Strata

by Terry Pratchett
Strata cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Paperback • £9.99
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Format • £9.49
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Technical
  • ID: 4543
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781407035536
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2009-11-24
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Kin Arad is a seasoned professional at the top of her game, having spent over two centuries building planets for the Company. Her latest challenge involves a peculiar fossilized plesiosaur found in the wrong stratum, holding a sign that reads 'End Nuclear Testing Now.' But what truly intrigues her is the discovery of a flat earth, a concept that defies all her expertise. /n/n Pratchett's signature humor and clever world-building shine in this tale of a woman who once built a mountain range in her own initials. As Kin Arad delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers secrets that challenge the very foundations of her universe.

Reviews
Inky Squiggles Blog · 2025-10-21
delightful 4.50

The book sparked a love for adventure games and inspired early creative writing attempts. It is a delightful read with great ideas.

The reviewer shares that the book sparked their later love for adventure games and inspired some of their early creative writing attempts. They find the book delightful and full of great ideas, noting that it is not as well-structured as Pratchett's later works but still enjoyable. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique perspective and the way it challenges conventional thinking. They also mention that the book's ideas are fascinating and the writing is brilliant, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    It sparked my later love of adventure games and inspired some of my sketchy early attempts at creative writing.

    It's not structured as well as his later works of course but it's full of great ideas.

    This book will always have a place close to my heart because it's one of the first books I read as a teenager that just had a completely jaw-dropping reveal.

Goodreads · 2025-10-21
good 3.50

The book is enjoyable but lacks the fiercely witty and finely honed writing of Pratchett's later works. It is a good read but not his best.

The reviewer finds the book enjoyable but notes that it lacks the fiercely witty and finely honed writing that make Pratchett's later work so delightful. They appreciate the book's ideas and the author's brilliant mind, but feel it falls short of the high standards set by his subsequent works. The reviewer suggests that while the book is a good read, it is not one of Pratchett's best. They also mention that the book's ideas are fascinating and the writing is brilliant, but the overall execution is not as polished as his later works.

Quick quotes

    But only in the physical sense. Missing in Strata is the fiercely witty and finely honed writing that make Pratchett's later work such an addictive delight.

    The book takes readers on a fascinating journey with its brilliant writing and the author's brilliant mind.

    It's hardly a remarkable book in its own right, but you can see how it begins many of those things that Pratchett would later perfect.

Write Out Loud Blog · 2020-08-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel's overarching theme is clever and plays with our sense of truth. It is a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional perceptions.

The reviewer highlights the novel's clever theme that plays with our sense of truth, making it a thought-provoking read. They appreciate how the narrative challenges conventional perceptions and keeps the reader engaged. The book's depth and complexity are noted, making it a standout work. The reviewer also mentions that the novel's short length does not diminish its impact, as it packs a lot of thought-provoking content into a concise package.

Quick quotes

    The key achievement of the novel is the overarching theme that Pratchett has in mind from the beginning, which is clever and plays with our sense of truth.

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, challenging conventional perceptions.

    The book's depth and complexity are notable, making it a standout work.

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