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Hogfather (1996)

by Terry Pratchett

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Discworld: Susan (2), Discworld: Gods (3), Discworld: Death (4), Discworld (20)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
11,287155588 (4.11)412
Who would want to harm Discworld's most beloved icon? Very few things are held sacred in this twisted, corrupt, heartless -- and oddly familiar -- universe, but the Hogfather is one of them. Yet here it is, Hogswatchnight, that most joyous and acquisitive of times, and the jolly old, red-suited gift-giver has vanished without a trace. And there's something shady going on involving an uncommonly psychotic member of the Assassins' Guild and certain representatives of Ankh-Morpork's rather extensive criminal element. Suddenly Discworld's entire myth system is unraveling at an alarming rate. Drastic measures must be taken, which is why Death himself is taking up the reins of the fat man's vacated sleigh . . . which, in turn, has Death's level-headed granddaughter, Susan, racing to unravel the nasty, humbuggian mess before the holiday season goes straight to hell and takes everyone along with it.… (more)
Recently added byprivate library, daniijackman, Xtrangeloop, jwolabaugh, MASP, Scuno, sh78196, RoxieTudor
  1. 90
    The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams (MyriadBooks)
    MyriadBooks: Tea-Time, "Te-ah-tim-eh;" old gods, new jobs...
  2. 124
    The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Merriwyn)
    Merriwyn: If what you love about Pratchett is the combination of humour and the wealth of cultural and intertextual references then Jasper Fforde should be right up your street. Set in an alternate world, The Eyre Affair is funny and clever, referencing swathes of western literature and literary history, and exploring complex and interesting ideas in the best tradition of humourous fantasy.… (more)
  3. 20
    Barking Mad: A Reginald Spiffington Mystery by Jamieson Ridenhour (ChillnND)
    ChillnND: I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett style comedy fantasy and I found Barking Mad to be not dissimilar in its level of wit and humor. Barking has maybe slightly less social commentary than a Pratchett novel but aims a bit more at good-natured parody of Agatha Christie's and similarly styled mysteries. I looked forward to every minute of reading it and hope the author gives us some more Spiffington mysteries.… (more)
  4. 10
    Klaus by Grant Morrison (ansate)
  5. 00
    Fisher of Devils by Steve Redwood (mjcj)
    mjcj: If you love Pratchett, you will love this.
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» See also 412 mentions

English (148)  Spanish (2)  Italian (1)  Norwegian (1)  Swedish (1)  Hungarian (1)  Polish (1)  All languages (155)
Showing 1-5 of 148 (next | show all)
Terry Pratchett, once again.

Bedtime storytime is an institution which had been foundering in our household.

More than that, for years in December I had brought down our collection of holiday/winter picture books and we'd read one a night in addition to our regular story. But the kids are getting older, and the stack of books that I would imagine could still hold their interest dwindles every year.

And this year, I had the brilliant idea: Hogfather.

Suddenly, EVERYONE wanted story time, every night and sometimes even asked for more chapters! I think the exact right amount of time had gone by since we'd seen the movie adaptation — enough to not remember exactly where things were going, but recent enough to make it easy to picture most of the characters, and keep a vague grip on the shape of the thing.

Easily in my top ten story time books we've enjoyed together as a family, ever. Susan and her exasperation is such a wonderful guide through all the chaos, making it easier to take glee in the unhingedness, to not be too unsettled by the deranged. And then the message, finally, is just so perfect.

Maybe someday in the future, when Jefferson comes home from college for the holidays, we can read it again. ( )
  greeniezona | Feb 4, 2024 |
I loved everything about this book, from the little fairies that kept popping into existence with a glingle-lingle-ling to Death playing the role of Santa in his very own way, to the Auditors, to the poker. Especially the poker. Hogfather is going to join with Dicken’s Christmas Carol and Dr. Seuss’ Grinch to form my very own Holy Trinity of Christmas stories.

Now I just need to find it on audio for my annual re-reads!

Paperback version, read for the 2017 Christmas Bingo.
( )
  Doodlebug34 | Jan 1, 2024 |
Good book, overall. Some time ago, I tried to read "Light Fantastic" (after having read "The Colour of Magic") and decided that I wasn't much a fan of Pratchett. At the recommendation of a friend, I read this book, and was pleasantly surprised, and would certainly give Pratchett another chance. ( )
  jdpacheco | Dec 13, 2023 |
Unraveling Pratchett's plots is always a challenge. This one is ultimately about belief creating the gods that create the world and what happens to the world when the belief changes. On the surface, it's about Death stepping in to deliver toys on Hogswatch Night because the Auditors of the Universe have caused the Tooth Fairy to be kidnapped. See what I mean?

Somewhat darker than many of Pratchett's fantasies, this one buries some intriguing questions under the puns and humor, and it reaches far, far back into the imagined history of Discworld, when propitiating the unknown and unpredictable gods was serious business indeed. ( )
  LyndaInOregon | Aug 7, 2023 |
One of the lesser Pratchett books but a fun read for all that. A definite must read for anyone who has wondered how to kill Santa. ( )
  elahrairah | Jul 21, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 148 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (22 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Terry Pratchettprimary authorall editionscalculated
Brandhorst, AndreasTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
De Muth, RogerCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Galian, Carl D.Cover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Ittekot, VenugopalanTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kirby, JoshCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Matthews, RobinPhotographersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Planer, NigelNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stone, MikeAuthor photosecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tony RobinsonIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
Dedication
To the guerilla bookshop
manager know to friends as
'ppint' for asking me, many years
ago, the question Susan asks in
this book. I'm surprised more
people haven't asked it . . .

And to too many absent friends.
First words
Everything starts somewhere, though many physicists disagree.
Quotations
She'd become a governess. It was one of the few jobs a known lady could do.
And she'd taken to it well. She'd sworn that if she did indeed ever find herself dancing on rooftops with chimney sweeps she'd beat herself to death with her own umbrella.
Time stopped.

But duration continued.
Sometimes, somewhere, somehow, the numbers on the clock did not count.

Between every rational moment were a billion irrational ones.
Mister Teatime had a truly brilliant mind, but it was brilliant like a fractured mirror, all marvellous

facets and rainbows but, ultimately, also something that was broken.
It’s amazing how people define roles for themselves and put handcuffs on their experience and are

constantly surprised by the things a roulette universe spins at them.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Who would want to harm Discworld's most beloved icon? Very few things are held sacred in this twisted, corrupt, heartless -- and oddly familiar -- universe, but the Hogfather is one of them. Yet here it is, Hogswatchnight, that most joyous and acquisitive of times, and the jolly old, red-suited gift-giver has vanished without a trace. And there's something shady going on involving an uncommonly psychotic member of the Assassins' Guild and certain representatives of Ankh-Morpork's rather extensive criminal element. Suddenly Discworld's entire myth system is unraveling at an alarming rate. Drastic measures must be taken, which is why Death himself is taking up the reins of the fat man's vacated sleigh . . . which, in turn, has Death's level-headed granddaughter, Susan, racing to unravel the nasty, humbuggian mess before the holiday season goes straight to hell and takes everyone along with it.

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