What do you think?
Rate this book
Discworld #2
The Light Fantastic
As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the Discworld has only one possible saviour. Unfortunately, this happens to be the singularly inept and cowardly wizard called Rincewind, who was last seen falling off the edge of the world...
277 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Terry Pratchett
404 books44.2k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,742 reviews
August 22, 2024
Reading Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series makes me smile. Because of his writing I invented the "Smile-O-meter" which measures smiles per book. Pratchett always scores high.
Three years after Terry Pratchett published The Color of Magic, the first Discworld book, he published the second, The Light Fantastic, having decided convincingly that this was a worthwhile project.
Though the action in The Light Fantastic takes over immediately following the events in the first book, Rincewind has fallen off of the edge of the world, this novel seems to gather momentum from a good but somewhat shaky start and proceed with a comic authority. While The Colour of Magic could have been a funny stand alone, Pratchett’s entry with The Light Fantastic seems to usher in a certainty that the Discworld as a multiverse, as a literary institution, has begun and with no end in sight.
Actually, I suppose he could have written a third, making the obligatory trilogy and then moving on to something else, but Pratchett wraps up his story tidily and leaves the fertile soil of Discworld as a fun idea from which more books can be written. (There are over 50 works in publication, and the series is a phenomenon with over 80 million novels sold and in 37 languages. Pratchett himself was knighted in 2009).
So what is all the fuss about? Our heroes Rincewind and Twoflower go on an adventure to save the world, or try to, or accidentally end up in all the right places, or something.
The real hero of the novel, and of the series, is Pratchett himself. It is his narration that amuses, cajoles, and encourages laughter and that keeps the reader’s attention. Playfully, and with wry English humor, Pratchett weaves a fun fantasy story with references to Biblical, classical, and mythical themes as well as modern subjects like Conan the Barbarian.
It is simply, a lot of fun.
*** 2024 reread -
In my earlier review I noted how Pratchett seemed to hit his stride and I noticed that again here. The Colour of Magic was the first Discworld book, but I think that the Discworld series began here.
We get to spend time with Rincewind, Death, Ysabell, the Librarian and Cohen the Barbarian and the what is best in life scene, lifted from the Schwarzenegger film was hilarious. There’s also druids and gnomes and if Nac Mac Feegles are just one kind of gnome, then a mention in the second book would make them some of the earliest Discworld characters.
An examination of the character of TwoFlower is also intriguing in that Pratchett uses him as a tourist to introduce us to the Discworld while also providing satire of wealth as voyeurism.
Rincewind as a survivor also made me consider another connection with Piers Anthony’s Xanth as Bink from that series is a similar character.
I’m rereading all of these, too much fun.
Three years after Terry Pratchett published The Color of Magic, the first Discworld book, he published the second, The Light Fantastic, having decided convincingly that this was a worthwhile project.
Though the action in The Light Fantastic takes over immediately following the events in the first book, Rincewind has fallen off of the edge of the world, this novel seems to gather momentum from a good but somewhat shaky start and proceed with a comic authority. While The Colour of Magic could have been a funny stand alone, Pratchett’s entry with The Light Fantastic seems to usher in a certainty that the Discworld as a multiverse, as a literary institution, has begun and with no end in sight.
Actually, I suppose he could have written a third, making the obligatory trilogy and then moving on to something else, but Pratchett wraps up his story tidily and leaves the fertile soil of Discworld as a fun idea from which more books can be written. (There are over 50 works in publication, and the series is a phenomenon with over 80 million novels sold and in 37 languages. Pratchett himself was knighted in 2009).
So what is all the fuss about? Our heroes Rincewind and Twoflower go on an adventure to save the world, or try to, or accidentally end up in all the right places, or something.
The real hero of the novel, and of the series, is Pratchett himself. It is his narration that amuses, cajoles, and encourages laughter and that keeps the reader’s attention. Playfully, and with wry English humor, Pratchett weaves a fun fantasy story with references to Biblical, classical, and mythical themes as well as modern subjects like Conan the Barbarian.
It is simply, a lot of fun.
*** 2024 reread -
In my earlier review I noted how Pratchett seemed to hit his stride and I noticed that again here. The Colour of Magic was the first Discworld book, but I think that the Discworld series began here.
We get to spend time with Rincewind, Death, Ysabell, the Librarian and Cohen the Barbarian and the what is best in life scene, lifted from the Schwarzenegger film was hilarious. There’s also druids and gnomes and if Nac Mac Feegles are just one kind of gnome, then a mention in the second book would make them some of the earliest Discworld characters.
An examination of the character of TwoFlower is also intriguing in that Pratchett uses him as a tourist to introduce us to the Discworld while also providing satire of wealth as voyeurism.
Rincewind as a survivor also made me consider another connection with Piers Anthony’s Xanth as Bink from that series is a similar character.
I’m rereading all of these, too much fun.
May 17, 2020
Some timid, rare Sci-Fi buds spring in the, unofficially second half, of the tour de force introduction into the settings of the Discworld, including multi dimensions, human sacrifice, possession, lynch mobs, and the apocalypse.
I do tend to ask myself how it would have been if Pratchett would have dealt with more sci-fi concepts instead of focusing on fantasy and society, and the whole multi dimension idea gives a tiny glimpse at what could have been. I´ll keep waiting for an author who might combine the stellar writing with cosmic ideas to form galactic novels of universal dimensions, but, realist that I am, I fear it might not be in my lifetime, if ever. Pratchett was an ingenious, exceptional phenomenon and possibly groups of writers could collaboratively create something close to it with the help of the audience and proofreaders participating in the process, but one woman/man alone? Forget it.
There have been many variations of the unwilling, tentative, comedic hero, but someone like Rincewind has to be topped, as Pratchett is able to awake sympathy for a disagreeable, incompetent, and manipulative wanna be fringe pop wizard. One can´t get enough of seeing which terrible, earthshaking problem he might cause next without even recognizing.
Magic can go so many ways and Pratchett doesn´t just make fun of the stereotypes, he gives some new, fresh ideas to the mix I can´t mention without spoilering and I am too lazy to copy and paste the formatting template.
And here comes the DEATH. I don´t know how many personifications of evanescence might have been inspired by this skinny buddy, but hardly someone came closer to demonstrate the importance of carpe diem than this human studying manifestation of the not so grim reaper with time management issues.
World domination, ultimate power, and invincibility are as ridiculous as popular, but Pratchett gives the setting a new special taste by satirizing it with the allegedly mundane hurdles towards entity status that hide the key to the destruction of the maniac.
Rincewind gets a bit insane in the membrane, although it´s difficult to see the difference, very alternative physics change some parts of the fictional reality, and after finishing, the reader is ready to enter the Discworld with more or less profound knowledge about why what is happening when. Just joking, reading Pratchett is never done in one sitting, next to the mandatory rereading passages to relaugh, the ideas keep rotating in ones´ mind, characters and scenes coming to life without even asking, as hardly seen or felt before after finishing other reads.
It´s impressing how Pratchett managed to establish many of the settings and characters in the hero´s journey of his first two novels and the style of just showing some places, presenting the inhabitants, harvesting some laughs, planting McGuffins´and Chekhovs´for the further parts, and continuing the introduction trip without looking back is something modern fantasy is not used to anymore. Today there are more fast cuts between perspectives, always cliffhangery, well plotted, suspenseful, retrospectives,… in modern writing that is far less exhausting to read and difficult to follow than this classic series, one of the reasons some might find Pratchett hard to read.
I don´t know if there are many people who may be able to find all the innuendos, connotations, and subtilities hidden in the Discworld, as one would have to have immense knowledge about so many different fields to fully enjoy each treasure hidden by this literary prodigy.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
I do tend to ask myself how it would have been if Pratchett would have dealt with more sci-fi concepts instead of focusing on fantasy and society, and the whole multi dimension idea gives a tiny glimpse at what could have been. I´ll keep waiting for an author who might combine the stellar writing with cosmic ideas to form galactic novels of universal dimensions, but, realist that I am, I fear it might not be in my lifetime, if ever. Pratchett was an ingenious, exceptional phenomenon and possibly groups of writers could collaboratively create something close to it with the help of the audience and proofreaders participating in the process, but one woman/man alone? Forget it.
There have been many variations of the unwilling, tentative, comedic hero, but someone like Rincewind has to be topped, as Pratchett is able to awake sympathy for a disagreeable, incompetent, and manipulative wanna be fringe pop wizard. One can´t get enough of seeing which terrible, earthshaking problem he might cause next without even recognizing.
Magic can go so many ways and Pratchett doesn´t just make fun of the stereotypes, he gives some new, fresh ideas to the mix I can´t mention without spoilering and I am too lazy to copy and paste the formatting template.
And here comes the DEATH. I don´t know how many personifications of evanescence might have been inspired by this skinny buddy, but hardly someone came closer to demonstrate the importance of carpe diem than this human studying manifestation of the not so grim reaper with time management issues.
World domination, ultimate power, and invincibility are as ridiculous as popular, but Pratchett gives the setting a new special taste by satirizing it with the allegedly mundane hurdles towards entity status that hide the key to the destruction of the maniac.
Rincewind gets a bit insane in the membrane, although it´s difficult to see the difference, very alternative physics change some parts of the fictional reality, and after finishing, the reader is ready to enter the Discworld with more or less profound knowledge about why what is happening when. Just joking, reading Pratchett is never done in one sitting, next to the mandatory rereading passages to relaugh, the ideas keep rotating in ones´ mind, characters and scenes coming to life without even asking, as hardly seen or felt before after finishing other reads.
