Smitty's BBQ

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett’s most recent (2009) novel Unseen Academicals is a satire on the phenomenon of European football (soccer), plus a number of other social activities that often go along with it. For that reason, the book may have a greater appeal to a UK audience than in America; especially since one of the main themes is football hooliganism, a distinct UK phenomenon.

But the book is really about much more than football (soccer). It’s about the many foibles and follies of human nature, which are Universal, European or American alike. It is also a novel about every conceivable variety of pie (and its connection to football); fashion super models (and their connections to football super stars); as well as about orcs and goblins (connection to football unknown).

In characteristic Terry Pratchett fashion, the Discworld is like a funhouse mirror image of our own world; exactly the same, only more so. Instead of human cheerleaders, there are naiads dancing on the sidelines of the football field, and cart-tail vendors take the place of tail-gate markets.

The main character in Unseen Academicals is an orc named Nutt. As one of the few surviving members of a persecuted race, Nutt wins the favor of two of Discworld’s most prominent leaders, who wish to see the orcs survive.  Read more...