Background
Published in 1983, “The Color of Magic” is the first novel in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. The book introduces readers to the fantastical and humorous world of Discworld, a flat disc-shaped world carried on the backs of four elephants standing on a giant turtle. The story follows the bumbling wizard Rincewind, who is reluctantly swept up in a series of chaotic and dangerous events after encountering the naïve tourist Twoflower and his magical luggage. As they travel across Discworld, they encounter eccentric characters, wacky situations, and parodies of fantasy tropes.
My Thoughts
I’m writing this review after reading a few more novels in the Discworld series and I can see how Sir Pratchett was just getting his footing in the new world he was creating. (I wonder if he had any idea how prolific and expansive this series would be?) I still enjoyed it but feel it wandered around a bit in the beginning. It took me a while to feel that he got on track. Still, I’m glad I read this one first.
Recommendation
Worth the read but they get better later on.