It´s impressing how Pratchett managed to establish many of the settings and characters in the hero´s journey of his first two novels and the style of just showing some places, presenting the inhabitants, harvesting some laughs, planting McGuffins´and Chekhovs´for the further parts, and continuing the introduction trip without looking back is something modern fantasy is not used to anymore. Today there are more fast cuts between perspectives, always cliffhangery, well plotted, suspenseful, retrospectives,… in modern writing that is far less exhausting to read and difficult to follow than this classic series, one of the reasons some might find Pratchett hard to read.
I don´t know if there are many people who may be able to find all the innuendos, connotations, and subtilities hidden in the Discworld, as one would have to have immense knowledge about so many different fields to fully enjoy each treasure hidden by this literary prodigy.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
December 8, 2020
Buddy read with my lovely friend, Choko 😘
Omg! We had so much fun with this book!! I loved it so much!! Me and Choko plan on reading them all and I’m just thrilled! These characters crack me up and I love them!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Omg! We had so much fun with this book!! I loved it so much!! Me and Choko plan on reading them all and I’m just thrilled! These characters crack me up and I love them!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 18, 2022
3.5 stars. A step up from the first Discworld book, but doesn't deliver like books later in the series
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
This really does feel like the first Discworld book, because the first one seemed like a totally different thing given the episodic nature of it. This one follows a single arc like the rest of the books, and was overall a more enjoyable experience. The story is entertaining, and the characters feel fresh and unique for this genre.
I wouldn't recommend this book to someone however to start out the series given that there are much better Discworld books to be read, however this is a solid read if you are already hooked on the series.
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
This really does feel like the first Discworld book, because the first one seemed like a totally different thing given the episodic nature of it. This one follows a single arc like the rest of the books, and was overall a more enjoyable experience. The story is entertaining, and the characters feel fresh and unique for this genre.
I wouldn't recommend this book to someone however to start out the series given that there are much better Discworld books to be read, however this is a solid read if you are already hooked on the series.
February 24, 2024
Series Buddy read 2024/25
Well it is 5 years since I last read this and it was just as much fun again.
This is a buddy read with Trish, who is probably the biggest Discworld fan I know. And a lot faster reader than I am, or at least reads more than I do. Well the upshot is, that I am already a couple of books behind. However as Trish says it isn't a competition, and I will bimble along behind her like the luggage.
I have tried twice to read all the Discworld novels, and never managed it for various reasons, so I am hoping with the unflagging support of Trish, that I will this time get to the end of the series. Looking forward to it !!
Ad hoc part series read 2019
Review to follow tomorrow, but tell me why have I waited so long to re-read the Discworld books. 😢😳
And the honest answer is, well for a while I didn't have a copy of any Discworld novel, due to the fact that (as I think I've mentioned before (oh no am I getting so old I'm repeating myself ?) ) I lost so so so many books in one of my house moves, Discworld novels amongst them. And then somehow I forgot just how good the books were.
So The Light Fantastic picks up where The Colour of Magic left off and we find Rincwind, Twoflower and the Luggage in a precarious (as normal) situation. In my view this is better than Colour of Magic in that it is less a series of quite disjointed stories and more a whole novel. We meet various other characters that help/hinder/attack/welcome our intrepid trio as well as separating them and ultimately bringing it all back together for an amazing finale. A great book that showcases the amazing talent that Terry Pratchett had .
A more than solid 5 star read and already a favourite of 2019.
Well it is 5 years since I last read this and it was just as much fun again.
This is a buddy read with Trish, who is probably the biggest Discworld fan I know. And a lot faster reader than I am, or at least reads more than I do. Well the upshot is, that I am already a couple of books behind. However as Trish says it isn't a competition, and I will bimble along behind her like the luggage.
I have tried twice to read all the Discworld novels, and never managed it for various reasons, so I am hoping with the unflagging support of Trish, that I will this time get to the end of the series. Looking forward to it !!
Ad hoc part series read 2019
Review to follow tomorrow, but tell me why have I waited so long to re-read the Discworld books. 😢😳
And the honest answer is, well for a while I didn't have a copy of any Discworld novel, due to the fact that (as I think I've mentioned before (oh no am I getting so old I'm repeating myself ?) ) I lost so so so many books in one of my house moves, Discworld novels amongst them. And then somehow I forgot just how good the books were.
So The Light Fantastic picks up where The Colour of Magic left off and we find Rincwind, Twoflower and the Luggage in a precarious (as normal) situation. In my view this is better than Colour of Magic in that it is less a series of quite disjointed stories and more a whole novel. We meet various other characters that help/hinder/attack/welcome our intrepid trio as well as separating them and ultimately bringing it all back together for an amazing finale. A great book that showcases the amazing talent that Terry Pratchett had .
A more than solid 5 star read and already a favourite of 2019.
January 26, 2024
Re-Read 1/25/24:
It always seems to get better with every read.
It's not only comforting to almost die 28... or wait, 29 times(?) but also a joy to be swallowed by your luggage.
And yet, this is not nearly anything like the complete happiness of reading Pratchett.
What a grand, magical adventure. With babies.
Original Review:
Re-read with buddies!
I'm still very much enjoying these early Pratchett books, especially in mind that I'll be seeing a *lot* more of these folks in the near future. And even if I'll mainly be focused on folks I haven't seen yet, anyway, I'm still enjoying what may as well be an overview primer of the whole Discworld universe.
That being said, I think Rincewind is given a bad rap in the series. I love the hell out of him. He's the ultimate bumbling idiot under the geas of a penultimate Eighth Spell, the casting of which will make or destroy the universe or something, and the making and breaking is ultimately left up only to him.
And he's a wizard with a hat that says "wizzard" on it. You know... to make sure people understand that he's actually one of their kind. :) I particularly loved the bits with the floating rocks and the computers of the universe and the dungeon universes and, of course, Cohen the Barbarian.
It's funny, it's BIG, and we even get to see the tourism industry take off in a really big way, even going so far as to have the very first tourist play a big part in a very special birth. Awwwww... So sweet! :)
Plotwise, I think it's well up to the standards of the rest of the series and while Rincewind falls away in people's favor, *cry* He'll always have a very special place in my heart.
And by the way, that sword is definitely smarter than him. Oh well!
Great fun! Even better the second time!
It always seems to get better with every read.
It's not only comforting to almost die 28... or wait, 29 times(?) but also a joy to be swallowed by your luggage.
And yet, this is not nearly anything like the complete happiness of reading Pratchett.
What a grand, magical adventure. With babies.
Original Review:
Re-read with buddies!
I'm still very much enjoying these early Pratchett books, especially in mind that I'll be seeing a *lot* more of these folks in the near future. And even if I'll mainly be focused on folks I haven't seen yet, anyway, I'm still enjoying what may as well be an overview primer of the whole Discworld universe.
That being said, I think Rincewind is given a bad rap in the series. I love the hell out of him. He's the ultimate bumbling idiot under the geas of a penultimate Eighth Spell, the casting of which will make or destroy the universe or something, and the making and breaking is ultimately left up only to him.
And he's a wizard with a hat that says "wizzard" on it. You know... to make sure people understand that he's actually one of their kind. :) I particularly loved the bits with the floating rocks and the computers of the universe and the dungeon universes and, of course, Cohen the Barbarian.
It's funny, it's BIG, and we even get to see the tourism industry take off in a really big way, even going so far as to have the very first tourist play a big part in a very special birth. Awwwww... So sweet! :)
Plotwise, I think it's well up to the standards of the rest of the series and while Rincewind falls away in people's favor, *cry* He'll always have a very special place in my heart.
And by the way, that sword is definitely smarter than him. Oh well!
Great fun! Even better the second time!
February 26, 2021
“The sun rose slowly as if it wasn’t sure it was worth all the effort.”
If you follow my reviews, you already know that I’m a sucker for English humor. I adore the sarcasm, wit, innuendo, and self-depreciation that the English apply with such skill. And the very English Sir Terry Pratchett is inventive, irreverent, ingenious, and imaginative as indicated! Before I read my first Pratchett novel, I did a little research. The advice I found was to start with “Guards, Guards,” followed by “The Light Fantastic”, and then “Soul Music”. I now wish I had just started with “The Color of Magic” and then just continued in order. You don’t have to, the books work standalone, but I think you’ll miss out on some subtleties if you jump around. Anyway, although “Guards, Guards!” is often held to be the best of Discworld (and I did love it), I enjoyed “The Light Fantastic” even more.
“It looked like the sort of book described in library catalogues as 'slightly foxed', although it would be more honest to admit that it looked as though it had been badgered, wolved and possibly beared as well.”
This book follows an inept wizard, Rincewind and an array of traveling companions, Twoflower – a naïve tourist, the luggage – a loyal, murderous suitcase with a set of centipede-like legs, and an elderly and toothless Conan the Barbarian. Chased by wizards and then spurred on by a looming apocalypse, the story ambles though a series of odd and hilarious locations such as a gingerbread house, a stone computer, a trans dimensional store, and ultimately climaxing at the Unseen University in the fabled town of Ankh-Morpork. The tale is fun and unpredictable, but the real joy is the continuous onslaught of humor. Pratchett is relentless and packs in more jokes, puns, and anecdotes in a chapter, than most comedic authors cover in an entire novel.
“The Luggage said nothing, but louder this time.”
Five zany stars for this fantastic romp though the twisted imagination of Sir Terry Pratchett that made me smirk, giggle, snicker, and right larf out loud from Page 1 to ‘The End!"
If you follow my reviews, you already know that I’m a sucker for English humor. I adore the sarcasm, wit, innuendo, and self-depreciation that the English apply with such skill. And the very English Sir Terry Pratchett is inventive, irreverent, ingenious, and imaginative as indicated! Before I read my first Pratchett novel, I did a little research. The advice I found was to start with “Guards, Guards,” followed by “The Light Fantastic”, and then “Soul Music”. I now wish I had just started with “The Color of Magic” and then just continued in order. You don’t have to, the books work standalone, but I think you’ll miss out on some subtleties if you jump around. Anyway, although “Guards, Guards!” is often held to be the best of Discworld (and I did love it), I enjoyed “The Light Fantastic” even more.
