Reviews

Джони и умрелите by Terry Pratchett

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dana_naylor's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

Book was published in 1993, so some homophobic language that's reflective of the times.
I didn't enjoy the book very much at first, but towards the end I liked it lots more.

Of the time allusions:
It's set in 93, so Michael Jackson and Thriller video make appearances. It's interesting to see what seems like it would need to be annotated now and what wouldn't. The kids do research at the library on microfilm viewers. Local radio call-in shows don't seem to exist in the same way - and I don't know that current radios are made with tuning knobs so you get static.

Quotes I loved:
"It's just history. It has nothing to do with . . . well, with now." (p73)
"Ignorance is very important! It is an absolutely essential step in the learning process!" (p117)

Content Warnings

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition

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4.0

Still excellent (12/23/2023)

Death makes an appearance, but in many ways this is look at community and togetherness.

Old Review - In Johnny and the Dead, Terry Pratchett takes a serious topic and makes it funny while keeping it serious. Pratchett teaches the reader about life and death, and about how what might be an insignificant action can change things. He does without preaching.

megancovington's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No

3.5

jarid's review against another edition

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funny mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

hannah_lia's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This one always makes me bawl

rhiread44's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

cr0ybot's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm beginning to understand the point of the Johnny Maxwell books. There are bits of wisdom here, about life, death, and what cemeteries are really for. Bits of wisdom that most people may not develop until later in life, but here they are broken down and distilled into a format that's accessible to a younger audience. I thought the "ghosts" were a bit silly at first, especially considering Pratchett's well known stance on the supernatural, but it soon fell in line with a Discworld-esque after-life fiction that mixed interestingly with science and technology later on.

annaonthepage's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Excellent narration. Some dated elements in the writing but still a beautiful pacifist, socialist story that rounds off with a child's reflection that life is worth living.

Content Warnings

horicul's review against another edition

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4.0

I liked it more than the first one. Lots of great quotes to extract from this one. Interesting idea, definitely worth the read.

maisieb14's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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