The Folklore of Discworld
 The 2014 Corgi paperback edition | |
| Authors | Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Simpson |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Michael Fenton Stevens |
| Cover artist | Paul Kidby |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Sub-series | Non-fiction |
| Genre | Fantasy/Popular Science |
| Publisher | Doubleday, Corgi |
Publication date | 2008-09-08 |
| ISBN | 978-0-552-15493-2 (2014 Corgi paperback) |
The Folklore of Discworld is a kind of companion to the “Science of Discworld” books. Subtitled “Legends myths and customs from the Discworld with helpful hints from planet Earth”, it’s a discussion of concepts, creatures and traditions of the Discworld. While there’s no new fiction, there’s liberal use of excerpts from the novels, and occasionally some tidbits from Pratchett’s notes for unfinished works. The chapters also describe the (primarily British) Roundworld folklore that inspired the Discworld. Aside from the two introductions - one by each author - it’s not entirely clear who wrote what. Some editions - notably the audiobook - include an interview discussion between the authors about the topic as well.
The book was revised twice. In October 2009, the Corgi paperback edition added an additional chapter about the folklore of Unseen Academicals, which had been published after the original Doubleday hardcover. The audiobook is based on this edition, but also includes a recording of Pratchett and Simpson in conversation.[1] In March 2014, a new paperback edition removed that chapter; its content, along with new material relating to I Shall Wear Midnight, Snuff and Raising Steam, was distributed into the existing chapters, in particular chapters 6, 11 and 14. This was the only edition published in the US, with a different cover design matching the Science of Discworld books.
Blurb
Most of us grow up having always known to touch wood or cross our fingers, and what happens when a princess kisses a frog or a boy pulls a sword from a stone, yet sadly, some of these things are now beginning to be forgotten. Legends, myths, fairytales: our world is made up of the stories we told ourselves about where we came from and how we got there. It is the same on Discworld, except that beings that on Earth are creatures of the imagination, like vampires, trolls, witches and, possibly, gods are real, alive and in some cases kicking on the Disc.
In The Folklore of Discworld, Terry Pratchett teams up with leading British folklorist Jacqueline Simpson to give an irreverent yet illuminating look at the living myths and folklore that are reflected, celebrated and affectionately libelled in the uniquely imaginative universe of Discworld.
Podcast episodes
Major appearances
These are episodes primarily devoted to discussing this book.
| Date | Show | Episode | External link |
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Other appearances
These are episodes with significant discussion of the book, but which are about something broader.
| Date | Show | Episode | External link |
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External links
- The Folklore of Discworld at the L-Space Wiki
Footnotes
- ↑ This discussion is possibly “Sir Terry Pratchett in conversation with Dr Jacqueline Simpson in 2010”, a panel sponsored by the British Folklore Society for the 2010 Discworld Convention. It’s still available from their website in four parts, both as a PDF transcript and mp3 audio.