“It looked like the sort of book described in library catalogues as 'slightly foxed', although it would be more honest to admit that it looked as though it had been badgered, wolved and possibly beared as well.”
This book follows an inept wizard, Rincewind and an array of traveling companions, Twoflower – a naïve tourist, the luggage – a loyal, murderous suitcase with a set of centipede-like legs, and an elderly and toothless Conan the Barbarian. Chased by wizards and then spurred on by a looming apocalypse, the story ambles though a series of odd and hilarious locations such as a gingerbread house, a stone computer, a trans dimensional store, and ultimately climaxing at the Unseen University in the fabled town of Ankh-Morpork. The tale is fun and unpredictable, but the real joy is the continuous onslaught of humor. Pratchett is relentless and packs in more jokes, puns, and anecdotes in a chapter, than most comedic authors cover in an entire novel.
“The Luggage said nothing, but louder this time.”
Five zany stars for this fantastic romp though the twisted imagination of Sir Terry Pratchett that made me smirk, giggle, snicker, and right larf out loud from Page 1 to ‘The End!"
May 17, 2017
I adore Terry Pratchett. I don't know how to elaborate on that so I'll just share some of my favorite moments in Light Fantastic.
Snarky social commentary:
General humor:
The lamest pun ever:
The Luggage remains my favorite:
I might briefly have shipped Rincewind and Twoflower in this moment:
Snarky social commentary:
She is there, down below the mines and sea ooze and fake fossil bones put there by a Creator with nothing better to do than upset archaeologists and give them silly ideas.
Not for the first time she reflected that there were many drawbacks to being a swordswoman, not the least of which was that men didn't take you seriously until you'd actually killed them, by which time it didn't really matter anyway. (...) But she was too big to be a thief, too honest to be an assassin, too intelligent to be a wife, and too proud to enter the only other female profession generally available.
General humor:
Someone who spent his life living rough under the sky knew the value of a good thick book, which ought to outlast at least a season of cooking fires if you were careful how you tore the pages out.
Magic! So that's what it felt like! No wonder wizards didn't have much truck with sex!
"She's not bad," said Twoflower. "She's going to marry a friend of ours."
"Does he know?"
Most people on the Disc were currently in a state of mind normally achievable only by a lifetime of dedicated meditation or about thirty seconds of illegal herbage.
The lamest pun ever:
"Rincewind, all the shops have been smashed open, there was a whole bunch of people across the street helping themselves to musical instruments, can you believe that?"
"Yeah," said Rincewind. "Luters, I expect."
The Luggage remains my favorite:
The Luggage said nothing.
"Look he's not my responsibility," said Rincewind. "Let's be absolutely clear about that."
The Luggage said nothing, but louder this time.
"Um," said Twoflower. "Yes. That's about enough, I think. Put him down, please."
The Luggage gave a creak of betrayal at the sound of its master's voice.
I might briefly have shipped Rincewind and Twoflower in this moment:
(Rincewind, about Twoflower) He just looks at things, but nothing he looks at is ever the same again. Including me, I expect.
August 22, 2016
Put two of my favourite Discworld characters,the Luggage and Death, into the same book and I am obviously going to be happy! This was a reread of this book which I read the first time many years ago. Pratchett obviously improved his writing as the series progressed and his books became more sophisticated, but these early works are still a delight. I love the humour, the characters, the story and the sheer imagination of the man.
The world is poorer without him but thank goodness he left us so many books to enjoy.
The world is poorer without him but thank goodness he left us so many books to enjoy.
May 17, 2020
Death made a great appearance in this story. Small, but spot on. This is absurdism at its best.
I enjoy The Color of Magic, but it was a slow read. It didn't hook me completely into the series, but I did know that I wanted more of this. I thought this story was fantastic. I know it's only the 2nd one, but this story was great. It's so funny and punny.
We see Rincewind hanging over the rim of the discworld. I mean this whole story is so great. Then we find out that the great turtle is heading toward a red star in space and it freaks the people of discworld right out.
Rincewind is chased all over the place. He has one of the great 8 spells lodged in his head and it's needed to deal with this red star threat. This book was what I had been wanting from this series and I get why it's so popular now. Pieces, like the retail shop that materializes here and there, remind me of the Hitchhiker's guide.
Terry is an amazing wit and author and now I can't wait to read more of this series. I thought the ending was simply beautiful. I also love the way Terry makes fun of the eggheads and the wise wizard archetypes, but yet, they are still important. This is stellar storytelling.
I'm a huge fan.
I enjoy The Color of Magic, but it was a slow read. It didn't hook me completely into the series, but I did know that I wanted more of this. I thought this story was fantastic. I know it's only the 2nd one, but this story was great. It's so funny and punny.
We see Rincewind hanging over the rim of the discworld. I mean this whole story is so great. Then we find out that the great turtle is heading toward a red star in space and it freaks the people of discworld right out.
Rincewind is chased all over the place. He has one of the great 8 spells lodged in his head and it's needed to deal with this red star threat. This book was what I had been wanting from this series and I get why it's so popular now. Pieces, like the retail shop that materializes here and there, remind me of the Hitchhiker's guide.
Terry is an amazing wit and author and now I can't wait to read more of this series. I thought the ending was simply beautiful. I also love the way Terry makes fun of the eggheads and the wise wizard archetypes, but yet, they are still important. This is stellar storytelling.
I'm a huge fan.
August 8, 2021
I’m glad I didn’t give up on this series, I thought book one was overrated but after reading book two, it’s safe to say that though this isn’t your regular fantasy book it is a great one.
“Inside every sane person there’s a madman struggling to get out,” said the shopkeeper. “That’s what I’ve always thought. No one goes mad quicker than a totally sane person.”
Book two still follows Rincewind and Two Flower, their adventure continues. I really enjoyed reading this, I think I finally get the world. I can’t wait to see what the author throws at us next.
The writing is sporadic but fun, It’s get it now, the POV shift is the worst but I get it now. Then there’s the humor, I love it so much.
Rincewind was the hero in this, I hope things gets better for him. Two Flower is still very optimistic, I like that about him. There was more information about the wizards in this, the plot is slowly expanding. However there are lots of random information that makes absolutely no sense to me. I hope it does in time.
“Inside every sane person there’s a madman struggling to get out,” said the shopkeeper. “That’s what I’ve always thought. No one goes mad quicker than a totally sane person.”
Book two still follows Rincewind and Two Flower, their adventure continues. I really enjoyed reading this, I think I finally get the world. I can’t wait to see what the author throws at us next.
The writing is sporadic but fun, It’s get it now, the POV shift is the worst but I get it now. Then there’s the humor, I love it so much.
Rincewind was the hero in this, I hope things gets better for him. Two Flower is still very optimistic, I like that about him. There was more information about the wizards in this, the plot is slowly expanding. However there are lots of random information that makes absolutely no sense to me. I hope it does in time.
January 27, 2024
Awesome!!!
What can I say, which has not been said about the brilliant Terry Pratchett? He is still the best at bringing humor to absurd Fantasy, and we as readers just have to buckle up for the ride! I am happy to be reading the series with my friend Mel, and the shared joy of following our reluctant heroes through the Diskworld, makes the experience even more cherished! Highly recommend to all😉
What can I say, which has not been said about the brilliant Terry Pratchett? He is still the best at bringing humor to absurd Fantasy, and we as readers just have to buckle up for the ride! I am happy to be reading the series with my friend Mel, and the shared joy of following our reluctant heroes through the Diskworld, makes the experience even more cherished! Highly recommend to all😉
December 14, 2020
I'm late to the Discworld party but I'm not leaving. Pratchett's writing is stealthily brilliant, the world-building is already remarkable with over forty to go, and it's often quite funny. I've been in a reading slump; in different times I'd have devoured this. No matter, when I could disappear in its pages I was entertained, absorbed and happy. I finished and bought the next two; joy has been in short supply for many of us and when I can concentrate and not lose focus to the constant incoming on the news, this series makes me joyful.
And I'm in Character Love with the Luggage. which has tourist Twoflower's clothes and accessories and also many spindly legs on which it moves quickly and creepily. Like most of our luggage has at some time, the Luggage goes missing and shows back up...when it shows back up. It first appears in book one, The Color of Magic, and won my heart then, just that short quote in my review has me laughing as I type:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In The Light Fantastic, Luggage plays an important part, be still my heart: chomping on bad creatures, disappearing and reappearing, doing some great jump scares, solving problems, still pulling faces ahaha and generally doing things I'm, no pun intended, enchanted with.
Good Omens is one of my favorite books (and, fyi, also one of my favorite adaptations) and in The Light Fantastic it became obvious that certain parts of Good Omens were written by Pratchett, particularly one of my favorite parts: the dialogue of the Hell's Angels that ride with the Four Horsepersons of the Apocalypse. The dialogue is so hilarious it wasn't in the miniseries because it wouldn't have worked. You have to have been there: in the book, bless his brilliant brain and friendship with Neil Gaiman.
The quality of Pratchett's writing is terrific. The intelligence and thought poured into every character and element of the book, the technical aspects Pratchett has nailed, aren't always obvious amid all that fun and cleverness. It's there though. And with over forty more Discworld books to go, it's great knowing the series holds as many riches as my dear Luggage does gold.
