Hogfather (Discworld Novel) [Hardcover]

What could more genuinely embody the spirit of Christmas (or Hogswatch, on the Discworld) than a Terry Pratchett book about the holiday season? Every secular Christmas tradition is included. But as this is the 21st Discworld novel, there are some unusual twists.

This year the Auditors, who want people to stop believing in things that aren't real, have hired an assassin to eliminate the Hogfather. (You know him: red robe, white beard, says, "Ho, ho, ho!") Their evil plot will destroy the Discworld unless someone covers for him. So someone does. Well, at least Death tries. He wears the costume and rides the sleigh drawn by four jolly pigs: Gouger, Tusker, Rooter and Snouter. He even comes down chimneys. But as fans of other Pratchett stories about Death know, he takes things literally. He gives children whatever they wish for and appears in person at Crumley's in The Maul.

Fans will welcome back Susan, Death of Rats (the Grim Squeaker), Albert and the wizardly faculty of Unseen University and revel in new personalities like Bilious, the "oh god of Hangovers." But you needn't have read Pratchett before to laugh uproariously and think seriously about the meanings of Christmas. --Nona Vero, Amazon.com --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

"Has the energy of "The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the inventiveness of "Alice in Wonderland..."It has also an intelligent wit and a truly original grim and comic grasp of the nature of things."
-A.S. Byatt, "Sunday Times" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

It's the night before Hogswatch, the Discworld festival, and the Hogfather has been kidnapped. There's only possible stand-in who can be everywhere at once and negotiate the thinnest chimney. He's just got to remember to leave his scythe behind. That's right. HO, HO, HO, EVERYONE.

IT'S THE NIGHT BEFORE HOGSWATCH AND IT'S TOO QUIET.

Where is the big jolly fat man? Why is Death creeping down chimneys and trying to say Ho Ho Ho? The darkest night of the year is getting a lot darker...

Susan the gothic governess has got to sort it out by morning, otherwise there won't be a morning. Ever again...

The 20th Discworld novel is a festive feast of darkness and Death (but with jolly robins and tinsel too).

As they say: You'd better watch out...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Terry Pratchett is a publishing phenomenon. He has sold more than 65 million copies of his books worldwide, and among his many prizes and citations are the World Fantasy Award, the Carnegie Medal, the BSFA Award, eight honorary doctorates and, of course, a knighthood. Sir Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series, set on a flat planet, supported on the backs of four elephants, who in turn stand on the back of the great turtle A'Tuin as it swims majestically through space. Four of these novels - Hogfather, Going Postal, The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic - have been adapted for television, with more to follow. He lives near Salisbury in Wiltshire.