Summary
A fantastic book that stops you from taking life to seriously.
Terry Pratchett's first Discworld novel, The Colour Of Magic is set on a world sitting on the backs of four elephants hurtling through space. Rincewind, the wizard and Twoflower, the Discworld's first tourist encounter and Hrun the Barbarian on their journey through the Discworld.
Twoflower, and his menacing luggage arrive in Ahnk Morpork as the first ever tourist and employ the failed wizard Rincewind as a guide. After Twoflower's wealth causes Ahnk Morpork to set on fire, they embark on an adventure that will involve visits to the Temple of Bel-Shamroth and encounters with trolls, dragons and Krullians.
Terry Pratchett takes the seriousness from the fantasy novel and replaces it with wicked humour. This is an excellent place to start for any reader yet to read a Pratchett novel as it gives the background history of the main characters. The action starts in Ahnk Morpork, a city that becomes firmly implanted in the memory.
This novel is very different from most fantasy novels and a breath of fresh air. A beautifully imagined world and wonderfully described characters, when added to the mix, make this a must read novel. This book can stop you from taking life too seriously.
By now the whole of downtown Morpork was alight, and the richer and worthier citizens of Ankh on the far bank were bravely responding to the situation by feverishly demolishing the bridges. But already the ships in the Morpork docks-laden with grain, cotton and timber, and coated with tar-were blazing merrily and, their moorings burnt to ashes, were breasting the river Ankh on the ebb tide, igniting riverside palaces and bowers as they drifted like drowning fireflies toward the sea. In any case, sparks were riding the breeze and touching down far across the river in hidden gardens and remote rickyards.
The Colour of Magic
Be careful! Once you have read and enjoyed one Discworld novel you may find yourself making your way through the whole series.
Reader's opinions about The Colour of Magic
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Billie from Leamington Spa
Love it. love it, loved it! My older brother used to read fantasy books and I tried a few but never got into it. I saw this in his room one day and liked the cover and found the description on the back really funny so gave it a go. It's how fantasy books should be, full of laughter (for the reader) and wonderful characters. Although Mort and Reaper Man are still my favourites The Colour of Magic is where it all began and a great introduction to the Discworld and its strange and colourful inhabitants.
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