Going Postal

Going Postal is the most recent Discworld novel to come out in paperback (there's a new one in hardback that I likely will not get to read for a year, until it comes out in paperback). GP is nicely done, but I have a few complaints.

• Pratchett has done variations on this basic story several times before: A reluctant newcomer is the only hope against something big and corrupt. Each time the story is well done, and often better done than the version that preceded it, but it's still the same story.
• The lead character resembles the lead character in Moving Pictures in many respects. Different names and backgrounds, but similar modes of behavior. (I think similar characters have shown up in other books, as well)
  

In spite of all that, I quite enjoyed the book. Entertaining, as always, though Pratchett seems to have taken a darker turn in his more recent books (starting with Night Watch). Yet at the same time, the quality of the writing has jumped up a notch or two (and I thought it was good to begin with). I miss the more light-hearted style, though. The trademark Pratchett sense of humor is still there, but it's muted. It makes me wonder what has happened in his life recently.