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The Color of Magic: A Discworld Novel Mass Market Paperback – Jan. 29 2013

by Terry Pratchett (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 25,904 ratings
4.0 on Goodreads
412,460 ratings

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“In the history of comic fantasy, Mr. Pratchett has no equals for invention or for range. . . . Those who don’t [know him] can do no better than to buy installment No. 1,The Color of Magic and read right the way through.”—Wall Street Journal

In this first novel in the internationally bestselling Discworld series from legendary New York Times bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett (and the first in the Wizards collection), the fate of the Discworld depends on the survival of a naïve—and first-ever—sightseer.

A writer of brilliant imagination favorably compared to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams, Sir Terry Pratchett created a complex, satirical universe with its own set of cultures and rules, populated with wizards, witches, academics, fairies, policemen, and other creatures both fantastical and remarkably ordinary (including Death himself). Welcome to the Discworld . . . a parallel time and place that sounds and smells very much like our own, but looks completely different—because it’s a flat world sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle.

In this, the maiden voyage through Terry Pratchett’s ingeniously twisted alternate dimension, the well-meaning but spectacularly inept wizard Rincewind encounters something previously unknown in the Discworld: a tourist!

Twoflower has arrived to take in the sights. Unfortunately, he’s cast his lot with a most inappropriate tour guide—a decision that could result in his becoming not only Discworld’s first visitor . . . but quite possibly, its last. And, of course, he’s brought Luggage along, a companion with feet—and a mind—of its own. And teeth. . . .

The Discworld novels can be read in any order, but the other books in the Wizards collection include:

  • The Light Fantastic
  • Sourcery
  • Eric
  • Interesting Times
  • The Last Continent
  • Unseen Academicals
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  1. ISBN-10
    0062225677
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0062225672
  3. Edition
    Reissue
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    Jan. 29 2013
  6. Book 1 of 41
    Discworld
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    10.64 x 1.65 x 19.05 cm
  9. Print length
    288 pages
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  1. Some pirates achieved immortality by great deeds of cruelty or derring-do. Some achieved immortality by amassing great wealth. But the captain had long ago decided that he would, on the whole, prefer to achieve immortality by not dying.
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  2. It is at this point that normal language gives up, and goes and has a drink.
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  3. Rincewind tried to force the memory out of his mind, but it was rather enjoying itself there, terrorizing the other occupants and kicking over the furniture.
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Review

“One of the smartest and funniest comic writers.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Terry Pratchett has created an alternate universe full of trolls, dwarfs, wizards, and other fantasy elements and he uses that universe to reflect our own culture with entertaining and gloriously funny results. It’s an accomplishment nothing short of magic.” — Chicago Tribune

“Pratchett is always clever, always funny, and always surprisingly timely. . . . His world is more than just an alternate universe—it’s a delirious roller-coaster ride that never allows the reader to even consider getting off.” — Philadelphia Inquirer

“Pratchett is an achingly funny fantasist who specializes in creating magical worlds just different enough from ours that the similarities stand out at unexpected angles.” — Charlotte Observer

“Ingenious, brilliant, and hilarious.” — Washington Post

“Unadulterated fun . . . Witty, frequently hilarious.” — San Francisco Chronicle

From the Back Cover

Imagine, if you will . . .

a flat world sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle. In truth, the Discworld is not so different from our own. Yet, at the same time, very different . . . but not so much.

In this, the maiden voyage through Terry Pratchett's divinely and recognizably twisted alternate dimension, the well-meaning but remarkably inept wizard Rincewind encounters something hitherto unknown in the Discworld: a tourist! Twoflower has arrived, Luggage by his side, to take in the sights and, unfortunately, has cast his lot with a most inappropriate tour guide—a decision that could result in Twoflower's becoming not only Discworld's first visitor from elsewhere . . . but quite possibly, portentously, its very last. And, of course, he's brought Luggage along, which has a mind of its own. And teeth.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ Jan. 29 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reissue
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062225677
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062225672
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.64 x 1.65 x 19.05 cm
  • Book 1 of 41 ‏ : ‎ Discworld
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 25,904 ratings

About the author

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Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett

