« Stonehenge - fantasy and fact | Main | Fire Fighter memories »
March 22, 2004
The art of the Discworld author
I make no secret of my enjoyment of Terry Pratchett's books, often rereading them. Each time I do I find myself discovering an aspect that I missed on the first/second and sometimes third reading. I have just finished rereading "The Hogfather" and think I have stumbled across a device, which, now I have spotted it, is obvious and very effective.
It is quite a simple little trick. He opens his story among a group of characters who will play an important, but supporting, role. Invariably, they are engaged on some activity which has almost nothing at all to do with the story. It engages the imagination, and it intrigues one as you get further into the book - usually with little vignettes appearing in the midst of the main story from time to time and seemingly having no bearing whatsoever, other than to remind you that these characters are still around and in the story somewhere.
Thus, the Hogfather opens with two such scenes. First, the Unseen University's Faculty is gathered in the Archchancellor's rooms to witness the opening of a boarded up bathroom. Second, the Head of the Assassins Guild, Lord Downey receives a visit from the auditors - but not the kind who add up company accounts! The first is almost a story within the story as it reaches its culmination right at the end of the book, as does the outcome of Lord Downey's visit from the auditor. The first vignette introduces an aspect of the concept of belief - things exist because we believe firmly enough in them - and the second actually introduces the concept of how that can be turned into a weapon of total destruction.
You will have to read it for yourselves - copyright prevents me from reproducing it here anyway - but along the way you will meet, among others, Death (playing the Hogfather!), the Ohgod of Hangovers, a Toothfairy, Susan, assorted werewolves, bogeymen, ghouls, and assassins. Oh, and visit a pub for the undead called "Biers" and run by an Igor. The auditors lose, Death (as ever?) wins, the Discworld survives and the Archchancellor gets to try his newly refurbished bathroom, complete with musical power shower. Pity the shower is coupled to the UU's gigantic pipe organ, pity the organist is of the "all stops out" school of music - but read it yourselves.
I think I've put my back out laughing. Two stories for the price of one - Mr Pratchett gives great value for the money!
Posted by The Gray Monk at March 22, 2004 09:24 PM
Comments
I also find them very re-readable. Some of the paperbacks are starting to fall apart at the spine. Pratchett is one of the authors who is worth buying in hardcover - just so the book will last longer.
Posted by: Ozguru at March 23, 2004 01:01 AM
My wife went through all my books and discovered that I had dup's of all my diskworld books some i had 3 copies. Because we were moving and they charge by the pound I ended up keeping the best copy of each. The sad thing is I wanted to keep each copy because each one had memories of where i bought and read it attached to it.
Posted by: Matthew at March 24, 2004 08:23 AM
I just bought "Men At Arms" for the second or third time.
I also find different themes when I reread his stories. You can read his books once and have a great laugh. The second time will often develop more subtle relationships. I have read some of his works for a third time and found nuggets of philosophical gold hidden away in casual references.
Wonderful workmanship! Carrot and Rincewind are my favorite characters.
Posted by: David St Lawrence at March 27, 2004 04:55 AM