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{{Book Data
{{Book Data
|title= The Light Fantastic
|title=The Light Fantastic
|photo=  
|cover=[[File:Cover The Light Fantastic.jpg|thumb|240px|Cover art by Josh Kirby]]
|date= May 1986
|coauthors=
|publisher= Colin Smythe
|illustrator=[[Josh Kirby]]
|isbn= 0861402030
|date=May 1986
|pages= 217
|publisher=Colin Smythe
 
|isbn=9780861402038
|series= Rincewind Series
|pages=217
|characters= [[Rincewind]], [[Twoflower]], [[the Luggage]]
|rrp=
|annotations= {{TLF-APF}}
|series=Rincewind Series
|characters=[[Rincewind]], [[Twoflower]], [[the Luggage]]
|annotations=yes
|notes= Book #02
|notes= Book #02
}}
}}
==Blurb==
==Blurb==
As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the [[Discworld (world)|Discworld]] has only one possible saviour. Unfortunately, this happens to be the singularly inept and cowardly wizard called [[Rincewind]], who was last seen falling off the edge of the world ....
As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the [[Discworld (world)|Discworld]] has only one possible saviour. Unfortunately, this happens to be the singularly inept and cowardly wizard called [[Rincewind]], who was last seen falling off the edge of the world ....


== Characters ==
==Characters==
 
===Major Characters===
=== Major Characters ===


* [[Rincewind]]
* [[Rincewind]]
Line 27: Line 26:
* [[Cohen]] (first appearance)
* [[Cohen]] (first appearance)


=== Minor Characters ===
===Minor Characters===
 
* [[Galder Weatherwax]], 304th Archchancellor of Unseen University
* [[Galder Weatherwax]], 304th Archchancellor of Unseen University
* [[Buggy Swires]] (first appearance)
* [[Swires]], a gnome (possibly the first appearance of [[Buggy Swires]], though this is not confirmed)
* [[Bethan]]
* [[Bethan]]
* [[Horse People]], collective name for the Horse Tribes in the [[Hubland]] steppes
* [[Horse People]], collective name for the Horse Tribes in the [[Hubland]] steppes
Line 36: Line 34:
* [[Kwartz]], a homophone of {{wp|Quartz|Quartz}}
* [[Kwartz]], a homophone of {{wp|Quartz|Quartz}}
* [[Chrysoprase|Krysoprase]] (first appearance), a homophone of {{wp|Chrysoprase|Chrysoprase}}
* [[Chrysoprase|Krysoprase]] (first appearance), a homophone of {{wp|Chrysoprase|Chrysoprase}}
* [[Breccia (troll)]], not to be confused with [[Breccia]], a troll crime syndicate, though the latter is possibly named after the former; named after {{wp|Breccia|Breccia}}
* [[Breccia (troll)|Breccia]], a troll; not to be confused with 'the' [[Breccia]], a troll crime syndicate, though the latter is possibly named after the former; named after {{wp|Breccia|Breccia}}
* [[Jasper]], named after {{wp|Jasper|Jasper}}
* [[Jasper]], a troll; named after {{wp|Jasper|Jasper}}
* [[Beryl]], named after {{wp|Beryl|Beryl}}
* [[Beryl]], a troll; named after {{wp|Beryl|Beryl}}
* [[Old Grandad]], nickname for a troll whose real name we do not learn
* [[Old Grandad]], nickname for a troll whose real name we do not learn
* [[Weems]], Morpork mercenary
* [[Weems]], Morpork mercenary
* [[Lackjaw]], dwarf jeweler
* [[Lackjaw]], dwarf jeweler


=== Cameos ===
===Cameos===
 
* [[Death]]
* [[Death]]
* the [[Librarian]] (first appearance)
* the [[Librarian]] (first appearance)
Line 61: Line 58:
* [[Dahoney]], demagogue of the [[Star People]]
* [[Dahoney]], demagogue of the [[Star People]]


=== Things/People mentioned ===
===Mentions===
 
<!-- creating this section so we have links to pages that haven't been created yet-- not listing everything mentioned in book-- things that are mentioned in the book but are minor and already have pages are not listed below -->
<!-- creating this section so we have links to pages that haven't been created yet-- not listing everything mentioned in book-- things that are mentioned in the book but are minor and already have pages are not listed below -->


