The Discworld Graphic Novels: The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic (Hardcover)

by Terry Pratchett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a distant and second-hand set of dimensions, in an astral plane that was never meant to fly . . .

Imagine a flat world, sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle. The Discworld is a place (and a time) parallel to our own—but also very different. That is the setting for Terry Pratchett's phenomenally successful Discworld series, which now celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.

The Discworld Graphic Novels presents the very first two volumes of this much-loved series in graphic novel form. First published fifteen years ago, these fully illustrated versions are now issued for the first time in hardback. Introduced here are the bizarre misadventures of Twoflower, the Discworld's first ever tourist, and possibly—portentously—its last, and his guide Rincewind, the spectacularly inept wizard. Not to mention the Luggage, which has a mind of its own.

About the Author

Terry Pratchett's novels have sold more than fifty-five million (give or take a few million) copies worldwide. He lives in England.

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As many of you know, beloved house author Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Terry has become active in fundraising efforts to support Alzheimer's research. Click here to read a speech Terry made to the Alzheimer's Research Trust Conference in the UK earlier this year. If you are interested in making a tax-free donation to to the Alzheimer's Association click here.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061685968
• ISBN-13: 978-0061685965
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,629 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turtles and Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams, June 28, 2008

By	James D. DeWitt "Alaska Fan" (Fairbanks, AK United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pratchett's Discworld series, HarperCollins has published this hard bound compendium of the first two Discworld novels, "The Color of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic," in their 1991 renditions as graphic novels. Pratchett's writing skills have grown far beyond these early pastiches and satires, but there are real pleasures and genuine belly laughs in these two early books.

The Discworld rides on the backs of four giant elephants, who in turn stand on the back of planet-sized Great a'Tuin, the Star Turtle. "Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams" are used to classify stars by colors, size and age. The Great a'Tuin is the only turtle to ever appear in a Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Trust me, if you are an astronomy student, it's a real groaner. But the great part about these stories is that there are puns, jokes and gags enough for everyone and every taste. The home of the quarrelsome, meddlesome gods of the Discworld, for example, is called Dunmanifestin... Ouch.

The drawings add interest. While the characters don't much resemble the pictures in my head, let alone the actors in Sky One's recent movie based on these novels, they aren't bad. Only the beardless Cohen the Barbarian seriously disappoints. Some cherished scenes have been clipped out; it's probably unavoidable, but I did miss Bravrd and Weasel, pastiches of Leiber's Fafhrd and Mouser, the bureaucratic evil of Ymper Trymon, and the very brief flight on TWA. But there's plenty of Pratchett humor left.

The drawings have a distinct charm and consistency. They add to the story, without distorting it. Those old paperback graphic novels, long out of print, are very hard to find; if you want a complete set of Pratchett, this volume is essential.

The madcap punning - persons robbing music shops must be "luters" - and throwaway lines - "We've got a wizard and we're not afraid to use him" - are there, and the drawings make them more fun still. These first two novels didn't have much of a plot but they definitely had their moments. This graphic novel gives you a chance to enjoy those moments again. And those new to Pratchett may find the graphic novels more accessible. Strongly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but needs an editor, August 3, 2008

By	John Murphy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've long been a fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, and this graphic novel was a lot of fun: a great way to revisit some of the early stories. The artwork is quite nice, and by and large they did an excellent adaptation that is both true to the original work and true to the adopted medium. All in all, very enjoyable.

That said, whoever did the lettering managed to insert a number of errors into the text - basic stuff like its/it's mistakes, the sort of thing any editor off the street would catch and fix. Mr. Pratchett's books have always been conscientiously edited in this regard, and this sort of thing is an insult, just poor craftsmanship. I hope future editions can manage to avoid this sort of thing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing, good art and bad editing., October 27, 2008

By	Winn (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

The two classic stories that brought the Discworld to our world are beautifully rendered. The art is done in a style that fits Pratchett's sense of humor and the stories are left with all the highlights intact. Something is going to be lost whenever you move a novel to another format, and they are some of the classic scenes. The biggest loss is Rincewind and Two-Flower's brief trip into our world that is the pay off for the wizzard's desire to understand the natural scientific order of the universe.

Even without some classic scenes, the stories are still hilarious and the art charming.