Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8)

Title: Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 2009

Date read: 1st January 2013

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Unseen Academicals," published in 2009, is the 37th novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. It's a whimsical and insightful satire that brings the chaotic world of Ankh-Morpork's Unseen University wizards to the football (soccer) pitch, exploring themes of tradition, modernity, social class, and the nature of fandom.

The novel's central premise is a forgotten clause in an ancient endowment for Unseen University: if the wizards fail to play a football match against "the Town" (Ankh-Morpork citizens) at least once a year, they risk losing their substantial endowments. This terrifying prospect galvanises the Archchancellor, Mustrum Ridcully, and his faculty of wizards into reluctantly forming a football team. The problem, of course, is that wizards are notoriously unfit, lazy, and utterly clueless about the sport.

To help them, they bring in Mr. Nutt, a quiet, intelligent, and highly unusual goblin (though he prefers to be called an "orc" due to a historical misunderstanding), who has a surprising knack for strategy and organization. Nutt becomes the reluctant coach.

The narrative also introduces a diverse cast of new and returning characters whose lives become intertwined with the impending match:

• Glenda Sugarbean: A kind-hearted and pragmatic night cook at the University, known for her delicious pies, who becomes entangled with Nutt and his unusual past.

• Juliet Stollop: Glenda's incredibly beautiful and rather simple-minded colleague, whose stunning looks catch the eye of the wealthy Lord Venturi.

• Trevor Likely: A talented young "footballer" (soccer player) from the poor part of the city, whose family has a legendary history in the sport. He is reluctant to embrace his destiny on the pitch.

• Ponder Stibbons: The long-suffering head of the university's "Information Technology" department, who tries to bring some semblance of order to the wizards' efforts.

The novel brilliantly contrasts the traditional, almost ritualistic, and highly violent form of "street football" (a chaotic annual brawl with few rules) with the more organised, modern game that Lord Vetinari, the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, is attempting to introduce. The match itself becomes a hilarious and chaotic spectacle, with the wizards struggling against their own ineptitude and the sheer brute force of the Town players.

Beyond the football, the story delves into deeper questions: What constitutes a "person"? Can deep-seated prejudice be overcome? And how do individuals find their place and purpose in a world full of expectations and absurdities? The climax is the much-anticipated football match itself, a comical and surprisingly poignant event that brings together all the disparate plot threads, showcasing Pratchett's unique blend of humor, social commentary, and heartfelt character development.

Comments:
I was worried that these books would have run out of steam by now but this one is fantastic. Full of the old humour and charm as well as the excellent story with a sprinkling of satire.

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)