Dodger

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I was seriously impressed by the writing and to me it seemed as though Pratchett has been leading up to this book via the YA books, particularly Maurice, and the Watch novels. There are undertones of much of Nobby Nobbs, Vimes and others but they are nothing much more than ghosts which leave no trace in this interesting world. Flavourings, but nothing more. Henry Mayhew, is a friend of Charlie who (together with his wife) first takes care of Simplicity while she recovers. He is also very interested in improving the conditions for London's poorest citizens. The novel is dedicated to the real Mayhew in honour of his work drawing attention to the plight of London's poorest through his book London Labour and the London Poor. Through their activities (and from the recovered Simplicity herself), Charlie and Dodger learn that the girl had secretly married a prince of one of the German states and thereby become an obstacle to a planned political marriage. Her husband had then done nothing against his family's decision to destroy all evidence of the unsanctioned marriage, including Simplicity herself – the vicar and two witnesses to the wedding have already been killed. Produced by King Bert and WildBrain, it is a co-commission with The Family Channel and films in Devon, Cornwall and Canada for transmission later this year. The Executive Producer is Jo Sargent. Amy Buscombe is Commissioning Editor for the BBC for Malory Towers, Still So Awkward, Jamie Johnson and Mystic. Almost Never Simplicity. Could you have been more of a non-entity love interest? Probably not. And I felt that for losing her baby, she really didn't have the proper reaction. At all.

There ought to be a law against it; everybody said so - it was, well, it was unfair. After all, seeing policemen around kept you honest, didn't it? If they were going to lurk around like ordinary people they were basically asking you to commit crimes, weren't they? It was entirely unfair in Dodger’s opinion. Silverpoint (13x22’) is a sci-fi drama series about kids at summer camp. Four kids bond over something unexplainable out in the woods, something they make an oath not tell anyone about because it’s beyond cool and because no one would believe them anyway. This is a little left field but I feel that story was been written in such a way that once Terry succumbs to his illness it could be continue on in its own fashion without trying to recreate Discworld, that uniqueness and wizardry belongs to Terry Pratchett. I can think of no greater tribute to Terry Pratchett if his works could be continued in a small way by others.Produced by Slim Film + Television and Libertine Pictures, with TVNZ, the series will air later this year. The Executive Producers are Richard Fletcher and Simon Crawford Collins. Malory Towers

In many ways, this book functions as an introduction to the Victorian era for the younger reader. For an adult reader, the pleasure comes from Pratchett's cleaver wordplay, references, and jokes. This is, in many ways, a real world Disc. Not surprising when conisdering what London gave birth to in Pratchett's mind. meets Queen Victoria (probably the most powerful person in the world at that time) - and is accepted as virtually her equal. Although, to be fair, this occurred several months after his ascension to national hero Previously announced titles from BBC Children’s In House Productions due to transmit over the next year include live-action comedy series Lagging (10x25’), created by Bafta award-winning writer, Dan Berlinka, about gaming, friendship and growing up, as well as series nine and 10 of popular drama The Dumping Ground (24x28’), which follows the lives of the diverse group of young people who live in a children’s home. Without wanting to get in to yet another debate with 30 something adults about the legitimacy of said adults reading novels meant for tweens is there another author working in the YA field who treats said YA's with as much respect and intelligence as Terry Pratchett? I seriously doubt it. If there were I wouldn't hold the publisher manufactured genre in such contempt.Sir Terry Pratchett is most famous for his Discworld series, which is already running 39 books, and although I have given these books a fair chance I just never could quite get into them. When the chance arose to review Dodger, a stand-alone young-adult book, I just had to give it another shot. From the short synopsis I didn't really know what I was in for, but it turned out to be unique, fresh and gave me a sense of urgency to finish it. While this had all the hallmarks of a Prachett novel with plenty of turn of wonderful phrases, it felt more educational than humorous.

