address real-life problems and Pratchett coming up with hilarious and inventive ideas for that.
Bouncy Castle said:
Who's Wee Dug said:
And maybe the next one will be about an underground tube, sure to be a dwarf one digging all the tunnels out. 
:whistle: :whistle:
That Device was shown to be rather dangerous (Thud); perhaps they won't be able to find a safe way to use it within the city limits. Or maybe the steam engine won't be used for vehicles. I believe there has already been foam coming from the coffee shop in SM (though that may have been entirely magical), and I believe they may have steam heat in parts of UU (TSOD#1) - how else would a big boiler in one place heat most of the university? I'm more curious about the inventor(s); the Omnian version was a hundred or two hundred years ago (I think the uncertainty is canon), so it's unlikely to be the source.
I don't see that. Marriage is very much an honored and important institution in AM. Sacaricia is apparently married (most likely to Wm. de Worde, although this is never clear. The marriage of Sam Vimes and Lady Sybil was a huge event. Fred Colon's 'never see each other" marriage is a running joke. Detritus and Ruby are clearly married (in however way trolls do that). Certainly all of the aristocratic families are married (although this is often more for tying together bloodlines and fortunes than anything else). Mr. Bent and whatshername make a very important point that they're getting married as soon as possible. Harry King is clearly married and devoted to his wife. Adorabelle's parents are clearly married. Indeed, there really seems to be only three states of relationships in AM: Most common: Married; Almost as common: Single men; Less common: couples who get together in the book and will one day be married (Juliet, Trevor) and, most uncommonly, interspecies relationships, often chaste (Angua/Carrot, Nutt/Glinda, Vetinara/Margolotta).
And I don't see any indicuation in MM where Moist and Adorabelle were living together. In fact, throughout MM events kept happening in the book that prevent them from getting in a bit of fun. Adorabelle comes from a very strict family and most likely still lives at home when she's not digging in the field looking for lost golems. Certainly there wouldn't have been enough room at the post office for her to live with him (and Mrs. Maccalariat would certainly not tolerate such a situation) and his tenure at the bank was such a short one (only a few days) that she wouldn't have time to move in. And if they had been living together, Gladys would have been aware of the relationship and thus would not have developed her crush on him.
And I don't see any indicuation in MM where Moist and Adorabelle were living together. In fact, throughout MM events kept happening in the book that prevent them from getting in a bit of fun. Adorabelle comes from a very strict family and most likely still lives at home when she's not digging in the field looking for lost golems. Certainly there wouldn't have been enough room at the post office for her to live with him (and Mrs. Maccalariat would certainly not tolerate such a situation) and his tenure at the bank was such a short one (only a few days) that she wouldn't have time to move in. And if they had been living together, Gladys would have been aware of the relationship and thus would not have developed her crush on him.
This has shifted to MM, but I'm responding here because I'm not sure it would link if I changed the subject line, and because who knows, it may prove to have some bearing on the events of Raising Steam.
I'm not so sure about Gladys; I think she didn't get the book on etiquette until after Adora Belle had already left on her expedition, before MM began. She may have developed the crush before then.
The hints I saw in MM are subtle. Here's what I found on looking through the book again; page numbers re from the US hardcover edition.
p.7 "What Mr Lipwig does to get out of breath in his own room is his own affair." He was alone, but this indicates that the male part of the subculture of the post office would officially mind their own business and ignore any visitors he might have, while no doubt gossiping mightily.
p.247 Adora: "I'm going home for a bath." Point to you, they apparently are not living together. But I still say they are sleeping together, no matter what Mrs Maccalariat might say.
About Gladys:
p.269 Moist tells Gladys that Adora is his fiancee and will be spending a lot of time at the bank. Gladys's eyes dim.
p.275 Gladys is cooking dinner for Moist and is defiant about it. Why? Peggy is looking for Mr Fusspot and presumably has asked Gladys to watch the pot, but why didn't Gladys say "I'm watching the pot while Peggy is searching for the dog"? "I'm cooking dinner" is an attempt to claim a relationship with Moist, and this is right after she found out that Moist has a fiancee.
The strongest evidence:
p.298 "Lying here now in the darkness of the bank..." "He was alone because Adora Belle was spending a night in the cells for assaulting an officer of the Watch."
p.362 [and the first page of Chapter 13) "...Moist von Lipwig woke up...but woke up alone, which was less pleasing." (He's back in the Post Office while the bank is being investigated.)
I'm not so sure about Gladys; I think she didn't get the book on etiquette until after Adora Belle had already left on her expedition, before MM began. She may have developed the crush before then.
The hints I saw in MM are subtle. Here's what I found on looking through the book again; page numbers re from the US hardcover edition.
p.7 "What Mr Lipwig does to get out of breath in his own room is his own affair." He was alone, but this indicates that the male part of the subculture of the post office would officially mind their own business and ignore any visitors he might have, while no doubt gossiping mightily.
p.247 Adora: "I'm going home for a bath." Point to you, they apparently are not living together. But I still say they are sleeping together, no matter what Mrs Maccalariat might say.
About Gladys:
p.269 Moist tells Gladys that Adora is his fiancee and will be spending a lot of time at the bank. Gladys's eyes dim.
p.275 Gladys is cooking dinner for Moist and is defiant about it. Why? Peggy is looking for Mr Fusspot and presumably has asked Gladys to watch the pot, but why didn't Gladys say "I'm watching the pot while Peggy is searching for the dog"? "I'm cooking dinner" is an attempt to claim a relationship with Moist, and this is right after she found out that Moist has a fiancee.
The strongest evidence:
p.298 "Lying here now in the darkness of the bank..." "He was alone because Adora Belle was spending a night in the cells for assaulting an officer of the Watch."
p.362 [and the first page of Chapter 13) "...Moist von Lipwig woke up...but woke up alone, which was less pleasing." (He's back in the Post Office while the bank is being investigated.)
Back to Raising Steam, and a few speculations:
See the photo of Sir Terry doing research into steam engines, and guessing that a steam engine will be involved somehow... Given that Hex became conscious, and that golems have become independent, what are the odds that even a mechanical steam engine, on the intensely magical Discworld, might do the same? At the very least, they ought to be careful to keep it away from the university dumps.
See the photo of Sir Terry doing research into steam engines, and guessing that a steam engine will be involved somehow... Given that Hex became conscious, and that golems have become independent, what are the odds that even a mechanical steam engine, on the intensely magical Discworld, might do the same? At the very least, they ought to be careful to keep it away from the university dumps.
