Small Gods

1992

The gods of the Discworld have a real influence in the lives of their followers and on first appearance, Om would appear to have it all; the country is named after him and no other religions are allowed so he's got millions of worshippers all supposedly pouring their belief into his karmic account. But something has gone wrong! The people had stopped believing! Not in the church, but in Om himself and it's that causes him problems.

Suddenly he finds himself unable to manifest in all the pomp and splendour of the statue at his main temple. Indeed, when he tried, he was unable to manage even a normal human. Panicking, he desperately tries to see what he can manage.

He manages a tortoise.

A tortoise!

Before he can reflect on the disgrace of his situation an eagle spots its opportunity. And so, from being a Supreme Being, Om is rapidly heading to becoming lunch.

After a close escape, all Om has to do is persuade his doubtful worshippers that he really is their god.

Oh, and stop the hierarchy of his church launching a major war against their unbelieving neighbours.

And when he's done that, persuade those same enemies, thirsting for revenge, from wiping out Om.

But first, he has to persuade the novice Brutha that he is indeed the God Om despite all evidence to the contrary.

This is a more thoughtful book than the average run of Discworld novels to date, looking at the nature of belief and responsibility.

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