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{{Book Data
{{Book Data
|title= Hogfather
|title=Hogfather
|cover=
|cover=[[File:Cover Hogfather.jpg|thumb|240px|Cover art by Josh Kirby]]
[[File:Cover Hogfather.jpg|thumb|240px|Cover art by Josh Kirby]]
|coauthors=
|coauthors=
|illustrator=
|illustrator=
|date= 7 November 1996
|date=7 November 1996
|publisher= Doubleday
|publisher=Doubleday
|isbn=057506403X
|isbn=9780575064034
|pages=416
|pages=416
|rrp=
|rrp=
Line 13: Line 12:
|characters=[[Death]], [[Susan Sto Helit]], [[Teatime|Mr. Teatime]]
|characters=[[Death]], [[Susan Sto Helit]], [[Teatime|Mr. Teatime]]
|annotations=yes
|annotations=yes
|notes= Adapted as a TV film in 2006
|notes=Adapted as a TV film in 2006
}}
}}
==Blurb==
==Blurb==
Line 30: Line 29:
'You'd better watch out ...'
'You'd better watch out ...'


== Plot ==
==Plot==
The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. [[Susan Sto Helit]] has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see [[bogeymen]] and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the [[Auditors of Reality]] pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the [[Hogfather]]. [[Lord Downey]] sends for [[Jonathan Teatime]], a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.
The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. [[Susan Sto Helit]] has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see [[bogeymen]] and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the [[Auditors of Reality]] pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the [[Hogfather]] (the equivalent to Father Christmas). [[Lord Downey]] sends for [[Jonathan Teatime]], a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.


[[Death]] appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with [[Binky]], the [[Death of Rats]] and a [[Quoth|raven]] to the [[Castle of Bones]], which collapses due to lack of belief. Here, she discovers the newly created [[Bilious]], the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the [[Unseen University]] to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by [[Hex]] that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.
[[Death]] appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with [[Binky]], the [[Death of Rats]] and a [[Quoth|raven]] to the [[Castle of Bones]] (the Hogfather's residence) which collapses because children have stopped believing in the Hogfather. Here, she discovers the newly created [[Bilious]], the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the [[Unseen University]] to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by [[Hex]] that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.


Susan follows a trail through [[Ankh-Morpork]] and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human [[Tooth Fairy]], went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal [[Banjo Lilywhite]] (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.
Susan follows a trail through [[Ankh-Morpork]] and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human [[Tooth Fairy]], went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal [[Banjo Lilywhite]] (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.
Line 39: Line 38:
Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.
Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.


Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand bigger lies such as Justice, Mercy and Duty.
Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand "bigger lies" such as justice, mercy and duty.


As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.
As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.


== Sub-Plots ==
==Sub-Plots==
*Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by [[Albert]]. Death barges into the grotto [[Crumley's]] department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
*Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by [[Albert]]. Death barges into the grotto [[Crumley's]] department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
*Much of the humour in the book comes from in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers [[Galder Weatherwax|Archchancellor Weatherwax]]'s bathroom, designed by the dreaded [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson]]. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked {{wp|Old Faithful|Old Faithful}}, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.
*Much of the humour in the book comes from the scenes in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers [[Galder Weatherwax|Archchancellor Weatherwax]]'s bathroom, designed by the dreaded [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson]]. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked {{wp|Old Faithful|Old Faithful}}, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.
 
== Characters ==
 
=== Major Characters ===


==Characters==
===Major Characters===
* [[Jonathan Teatime]], an assassin
* [[Jonathan Teatime]], an assassin
* [[Susan Sto-Helit]], Death's granddaughter
* [[Susan Sto-Helit]], Death's granddaughter
Line 70: Line 67:
** the [[Librarian]]
** the [[Librarian]]