And I'm in Character Love with the Luggage. which has tourist Twoflower's clothes and accessories and also many spindly legs on which it moves quickly and creepily. Like most of our luggage has at some time, the Luggage goes missing and shows back up...when it shows back up. It first appears in book one, The Color of Magic, and won my heart then, just that short quote in my review has me laughing as I type:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In The Light Fantastic, Luggage plays an important part, be still my heart: chomping on bad creatures, disappearing and reappearing, doing some great jump scares, solving problems, still pulling faces ahaha and generally doing things I'm, no pun intended, enchanted with.
Good Omens is one of my favorite books (and, fyi, also one of my favorite adaptations) and in The Light Fantastic it became obvious that certain parts of Good Omens were written by Pratchett, particularly one of my favorite parts: the dialogue of the Hell's Angels that ride with the Four Horsepersons of the Apocalypse. The dialogue is so hilarious it wasn't in the miniseries because it wouldn't have worked. You have to have been there: in the book, bless his brilliant brain and friendship with Neil Gaiman.
The quality of Pratchett's writing is terrific. The intelligence and thought poured into every character and element of the book, the technical aspects Pratchett has nailed, aren't always obvious amid all that fun and cleverness. It's there though. And with over forty more Discworld books to go, it's great knowing the series holds as many riches as my dear Luggage does gold.
June 1, 2015
Decidí darle una segunda oportunidad al Mundodisco, porque los fans de Pratchett me han comentado que la saga lo merece, no porque tenga algún problema obsesivo compulsivo con dejar cosas sin terminar...
y ¡Wau! las diferencias entre El color de la magia y La luz fantástica son abismales, casi todos los problemas que tuve con el primer libro se resuelven acá, este si me pareció gracioso, si es concluyente y... resuelve una incógnita del primer libro que me molestaba bastante Rincewind, a pesar de ser un mago bastante simplón y no hacer magia, sobrevive a toda la serie de eventos desafortunados que se le ha presentado, pues hay una razón para ello.
En la luz fantástica continuaremos la historia de Rincewind y Dosflores (Two-flo-wers)
esta pareja dispareja que ha desarrollado una especie de amistad gracias a todas sus aventuras y cuya travesía por el Disco aun no termina, y que seria de ellos sin el fiel Equipaje el mejor de los artilugios mágicos de todos los tiempos, ademas, esta vez conoceremos a Cohen el bárbaro, el guerrero mas famoso del disco, que ya tiene 87 años y esta sufriendo problemas de espalda, lo que no le impide realizar proezas, solo las hace mas graciosas.
En fin, esta libro me gusto mucho, me saco varias risas y me dejo con ganas de leer mas del Mundodisco, me alegra haberle dado otra oportunidad a la saga, y creo que si habéis leído El color de la magia, debes leer este libro, quien sabe quizás quedes
y ¡Wau! las diferencias entre El color de la magia y La luz fantástica son abismales, casi todos los problemas que tuve con el primer libro se resuelven acá, este si me pareció gracioso, si es concluyente y... resuelve una incógnita del primer libro que me molestaba bastante Rincewind, a pesar de ser un mago bastante simplón y no hacer magia, sobrevive a toda la serie de eventos desafortunados que se le ha presentado, pues hay una razón para ello.
En la luz fantástica continuaremos la historia de Rincewind y Dosflores (Two-flo-wers)
esta pareja dispareja que ha desarrollado una especie de amistad gracias a todas sus aventuras y cuya travesía por el Disco aun no termina, y que seria de ellos sin el fiel Equipaje el mejor de los artilugios mágicos de todos los tiempos, ademas, esta vez conoceremos a Cohen el bárbaro, el guerrero mas famoso del disco, que ya tiene 87 años y esta sufriendo problemas de espalda, lo que no le impide realizar proezas, solo las hace mas graciosas.
En fin, esta libro me gusto mucho, me saco varias risas y me dejo con ganas de leer mas del Mundodisco, me alegra haberle dado otra oportunidad a la saga, y creo que si habéis leído El color de la magia, debes leer este libro, quien sabe quizás quedes
sonriendo como un necrófilo en un depósito de cadáveres.
June 14, 2017
The Light Fantastic (Discworld #2), Terry Pratchett
The Light Fantastic is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, the second of the Discworld series.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ششم ماه می سال 2016 میلادی
عنوان: مجموعه جهان صفحه - کتاب 02 - نور حیرت انگیز؛ نویسنده: سر تری پرتچت (پراچت)؛ مترجم: آرزو احمی؛ تهران، ویدا، 1392؛ در 290 ص؛ شابک: 9789646807860؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی قرن 20 م
ادامه کتاب نخست است از سری جهان صفحه
این مجموعه بیش از چهل رمان است که در زمینهٔ خیالپردازی و طنز و هزل هستند؛ و تقریباً هر چیزی را زیر این آسمان و تابش خورشید، به سخره گرفته اند. دیسک ورلد، صفحهٔ تختی است که روی شانهٔ چهار فیل غولپیکر قرار گرفته، فیلهایی که خود بر روی پشت آتوئین کبیر، لاک پشت عظیم الجثه ای قرار گرفته اند، که در دنیای بیکران، شناکنان به سوی مقصد نامعلومی حرکت میکند. رمانهای تری پرچت؛ تقریباً هرچه شخصیت خیالی و علمی-تخیلی ست، را شامل میشود، ایده ها و حقهها، شرکت فیلمسازی برگمن، استرالیا، انتشار روزنامه، موزیک راک اند رول، فرهنگ، فلسفه، تاریخ مصر باستان، مهاجرت قبایل اولیه، بینظمی و سلطنت. و ... تا به امروز از این مجموعه رمانهای: نور حیرت انگیز؛ مورت؛ رنگ جادو؛ خواهران سرنوشت، جادوی مرجع؛ اهرام؛ آیینها�� برابر در کشور ما نیز ترجمه و منتشر شده است. ا. شربیانی
The Light Fantastic is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, the second of the Discworld series.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ششم ماه می سال 2016 میلادی
عنوان: مجموعه جهان صفحه - کتاب 02 - نور حیرت انگیز؛ نویسنده: سر تری پرتچت (پراچت)؛ مترجم: آرزو احمی؛ تهران، ویدا، 1392؛ در 290 ص؛ شابک: 9789646807860؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی قرن 20 م
ادامه کتاب نخست است از سری جهان صفحه
این مجموعه بیش از چهل رمان است که در زمینهٔ خیالپردازی و طنز و هزل هستند؛ و تقریباً هر چیزی را زیر این آسمان و تابش خورشید، به سخره گرفته اند. دیسک ورلد، صفحهٔ تختی است که روی شانهٔ چهار فیل غولپیکر قرار گرفته، فیلهایی که خود بر روی پشت آتوئین کبیر، لاک پشت عظیم الجثه ای قرار گرفته اند، که در دنیای بیکران، شناکنان به سوی مقصد نامعلومی حرکت میکند. رمانهای تری پرچت؛ تقریباً هرچه شخصیت خیالی و علمی-تخیلی ست، را شامل میشود، ایده ها و حقهها، شرکت فیلمسازی برگمن، استرالیا، انتشار روزنامه، موزیک راک اند رول، فرهنگ، فلسفه، تاریخ مصر باستان، مهاجرت قبایل اولیه، بینظمی و سلطنت. و ... تا به امروز از این مجموعه رمانهای: نور حیرت انگیز؛ مورت؛ رنگ جادو؛ خواهران سرنوشت، جادوی مرجع؛ اهرام؛ آیینها�� برابر در کشور ما نیز ترجمه و منتشر شده است. ا. شربیانی
August 1, 2008
I'm pretty sure people have told me about Pratchett and his Diskworld series before, usually working in the phrase "He's the Douglas Adams of fantasy" into the description. But the problem was that I always felt that I had had enough of Adams after the third Hithiker's Guide to the Galaxy book, and whenever I scanned Pratchett's section in the bookstore I was immediately put off by not knowing where to start reading among the approximately five hundred thousand Diskworld books. I'm glad I finally took the time to find out that these two books, The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, jointly comprise the first tale in the series, and that they were definitely worth reading.
The Diskworld books are essentially satire of the high fantasy genre, or at least that's the foundation upon which everything else is built. This pair of books follows the misadventures of Rincewind, a utterly inept and thoroughly cowardly wizard, and Twoflowers, a clueless traveler who happens to be in possession of both endless optimism and a magical suitcase that's always wandering off and messily devouring people who get in its way. Things go from bad to worse for the two as divine powers both deliver them into and yank them out of all kinds of fantastic perils.
As someone who grew up reading plenty of this kind of thing and playing a lot of Dungeons& Dragons, I'm familiar enough with the genre and trappings that Pratchett lampoons. Yes, there's the Conan parody, there's the Dragonriders of Pern tribute, there's the in-joke about Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser. But that's easy. The thing that made me almost immediately fall in love with these books is the author's dry wit and his ability to derive humor not only from the absurdity of the story (and believe me, it gets plenty absurd) but also from just good old fashioned turns of phrase, wry commentary, and jokes. The guy just has an amazing ability to stuff five or six jokes into a single sentence, most of them making masterful use of that trusty standby of British humor, irony. It's really smart and really funny, and the fact that it builds on the inherent silliness of the high fantasy genre is just icing.
I should also note how imaginative Pratchett is, which is a useful quality given his subject matter. He bounces his heroes from one (generally horrible and dangerous) situation to another at a frantic pace, and his ability to come up with new material and new situations amazes me. And while many of them are obvious parodies of fantasy staples, just as many seem to be wholly new creations. As one small (and obligatory) example, the Diskworld itself is a flat coin of a world that rides atop four enormous elephants, who themselves ride on the back of a colossal turtle with two continent-sized flippers that it uses to swim slowly through the cold reaches of space.
