Down Under

[deird_lj]

Have just read The Last Continent again.

It is rather uncannily like Australia. Seriously! That's exactly what Australia's like.



(And this is the problem with trying to get an accurate idea of Australia while you're not here. We'll cheerfully attest to the most ridiculous stereotypes being absolutely one hundred percent true - if we like the person talking about the stereotypes. Whereas the same stereotypes coming from someone we're not happy with will be dismissed as stupid nonsense - and they really should actually talk to some real Aussies some time, because, come on mate, that's a bit over the top...)

(Also, drop bears are totally real.)

Comments

[silveronthetree.livejournal.com]

Hee! I reread it recently and wondered what you thought about it. I was impressed that he managed to include every single Australian stereotype I had ever heard of.

I realised that that was where I was first introduced to drop bears so I (foolishly) assumed they must be fictional.

[deird1]

See, some people will tell you drop bears aren't real. That's because they're hoping you'll believe there's no such thing, and that they're just a myth made up to spook visitors - so that when the REAL drop bears jump out at you, you'll get a bigger fright.

...unlike those wonderful folks who courtesy try to warn you, so that you'll be on your guard against these KILLERS OF THE NIGHT.


*nods authoritatively*

[silveronthetree.livejournal.com]

Ah. Well, I'll have to be very careful if I ever visit Australia. I certainly appreciate the warning.

KILLERS OF THE NIGHT

[jl-in-the-lane.livejournal.com]

*shrieks*

*notes appropriateness of Mez' icon*

*pictures authoritative Mez doing serious nodding*

*howls and beats fists on floor in... terror or possibly Terra?...*

[jl-in-the-lane.livejournal.com]

I think the reason he gets away with it is because he's not, for example, doing a Simpsons episode where the characters all just get moved over here for one exotic adventure... hang on.

Um.

Let's try that again.

The point I was trying to make was that you can tell Pratchett has spent extensive time here and actually knows that of which he mocks...

[immer-am-lesen.livejournal.com]

...does he mention hoopsnakes? I can't remember. They're my favourite creepy native animal.

[jl-in-the-lane.livejournal.com]

Hoopsnakes are completely freaky.

[immer-am-lesen.livejournal.com]

Ah, a fellow enthusiast!
My particular favourites are the ones that bioluminesce- seeing those glowing circles speeding through the bush when you're out camping...though terrifying, it is also something quite magical.

[deird1]

I don't think hoop snakes get mentioned, actually...

[padawanspider.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Gullible Jennifer is gullible.

Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

[deird1]

Heh.

*pats your gullible self*

There's no point in having a perfectly good mythology hanging around if you don't make use of it...