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Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was fifteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983. In 1987 he turned to writing full time, and has not looked back since. To date there are a total of 36 books in the Discworld series, of which four (so far) are written for children. The first of these children's books, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal. A non-Discworld book, Good Omens, his 1990 collaboration with Neil Gaiman, has been a longtime bestseller, and was reissued in hardcover by William Morrow in early 2006 (it is also available as a mass market paperback (Harper Torch, 2006) and trade paperback (Harper Paperbacks, 2006). Terry's latest book, Nation, a non-Discworld standalone YA novel was published in October of 2008 and was an instant New York Times and London Times bestseller. Regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire “for services to literature” in 1998, and has received four honorary doctorates from the Universities of Warwick, Portsmouth, Bath, and Bristol. His acclaimed novels have sold more than 55 million copies (give or take a few million) and have been translated into 36 languages. Terry Pratchett lived in England with his family, and spent too much time at his word processor. Some of Terry's accolades include: The Carnegie Medal, Locus Awards, the Mythopoetic Award, ALA Notable Books for Children, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Book Sense 76 Pick, Prometheus Award and the British Fantasy Award.

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4.4 out of 5 stars
25,904 global ratings

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Customers find the book engaging, great, and easy to read. They describe the content as enchanting, genius, and worth a look. Readers describe the humor as witty, humourous, and refreshing.

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ReadabilityContentHumor
15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, great, and fun. They say it got them hooked on the entire series and read it in one sitting. Readers also mention the book has interesting thoughts and ideas.

"Great book." Read more

"...There are lots of interesting thoughts and ideas within...." Read more

"...Colour of Magic is excellent, funny and adventurous. I recommend it everywhere and to everyone!" Read more

"...and parodies many sci-fi cosmological speculations - in other words a fun read that does not take itself too seriously, somewhat similar to the..." Read more

11 customers mention "Content"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the content enchanting, genius, and worth a look for lovers of fantasy. They say it's outstanding, intelligent, and funny. Readers also mention the tale is wonderfully woven and has interesting thoughts and ideas within.

"...There are lots of interesting thoughts and ideas within...." Read more

"Funny and charming. Takes a little bit to get used to the “science” of Discworld but by the end of the book it all seems perfectly logical haha...." Read more

"...and a very funny read. For lovers of fantasy this is worth a look." Read more

"First discworld practchett book I'd ever read and it was so good it got me hooked on the entire series. Highly recommended" Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book witty, humourous, and refreshing. They say it's wonderfully quirky and incredibly written.

"The title of my review pretty much says it all. This is a whitty, satirical book like the Hitchiker series, only it draws upon fantasy cliches and..." Read more

"Funny and charming. Takes a little bit to get used to the “science” of Discworld but by the end of the book it all seems perfectly logical haha...." Read more

"...Colour of Magic is excellent, funny and adventurous. I recommend it everywhere and to everyone!" Read more

"...to the Hitchiker's guide to the universe and it's British sense of Pythonesque humour." Read more

Top reviews from Canada

  • 鶹 Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars My first ebook that I've come close to finishing
    Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2024
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Great book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • A. Volk
    4.0 out of 5 stars Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets fantasy
    Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    The title of my review pretty much says it all. This is a whitty, satirical book like the Hitchiker series, only it draws upon fantasy cliches and ideas. That's not to say the fantasy within is purely unoriginal. There are lots of interesting thoughts and ideas within. But the book also pokes fun at such fantasy legends as Conan, Fafhrd and Grey Mouser, and Dungeons and Dragons. The story basically deals with a tourist from one strange land visiting another. The tourist is paired up with a failed wizard. The wizard is overly cautious, the tourist is almost completely without regard to danger or fear. Overall, it was a quick, fun, and funny read. This isn't timeless, five-star reading, but if you like some good humor in your books, I'd recommend it.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • 鶹 Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Funny and charming. Takes a little bit to get used to the “science” of Discworld but by the end of the book it all seems perfectly logical haha. Recommend to anyone who enjoys science fiction or fantasy. Or just enjoys a good chuckle.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • QueenG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product
    Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I'm just getting into the Disc world series and already I am extremely impressed. I started by reading Night Watch randomly and when I found out that it was part of this huge series I was ecstatic! Colour of Magic is excellent, funny and adventurous. I recommend it everywhere and to everyone!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Brendan Bruce
    3.0 out of 5 stars The ebook has poor formatting.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2022
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I've heard great things about Discworld and I've enjoyed what I've read so far. My problem lies not with the book, but with how the ebook has been formatted.

    This book changes scenes often, and with the physical book you have a marker separating the end of one scene and the start of another. However, no such thing exists for the ebook version of the Colour of Magic.