But at the same time, if I have one complaint about these first two books, it's that they're almost maniacal in their plotting. While it's nice to see Pratchett's considerable imagination and humor on display as we go from situation to situation, the first book reads like an extended doodle with little plot and a whole "gods playing games with mortals" subtext that's entirely dropped in the next book. There's also one Conan the Barbarian parody that's abruptly dropped in favor of another Conan the Barbarian parody who Pratchett apparently liked better. It's not until the latter part of the second book does an overall plot come into play, but honestly I was enjoying myself so much I really didn't mind. Expect to see lots more Discworld books reviewed here in the future.
The Diskworld books are essentially satire of the high fantasy genre, or at least that's the foundation upon which everything else is built. This pair of books follows the misadventures of Rincewind, a utterly inept and thoroughly cowardly wizard, and Twoflowers, a clueless traveler who happens to be in possession of both endless optimism and a magical suitcase that's always wandering off and messily devouring people who get in its way. Things go from bad to worse for the two as divine powers both deliver them into and yank them out of all kinds of fantastic perils.
As someone who grew up reading plenty of this kind of thing and playing a lot of Dungeons& Dragons, I'm familiar enough with the genre and trappings that Pratchett lampoons. Yes, there's the Conan parody, there's the Dragonriders of Pern tribute, there's the in-joke about Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser. But that's easy. The thing that made me almost immediately fall in love with these books is the author's dry wit and his ability to derive humor not only from the absurdity of the story (and believe me, it gets plenty absurd) but also from just good old fashioned turns of phrase, wry commentary, and jokes. The guy just has an amazing ability to stuff five or six jokes into a single sentence, most of them making masterful use of that trusty standby of British humor, irony. It's really smart and really funny, and the fact that it builds on the inherent silliness of the high fantasy genre is just icing.
I should also note how imaginative Pratchett is, which is a useful quality given his subject matter. He bounces his heroes from one (generally horrible and dangerous) situation to another at a frantic pace, and his ability to come up with new material and new situations amazes me. And while many of them are obvious parodies of fantasy staples, just as many seem to be wholly new creations. As one small (and obligatory) example, the Diskworld itself is a flat coin of a world that rides atop four enormous elephants, who themselves ride on the back of a colossal turtle with two continent-sized flippers that it uses to swim slowly through the cold reaches of space.
But at the same time, if I have one complaint about these first two books, it's that they're almost maniacal in their plotting. While it's nice to see Pratchett's considerable imagination and humor on display as we go from situation to situation, the first book reads like an extended doodle with little plot and a whole "gods playing games with mortals" subtext that's entirely dropped in the next book. There's also one Conan the Barbarian parody that's abruptly dropped in favor of another Conan the Barbarian parody who Pratchett apparently liked better. It's not until the latter part of the second book does an overall plot come into play, but honestly I was enjoying myself so much I really didn't mind. Expect to see lots more Discworld books reviewed here in the future.
May 28, 2019
"You still love Terry Pratchett, after all these years?"
"Always."
- Gandalf, Return of the Jedi.
Jokes aside, my teen years were marked by edginess, heavy metal, nihilism and Terry Pratchett. I think the latter was never a phase; he is an author that will always be in my heart and in my head, providing bellyache-inducing laughs whenever Death has an identity crisis (which is always) or when Nanny Ogg is trying to explain to her seemingly infinite children who their real fathers are(and lying through her teeth).
Even though Rincewind and Twoflower aren't my favourites, they still hold a special place in my heart because they were in the first Pratchett books I read.
courtesy of Jen's mini review
"Always."
- Gandalf, Return of the Jedi.
Jokes aside, my teen years were marked by edginess, heavy metal, nihilism and Terry Pratchett. I think the latter was never a phase; he is an author that will always be in my heart and in my head, providing bellyache-inducing laughs whenever Death has an identity crisis (which is always) or when Nanny Ogg is trying to explain to her seemingly infinite children who their real fathers are(and lying through her teeth).
Even though Rincewind and Twoflower aren't my favourites, they still hold a special place in my heart because they were in the first Pratchett books I read.
courtesy of Jen's mini review
September 14, 2015
"Inside every sane person, there's a madman struggling to get out. That's what I've always thought. No one goes mad quicker than a totally sane person."
The second installment in the Discworld series is a bigger, funnier delight. One heck of a Laugh Out Loud read.
Something I consider very special in Sir Terry Pratchett's works is that many authors can pull off a joke every once in a while in their stories but Mr Pratchett managed to keep the whole thing comical, while at the time satirical. Not once did I not grin or snort out loud.
In The Colour of Magic, Rincewind was last seen (read?) falling off the rim of the world. Well, he landed safely on his arse. Thank goodness or he couldn't be much use if he's dead.
Things are turning quite grim now. Great A'Tuin the turtle is wading its giant flippers toward a 'red star'. The closer it is (I feel very sorry for calling the World Turtle an 'it' but in my defense, 'it's' sex is still undetermined afterall!) to the star, the weaker and more unbalanced the magic is back in Discworld!
The only way to prevent the apocalypse is to recite all 8 spells from a magic book called Octavo. However one last spell is missing. Where could it be?! It also didn't help Rincewind's situation and mood when he found out that there's a certain prophecy about him.
I'm not a big reader when it comes to books with apocalypse in it looming just around the corner. Too bleak, I say. But this was a purely fun ride that follows with Rincewind's unfortunate adventures.
The worldbuilding is still just as bizarre as the last book. Except now it has a fairytale feel to it. There's even a scene where Rincewind and Twoflower took refuge in a gingerbread house! Sounds familiar? *cough* Hansel and Gretel! *cough*
Characterizations [humans, fantastical creatures and things alike]:
I have a very special place in my heart for nearly all the peopleand creatures in the book. Of course I have certain favourites myself but I couldn't resist liking nearly everything and everyone. It sounds so corny of me, I know. But damn it, I can't help myself not when they're all so fleshed out well. Definitely not when they each have their own unique quirky personality.
Rincewind shows even more of his cynicism and it didn't exactly help his ill bedside manners being partnered with the impossibly, insufferably optimistic Twoflower.
He held a great disdain within him toward people and situations in life. He's not just cynical, I like to think of him as pessimistic too. He also has a knack of running in the opposite directions from things he's terrified of instead of plunging straight into the fire and save the day. Some people would say that he's quite the coward. I would say that he's quite the survivalist.
Rincewind's snappy moods, impatience and crankiness have really grown on me. Irregardless of how distasteful his actions may be at times!
I have to tip my hat on behalf of Twoflower, the first tourist of Ankh-Morpork may be the only one who can understand and tolerate Rincewind. While he is pessimistic, Twoflower is optimistic. Rincewind's cowardly but Twoflowers's noble and is willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Rincewind is quick to rage but Twoflower's best merits are his patience and his forgiving nature.
How can I not resist someone like him? I can't! He's so good-hearted, it either made you despise how he's so insufferably annoying at that or... you find him irresistible. It is the latter for me.
Then there's The Luggage, it's name suggest what it is. A luggage that carries laundries for its master! Except it's no ordinary luggage. For one thing, it has hundreds of tiny little legs to take it anywhere. It's lid serves as a mouth and when it wants to look menancing, it snaps the lid up and down. Don't get too close - it's a luggage that bites and snapsand eats people up!
With the Luggage in your possession, you can be in no harm as long as:
So aside from looking menancing, what else does it do? You'd be awed that not only The Luggage is useful in carrying loads, it is also very loyal, quick in thinking and even quicker so in taking actions (with those hundreds of little legs? No doubt) to save those in distress. Don't ask me how a luggage can think. I have no idea! Point is, the Luggage can be real scary to the point that even barbarians soil their trousers. You should be scared.
Then there are the minor people, creatures and things alike such as a group of incompetent swordsmen led by a woman, talking trees, a goblin, an imp who paints, a barbarian, DEATH and his comrades, stone trolls, a cursed shopkeeper, a mob of crazy superstitious people with pitchforks.... and so on and so forth. I expected to get clogged up with all these many minor characters coming and going. But not-so-surprisingly, I didn't feel confused or got side tracked by them. Each one of them has personalities and they're not forgettable. Not when they do or say something incredibly incredible, funny or stupid. Pratchett can write about the smallest pebble on a ground of dirt and still make it interesting and full of persona.
As a final conclusion, I can't say much except that... well, this book was just fucking fantastic and it won my heart and soul completely. That about sums up my thoughts.
Besides, it's almost impossible to pick apart or find anything wrong in something that can switch on your 'HAHA' button each seconds. The jokes are distracting!
Doctor's Prescription and Warning:
This is the medicine for when you feel blue or angry.
No, it's not supposed to be some pills.
It's this book.
However, read with care for each sentences and every passages are induced with high dosages of humour. Limit your level of intake in case you overdosed on the words and choke on your spit bellowing with laughter.
The second installment in the Discworld series is a bigger, funnier delight. One heck of a Laugh Out Loud read.
Something I consider very special in Sir Terry Pratchett's works is that many authors can pull off a joke every once in a while in their stories but Mr Pratchett managed to keep the whole thing comical, while at the time satirical. Not once did I not grin or snort out loud.
In The Colour of Magic, Rincewind was last seen (read?) falling off the rim of the world. Well, he landed safely on his arse. Thank goodness or he couldn't be much use if he's dead.
Things are turning quite grim now. Great A'Tuin the turtle is wading its giant flippers toward a 'red star'. The closer it is (I feel very sorry for calling the World Turtle an 'it' but in my defense, 'it's' sex is still undetermined afterall!) to the star, the weaker and more unbalanced the magic is back in Discworld!
The only way to prevent the apocalypse is to recite all 8 spells from a magic book called Octavo. However one last spell is missing. Where could it be?! It also didn't help Rincewind's situation and mood when he found out that there's a certain prophecy about him.