* [[the Luggage|A box with many little legs that looks malevolently upon you without eyes]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman. However, this one is for real...
* [[Ancient Ones]] -- omniscient multi-verse beings who know everything about all the universes
* Azimrothe, T'chikel, Yrriph, Kcharla, Cheliliki, and Orizone -- supernatural entities by which Death can presumably be commanded (though Galder Weatherwax may just be posturing, especially since Death is answering questions freely anyway)
* [[Sky God]] and [[Celestial Cow]] -- possible creators of the universe according to some theories
* [[Skrelt Changebasket]] -- wizard
* [[Cimbar]] -- an Assassin
* [[Creosote]] -- [[Seriph]] of [[Al Khali]] in the expression "as rich as Creosote"
* [[Dean of Liberal Studies]] -- swallowed by the Luggage
* [[Captain Eightpanther]] -- creator of [[Captain Eightpanther's Travellers' Digestives]], a type of biscuit (full name given in {{COM}}, though possibly the human equivalent of [[dwarf bread]])
* [[Moon goddess]] -- who virgin druids meet when they are sacrificed (later in the book, we learn there are several moon goddesses)
* [[Olaf Quimby II]] -- a Patritian of Ankh with views on descriptive writing
* [[Rhunlet Vard]] -- apparent successor to Greyhald Spold (but opposed by Trymon)
* [[Ly Tin Wheedle]] -- famous philosopher
* [[Ly Tin Wheedle]] -- famous philosopher
* [[Seal of Eightfold Stasis]] -- magical seal with considerable stopping power
* [[Granny Whitlow]] -- witch who built a candy cottage (even though it sounds more like something [[Aliss_Demurrage|Black Aliss]] would do)
* [[Woo Hun Ling]] -- owner of Woo Hun Ling's [[Oriental Exotica and Martial Aids]], a shop on [[Heroes Street]]. Interestingly, the shop name does appear to be "martial" (relating to war), not "marital" (relating to marriage), possibly a typo, but perhaps an intentional joke. It's also interesting that the shop's name contains the word "Oriental": on the Disc, shouldn't this be Agatean? (or perhaps ''Auriental'' as this variant is used elsewhere).
 
