Product Description

A fantastic new B format reissue of the first book in the fantasy trilogy, the Bromeliad

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24654 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 209 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The nomes are tiny little people who, up until now, lived happily beneath the floorboards of Arnold Bros (est 1905) department store. But their tiny, comfortable little world is shattered when they discover that the store is to be demolished and they have to find away of getting to The Outside--a mystical place they never really believed in until a small tribe of Outsiders, led by the intrepid Masklin, infiltrated Arnold Bros (est 1905). The only escape route is via one of the huge trucks that Humans use to deliver goods--but first the nomes all have to be educated by the Sationari, and to do that the bickering between departments simply has to stop.

The plot, the characters, and the sheer delicious irony of Pratchett's writing help to make this off- beat and absolutely hilarious fantasy adventure story into an absolute classic that has to be read to be believed. --Susan Harrison

From the Back Cover
'Outside! What's it like?' Masklin looked blank.
'Well, ' he said. 'It's sort of big -'

To the thousands of the tiny nomes who live under the floorboards of a large department store, there is no Outside. Things like Day and Night, Sun and Rain are just daft old legends.

Then a devastating piece of news shatters their existence: the Store - their whole world - is to be demolished. And it's up to Maskin, one of the last nomes to come into the Store, to mastermind an unbelievable escape plan that will take all the nomes into the dangers of the great Outside ...

The first title in the magnificent trilogy, The Bromeliad.

Shortlisted for the Smarties Prize

From the author of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, winner of the 2001 Carnegie Medal.

'Brilliantly funny dialogue, high peaks of imagination' The Times

About the Author
Terry Pratchett:
Terry Pratchett is one of the most popular authors writing today. He lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998. He is the author of the phenomenally successful Discworld series and his trilogy for young readers, The Bromeliad, is scheduled to be adapted into a spectacular animated movie. His first Discworld novel for children, THE AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS, was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal.

Customer Reviews

An excellent edition
Rather than summarise the book, which everyone else has done, I wanted to give the discerning listener a little guidance on the different audio editions of Pratchett available.
Let me begin by saying that Stephen Briggs' reading of Pratchett is hands down the best for me. He has a warm, loveable storytellers' voice and a real feel for the story, with great characterisations, pacy delivery and an understanding of the subject - which may sound silly in the context of a children's series, but really makes all the difference here. You can't read humourous prose as individual as Pratchett's without knwing what you're doing.
Having worked on adaptations of Pratchett books for the stage and authored the Discworld Companion, Briggs is clearly in territory that he loves, and this really comes across. He likes the characters and the humour and, in my mind, does a much better job of better known actors. Nigel Planer's reading is deadpan by comparison, plods along and doesn't pull off the humour - in fact there seems to be a twinge of boredom and even contempt there if you lilsten really closely (and sounds like it's actually sped up to make it move faster). I am struggling to finish his Light Fantastic now and it's really third-rate.
Tony Robinson is clearly more into it and gives the second best readings of Pratchett - his voice is a much better fit to stories about gnomes, but lacks the warmth of Briggs' baritone and the wit and variety of his characterisations.
In summary I would campaign for Briggs to record all of the Pratchett books and would happily buy them all again! Can someone put a picture of the edition up on there and do some proper marketing of this great unabridged recording!

Read out loud fun for kids (and their parents)
This is a great book for kids.

I read this out loud to my 8 year old and, for the final truck scene, we were laughing out loud as the events unfolded.

As you would expect from a great writer, this children's book has all the elements of a good read - a coherent plot (if completely off the wall), proper well-developed characters and sharp witty writing.

If you are a parent looking for a "proper book" rather than a "children's book" for your child, I'd recommend this one - it's fun.

Truckers, A Brilliant Book
I think Truckers is a great book because it is funny and exciting. It keeps the reader reading and it makes you feel as if all those things actually exist. The characters are very funny; my two favorite are Dorcas, an electricity master, and Angalo prince of Haberdasheri. The setting is set near a cafe, in a store, inside a lorry and in a quarry. Again this book is very funny and I would recommend this book to all ages.