Terry Pratchett does Christmas. Pratchett, like Tolkien, is interested in the origins of things, and here he prods a little at the origins of our mythical figures, Santa and the Tooth Fairy and their ilk. Susan Death is along for the ride, as is Death himself, both some of my very favorite Pratchett characters. There is a part where it strongly reminds me of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Death does a good Jack Skellington. Great book. It has a BBC movie version, too, in case you're a huge Pratchett fan like me, and don't know. ( )

Hogfather is generally reckoned to be one of Pratchett's "lesser" works. But every time I read it, I'm more and more impressed with this book. It's tightly plotted--apparently casual comments turn out to immensely important, such as the conversation about the amenities provided by the fancy bathroom at Unseen University. Characters like Susan and her grandfather--like the reader--learn a little bit more about the human condition. Lots of Christmas traditions are given classic Pratchett satiric treatment, it's true, but at the conclusion, readers are as thoughtful about, say, the history of Santa Claus as they are amused by Pratchett's send-up.

Every time I read a Pratchett novel, I'm reminded more and more of Dickens. (Actually, since I read all of Pratchett's oeuvre first...every time I read a Dickens novel, I'm reminded more and more of Pratchett.) ( )

The subject of Hogfather is Christmas. Except on Discworld, it's called Hogswatch, the jolly old fat man is the Hogfather, and he rides around in a sleigh pulled by four large boars named Gouger, Rooter, Tusker and Snouter. Like Santa Claus, the Hogfather goes about climbing down chimneys and leaving presents for children. But this year, things are a little different. The Hogfather seems to have gone on a diet because he's nothing but skin and bones--well, actually, just bones. It seems the Hogfather has died and Death has stepped in to take over. The Death of Rats is busy warning Susan Sto-Helit what Death is up to when he drops down her chimney. Susan is a governess with a few special talents. You see, Susan is Death's granddaughter. The daughter of Death's adopted daughter and her husband, Death's former apprentice. Susan demands an explanation and Death reveals that the Hogfather is dead. When Susan demands to know why he is doing this, he refuses to answer and tells her it is not her business. So when Susan begins her investigation. She's joined by the Death of Rats, an annoying talking raven, and the God of Hangovers. Also on the case, though they don't know it, are the intellectual elite of the Unseen University. The wizards, led by Archchancellor Ridcully, are working on the problem of mysteriously appearing gods. Gods are popping out of thin air--the God of Indigestion, the Eater of Socks, the Cheerful Fairy and the Wisdom Tooth Goblin, to name just a few. ( )

Enjoyable, if somewhat uneven. Hogfather is at its best when Susan and Death are the ones "on screen", as it were, though the real gems -- as always -- come when Pratchett offers his views on humanity, reality, and the power of belief. ( )

This is the book that got me reading the others in the Death mini series - or rather, the TV movie adaptation of this book, was. And I have to say that after reading this I was certainly not disappointed. I thought the TV movie was very faithful to the book.

This is just as good as the others in the series - Death takes on the role of the Hogfather, the Discworld version of Father Christmas. Once again there is Susan, now an adult, and the wizards (who are as crazy as always). I loved the scenes with the Oh God of Hangovers, and the pen eating monster! And Death, as always. "You didn't really leave a pony in their kitchen did you master?" "of course not Albert. That would be unhygienic. It's in the bedroom."

Definitely worth reading - you don't have to have read the others for this one to make sense, although it does help if you have familiarity with the Discworld beforehand (as with any of them!). ( )