==Things and Devices==
* [[Book of Going Forth Around Elevenish]] -- book written by rather lazy [[Llama]]ic sect
* [[Book of Going Forth Around Elevenish]] -- book written by rather lazy [[Llama]]ic sect
* bronze torc -- apparently a small unit of druid currency
* [[Bumper Fun Grimoire]] -- book possibly containing last original joke in the universe
* [[Bumper Fun Grimoire]] -- book possibly containing last original joke in the universe
* [[Sky God]] and [[Celestial Cow]] -- possible creators of the universe according to some theories
* Chant of the Trodden Spiral -- software-like chant designed for "concentric circle computing"
* Azimrothe, T'chikel, Yrriph, Kcharla, Cheliliki, and Orizone -- supernatural entities by which Death can presumably be commanded (though Galder Weatherwax may just be posturing, especially since Death is answering questions freely anyway)
* charm, persuasion, uncertainty, bloody-mindedness -- according to druids, the universe's operation depends on these four forces
* Cupumuguk snow runes -- a language that the Eight Spells appear in briefly
* [[Iyt Gryet Teymple hyte Tsort, Y Hiystory Myistical]] -- a book (perhaps the only one) about the [[Pyramids]] of Tsort.
* [[Iyt Gryet Teymple hyte Tsort, Y Hiystory Myistical]] -- a book (perhaps the only one) about the [[Pyramids]] of Tsort.
* I Don't Know, What? -- a geographical feature of unknown type with a silly name
* Just A Mountain -- a mountain with a silly name
* Just A Mountain -- a mountain with a silly name
* I Don't Know, What? -- a geographical feature of unknown type with a silly name
* [[manicreach]] -- creature whose entrails can be used for scrying purposes
* [[Mirror of Oversight]] -- magical device
* [[Necrotelicomnicon]] -- a famous [[Grimoire|grimoire]]
* [[Nosehinger on the Laws of Contract]], a book Twoflower gives the Four Horseman to learn [[Contract Bridge (game)|bridge]]
* [[Potent Voyager]] -- research vessel
* Runes of M'haw
* [[Seal of Eightfold Stasis]] -- magical seal with considerable stopping power
* [[Seven League Boots]] --a somewhat tricky means of transportation
* [[Skelde, Spirit of the Smoke]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[The Little Folks' Book of Flower Fairies]] -- a book about pixies that Twoflower read as a child
* [[The Little Folks' Book of Flower Fairies]] -- a book about pixies that Twoflower read as a child
* [[Skrelt Changebasket]]
* [[Granny Whitlow]] -- witch who built a candy cottage (even though it sounds more like something [[Aliss_Demurrage|Black Aliss]] would do)
* [[Topaxci, the God of the Red Mushroom]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[Topaxci, the God of the Red Mushroom]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[Skelde, Spirit of the Smoke]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[Umcherrel, the Soul of the Forest]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[Umcherrel, the Soul of the Forest]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman
* [[the Luggage|A box with many little legs that looks malevolently upon you without eyes]] -- sometimes seen by hallucinogen-enhanced shaman. However, this one is for real...
* [[Wandering Shop]] -- theoretical galactic empire controlled by shopkeepers (reminiscent of Robert Asprin's Deva?)
* charm, persuasion, uncertainty, bloody-mindedness -- according to druids, the universe's operation depends on these four forces
* bronze torc -- apparently a small unit of druid currency
* [[Dean of Liberal Studies]] -- swallowed by the Luggage
* Chant of the Trodden Spiral -- software-like chant designed for "concentric circle computing"
* [[Moon goddess]] -- who virgin druids meet when they are sacrificed (later in the book, we learn there are several moon goddesses)
* [[Rhunlet Vard]] -- apparent successor to Greyhald Spold (but opposed by Trymon)
* [[Mirror of Oversight]] -- magical device
* Runes of M'haw
* [[manicreach]] -- creature whose entrails can be used for scrying purposes
* [[YMPA|Young Men's Pagan Association]] -- parody of the Young Men's Christian Association ({{wp|YMCA|YMCA}})
* [[YMPA|Young Men's Pagan Association]] -- parody of the Young Men's Christian Association ({{wp|YMCA|YMCA}})
* [[Woo Hun Ling]]'s [[Oriental Exotica and Martial Aids]] -- a shop on [[Heroes Street]]. Interestingly, the shop name does appear to be "martial" (relating to war), not "marital" (relating to marriage), possibly a typo, but perhaps an intentional joke. It's also interesting that the shop's name contains the word "Oriental": on the Disc, shouldn't this be Agatean? (or perhaps ''Auriental'' as this variant is used elsewhere).
* [[Nosehinger on the Laws of Contract]], a book Twoflower gives the Four Horseman to learn [[Contract Bridge (game)|bridge]]
* [[Cimbar]] -- an Assassin
* [[Creosote]] -- [[Seriph]] of [[Al Khali]] in the expression "as rich as Creosote"
* [[Captain Eightpanther]]'s [[Captain Eightpanther's Travellers' Digestives|Travellers' Digestives]] -- a type of biscuit (full name given in {{COM}}, though possibly the human equivalent of [[dwarf bread]]
* [[Wandering Shop]] -- theoretical galactic empire controlled by shopkeepers (reminiscent of Robert Asprin's Deva?)
* [[Ancient Ones]] -- omniscient multi-verse beings who know everything about all the universes
* Cupumuguk snow runes -- a language that the Eight Spells appear in briefly
== Locations ==


==Locations==
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
** [[Unseen University]] (first appearance)
** [[Unseen University]] (first appearance)
*** [[Great Hall]]
*** [[Tower of Art]]
* [[Death's Domain]]
* [[Dungeon Dimensions]]
* [[Krull]]
* [[Krull]]
* The [[Octavo]] (in certain metaphysical respects)
* The [[Red Star]]
* [[River Smarl]], a river connecting to the [[Circle Sea]]
* [[Skillet, Wang, Yrxle!yt, Bunglestiff, Cwmlad and Patel]], a [[tabernae vagantes|wandering shop]] appearing inside brick wall
* [[Skund]]
* [[Skund]]
* [[Dungeon Dimensions]]
* [[Trollbone Mountains]]
* [[Vortex Plains]]
* [[Your Finger You Fool]], a forest in [[Skund]], rimwards of the [[Ramtops|Ramtop Mountains]], including:
* [[Your Finger You Fool]], a forest in [[Skund]], rimwards of the [[Ramtops|Ramtop Mountains]], including:
** [[Mount Oolskunrahod]], a mountain whose name translates to "Who is this Fool who does Not Know what a Mountain Is"
** [[Mount Oolskunrahod]], a mountain whose name translates to "Who is this Fool who does Not Know what a Mountain Is"
* [[Vortex Plains]]
* The [[Octavo]] (in certain metaphysical respects)
* [[Trollbone Mountains]]
* [[Death's Domain]]
* [[River Smarl]], a river connecting to the [[Circle Sea]]
* [[Skillet, Wang, Yrxle!yt, Bunglestiff, Cwmlad and Patel]], a [[tabernae vagantes|wandering shop]] appearing inside brick wall
* The [[Red Star]]


==Sentient Species==
==Sentient Species==
*[[Dwarfs]]
*[[Dwarfs]]
*[[Humans]]
*[[Humans]]
Line 126: Line 128:


