The first half of the book showcases Pratchett in top comic form, with sustained scenes of hilarity that are among the best he's written. Ultimately the tables turn, as Om begins to learn from Brotha the true meaning of justice, compassion, and humanity. Om, it seems, wants followers, but won't set any examples for them to live by, and in fact doesn't even seem interested in doing so. As Brutha tries to avert disaster in any way he can, the dynamic of his relationship to Om changes. Vorbis, Brutha learns, has actually arranged to have one of his own monks murdered so he can blame the Ephebians and use the incident as a pretext for war. Bewildered, Brutha carries Om around with him, gradually coming to believe that the little animal, and not the enormous bull incarnation depicted in all of the temples, is indeed his god.īrutha is soon conscripted by Vorbis to join an expedition to the nearby land of Ephebe. Gods need belief to live and to thrive (a theme also addressed by Neil Gaiman in American Gods), and young Brutha's belief is just enough to sustain Om, who's desperate to avoid becoming one of the small gods, barely existing out in the desert wastelands with no believers at all. a little turtle talking to him telepathically. But one simple lad, a hopeless little initiate named Brutha, does believe in Om, and so it is with some surprise that Brutha first encounters Om in his melon patch. Om's religion exists to perpetuate itself, with its rituals and vicious punishments and wars presided over by the psychotic Deacon Vorbis. The story opens in the city of Omnia, whose chief god, Om, has been reduced to a pitiful existence in the form of a turtle because, despite an enormous organized religion centered around his worship, no one really believes in him any more. At first it seems a straightforward satire of religion then as it progresses, Pratchett balances his satire with some truly epic (by Discworld standards, of course - there's always one foot stuck in the silliness door) storytelling that manages to make worthy commentary on belief and the never-ending conflict between good and evil all without being, well, preachy about it.
Tweets by Gods is an extraordinary novel, a thing of sheer beauty.
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