''Deftly weaves themes of forgiveness, belief and spiritual regeneration'' The TimesThe Discworld is very much like our own - if our own were to consist of a flat planet balanced on the back of four elephants which stand on the back of a giant turtle, that is . . . ''Just because you can''t explain it, doesn''t mean it''s a miracle.''In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was: ''Hey, you!'' This is the Discworld, after all, and religion is a controversial business. Everyone has their own opinion, and indeed their own gods, of every shape and size, and all elbowing for space at the top. In such a competitive environment, shape and size can be pretty crucial to make one''s presence felt. So it''s certainly not helpful to be reduced to appearing in the form of a tortoise, a manifestation far below god-like status in anyone''s book.In such instances, you need an acolyte, and fast: for the Great God Om, Brutha the novice is the Chosen One – or at least the only One available. He wants peace and justice and brotherly love. He also wants the Inquisition to stop torturing him now, please . . . ___________________The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Small Gods is a standalone novel.