In this first novel in the internationally bestselling comedic fantasy Discworld series from legendary New York Times bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett (and the first in the Wizards collection), the fate of the Discworld depends on the survival of a naïve—and first-ever—sightseer.
A writer of brilliant imagination favorably compared to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams, Sir Terry Pratchett created a complex, satirical universe with its own set of cultures and rules, populated with wizards, witches, academics, fairies, policemen, and other creatures both fantastical and remarkably ordinary (including Death himself). Welcome to the Discworld . . . a parallel time and place that sounds very much like our own, but looks completely different—because it’s a flat world sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle.
In this classic fantasy parody, the maiden voyage through Terry Pratchett’s ingeniously twisted alternate dimension, the …
In this first novel in the internationally bestselling comedic fantasy Discworld series from legendary New York Times bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett (and the first in the Wizards collection), the fate of the Discworld depends on the survival of a naïve—and first-ever—sightseer.
A writer of brilliant imagination favorably compared to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams, Sir Terry Pratchett created a complex, satirical universe with its own set of cultures and rules, populated with wizards, witches, academics, fairies, policemen, and other creatures both fantastical and remarkably ordinary (including Death himself). Welcome to the Discworld . . . a parallel time and place that sounds very much like our own, but looks completely different—because it’s a flat world sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle.
In this classic fantasy parody, the maiden voyage through Terry Pratchett’s ingeniously twisted alternate dimension, the well-meaning but spectacularly inept wizard Rincewind encounters something previously unknown in the Discworld: a tourist!
Twoflower has arrived to take in the sights. Unfortunately, he’s cast his lot with a most inappropriate tour guide—a decision that could result in his becoming not only Discworld’s first visitor . . . but quite possibly, its last. And, of course, he’s brought his sentient Luggage along, a companion with feet—and a mind—of its own. And teeth. . . .
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this. Overall I enjoyed it: I've read a couple of his other books and this is what you'd expect from a Pratchett novel (whimsical, witty, eccentric). You can feel the beginnings of his style taking shape here, which is fun to see. I get the feeling that Rincewind isn't a fan favourite character but I found him entertaining. That said it was a little all over the place plot-wise, and felt quite chaotic. The pacing was also not very refined. All in all though it's a solid start to the epic Discworld series.
This is the first of Pratchett's Discworld series. I have read and enjoyed others in the setting but had never read this one. In case you are new to it, the discworld is literally a disc-shaped world being carried through space on the backs of four elephants, which are standing on a great tortoise. As you can tell, the rules are all different in this world. If you are looking for deep history and fully formed fantasy languages keep looking. If you want a laugh-out-loud fun romp, open this happy tome.
