Nation

Thought-provoking as well as fun, this is Pratchett at his most philosophical, with characters and situations sprung from ideas and games with language. And it celebrates the joy of the moment.

Nicolette Jones, The Times

Nation has profound, subtle and original things to say about the interplay between tradition and knowledge, faith and questioning...It's funny, exciting, lighthearted and, like all the best comedy, very serious.

Frank Cottrell Boyce, The Guardian

Pratchett's immensely entertaining new young adult novel, manages to be both thought-provoking and sweet...At times Nation reads like Philip Pullman but with less anger and more jokes, and a bit more ambiguity... It's a wonderful story, by turns harrowing and triumphant.

James Hynes, New York Times

Terry Pratchett is an indisputable one-off...Nothing he writes is ever predictable - except that it will always be gloriously readable.

Nicholas Tucker, The Independent

An ebullient and entertaining novel of ideas.

The Guardian

An enchanting novel... Terry Pratchett is one of the most interesting and critically under-rated novelists we have.

Amanda Craig, The Times

In this first novel for young people set outside of Discworld, Pratchett again shows his humor and humanity... The main characters are engaging and interesting, and are the perfect medium for the author's sly humor. Daphne is a close literary cousin of Tiffany Aching in her common sense and keen intelligence wedded to courage. A rich and thought-provoking read.

Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City, School Library Journal, USA

The unique pleasure of this story is that all the serious subjects and juicy ethical questions, such as the dilemma of the compassionate lie, are fully woven into action and character. Satirical portraits of upper-class twits, slapstick buffoonery, bad puns, and that particular brand of English wit buoy this story at every turn. Add a romance of gentle sweetness, encounters with ghosts, and lots of gunfire, and it is hard to imagine a reader who won't feel welcomed into this nation

The Horn Book, USA

This is no heavy-toned tale: Tears and rage there may be in plenty, but also a cast of marvelously wrought characters, humor that flies from mild to screamingly funny to out-and-out gross, incredible discoveries, profound insights into human nature and several subplots. A searching exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, both as broad and as deep as anything this brilliant and, happily, prolific author has produced so far.

Kirkus Reviews, USA

It's witty and wise, but it leaves its young readers enough room for a newly formed opinion or two as they think about its themes of love, loss, loyalty, courage, religion and nationhood.

www.thebookbag.co.uk

...bursting with fun...

Christopher Middleton, The Daily Telegraph

A hilarious and clever book...

Daras Kaur Narula, young critic for The Guardian Prize 2009 Longlist, The Guardian