A rare, unexpected moment that works makes us sympathize with a tortured Sweeney Todd, traumatized by the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars. Most of Pratchett's books are aimed at adults but they're written in such a way that they're easily accessible to those making the kid reads to adult reads transition without too much mental scarring (see above re snuff movies). And so my love of Pratchett and the colourful historically and culturally skewed other-worldness of the Discworld has sustained me well into my adult years. It is the character of Dodger that truly brings the book to life. We first get to meet Dodger after he emerges from a manhole to save a young lady’s life. We get to see him as a scoundrel, immediately going on the defensive when surrounded by citizens and police officers who just want to see what all the commotion is about. This was nicely shown by the dialogue that followed, which helped to again emphasize the early 1800’s setting. When this encounter hits the newspapers, Dodger finds himself having to deal with a completely different life. After this point you see his character taking a great developmental leap in terms of growing up, looking after the people he cares about, learning to see the good in people, but also becoming bolder when dealing with thugs. It is a “coming of age” story, and also a “rags to riches” story. Dodger’s philosophies were also a great enjoyment for me to read about. For example:

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From these ignominious beginnings, Dodger becomes enmeshed in a plot, developing his detective and acting skills, and inadvertently beginning to rise up the ladder of Victorian society “faster than a chimpanzee”. receives not one, but two, fairy-godfather like make-overs and is accepted by the cream of London society at a fancy soiree Playing Dodger is Billy Jenkins (The Crown) with Saira Choudhry (Life, No Offence) as Nancy, with filming already underway in Manchester and various locations around the north west.

Perhaps it isn't surprising that these working class heroes - who were fighting for a fairer society for everyone - were not included. Because Dodger is fundamentally a rags-to-riches tale, where the audience is asked to empathise with and applaud Dodger's rise to join the upper classes, while throwing out the occasional sixpence whenever he feels a twinge of guilt. Appropriately, the book ends with the new Sir Dodger engaged in the robbery of a priceless historical treasure: a tiara once belonging to Marie Antoinette. No, he is not intending to sell it, and distribute the money to the many starving orphans/girls driven to prostitution who populate the book: in an Animal Farm like ending, Dodger is stealing Marie Antoinette's tiara for his new wife, a former Princess. Great lesson for the kids, Terry. It's hard not to compare to Terry Pratchett's non Discworld novels because I love them so much and in Dodger I feel like I am getting a Discworld novel in structure and flavour, but with a difference. There are some definite Discworld style characters, Onan, Dodger's dog has been illustrated in a manner, and with such personality, I expected him to be able to speak or turn out to be a Wizard of the Unseen University on an expedition from the next universe over, except disguised as a dog. Dodger was okay. His character was really rather boring. And do I need or want boring characters? I think not. Mister Dodger is so sharp that one day his name will be known on every continent, possibly as the benefactor of mankind, but also quite possibly as the most charming scoundrel ever to be hanged!” Returning series include football drama Jamie Johnson (26x28’) commissioned for series six and seven, made by Short Form Film and filmed in South Wales for transmission later this year. Following last year’s breakout storyline around LGBT footballers, this year the series looks at CTE/dementia, racism and allyship in football.

Silverpoint (w/t)

The story opens on a dark, wet night(almost the cliched "a dark and stormy night" but Pratchett never lets you see it) as a carriage comes careening through the streets, carrying a damsel in distress, under threat of death. Out of the darkness comes Dodger, a whirl-wind beating off thugs and saving the day. However, as Dodger’s plan begins to unfold, the Outlander appears. No one has been able to identify or catch the guy because he looks different whenever he appears. In a surprising twist, the assassin is actually a woman – the same woman that’s been present with the “assassin” each and every time. Here, Pratchett uses his satirical style to make a subtle jab at the traditional aspects of gender roles in Victorian-era London. In which we meet our hero, and the hero meets an orphan of the storm, and comes face to face with Mister Charlie, a gentleman known as a bit of a scribbler.” The girl, known only as Simplicity, has escaped the torment of her loveless marriage to an unknown nobleman "from one of the Germanys", but she remains in mortal peril. Dodger and Mister Charlie agree that they are best placed to safeguard her life. In doing so, Dodger inadvertently begins to rise up the ladder of Victorian society "faster than a chimpanzee". As Dodger's triumphant path ultimately brings him honour from the very highest rank of society, we cannot help but cheer not only for his success, but also for the success of this ebullient, funny and delightful novel.