Book Review
Title: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett (Discworld Book 1, Rincewind Book 1)
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars
I recently read Eric which was the ninth book in the Discworld series to see if I would be interested in continuing and I was. The Color of Magic being the first book introduces us to the Discworld and some reoccurring characters like Rincewind. The Discworld is carried by a turtle known as the Great A’Tuin who carries the four great elephants whose shoulders the world rests upon. Now these aren’t uncommon as they also carry stars and have been observed by several people over time. We return to the setting of Ankh-Morpork, made up of the richer Ankh and the poorer Morpork when a fire breaks out witnessed by Weasel and Bravd who learn from Rincewind that his companion, Twoflower is responsible. Going backwards a little we learn that Twoflower came to Ankh-Morpork from the Counterweight Continent and was initially helped by Blind Hugh but choose Rincewind as a guide because he can speak Twoflower’s language. Many people are only interested in Twoflower because of the gold he carries but Rincewind is more interested in the walking box known as Luggage that he carries around. Having read Eric, I know that Rincewind does end up with Luggage and now we are finding out how.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, something you have to bear in mind reading this is that there is little cohesion or narrative in the traditional sense as we bounce between past, present and future with no warning but it is still really easy to follow. We can see some form of plot coming together but it isn’t cohesive like in other novels. Rincewind ends up being arrested and almost killed because of Twoflower but is saved because he is a guide to someone from the Counterweight Continent. Ankh-Morpork and the Continent have little in common since the Continent wants nothing from Ankh-Morpork and they can’t afford anything the Continent offers. Twoflower coming to visit is seen as an opportunity to great a better relationship with the Continent and Rincewind is ordered to make sure nothing happens to Twoflower. However, shortly after he loses Twoflower and is stuck with Luggage trying to find him but behind the scenes we know the Continent has ordered the death of Twoflower for some unknown reason and this might come into play later on.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, things get strange in the best of ways as Twoflower and Rincewind are now being hunted thanks to the order from the Continent to kill Twoflower. Rincewind during these moments is the embodiment of I’m too old for this shit and Why me which was hilarious to read. We also get to see Weasel and Bravd who we briefly met in Eric and this is technically their first appearance in the series and I enjoyed it. They help Rincewind as he recounts his story to them which they think is completely junk but play along until they discover it is true but just decide to pretend nothing happened. I also really enjoyed the aspect of the book that explains that everything happening to the characters we are following is due to a DnD like game the gods are playing which explains why Rincewind often finds himself in situations or places with no idea how he got there or why he is there.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, Rincewind and Twoflower seem to jump from one impossible situation to another which was a struggle to read even for me. The first impossible encounter they survive is accidentally summoning one of the old beings almost like a god and the subsequent collapse of the temple with minor injuries. While I understand the gods themselves are playing a game of chance mixed with DnD with the characters it stills seems far outside their realm of capabilities to survive it. We have to remember that Rincewind is barely a wizard and Twoflower knows nothing about this place which is what is landing them in trouble most of the time.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, the pair end up walking straight into the dragon lands which Rincewind only notices because of the high concentration of magic in the air leading to their kidnapping essentially but the family that summons the dragons. this whole arc could have been a story in itself since there are three children and only one can become the next head of the family but in order to do so they have to kill their other two siblings. While the daughter is stronger than her two brothers she’s no match for the pair of them and decides to us outside help in form of Hrun who has been dragged along for the ride by Rincewind and Twoflower. It is here that Twoflower learns he has some magical capabilities as he is able to summon a dragon to save Rincewind and Hrun to get them out of the dragon land but Hrun has been seduced by the daughter and chooses to remain behind.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Rincewind and Twoflower end up being dragged to the edge of the world where they are once again rescued but it turns out to be another kidnapping. This time they are being used as sacrifices for a trial run of a new ship which will be able to travel the space between worlds, a previous uncharted area. Here the differences between Rincewind’s constant panic and Twoflower’s laidback nature almost causes them to come to blows. This gets especially bad when Twoflower wants to explore the space beyond the Discworld but Rincewind has no desire to see what is beyond.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, we see the pair are ultimately forced into the space Beth one the world with Luggage not far behind before ending on one of the strangest note I have ever read. Honestly, this book reads like a poorly thought out DnD campaign as we jump from one location to another and speed through the events there with little to no coherency at times. While this makes sense when the gods are at play as their roles are decided the fate and actions of the characters, it does go to extreme measures in the second half of the book. This hasn’t put me off continuing since I know further books read better like Eric but it gave me a headache finishing this one so it will be a little while before I pick up the next book.
Buy it here:
Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
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