    It isn't always obvious when the scene has changed either, causing moments where I'm halfway through a paragraph and I realize I'm not even in the same scene I thought I was.

    Please consider updating this edition of the book to modern ebook standards.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jim Miles
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully quirky and refreshing.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Much more fantasy than sci-fi yet at the same time uses and parodies many sci-fi cosmological speculations - in other words a fun read that does not take itself too seriously, somewhat similar to the Hitchiker's guide to the universe and it's British sense of Pythonesque humour.
    One person found this helpful
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  • robert craig
    5.0 out of 5 stars 1st discworld novel
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Terry Pratchett started his long Discworld series with this thoroughly enjoyable navel. Its witty and humourous
    and a very funny read. For lovers of fantasy this is worth a look.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Adele Wolfe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Would recommend
    Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2019
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    First discworld practchett book I'd ever read and it was so good it got me hooked on the entire series. Highly recommended
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Fran
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very beautiful
    Reviewed in Italy on January 19, 2018
    Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is the first book of the Discworld's serie, I suggest to read this one before the others. Terry Pratchett once said that you can read the books in a random order, but you really need to read this one first to understand better all the characters and their world.
    Report
  • Gilberto RC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Estoy muy satisfecho con mi compra. El producto llegó en perfectas condiciones y antes de lo esperado. La calidad es excelente y cumple con todas las expectativas que tenía. Lo he estado utilizando desde que lo recibí, y hasta ahora no he tenido ningún problema. La relación calidad-precio es inmejorable, y definitivamente volvería a comprar este artículo o cualquier otro similar en el futuro. Recomiendo este producto a quienes estén buscando algo de buena calidad y funcionalidad. ¡Muy contento con mi compra!
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  • Tina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Einfach verständliches Englisch
    Reviewed in Germany on February 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Das Englisch ist für ungeübte einfach zu verstehen. Zählt aber nicht zu meinen Lieblingsbüchern von Terry Pratchet
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  • John Conrod
    5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Wizzard [sic] Rincewind, Tourist Twoflower, & Luggage
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The Color of Magic introduces us to the highly satirical spellbinding style of Terry Pratchett whose mind and pen create a unique world. Magic is real and one of the eight colors.

    Imagine, if you will, a world that's a flat disc where the land is surrounded by the Circular Sea. That sea tumbles over the Edge of the Circumference, its waterfalls trailing off into wispy mists below the rim.

    This flat disc is balanced on the backside of four elephants who, in turn, stand on the immense carapace of an enormous turtle, The Great A'Tuan, whose shell is cratered by ancient meteor impacts. This is Discworld.

    Into Ankh-Morpork, greatest city on Discworld, arrives Twoflower, the first tourist, followed by his Luggage. The Patrician has charged Wizzard [sic] Rincewind to guide Twoflower.

    Accompany Twoflower as his guide. Fulfill this travel plans and desires. Most importantly make sure his tourist adventures and travels are safe.

    What's amazing to me is how easily Terry Pratchett disarms disbelief. As wild and disparate as the concepts might first appear, Terry's mastery weaves a tapestry where all the threads and elements hang together.

    The only personal downside is Terry was a prolific author. Despite passing at a relatively young age Sir Terry Pratchett penned over fifty novels in the Discworld series alone.

    You ask, why is that a downside? At age 80 I finally discovered the brilliance of his writing after Color of Magic came to my attention.

    Time enough left to read the entire Discworld series (on Kindle)? On a small fixed income are funds enough to complete the journey around Discworld (without help from Luggage)?
    -- Auldjohn Emeritus
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  • Ben Sisko
    5.0 out of 5 stars Plein de malice, de finesse et truffé de références...
    Reviewed in France on March 9, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Première lecture, pour moi, de Pratchett en anglais, et je regrette d'avoir attendu si longtemps pour franchir le pas. Non que les traductions soient indignes, mais avoir la possibilité de le lire ainsi apporte une toute autre saveur. Malgré une apparente facilité, une certaine aisance en anglais est nécessaire pour saisir toutes les subtilités (et je pense d'ailleurs en rater quelques-unes).
    Je ne trahirai rien de l'histoire (il doit bien encore exister de potentielles victimes de spoiler), mais si vous aimez la fantasy, les jeux de rôles, ou même si vous adorez les tortues, n'attendez plus pour vous lancer dans cet univers!
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