The Colour of Magic

 

Image credit: Corgi UK

It’s been a sad and dispiriting past few weeks, with a tragic event taking place that greatly influenced by choice of bedtime books for the foreseeable future. It’s interesting how the world around you can do that. The tragedy was that I recently lost my grandmother (or ‘step’-grandmother, as she humorously referred to herself). We were very close, bonded by a shared love of food, fantasy, and literature. One thing she always regretted was not introducing me, as a child, to Terry Pratchett, quite possibly her all-time favourite children’s author. So, having finally closed the cover on The Necronomicon, I am now determined to make my way through the Pratchett repertoire; a strange choice of grieving pastime, but one I believe she would approve of. And so I have just finished the first of the wondrous Discworld novels: The Colour of Magic.

The Discworld, a world held aloft by a circle of elephants on the back of Great A’Tuin, a giant turtle (sex unknown) that glides through space is a place filled with wonder, mystery, magic, and danger. All of which is experienced as Twoflower, the Disc’s first tourist, travels with his reluctant wizard companion Rincewind and his impervious Luggage. During his vacation, Twoflower gets caught in the centre of bar brawls, lost in an ancient temple, kidnapped by dragonriders, and plunged off the edge of the world… and he loves every minute of it!

Pratchett’s incredible Discworld and its eccentric characters, histories, and lore is celebrated the world over as a staple in children’s fiction and it’s not hard to see why. The Colour of Magic is a delightful read that seems small, but is absolutely packed with humour, adventure, and incredible Discworld lore. What I like particularly about Pratchett is the way in which he informs readers about the lore and histories of the Discworld: nonchalantly dropped in as a passing thought rather than a long serious spout of exposition. There is an eloquent sarcasm that underlies every single sentence of Pratchett’s prose. This undoubtedly is why my grandmother loved his work so much, it’s utterly delightful! And the world that he creates on the page is so rich and vibrant it’s impossible not to find something magical and mesmerising. 

Image credit: Penguin Books Australia

Like Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, The Colour of Magic is a delightfully original and inclusive story for all ages, a truly novel and iconic experience of the fantasy genre. 

Author: Terry Pratchett, 1983

Published: Originally published by Colin Smythe Ltd, Great Britain, 1983. This edition published by Corgi, 1985.

The Colour of Magic is the first book in the Discworld series.