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Books -- Terry Pratchett's Discworld

The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic introduce Terry Pratchett's odd, but entertaining Discworld. Just how odd is it? Well to give you a clue Pratchett is known as the Douglas Adams of Fantasy. Still not convinced? Well lets just look at the author's bio: Terry Pratchett lives in England, an island off the coast of France, where he spends his time writing Discworld Novels in accordance with the Very Strong Anthropic Principle, which holds that the entire Purpose of the Universe is to make possible a being that will live in England, an island off the coast of France, and spend his time writing Discworld Novels. Which is exactly what he does. Which proves the whole business true. Any questions?

So we enter Discworld with an open mind and a sense of humor. As the name implies it is in fact a flat disc and of course it's supported by four elephants that ride on the back of a giant turtle. Pretty standard stuff that begins a hilarious adventure.....

The Color of Magic introduces us to the disc's first Tourist an overly wealthy fellow by the name of Twoflower who has a rather curious (and hungry) piece of luggage. Twoflower has journeyed from the Counterbalance continent to meet the Heroes and fantasy creatures of the land. Assigned as his guide, is Discworld's most inept wizard, Rincewind. Rincewind flunked out of mage school and knows only one spell (it scared the rest of the spells out of his mind), but is not even really sure how to cast it. He gets through some rough spots, by looking the part and kicking a lot of people in the groin. It's amazing what can be overcome by babbling a few made-up words and flashing of hands.

To be honest, The Color of Magic is an often disjointed and at times difficult to follow book. Largely it keeps you reading with great sarcasm and wit. Again, much like the Hitchhikers Guide. However it's a must read because.....

The Light Fantastic picks up where the Color of Magic leaves off and it improves in every area. The plot is much clearer, the characters, rather than world description and side notes drive the story, and it's even funnier than the first.

Twoflower and Rincewind continue their adventure, this time meeting up with the great hero, but now seriously old and toothless, Cohen the Barbarian, hiding out in Gingerbread Houses (perfected by the rather rare art of Confectionary Architecture), and debating where or not a six inch high fellow who lives in a mushroom is actually gnome or not since he's lacking a red hat and curly shoes. All this to save the world as for an unknown reason, Discworld seems to be heading right towards a massive red star....which is of course making everyone uncomfortably warm and there are no air conditioners in sight.

The Discworld novels are off the wall, but it's also great fun.

"I was always told home is where you hang your hat."

"No, that's called a hat rack."

14 Jun 2005 by Tom

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Past Reviews:
Promise of the Witch King, by Tom posted on 09 Nov 2005
Wyrd Sisters, by Tom posted on 04 Nov 2005
Mort, by Tom posted on 30 Aug 2005
Scions of Arrabar, by Tom posted on 16 Aug 2005
The Last Mythal Series, by Tom posted on 09 Aug 2005
Terry Pratchett's Discworld, by Tom posted on 14 Jun 2005
New Content Area, by Tom posted on 24 May 2005