I'm not a big reader when it comes to books with apocalypse in it looming just around the corner. Too bleak, I say. But this was a purely fun ride that follows with Rincewind's unfortunate adventures.
The worldbuilding is still just as bizarre as the last book. Except now it has a fairytale feel to it. There's even a scene where Rincewind and Twoflower took refuge in a gingerbread house! Sounds familiar? *cough* Hansel and Gretel! *cough*
Characterizations [humans, fantastical creatures and things alike]:
I have a very special place in my heart for nearly all the people
Rincewind shows even more of his cynicism and it didn't exactly help his ill bedside manners being partnered with the impossibly, insufferably optimistic Twoflower.
"I expect everything will turn out quite all right in the end," said Twoflower.
Rincewind looked at him. Remarks like that always threw him off.
"Do you really believe that? I mean," he said. "Really?"
"Well, things generally do work out satisfactorily, when you come to think about it."
"If you think the total disruption of my life in the last year is satisfactory then you might be right. I've lost count of the times I've nearly been killed--"
"Twenty-seven," said Twoflower.
"What?"
He held a great disdain within him toward people and situations in life. He's not just cynical, I like to think of him as pessimistic too. He also has a knack of running in the opposite directions from things he's terrified of instead of plunging straight into the fire and save the day. Some people would say that he's quite the coward. I would say that he's quite the survivalist.
'He always held that panic was the best means of survival; back in the olden days, his theory went, people faced with hungry saber-toothed tigers could be divided very simply into those who panicked and those who stood there saying. "What a magnificent brute!" and "Here, pussy."
Rincewind's snappy moods, impatience and crankiness have really grown on me. Irregardless of how distasteful his actions may be at times!
I have to tip my hat on behalf of Twoflower, the first tourist of Ankh-Morpork may be the only one who can understand and tolerate Rincewind. While he is pessimistic, Twoflower is optimistic. Rincewind's cowardly but Twoflowers's noble and is willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Rincewind is quick to rage but Twoflower's best merits are his patience and his forgiving nature.
"Against the whole of human experience Twoflower believed that if only people would talk to each other, have a few drinks, exchange pictures of their grandchildren, maybe take in a show or something, then everything could be sorted out. He also believed that people were basically good but sometimes had their bad days."
How can I not resist someone like him? I can't! He's so good-hearted, it either made you despise how he's so insufferably annoying at that or... you find him irresistible. It is the latter for me.
Then there's The Luggage, it's name suggest what it is. A luggage that carries laundries for its master! Except it's no ordinary luggage. For one thing, it has hundreds of tiny little legs to take it anywhere. It's lid serves as a mouth and when it wants to look menancing, it snaps the lid up and down. Don't get too close - it's a luggage that bites and snaps
With the Luggage in your possession, you can be in no harm as long as:
a) you're not trying to harm it's master and his friends.
b) you don't kick its wooden sides and be a big bully.
c) you don't try to force open its lid apart to see what treasure is inside (there are usually none).
So aside from looking menancing, what else does it do? You'd be awed that not only The Luggage is useful in carrying loads, it is also very loyal, quick in thinking and even quicker so in taking actions (with those hundreds of little legs? No doubt) to save those in distress. Don't ask me how a luggage can think. I have no idea! Point is, the Luggage can be real scary to the point that even barbarians soil their trousers. You should be scared.
Then there are the minor people, creatures and things alike such as a group of incompetent swordsmen led by a woman, talking trees, a goblin, an imp who paints, a barbarian, DEATH and his comrades, stone trolls, a cursed shopkeeper, a mob of crazy superstitious people with pitchforks.... and so on and so forth. I expected to get clogged up with all these many minor characters coming and going. But not-so-surprisingly, I didn't feel confused or got side tracked by them. Each one of them has personalities and they're not forgettable. Not when they do or say something incredibly incredible, funny or stupid. Pratchett can write about the smallest pebble on a ground of dirt and still make it interesting and full of persona.
As a final conclusion, I can't say much except that... well, this book was just fucking fantastic and it won my heart and soul completely. That about sums up my thoughts.
Besides, it's almost impossible to pick apart or find anything wrong in something that can switch on your 'HAHA' button each seconds. The jokes are distracting!
Doctor's Prescription and Warning:
This is the medicine for when you feel blue or angry.
No, it's not supposed to be some pills.
It's this book.
However, read with care for each sentences and every passages are induced with high dosages of humour. Limit your level of intake in case you overdosed on the words and choke on your spit bellowing with laughter.
May 6, 2014
This book was every bit as fun as the last- maybe more so. Since this is number two in series order, I am getting a feel for where the author was at the point in time it was written. The character development seems more vivid. Rincewind, the Luggage, the Druid sacrifice girl, and the over the hill barbarian fighter are characters that will live with me long after this series is done.
This story has more of a quest feel to it than the last one did. It definitely builds to a strong climax. In order to avert certain doom, all of the eight great spells must be read in order. The eighth and final spell is, of course, in Rincewind’s mind. His death would solve that problem for the planet’s most powerful spell casters.
The story progresses through one mishap after another as the author continues to add characters and build his world. Rather than read these books by order of character type (for example, all of the Rincewind stories followed by all of the Witches stories and so forth), I have chosen to attempt to read them chronologically. I think it gives a clear picture of where the author is at in a point in time and what his conception of this world and these characters is and is becoming.
This story has more of a quest feel to it than the last one did. It definitely builds to a strong climax. In order to avert certain doom, all of the eight great spells must be read in order. The eighth and final spell is, of course, in Rincewind’s mind. His death would solve that problem for the planet’s most powerful spell casters.
The story progresses through one mishap after another as the author continues to add characters and build his world. Rather than read these books by order of character type (for example, all of the Rincewind stories followed by all of the Witches stories and so forth), I have chosen to attempt to read them chronologically. I think it gives a clear picture of where the author is at in a point in time and what his conception of this world and these characters is and is becoming.
May 17, 2020
Another excellent Discworld adventure from the late Sir Pratchett. All that was missing in my judgement was more inspiration and positivity by the main characters 6 of 10 stars
June 3, 2017
3.5 stars (yes, I actually liked the first one a bit better)
"The important thing about having lots of things to remember is that you've got to go somewhere afterward where you can remember them, you see? You've got to stop. You haven't really been anywhere until you've got back home."
Thus, this second book in the Discworld series is about the continued adventure of Twoflower, the very first tourist, and Rincewind, the failed wiz(z)ard with only one spell in his head.
We get to know more about that spell in particular and how it caused Rincewind to fail at being a wizard. Moreover, we get to see much more of the Unseen University and their machinations.
At the beginning, we start where the last novel ended and I really think the two books should be considered one story. Twoflower in the ship and Rincewind and the Luggage without a mode of transportation have "gone overboard". However, the most magical book on the entire Dicworld (the Octavo) can't let Rincewind die so magic saves them.
From there, they continue their journey through odd landscapes (a very peculiar forest for example) and meet new people (like Cohen, a parody of Conan the Barbarian).
Oh, and to make matters more interesting, we then find out that the Discworld is about to be destroyed unless the eight spells of the Octavo are being recited in time.
What I also liked was the portrayal of DEATH's domain (not to mention )! But then again, I always had a weakness for the bony fella. ;)
Again, the book had some interesting spins on ideas, witty observations aboutour the Discworld, as well as funny moments, but nothing groundbreaking or laugh-out-loud. As I stated before, I think this and the first should be regarded as one piece, because of the story and because of how it was delivered so it's no surprise there isn't much more to say about this except for what has already been said in my review for the previous volume.
However, I will point out that one of the saviors in this story and a wonderful character all on its own, was luggage! I really liked the little guy with his right-action-at-the-right-time interventions and "comments" on certain matters.
I marked a few lines and passages in this book again but am leaving you with this, one of my favourites:
"Inside every sane person there's a madman struggling to get out. That's what I've always thought. No one goes mad quicker than a totally sane person."
"The important thing about having lots of things to remember is that you've got to go somewhere afterward where you can remember them, you see? You've got to stop. You haven't really been anywhere until you've got back home."
Thus, this second book in the Discworld series is about the continued adventure of Twoflower, the very first tourist, and Rincewind, the failed wiz(z)ard with only one spell in his head.
We get to know more about that spell in particular and how it caused Rincewind to fail at being a wizard. Moreover, we get to see much more of the Unseen University and their machinations.
At the beginning, we start where the last novel ended and I really think the two books should be considered one story. Twoflower in the ship and Rincewind and the Luggage without a mode of transportation have "gone overboard". However, the most magical book on the entire Dicworld (the Octavo) can't let Rincewind die so magic saves them.
From there, they continue their journey through odd landscapes (a very peculiar forest for example) and meet new people (like Cohen, a parody of Conan the Barbarian).
Oh, and to make matters more interesting, we then find out that the Discworld is about to be destroyed unless the eight spells of the Octavo are being recited in time.
What I also liked was the portrayal of DEATH's domain (not to mention )! But then again, I always had a weakness for the bony fella. ;)
Again, the book had some interesting spins on ideas, witty observations about
However, I will point out that one of the saviors in this story and a wonderful character all on its own, was luggage! I really liked the little guy with his right-action-at-the-right-time interventions and "comments" on certain matters.
I marked a few lines and passages in this book again but am leaving you with this, one of my favourites:
"Inside every sane person there's a madman struggling to get out. That's what I've always thought. No one goes mad quicker than a totally sane person."
March 21, 2021
Failed wizard Rincewind and the first and last Discworld tourist Twoflower and his animated luggage, are joined by Cohen the Barbarian and Bethan as they head towards the foretold destiny of Rincewind and the Great Spell in his head. Marginally better than the first book in the series, but apparently it is from the next book that this series begins to get good...as I am personally struggling to find anything that funny or interesting about this cult series 3 out of 12.
