APPROPRIATELY, the pieces here cover most of the topics associated with Pratchett's name: writing, fantasy, Alzheimer's, humour.

And then, because he's never been as easy to categorise as some people think, you'll also find technology, Australia, and the art of crafting golden insects, as well as a few deft jabs at those easy assumptions regarding himself and his fans.

Like any journalism collection, it's not something to be read straight through, being far better suited to occasional dipping.

Not every piece has aged well; particularly baffling is the decision to include, as the second item, a 20-year-old look at the state of portable computing (spoiler: back then, not terribly portable).

Even the better light pieces, amusing though many are, are more likely to please existing fans than make new ones.

But the angrier pieces towards the end, on disease, dying and the barbaric British prohibition on euthanasia, are essential stuff.

7/10
Review by Alex Sarll