Small Gods (Discworld, #13)

Title: Small Gods (Discworld, #13)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 1992

Date read: 9th October 2007

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Small Gods" by Terry Pratchett, published in 1992, is a standalone Discworld novel that satirizes religion, faith, and institutional power. It explores the nature of divinity, the importance of belief, and the corruption that can arise when faith becomes dogma.

The story centres on Om, once a mighty, vengeful god, who finds himself transformed into a small, weak tortoise. He discovers that his power has dwindled because almost all his worshipers in the Omnian Empire have ceased to truly believe in him; they merely follow the rigid, oppressive rules of the Quisition, the Omnian church, led by the cruel and dogmatic Exquisitor Vorbis.

The only person who truly believes in Om is a humble, uneducated novice, Brutha, who possesses an eidetic memory. Brutha is the sole recipient of Om's divine voice, making him the god's last true prophet and, ironically, the only one who can actually see Om in his tortoise form.

Om, now powerless and vulnerable, needs Brutha to restore his strength and expose the corruption of his own church. Their journey takes them across the Discworld, including a perilous trip across the desert, as Brutha struggles with his simple faith against the brutal realities of the Quisition's rule.

The novel cleverly contrasts true, heartfelt belief with the oppressive rituals and blind obedience enforced by institutional religion. Vorbis, the chillingly rational and utterly ruthless head of the Quisition, embodies the perversion of faith, seeing Om as merely a tool for control.

Through Om's transformation, Pratchett explores the idea that gods derive their power directly from the belief of their followers. If that belief becomes rote or fear-driven, the god weakens. Brutha's sincerity and kindness offer a stark counterpoint to the Quisition's cruelty.

The climax sees Brutha challenging Vorbis and the entire structure of the Omnian church, culminating in a theological confrontation that redefines the relationship between gods and their worshipers. "Small Gods" is a profound, witty, and often scathing commentary on religion, power, and the enduring strength of genuine faith.

Comments:
I just can't put my finger on, but when I tell people about these books, this is the one that comes to mind as the one that had the most impact on me. I adored this book and felt an almost spiritual connection to Om and Brutha.

Books that we've read by Terry Pratchett (39):
The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) (1983), The Light Fantastic (Discworld, #2; Rincewind, #2) (1986), Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) (1987), Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) (1987), Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3) (1988), Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2) (1988), Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) (1989), Pyramids (Discworld, #7) (1989), Eric (Discworld, #9; Rincewind, #4) (1990), Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10; Industrial Revolution, #1) (1990), Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12; Witches, #3) (1991), Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) (1991), Small Gods (Discworld, #13) (1992), Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4) (1992), Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2) (1993), Soul Music (Discworld, #16; Death, #3) (1994), Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind, #5) (1994), Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches, #5) (1995), Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) (1996), Hogfather (Discworld, #20; Death, #4) (1996), Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) (1997), Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23; Witches, #6) (1998), The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6) (1998), The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24; City Watch, #5) (1999), The Truth (Discworld, #25) (2000), The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7) (2001), Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5) (2001), Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) (2002), The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30; Tiffany Aching, #1) (2003), Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3) (2003), A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2) (2004), Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) (2004), Thud! (Discworld, #34; City Watch, #7) (2005), Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3) (2006), Making Money (Discworld, #36; Moist Von Lipwig, #2) (2007), Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8) (2009), I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4) (2010), Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch, #8) (2011), Raising Steam (Discworld, #40; Moist von Lipwig, #3) (2013)