==Supernatural Entities==
==Supernatural Entities==
*[[Creator|The Creator]] (mentioned)
*[[Creator|The Creator]] (mentioned)
*[[Demons]] (mentioned)
*[[Demons]] (mentioned)
Line 134: Line 135:
*[[Imps]]
*[[Imps]]
*[[Dungeon Dimensions|Horrors from the Dungeon Dimensions]]
*[[Dungeon Dimensions|Horrors from the Dungeon Dimensions]]
==Adaptations==
{{TV Data
|title=Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic
|cover=[[File:Magic DVD.jpg|thumb|200px]]
|asin=B001EM1E8A
|imdb=1079959
|date=23-24 March 2008
|channel=Sky One
|director=Vadim Jean
|producer=Rod Brown & Ian Sharples
|cast=David Jason, Sean Astin, Tim Curry, Christopher Lee (voice)
|duration=184 minutes
|episodes=2
|notes=
|series=Rincewind Series
|prev=[[TV and Film:Hogfather|Terry Pratchett's Hogfather]]
|next=[[TV and Film:Going Postal|Terry Pratchett's Going Postal]]
}}
===[[TV and Film:The Colour of Magic|Television]]===
The plot of 'The Light Fantastic' was the focus of the series second episode.
Cast:
*[[Rincewind]] - [[Wikipedia:David_Jason|David Jason]] (''Only Fools And Horses, A Touch Of Frost, The Darling Buds of May, Open All Hours)
*[[Twoflower]] - [[Wikipedia:Sean_Astin|Sean Astin]] (''Lord of the Rings'' trilogy, ''The Goonies'')
*[[Trymon]] - [[Wikipedia:Tim_Curry|Tim Curry]] (''The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Legend'')
*[[Death]] (voice) - [[Wikipedia:Chistopher_Lee|Christopher Lee]] (''The Wicker Man, The Man with the Golden Gun, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith)
*[[Lord Vetinari]] - [[Wikipedia:Jeremy_Irons|Jeremy Irons]] (''Die Hard with a Vengance, Dead Ringers'')
*[[Cohen the Barbarian]] - [[Wikipedia:David_Bradley|David Bradley]] (''Harry Potter'' series, ''Hot Fuzz'')
*[[Bethan]] - [[Wikipedia:Laura_Haddock|Laura Haddock]] (''Honest, How Not To Live Your Life'')
*[[Galder Weatherwax]] - [[Wikipedia:James_Cosmo|James Cosmo]] (''Highlander, Braveheart, Trainspotting'')
*[[Librarian | Head Librarian of the Unseen University]] - [[Wikipedia:Nicolas_Tennant|Nicolas Tennant]] ([[TV and Film:Hogfather|''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'']])
*[[Liessa]] - [[Wikipedia:Karen_David|Karen David]]
*[[Herrena]] - [[Wikipedia:Liz_May_Brice|Liz May Brice]]
*[[Arch-Astronomer]] - [[Wikipedia:Nigel_Planer|Nigel Planer]] (''The Young Ones'')
*[[The Luggage]] - [[Wikipedia:Richard_Da_Costa|Richard Da Costa]]
*[[Lumuel Panter]] - [[Wikipedia:Roger_Ashton-Griffiths|Roger Ashton-Griffiths]]
*[[Zlorf Flannelfoot]] - [[Wikipedia:Miles_Richardson|Miles Richardson]]
*[[Kring]] - [[Wikipedia:James_Perry|James Perry]]
*[[Broadman]] - [[Wikipedia:Stephen_Marcus|Stephen Marcus]] ([[TV and Film:Hogfather|''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'']])
The TV adaptation also adds characters not referenced in the original book like [[Hector Tugelbend]] and [[Ransak Boggett]], who are essentially "placeholder" characters added for completion who are referenced only once, with minimal information, and then disappear again.
===[[Game:The Colour of Magic|Video Game]]===
{{TCOM}} and The Light Fantastic were adapted into a text adventure video game [[Game:The Colour of Magic|''The Colour of Magic'']] in 1986.
===[[Book:The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic|Graphic Novel]]===
The novel was adapted into a series of four comics illustrated by Steven Ross. These were then collected into a single edition in 1993 and then later in 2008 combined with the other collected edition based on {{TCOM}} into the omnibus [[Book:The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic|''The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic'']].
In 2008 {{TCOM}} and The Light Fantastic were reprinted together in a 25th anniversary edition with illustrations by [[Stephen Player]].
===[[Theatre Adaptations|Theatre]]===
Elements of the book were used in the playtext [[Book:The Rince Cycle|''The Rince Cycle'']] by [[Stephen Briggs]] in 2015.
==Gallery==
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:LF First.jpg|120px|thumb|First Edition Cover by [[Josh Kirby]]]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF Compact.jpg|thumb|140px|Compact Edition 1995]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF Black.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2004]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF Tape.jpg|thumb|120px|Audio Cassette]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF CD.jpg|thumb|140px|Audio CD]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF US1.jpg|thumb|110px|US Cover 2005]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF US2.jpg|thumb|110px|US Cover 2013]]
|}
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:TCOM LF Illustrated.jpg|thumb|110px|Illustrated Edition by [[Stephen Player]]]]
| valign="top" | [[File:TCOM LF Movie.jpg|thumb|110px|Omnibus with TV Cover]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF Zoom.jpg|thumb|120px|Paperback 2012]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF Unseen.jpg|thumb|120px|Unseen Library Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF CL.jpg|thumb|110px|Collectors Library Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:LF_2022.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2022]]
|}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 140: Line 224:
{{series|before=The Colour of Magic|series=Discworld|after=Equal Rites}}
{{series|before=The Colour of Magic|series=Discworld|after=Equal Rites}}
{{series|before=The Colour of Magic|series=Rincewind|after=Sourcery}}
{{series|before=The Colour of Magic|series=Rincewind|after=Sourcery}}
{{series|before=The Colour of Magic|series=Wizards|after=Sourcery}}


