Cohen the Barbarian, aka the Emperor Ghengiz Cohen, hero of 26 Discworld fables, and his Silver Horde go gentle into any good night? Never. Not even if they're held together by various elasticized supporters and forget where they left their false teeth. The gods unpardonably let Cohen and Co. succumb to old age, and the members of the Horde Boy Willie, Caleb, Truckle and Hamish, who's ("Whut?") stone deaf still want drink, treasure and women, even if they admit they've had to ease back on the last one. Cohen gets a bard to record their one last universe-defying hobble toward immortality, and old age has rarely been so gut-splittingly yet accurately portrayed here, embellished by Paul Kidby's wacky and wicked illustrations. The Horde's last quest is to return the fire Cohen stole long ago from Dunmanifestin, the gods' ultimate Good Address. Unfortunately, that will destroy the magic holding the world together, so Lord Vetinari of Ankh-Morpork "workshops" the situation ("the means by which people who don't know anything get together to pool their ignorance") and sends a dragon-powered vessel crewed by an inventor, a soldier, a wizard and an orangutan librarian to stop Cohen and his tottery Horde. Pratchett lets fly sly volleys at today's civilization and skewers nearly every barbarian-fantasy clich? rampant in too many books and films. This far-out farce rollicks along hilariously enough to make the inevitable aging process, if not palatable, at least worth a few good belly laughs. (Nov. 1) Forecast: You don't have to be a fantasy fan to appreciate the marvelous jacket art, depicting a skinny, bald, aged barbarian clutching a sword in one hand and a cane in the other. Copyright 2001 CahnersBusiness Information.
Discworld denizen Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde?Boy Willie, Truckle the Uncivil, Caleb the Ripper, and Mad Hamish?are tired of being elderly heroes long past their time and decide that they are going out with a bang. Literally. They are going to the home city of the gods, Cori Celesti, to return the gift of fire?and then some. Lord Vetinari, Patrician of the city of Ankh-Morpork, has a stake in keeping Cohen from his goal, and he enlists his own crew: inventor Leonard of Quirm, the stalwart Captain Carrot of the City Watch, and wizard and confirmed coward Rincewind. Things go awry, however, thanks to a certain Librarian with a penchant for bananas. This oversized, lavishly illustrated book is no ordinary Discworld novel. It is much shorter, and Pratchett's subtitle labels it a fable. The author packs in as many familiar characters as he can, which sometimes gives the tale a crowded feeling, but the lunatic spirit of the series is present overall. Kidby's detailed illustrations extend and enhance the narrative; simply paging through the book is a treat. Discworld fans will line up for this one, if only for the novelty of the illustrations. Although readers who are unfamiliar with the series would enjoy the story, they would get far more out of it if they have read at least some of the books. Illus. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, HarperCollins, 160p,
— Donna Scanlon
When Cohen the Barbarian and a select group of aging heroes set out on one final quest that will, incidentally, bring about the end of the world, the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork enlists a brilliant inventor, a luckless tourist-turned-wizard, and an intrepid city watchman to foil the heroes' quest. Lavishly illustrated by Discworld regular Kidby, Pratchett's latest brings together some of the series' most beloved and unforgettable characters in a tribute to one of comic fantasy's most celebrated worlds. Though slim in pages, this oversized illustrated novel showcases Pratchett's comic genius and belongs in libraries where the series has a following. Essential for fans. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/01.] Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
A new, albeit rather short, Discworld yarn (Thief of Time, 2001, etc.), profusely illustrated by popular Discworld artist Kidby in an oversized format. This time out, Cohen the Barbarian-he still swings a mean sword, but he's so old he needs a walking-stick, and can't always remember where he put his dentures-and assorted old friends (very old friends) plan to go out in a blaze of glory. None of them are happy about growing old, and who's to blame except the gods? So they plan to return-with interest-what the first hero, Mazda, stole from the gods long ago. If they succeed, of course, the Discworld's magical field will shut down and every living thing will die. So Lord Vetinari, ruler of the huge, rotting city Ankh-Morpork, puts together a team that, by a million-to-one shot, just might save the day: the great inventor and artist Leonard of Quirm, Captain Carrot of the City Watch, and Rincewind the incompetent wizard. Moderately funny, aimed primarily at Discworld addicts and holiday-season gift-givers. (90 full-color illustrations)
