3 Review(s)

The Colour of Magic begins Terry Pratchett’s Discworld comic fantasy series, which are set on a flat world shouldered on the top of four elephants resting on a stellar turtle. Summary of the Book There are an infinite number of things out there in that final frontier called space. There are comets whizzing past, asteroids lost cluelessly, invisible black holes which suck light itself into their loins and a turtle called the Great A'tuin, larger than a planet, silently sailing through the abyss, possibly contemplating breakfast. Atop this turtle stand four elephants, as large as moons. On their shoulders rests a flat world called the Discworld. This world is populated by people of every colour, race and magical orientation possible. It has certain laws, which even though they spit in the face of physics, astronomy and evolutionary biology, are quite inflexible. One of them dictates that when a Wizard is about to die, he will be escorted by Death. The Reaper speaks without vocal cords, in a “voice” like the slamming of coffin lids, needing small caps to say what he needs to. (DO NOT TAKE ME LIGHTLY HUMAN, I WILL COME FOR YOU NEXT. HURRY UP, I’M NEVER LATE. YOU, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE GOING TO BE). There are four main continents on this odd planet, and this story occurs on the Unnamed Continent, where the regularly chaotic life of heroes, Wizards and thieves is upset by the arrival of a strangely clad man. He bears a large trunk with several legs called Luggage which has a mind of his own, and in it, he has a lot of gold. He is Twoflower, an odd little man and the Discworld’s first tourist. He quickly hires the failed wizard Rincewind to show him around. However, he might yet regret his choice, for Rincewind was cast out of the greatest institute for magic in the universe: the Unseen Academy. His crime was oddly unique, for he looked into a forbidden book containing a dangerous spell. The spell occupied his entire mind, preventing him from learning any other spells. The spell is so dangerous that all wizards fear it. In fact, it’s so dangerous that no one remembers what it really does! About Terry Pratchett Sir Terence David John “Terry” Pratchett is a British novelist known for his Discworld series of novels. Pratchett is also known for co-authoring Good Omens with fellow writer Neil Gaiman. Pratchett was knighted for his services to literature and was nominated the Fantasy and Science Fiction Author of the Year by the British Book Awards. The Colour of Magic and its sequel, The Light Fantastic, have been adapted into a two-part TV film by The Mob, a small British studio, starring David Jason, Sean Astin, Tim Curry and Christopher Lee as the voice of Death. Series Reading Order This book is the first Discworld novel. Most of the Discworld books are standalone, and they can be read in any order. However, this book directly follows into The Light Fantastic. Below, you will find a helpful guide teaching you how to continue in your voyage through space with the Great A’tuin. If you’re interested in Rincewind, continue with The Light Fantastic, Sourcery, (Faust) Eric, Interesting Times, The Last Continent, The Last Hero and Unseen Academicals. If you’re interested in the machinations of feminist witches, begin with Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade, Carpe Jugulum, The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. If you want to know about the ancient civilizations of Discworld, read Pyramids and Small Gods. IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF DEATH, MORTAL, THEN READ Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather and Thief of Time. If you’re interested in Ankh Morpork, the greatest city on Discworld, then you’ll want to read Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, Thud! and Where’s My Cow? If you want to know how technology is going to evolve on Discworld, read Moving Pictures, The Truth, Monstrous Regiment, Going Postal and Making Money.