February 19, 2018
3.5-4*
Aunque esta historia empieza dónde lo dejó su primera parte (El Color de la Magia), me ha parecido mucho mejor, menos caótica y más entrañable. Imposible no reírse con los guiños a los cuentos infantiles, Conan (o Cohen xD) el Bárbaro y con las aventuras de Rincewind y Dosflores.
Al final del libro hasta me he dado cuenta del cariño que les he cogido a este par de desastrillos.. (:
Gracias Pratchett por el buen rato!
Aunque esta historia empieza dónde lo dejó su primera parte (El Color de la Magia), me ha parecido mucho mejor, menos caótica y más entrañable. Imposible no reírse con los guiños a los cuentos infantiles, Conan (o Cohen xD) el Bárbaro y con las aventuras de Rincewind y Dosflores.
Al final del libro hasta me he dado cuenta del cariño que les he cogido a este par de desastrillos.. (:
Gracias Pratchett por el buen rato!
March 24, 2024
The second in my re-read of the entire Discworld series and, as with the first volume, it was even better this time around!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this second book (in chronological order) are:
This continues where the previous book left off: Rincewind and Twoflower went over the rim of the world ... and landed somewhere entirely different. Gods and other supernatural beings have a vested interest in Rincewind NOT dying while the magic spells of the magical book, Octavo, simply need him to keep running away just long enough.
You see, something is happening. It has to do with that weird, red ... star. It's getting bigger every day and if DEATH's guests are anything to go by, it's not gonna be pretty. However, there are a lot of misunderstandings and confusion - and not just if we're talking about the druids. *chuckles*
I have to admit that the first time around I would have NEVER guessed that this is what Pratchett would make of the . BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! A very clever and - most importantly - very hilarious take indeed.
But before we get to that resolution, we end up all over the place - troll mountains, forests reminiscent of our fairytales, peculiar clouds, ...
Best scenes here were the introduction to the library at UU (see my first status update) and getting to experience where DEATH lives.
Just imagining him playing that game with the other 3 horsemen had me giggling! :D
The narrators were impeccable and really nailed it. Promising start to this re-read and I hope the audiobook quality will either continue on this level or get even better (if possible). Yep, I had a grande old time!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this second book (in chronological order) are:
This continues where the previous book left off: Rincewind and Twoflower went over the rim of the world ... and landed somewhere entirely different. Gods and other supernatural beings have a vested interest in Rincewind NOT dying while the magic spells of the magical book, Octavo, simply need him to keep running away just long enough.
You see, something is happening. It has to do with that weird, red ... star. It's getting bigger every day and if DEATH's guests are anything to go by, it's not gonna be pretty. However, there are a lot of misunderstandings and confusion - and not just if we're talking about the druids. *chuckles*
I have to admit that the first time around I would have NEVER guessed that this is what Pratchett would make of the . BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! A very clever and - most importantly - very hilarious take indeed.
But before we get to that resolution, we end up all over the place - troll mountains, forests reminiscent of our fairytales, peculiar clouds, ...
Best scenes here were the introduction to the library at UU (see my first status update) and getting to experience where DEATH lives.
Just imagining him playing that game with the other 3 horsemen had me giggling! :D
The narrators were impeccable and really nailed it. Promising start to this re-read and I hope the audiobook quality will either continue on this level or get even better (if possible). Yep, I had a grande old time!
March 24, 2021
"The disc, being flat, has no real horizon. Any adventurous sailor who got funny ideas from staring at eggs and oranges for too long and set out for the antipodes soon learned that the reason why distant ships sometimes looked as though they were disappearing over the edge of the world was that they were disappearing over the edge of the world."
Like Douglas Adams' books, I find myself kind of at a loss whenever I sit down and try to write a review of a Terry Prachett book. The Discworld books that I've read so far have all been delightful and entertaining (and Terry Prachett has the Dorothy Parker gift of creating one-liners as quick and deadly as a sniper's bullet) but they kind of defy summary. I mean, this book picks up right where the previous installment left off, with our hero falling off the edge of the world. And as far as things go in this book, that's a relatively normal occurrence.
All there really is to say here is that I've thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Rincewind, aka the world's best worst magician, and I'm kind of sad that the third Discworld book is a diversion from his story. But I'm sure it'll be great.
Like Douglas Adams' books, I find myself kind of at a loss whenever I sit down and try to write a review of a Terry Prachett book. The Discworld books that I've read so far have all been delightful and entertaining (and Terry Prachett has the Dorothy Parker gift of creating one-liners as quick and deadly as a sniper's bullet) but they kind of defy summary. I mean, this book picks up right where the previous installment left off, with our hero falling off the edge of the world. And as far as things go in this book, that's a relatively normal occurrence.
All there really is to say here is that I've thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Rincewind, aka the world's best worst magician, and I'm kind of sad that the third Discworld book is a diversion from his story. But I'm sure it'll be great.
March 17, 2021
“The Luggage said nothing, but louder this time.”
This took me quite a while to read considering it's a relatively short book, but I was trying to make it last as long as possible, because I don't have a copy of Equal Rites yet, and I wasn't looking forward to the break in my Discworld journey, especially since I've only just started it! It was actually quite challenging to pace myself with this though, because these books are so enjoyable and fun to read.
I think this is something of a rarity in the series in that it continues on directly from the previous one. While I am looking forward to discovering all the various directions that the series goes in, I think I will miss these early times as well. Still, since everyone says they only get better, so I'm not too worried.
I found the parting of Twoflower and Rincewind very touching, and was pleased that the luggage got to stay. I know Rincewind will appear again, but I'm not sure about Twoflower. I will miss his cluelessness and occasional moments of sensible observations. He and Rincewind were a fun duo.
“Twoflower didn't just look at the world through rose-tinted spectacles, Rincewind knew--he looked at it through a rose-tinted brain, too, and heard it through rose-tinted ears.”
This took me quite a while to read considering it's a relatively short book, but I was trying to make it last as long as possible, because I don't have a copy of Equal Rites yet, and I wasn't looking forward to the break in my Discworld journey, especially since I've only just started it! It was actually quite challenging to pace myself with this though, because these books are so enjoyable and fun to read.
I think this is something of a rarity in the series in that it continues on directly from the previous one. While I am looking forward to discovering all the various directions that the series goes in, I think I will miss these early times as well. Still, since everyone says they only get better, so I'm not too worried.
I found the parting of Twoflower and Rincewind very touching, and was pleased that the luggage got to stay. I know Rincewind will appear again, but I'm not sure about Twoflower. I will miss his cluelessness and occasional moments of sensible observations. He and Rincewind were a fun duo.
“Twoflower didn't just look at the world through rose-tinted spectacles, Rincewind knew--he looked at it through a rose-tinted brain, too, and heard it through rose-tinted ears.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2015
Executive Summary: I enjoyed this one a lot more than The Color of Magic, and it made me glad I read that book first rather than starting with one of the later in the series.
Full Review
A moment of silence for the passing of a great man.
It's a shame it took the passing of Terry Pratchett for me to give this series a second chance. I've had numerous people tell me how much I'd like it. It was recommended again to me when I said I was in a funk and wanted something light and fun just a few days before his passing.
I just wasn't sure about it though. I'm often stubborn. I know it. I like to read things in publication order. I know this series is more like a loose collection of stories set in the same world, but I still want to read it in the order it came out. So I read The Color of Magic last year, and it was alright.
I did plan on reading this book at some point, but I kept putting it off. I wish I hadn't. The humor was better, the plot was more interesting, and some great new characters were introduced.
And the puns. Man there are some great puns in here. I had to stop reading for a few minutes because I was laughing so hard. I'm not normally big on puns, but they really worked for me in this book. I won't ruin them for you though, you should read them for yourself.
So now I'm hooked on the series. I jumped right into Equal Rites and I'm nearly done with that. I'll likely be jumping right into Mort after that.
I'm sad Mr. Pratchett has left us, and that I didn't get a chance to meet him and thank him for his great work. But I'm excited by the fact that I have nearly 40 more books to enjoy. I may have to pace myself though as there will sadly only be one more to come.
I can't say you should be stubborn like I am, and read in publication order. Most people seem to recommend starting with Guards! Guards! or Small Gods. I will say that if you do start with The Color of Magic make sure you read this one too, because not only is it a continuation of the plot, it's a vast improvement in every way.
Full Review
A moment of silence for the passing of a great man.
It's a shame it took the passing of Terry Pratchett for me to give this series a second chance. I've had numerous people tell me how much I'd like it. It was recommended again to me when I said I was in a funk and wanted something light and fun just a few days before his passing.
I just wasn't sure about it though. I'm often stubborn. I know it. I like to read things in publication order. I know this series is more like a loose collection of stories set in the same world, but I still want to read it in the order it came out. So I read The Color of Magic last year, and it was alright.
I did plan on reading this book at some point, but I kept putting it off. I wish I hadn't. The humor was better, the plot was more interesting, and some great new characters were introduced.
And the puns. Man there are some great puns in here. I had to stop reading for a few minutes because I was laughing so hard. I'm not normally big on puns, but they really worked for me in this book. I won't ruin them for you though, you should read them for yourself.
So now I'm hooked on the series. I jumped right into Equal Rites and I'm nearly done with that. I'll likely be jumping right into Mort after that.
I'm sad Mr. Pratchett has left us, and that I didn't get a chance to meet him and thank him for his great work. But I'm excited by the fact that I have nearly 40 more books to enjoy. I may have to pace myself though as there will sadly only be one more to come.
I can't say you should be stubborn like I am, and read in publication order. Most people seem to recommend starting with Guards! Guards! or Small Gods. I will say that if you do start with The Color of Magic make sure you read this one too, because not only is it a continuation of the plot, it's a vast improvement in every way.
