Though the four are widely varied in context, each is the hopeful story of an individual's journey - one which reveals how they have been made, and sometimes unmade, by the society they come from.

If the ending chapter were to stand alone as a thesis on the soul of mankind, it’d form a very good nation, indeed.F our stunning titles have been shortlisted for the 2009 Guardian children's fiction prize, reflecting both the breadth of writing for children and young adults and an optimism about the power of story to inform and guide. I continually pictured Pratchett imagining a tsunami or plague overtaking the Western World and wiping out all the bad. I found Pratchett’s resistance to steer the romantic nuances in a different direction especially refreshing, leaving the idea that men and woman can form true friendships and lasting bonds without all the lovey-dovey folly associated with many young adult novels. And though Nation has been categorized young adult, I suspect many adults will take pleasure in it also. This will prove valuable for educators who wish to use Nation as a jumping off point for current history, cultural or political discussions. The story of rebuilding a nation after devastating loss is easily comparable to current world events. Nation is a valuable addition to the dystopia/utopia & alternate universe genres. The story itself is told in standard adventure style, but it hides a much deeper lining.

Gradually Daphne and Mau march toward maturity and form a new nation, but not without having first grappled with themes of religion, faith, cultural identity, prejudice and most core belief systems. As a side note, the world is in a state of upheaval with many having succumbed to a plague. They meet after a giant tidal wave kills the members of shipwrecked Daphne’s English vessel and Mau’s island tribal-like nation. Nation is an alternate universe story of Mau, a young man on the cusp of manhood, and Daphne, a young girl stranded on Mau’s island. The story is standard Pratchett fare with humor and lofty ideals as common cohorts yet, this one seems a bit heavier handed and I couldn’t help thinking Pratchett’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis was guiding his hand. I’ve read a quite a few Terry Pratchett novels and Good Omens, co-written with Neil Gaiman, is a personal favorite so I was excited to read Pratchett’s new novel, Nation.

Terry pratchett nation review