In The Folklore of Discworld (Doubleday, 2008), Sir Terry Pratchett and Jacqueline Simpson reveal the stories behind the stories; the real world myths, legends and beliefs that are so unbelievable that they must be true. They reveal the many real-world inspirations for the Discworld characters, events, beliefs, behaviours and legends.
The Folklore of Discworld
Not surprisingly, a large portion of The Folklore of Discworld deals with the real-world stories that have inspired the more mystical Discworld characters, such as the Witches of Lancre and the Chalk, the pantheon of Discworld Gods and minor deities, and fantasy creatures such as trolls, dwarfs, elves and the brashly endearing Nac Mac Feegle.
Mythical and folklore foundations for Heroes, Barbarians, hidden royal heirs, nautical and military events, the anthropomorphic personification of Death and miscellaneous events and characters such as The Luggage will have enthusiastic Discworld readers keen to re-read favourite novels to view them with new insight.
In The Turtle Moves (Benbella Books, 2008), a recently published overview of the Discworld series and analysis of its enduring success, science fiction author Lawrence Watt-Evans surmises that a large part of the credit for the ongoing popularity of the series is Terry Pratchett’s ability to not only writes stories, but to writes “about stories” and drawing his inspiration from “anything and everything”.
The Folklore of Discworld is evidence of just how broad and far reaching Pratchett’s sources of inspiration have been for not only the Discworld novels in general, but also specific characters, mannerisms, locations, beliefs, social behaviours and conversations. The book also offers something deeper, as Pratchett and Simpson reveal the ongoing evolution and adaptation of folklore and the way in which variations of traditional rituals, beliefs and customs have found a place in even the most modern elements of society.
The Discworld Phenomenon
Since the first book, The Colour of Magic (Colin Smythe, 1983) was published, the Discworld has expanded to include another 35 novels over the past 25 years, with Making Money (Random House, 2008) the most recent addition. There are a number of supplemental books, including illustrated versions of the novels, three Science of Discworld books, a cookbook, a children’s picture books and miscellaneous other ventures.
In 2008, Terry Pratchett released a young adult novel, Nation (Doubleday, 2008) which is distinct from the Discworld series, but which also examines the power of beliefs and traditions and the way they can influence and shape the behaviour of an individual.
Pratchett has won numerous literary awards and was made an OBE in 1998 for his services to literature. On the 31st December 2008, Pratchett was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, earning the title Sir Terry Pratchett.
A Fascinating Insight into the Foundations of the Discworld
Pratchett and Simpson share an obvious passion for the mythology, legends, beliefs and folkloric tales that underpin modern urban myths and form an integral part of the network of information that “everyone knows”. The appeal for the reader comes in the revelation of how some of these thoughts, ideas and beliefs have entered the modern social consciousness to such a fundamental degree.
The revelation of just how many real-world sources Pratchett has used for ideas, inspiration and models for Discworld characters, locations and events offers readers further insight into why the series has held such an enduring appeal. For Discworld fans, it will come as no surprise that this phenomenally successful fantasy series is the product of so much research and planning.
The Folklore of Discworld will be of interest not only to Discworld fans, but also to anyone with an interest in folklore and legends and the way that these develop and adapt over time.
The Folklore of Discworld (ISBN: 978-0-385-61100-8, 386 pages)
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