June 4, 2017
The story picks up where the first one left off, with Rincewind, Twoflower and the Luggage in dire peril. They're mysteriously saved and plonked down in the middle of a magical forest. Meanwhile an ominous red star has appeared in the sky of the disk and it appears to be growing each night. The Wizards of Unseen University want to read the Octavo to save the Disc, but Rincewind still has one of the Eight spells stuck in his head, so the hunt for the wizard is on.
I have no idea how many times I've read this, other than I'm sure this is at least my third time through. I had set my expectations of these first few Discworld novels based on a memory that they weren't all that good compared to later novels in the series, but to my happy surprise I found myself greatly enjoying this. This novel in a lot of ways, rather than The Colour of Magic, feels like the genesis of what the Discworld becomes.
In this one you get the introduction of the Librarian, Death's daughter Ysabell, Cohen the Barbarian and the beginnings of the more nuanced character of Death himself. This quote from Death regarding the rampant stupidity of the Star cultists could easily have come from a much later book:
Very glad to revise my rating of this book to 5 stars and now I've very much looking forward to Equal Rites and Sourcery, neither of which I've reread before.
I have no idea how many times I've read this, other than I'm sure this is at least my third time through. I had set my expectations of these first few Discworld novels based on a memory that they weren't all that good compared to later novels in the series, but to my happy surprise I found myself greatly enjoying this. This novel in a lot of ways, rather than The Colour of Magic, feels like the genesis of what the Discworld becomes.
In this one you get the introduction of the Librarian, Death's daughter Ysabell, Cohen the Barbarian and the beginnings of the more nuanced character of Death himself. This quote from Death regarding the rampant stupidity of the Star cultists could easily have come from a much later book:
NOT LIKE THIS. THE DEATH OF THE WARRIOR OR THE OLD MAN OR THE LITTLE CHILD, THIS I UNDERSTAND, AND I TAKE AWAY THE PAIN AND END THE SUFFERING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS DEATH-OF-THE-MIND.All-in-all, it's the first inklings of the strong character work, social commentary and razor sharp humor that have made Pratchett a household name.
Very glad to revise my rating of this book to 5 stars and now I've very much looking forward to Equal Rites and Sourcery, neither of which I've reread before.
November 4, 2023
4★ – text and audio
“The very fabric of time and space is about to be put through the wringer.”
What else would you expect in Pratchett’s Discworld? Failed wizard Rincewind and the incurably enthusiastic tourist-traveller, Twoflower, have discovered what the future holds. One side of the sky held only blackness.
“In that circle of blackness there was just one star, a red and baleful star a star like the glitter in the eye-socket of a rabid mink. It was small and horrible and uncompromising. And the Disc was being carried straight towards it.
Rincewind knew precisely what to do in these circumstances. He screamed and pointed the broomstick straight down.”
At least he still knew how to carry them on a broom.
Eventually, wizards get together to see what’s happening and they summon Death, my favourite character. Death speaks in capital letters, and in my copy there are no quotation marks for him. In the audio, the phrases “he said” are eliminated, as the voice is echoing, deep and resounding, as if from the grave.
“The air in the centre of the octogram shimmered and thickened, and suddenly contained a tall, dark figure. Most of it was hidden by a black robe and hood and this was probably just as well. It held a long scythe in one hand and one couldn’t help noticing that what should have been fingers were simply white bone.
The other skeletal hand held small cubes of cheese and pineapple on a stick.
WELL? said Death, in a voice with all the warmth and colour of an iceberg. He caught the wizards’ gaze, and glanced down at the stick.
I WAS AT A PARTY, he added, a shade reproachfully.
‘O, Creature of Earth and Darkness…’
Death nodded. YES, YES, I KNOW ALL THAT, he said. WHY HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME?”
The wizards say he can see the past and future, and they ask him what exactly happened this morning, and the wizard who summoned him begins to his long command chant again….
“ALL RIGHT, YOU’VE MADE YOUR POINT, said Death. WHAT PRECISELY WAS IT YOU WISHED TO KNOW? QUITE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THIS MORNING, PEOPLE WERE BORN, PEOPLE DIED, ALL THE TREES GREW A BIT TALLER, RIPPLEDS MADE INTERESTING PATTERNS ON THE SEA – ”
Eventually Death explains “THAT, OH, THAT WAS JUST A READJUSTMENT OF REALITY”
The reality being that the eighth spell that is missing from the Octavo (book) and lodged instead in Rincewind, is going to be needed.
“ALL THAT I KNOW IS THAT ALL THE SPELLS HAVE TO BE SAID TOGETHER NEXT HOGSWATCHNIGHT OR THE DISC WILL BE DESTROYED.
. . .
CAN I GO NOW? I LEFT MY DRINK.”
Where is Rincewind with the missing spell? Plummeting down through the skies on a broomstick. The wizards have only two months to find – capture – him and put him with the Octavo, which they have chained up safely (they hope) so no more spells will escape.
It’s silly, fantastical, and wild. And funny. There are so many characters, each with their own foibles and magic properties, that it’s impossible to keep track. Everyone would like to have the Luggage on their side. It’s a wooden trunk (sort of) with many tiny little legs, and it runs along behind its owner, something like a dog with a particularly vicious bite when needed. The contents change as needed.
It’s a fun series with many devoted fans. I’ve read a few of the books not in order, but went back to read the first, The Colour of Magic a year ago and wrote about it here.
My review of The Colour of Magic
“The very fabric of time and space is about to be put through the wringer.”
What else would you expect in Pratchett’s Discworld? Failed wizard Rincewind and the incurably enthusiastic tourist-traveller, Twoflower, have discovered what the future holds. One side of the sky held only blackness.
“In that circle of blackness there was just one star, a red and baleful star a star like the glitter in the eye-socket of a rabid mink. It was small and horrible and uncompromising. And the Disc was being carried straight towards it.
Rincewind knew precisely what to do in these circumstances. He screamed and pointed the broomstick straight down.”
At least he still knew how to carry them on a broom.
Eventually, wizards get together to see what’s happening and they summon Death, my favourite character. Death speaks in capital letters, and in my copy there are no quotation marks for him. In the audio, the phrases “he said” are eliminated, as the voice is echoing, deep and resounding, as if from the grave.
“The air in the centre of the octogram shimmered and thickened, and suddenly contained a tall, dark figure. Most of it was hidden by a black robe and hood and this was probably just as well. It held a long scythe in one hand and one couldn’t help noticing that what should have been fingers were simply white bone.
The other skeletal hand held small cubes of cheese and pineapple on a stick.
WELL? said Death, in a voice with all the warmth and colour of an iceberg. He caught the wizards’ gaze, and glanced down at the stick.
I WAS AT A PARTY, he added, a shade reproachfully.
‘O, Creature of Earth and Darkness…’
Death nodded. YES, YES, I KNOW ALL THAT, he said. WHY HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME?”
The wizards say he can see the past and future, and they ask him what exactly happened this morning, and the wizard who summoned him begins to his long command chant again….
“ALL RIGHT, YOU’VE MADE YOUR POINT, said Death. WHAT PRECISELY WAS IT YOU WISHED TO KNOW? QUITE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THIS MORNING, PEOPLE WERE BORN, PEOPLE DIED, ALL THE TREES GREW A BIT TALLER, RIPPLEDS MADE INTERESTING PATTERNS ON THE SEA – ”
Eventually Death explains “THAT, OH, THAT WAS JUST A READJUSTMENT OF REALITY”
The reality being that the eighth spell that is missing from the Octavo (book) and lodged instead in Rincewind, is going to be needed.
“ALL THAT I KNOW IS THAT ALL THE SPELLS HAVE TO BE SAID TOGETHER NEXT HOGSWATCHNIGHT OR THE DISC WILL BE DESTROYED.
. . .
CAN I GO NOW? I LEFT MY DRINK.”
Where is Rincewind with the missing spell? Plummeting down through the skies on a broomstick. The wizards have only two months to find – capture – him and put him with the Octavo, which they have chained up safely (they hope) so no more spells will escape.
It’s silly, fantastical, and wild. And funny. There are so many characters, each with their own foibles and magic properties, that it’s impossible to keep track. Everyone would like to have the Luggage on their side. It’s a wooden trunk (sort of) with many tiny little legs, and it runs along behind its owner, something like a dog with a particularly vicious bite when needed. The contents change as needed.
It’s a fun series with many devoted fans. I’ve read a few of the books not in order, but went back to read the first, The Colour of Magic a year ago and wrote about it here.
My review of The Colour of Magic
March 12, 2019
Я належу до тієї бунтівної секти пратчеттоманів, яка наполягає на тому, що книги з "Дискосвіту" можна читати в якому-завгодно порядку. Ото береш ту, яка на тебе дивиться і занурюєшся потихеньку, а тоді вже на другій, третій чи десятій починаєш впізнавати своїх давніх знайомців із попередніх книг, уже відвідані локації і таке інше. "Колір магії" і "Химерне сяйво" — це своєрідний виняток із правила, ці дві книги варто читати саме в парі, бо друга цілком логічно продовжує першу, розповідаючи нам про подальші поневіряння двох (не рахуючи Багажу) досить безклепких героїв. Я знаю, що багато-хто недолюблює Ринсвінда, чи то пак любить Ринсвінда менше , ніж інших основних персонажів серії, але, як на мене, у нього таки є свій неоковирний шарм. Дилогія про Ринсвінда і Двоцвіта у Дискосвіті — це наче автобусна екскурсія "сім днів — сім столиць": якихось вражень нахапаєшся, десь щось краєм ока встигнеш зобачити, але для глибшого знайомства, звичайно, варто залишитися в кожному місці на довше.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,742 reviews