Discussion: Johnny and the Bomb

[Michelle]

It will be interesting to hear from those of you reading this Terry Pratchett book for teens. How do you find it.. and for those of you who are already fans, how does it compare to his adult books?

[Sugar]

I've not read Johnny and the Bomb, but I did really enjoy the TV series that was on BBC1 earlier this year. I'd be interested in hearing how people who read the book thought the TV series compared.

The Johnny series (I think there are 3 books featuring him) is really popular - but they are very different to the Discworld books!

[Acesare*]

I've never read any Pratchett before, but I'm about 40 pages into Johnny and the Bomb. It's a bit early to give much feedback, but I'm not hating it!

It seems a little disjointed to me so far, I didn't at first realise that we'd changed decades, and for I while I was slightly confused (it was very late on Christmas day and I was quite tired, though) I'm sure it will all come together though. I'm also really annoying myself by trying to work things out rather than just read the story - I hate working things out before they happen, and I fear it might be more of a problem for a young person's book!

[Gyre]

I read 'Johnny and the bomb' a couple of years ago and I found it the same Acesare, trying to work out what was happening.

I also read ' Good omens' by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, which I classed as a young person's book but I could be wrong, that was an enjoyable read too.

:readingtwo:

[Kell]

Although I'm a huge Pratchett fan, I've never read any of the Johnny books, nor did I watch the TV programme. I've heard they're very different in style from his Discworld novels, so i'll be interested in hearing what everyone thinks of these - how do they compare to the Discworld books, for those who've read them too? - I may even be tempted to read them myself...

[Tiger]

I'm half way through or so through the book, and I think it's fairly good. It's got a fair amount of humour, but like as previous posts, I didn't quite understand the big jump from World War Two to modern days. Until I figured it out when Mrs Tahyon appeared, I first thought that there were several anachronisms in it.
Apart from that, I am enjoying it all the same!:mrgreen:

[Kell]

Tiger - you smartypants! I had to think twice about "anachronisms". Sometimes I suspect you're a lot older than you are!

What's been your favourite part so far? Do you have a favourite character too?

[Tiger]

LOL!


OK, I think that Wobbler is my favourite, he's so funny!
And also my favourite part so far most of it, I can't decide!

[Tiger]

Hello, I've finished it now and have the following feedback:

It was a good story: lots of humour and every thing else.
The plot was unclear, however.
Wobbler was a good character, so was Bigmac.

[Acesare*]

I enjoyed this book, thought that it was a very good idea, but was a little fragmented in parts.

I kinda worked out that Sir John was Wobbler (possibly my fave character too), but then I was trying to work out all the twists! I know that the whole thing was about time travel, but I found the biut where they suddenly kind of 'ran through time' at the end a little weird and implausable - how did Johnny manage to travel without the use of the trolley/bags in it?

Anyway, I've leant the book to my 14 year old cousin and she'd promised to e-mail me her thoughts on it. The only words she's said about it so far are "Weird, very weird". :lol:

[Michelle]

I didn't realise that this was the third book in a series. Philippa has been in touch to let me know she has copies of Johnny and the Dead available, which is an earlier one.

Those of you who have Johnny and the Bomb, please let me know, asap, if you'd like a copy of Johnny and the Dead aswell. Thanks. :)

[Michelle]

No-one?! Speak now! lol

[madcow]

Ok I'll try Johnny and the dead.

[Kell]

I would love to read it, but I'm not allowed any new books at the moment and I wouldn't want to keep hold of it, thus keeping anyone else from having it. :weeping:

I might well get hold of a copy later on though... ;)

[Sugar]

If only I hadn't missed out on these earlier! I would love a copy of Johnny and the Bomb, and Johnny and the Dead! :(

[Michelle]

If you PM me your address, I'll find out what Philippa has left.

[Sugar]

Thanks, Michelle. Will do so right away!

[Mia]

I've read Johnny and the Bomb, and enjoyed it (I also enjoyed the recent TV version). It doesn't compare to Discworld, however! I've also read Only You Can Save Mankind, which I can't remember much about except that I didn't like it, and Johnny and the Dead is currently on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

I like the Tiffany Aching books, but am unable to get on with the Truckers/Diggers/Wings trilogy. I plodded through the first, but have no inclination to read the other two at the moment, even though I own them.

[Purple Poppy]

I've just finished reading Johnny and the Bomb!

What a strange book, would be my first reaction.

Good idea, but I don't think Pratchet pulled it off. It was a bit muddled and at times I was left wondering what was going on. Not something I've encountered ever in the Discworld books.

The idea of time being in all sorts of parallel dimensions, I finally got the hang of, but I think Pratchett made it difficult by continually talking about it, via the characters, who basically wound me up in knots. The dialogue had me in despair at times, as I found it so difficult to follow. It seemed to go off on a tangent, and then come back later, creating another tangent. I know that's how, to a certain extent a group of teens will talk, but I found it very difficult to follow.

Having said that, I liked the ideas behind the story, the background and also the humour and wit. Johnny lacked a personality to me, some of the others were better developed, I thought. Kirsty was very well done.

Overall, I was a little disappointed with the book, as I felt a little more care could have been taken to make it more coherent, or at least coherent to the reader...I'm sure Terry knew where he was going.

PP

[Sugar]

My copy of Johnny and the Dead arrived today, and there was a note to say that Phillipa is trying to find me a copy of ..and the bomb. What a lovely lady. Thanks also to Michelle!

[madcow]

My copy of Johnny and the dead arrived today too. Note to self...I must find time to read both this one and Johnny and the bomb ASAP :readingtwo: