TBR Audiobook Review: The Truth, by Terry Pratchett

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook of The Truth is narrated by Mathew Baynton, star of Ghosts, Yonderland and Horrible Histories. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.

‘A lie can run round the world before the truth can get its boots on.’

William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork’s first newspaper. Well, with a name like that…

Launched into the world of investigative journalism, alongside reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, William soon learns that the news is a risky business. For a start, his colleagues include a band of axe-wielding dwarfs and a recovering vampire with a life-threatening passion for flash photography.

It’s a big news week: the most powerful man in the city has been arrested, leaving Ankh-Morpork without a leader. And a dangerous criminal organisation will do anything to control the story…

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Truth is a standalone.

The first book in the Discworld series—The Colour of Magic—was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.

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My Review

I’ve been listening to all of the new Penguin editions of the Discworld books and I’ve finally got around to reviewing one this year. I listened to The Truth over the last couple of days. I will probably be writing reviews over the next few weeks for all of the audiobooks I’ve listened to from the new Penguin editions. It may take some time.

I enjoyed this new edition of The Truth. I like the story anyway, but it was interesting to hear someone else’s interpretation of the characters. Mathew Baynton used slightly different emphasis on occasion which gave different interpretations to the sentences.

Mr Pin reminds me of the joking impressions of David Beckham – that squeaky voice and slightly ignorant tone. It definitely fits him as a character. I still don’t like the way these Penguin editions have characterised Drumknott, though. He’s been given a sibilant tone to his accent, like a snakes hiss. I think it’s a misinterpretation of the character.

Generally, I still prefer the Stephen Briggs editions, but this one is acceptable listening.