By Terry Pratchett Raising Steam: A Discworld Novel (Export ed.) [Mass Market Paperback] by Terry Pratchett book cover

By Terry Pratchett Raising Steam: A Discworld Novel (Export ed.) [Mass Market Paperback] by Terry Pratchett front cover

BOOKS

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett Review: Discworld's Industrial Revolution

3.8

5 min read

$23.99 on Amazon

Reviewed by

LuvemBooks

Feb 13, 2026

Terry Pratchett's industrial revolution satire offers accessible Discworld entry point with solid social commentary, though pacing lags behind his tightest works.

Our Review

In This Review

When Progress Meets the Disc
Moist von Lipwig's Greatest Challenge
Satire That Still Steams
Late-Career Craftsmanship
Worth the Journey to Ankh-Morpork

When Progress Meets the Disc

Pratchett introduces the steam engine to Discworld through the enthusiastic engineering of Dick Simnel, whose revolutionary locomotive threatens to upend the traditional order of things. The narrative follows Moist von Lipwig as he navigates the political and practical challenges of bringing railway technology to a world still adjusting to clacks towers and the post office reforms.

The author's treatment of industrial progress avoids simple technophobia, instead examining how innovation creates both opportunities and displacement. Goblin communities find new purposes, while traditional industries face obsolescence. This nuanced approach to change reflects Pratchett's mature understanding that progress rarely arrives without cost, making the novel particularly relevant for readers grappling with modern technological disruption.

Moist von Lipwig's Greatest Challenge

As the former con artist turned civil servant, Moist von Lipwig anchors the story with his particular blend of charm, competence, and barely contained panic. Pratchett uses Moist's background as a reformed criminal to explore themes of redemption and public service, showing how personal transformation mirrors societal change.

Lord Vetinari remains the puppet master pulling strings from the shadows, while Adora Belle Dearheart provides both romantic tension and practical engineering expertise. The supporting cast includes familiar faces like Captain Carrot and Sergeant Colon, though their roles remain secondary to the main railway narrative. Commander Vimes appears briefly, maintaining continuity with the broader Discworld universe without overwhelming the steam-focused plot.

The goblin character Of the Twilight the Darkness provides some of the book's most poignant moments, as Pratchett explores themes of prejudice and acceptance through the lens of railway employment. These character interactions demonstrate the author's continued ability to find humanity in the most unlikely places.

Satire That Still Steams

Pratchett's social commentary targets familiar themes of bureaucracy, prejudice, and the resistance to change that characterizes human institutions. The railway becomes a metaphor for how technological advancement forces societies to confront their assumptions about class, race, and economic structures.

The author's treatment of goblin rights parallels real-world civil rights movements, while the railway company's corporate politics satirize modern business practices. Environmental concerns surface through discussions of coal mining and industrial pollution, though Pratchett avoids heavy-handed messaging in favor of gentle humor and character-driven insights.

Religious fundamentalism receives particular scrutiny through the dwarf extremist subplot, as traditional beliefs clash with modern realities. These themes feel especially relevant given contemporary debates about technological disruption and cultural change, proving that Pratchett's social observations transcend their fantasy setting.

Late-Career Craftsmanship

While Raising Steam lacks the manic energy of Pratchett's earlier works, it demonstrates the author's evolution toward more contemplative storytelling. The pacing reflects the methodical progress of railway construction rather than the breakneck comedy of books like Mort or The Colour of Magic.

Some readers may find the narrative less tightly plotted than previous Discworld entries, with occasional tangents that feel more like authorial indulgence than necessary story elements. The book's length—longer than most Discworld novels—sometimes works against its comedic momentum, though patient readers will discover rewards in Pratchett's detailed world-building.

The writing retains flashes of brilliance, particularly in dialogue and character observations, though the overall tone suggests an author more interested in exploring ideas than delivering rapid-fire jokes. This shift toward reflection over pure comedy makes the book feel like a bridge between Pratchett's comedy phase and his later, more serious works.

Worth the Journey to Ankh-Morpork

Raising Steam succeeds as both entertainment and social commentary, offering new readers a relatively accessible entry point into Discworld while providing series veterans with satisfying character development and thematic depth. The railway setting creates natural opportunities for adventure and humor without requiring extensive knowledge of previous books.

Parents considering this for teenage readers will find the content appropriate, with mild violence and mature themes handled with Pratchett's characteristic sensitivity. The book works particularly well for readers interested in steampunk elements or historical fiction about industrial development, even if they typically avoid fantasy genres.

For Discworld completists, this novel provides essential character progression for Moist von Lipwig and important world-building that influences later events. While it may not rank among Pratchett's absolute masterpieces, it demonstrates why the series maintained its popularity across decades of publication.