[[Category:Discworld Series|Light Fantastic, The]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Light Fantastic, The}}
[[Category:Rincewind Series|Light Fantastic, The]]
[[Category:Discworld Series]]
[[Category:Rincewind Series]]
[[Category:Wizards Series]]
[[de:Buch:Das Licht der Phantasie]]
[[de:Buch:Das Licht der Phantasie]]

Latest revision as of 23:28, 11 August 2024

The Light Fantastic
Cover art by Josh Kirby
Co-author(s)
Illustrator(s) Josh Kirby
Publisher Colin Smythe
Publication date May 1986
ISBN 9780861402038
Pages 217
RRP
Main characters Rincewind, Twoflower, the Luggage
Series Rincewind Series
Annotations View
Notes Book #02
All data relates to the first UK edition.

Blurb

As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the Discworld has only one possible saviour. Unfortunately, this happens to be the singularly inept and cowardly wizard called Rincewind, who was last seen falling off the edge of the world ....

Characters

Major Characters

Minor Characters

Cameos

Mentions

Things and Devices

Locations

Sentient Species

Supernatural Entities

Adaptations

Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic
ASIN B001EM1E8A
IMDB 1079959
First Broadcast 23-24 March 2008
Broadcast Channel Sky One
Director(s) Vadim Jean
Producer(s) Rod Brown & Ian Sharples
Writer(s) {{{writer}}}
Starring David Jason, Sean Astin, Tim Curry, Christopher Lee (voice)
Duration 184 minutes
Episodes 2
Series Rincewind Series
Annotations Annotations for Book:The Light Fantastic
Notes
Preceded by Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
Followed by Terry Pratchett's Going Postal
All data relates to the UK home release.

Television

The plot of 'The Light Fantastic' was the focus of the series second episode.

Cast:

The TV adaptation also adds characters not referenced in the original book like Hector Tugelbend and Ransak Boggett, who are essentially "placeholder" characters added for completion who are referenced only once, with minimal information, and then disappear again.

Video Game

The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic were adapted into a text adventure video game The Colour of Magic in 1986.

Graphic Novel

The novel was adapted into a series of four comics illustrated by Steven Ross. These were then collected into a single edition in 1993 and then later in 2008 combined with the other collected edition based on The Colour of Magic into the omnibus The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic.

In 2008 The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic were reprinted together in a 25th anniversary edition with illustrations by Stephen Player.

Theatre

Elements of the book were used in the playtext The Rince Cycle by Stephen Briggs in 2015.





Gallery

First Edition Cover by Josh Kirby
Compact Edition 1995
Paperback 2004
Audio Cassette
Audio CD
US Cover 2005
US Cover 2013
Illustrated Edition by Stephen Player
Omnibus with TV Cover
Paperback 2012
Unseen Library Edition
Collectors Library Edition
Paperback 2022

External links

The Light Fantastic Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File


Previous book

The Colour of Magic

Discworld Series Next book

Equal Rites

Previous book

The Colour of Magic

Rincewind Series Next book

Sourcery

Previous book

The Colour of Magic

Wizards Series Next book

Sourcery