=== Minor Characters ===
===Minor Characters===
 
* Lord [[Downey]], head of the [[Assassins' Guild]]
* Lord [[Downey]], head of the [[Assassins' Guild]]
* Mr [[Winvoe]], Assassins' Guild Treasurer.
* Mr [[Winvoe]], Assassins' Guild Treasurer.
* [[Modo]], Unseen University's gardener and odd-job dwarf
* [[Modo]], Unseen University's gardener and odd-job dwarf
* Lares and penates (small gods) created during the book (most, not all, cease to exist once belief in the Hogfather is restored):
* [[Lares and Penates]] (small gods) created during the book (most, not all, cease to exist once belief in the Hogfather is restored):
** [[Verruca Gnome]]
** [[Verruca Gnome]]
** [[Hair Loss Fairy]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Hair Loss Fairy]]
** [[Eater of Socks]]
** [[Eater of Socks]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Electric Drill Chuck Key Fairy]]
** [[Stealer of Pencils]]
** [[Stealer of Pencils]]
** [[God of Indigestion]]
** [[God of Indigestion]]
** [[Towel Wasps]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Towel Wasps]]
** [[Cheerful Fairy]] (aka Gwendoline Smith) and the [[Blue Bird of Happiness]] (a blue bird [a hen, in fact], not a bluebird)
** [[Cheerful Fairy]] (aka Gwendoline Smith) and the [[Blue Bird of Happiness]] (a blue bird [a hen, in fact], not a bluebird)
** [[Glingleglingleglingle Fairy]]
** [[Glingleglingleglingle Fairy]]
Line 90: Line 87:
** [[Gawain Gaiter]], Twyla's brother
** [[Gawain Gaiter]], Twyla's brother
** [[Mrs Gaiter]], their mother, a social climber
** [[Mrs Gaiter]], their mother, a social climber
** [[Mr Gaiter]], their father, in the wholesale shoes and boots business
** [[Mrs Gaiter|Mr Gaiter]], their father, in the wholesale shoes and boots business
* Villains who assist Teatime:
* Villains who assist Teatime:
** [[Chickenwire]]
** [[Chickenwire]]
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** [[Gaspode]] (not mentioned by name, just called "Foul Ole Ron's thinking brain dog")
** [[Gaspode]] (not mentioned by name, just called "Foul Ole Ron's thinking brain dog")


=== Cameos ===
===Cameos===
 
* [[Bibulous]], the God of Wine
* [[Bibulous]], the God of Wine
* [[Carter]], Assassin's Guild servant
* Carter, [[Assassins' Guild]] servant
* [[Charlie (Hogfather)|Charlie]], runs Bulk Collection and Despatch for the Tooth Fairy
* [[Charlie (Hogfather)|Charlie]], runs Bulk Collection and Despatch for the Tooth Fairy
* [[Vernon Crumley]], owner of Crumley's in the Maul
* [[Vernon Crumley]], owner of Crumley's in the Maul
* [[Didactylos]], philosopher
* [[Didactylos]], philosopher
* [[Aaron Fidget]], a Hogfather disbeliever
* [[Jack Frost]], a supernatural entity
* [[Jack Frost]], a supernatural entity
* [[Sir George]], one of Teatime's victims (as was Sir George's dog)
* [[Sir George]], one of Teatime's victims (as was Sir George's dog)
* Miss [[Harding]], cashier at Crumley's
* Miss Harding, cashier at [[Crumley's]]
* [[Anaglypta Huggs]], Hogswatch caroler who carefully removes offensive elements from songs like [[The Red Rosy Hen]]
* [[Anaglypta Huggs]], Hogswatch caroler who carefully removes offensive elements from songs like [[The Red Rosy Hen]]
* [[Igor]], barman at Biers
* [[Igor]], barman at Biers
* [["Bloody Stupid" Johnson]]
* [["Bloody Stupid" Johnson]]
* [[Ma Lilywhite]], Banjo and Dave's deceased mother
* [[Ma Lilywhite]], Banjo and Dave's deceased mother
* [[Osric Pencillium]], inventor (or possibly discoverer) of the pencil
* [[Osric Penicillium]], inventor (or possibly discoverer) of the pencil
* [[Professor of Applied Anthropics]]
* [[Professor of Applied Anthropics]]
* [[Glossy Ron]], person killed by [[Ma Lilywhite]]
* [[Glossy Ron]], person killed by [[Ma Lilywhite]]
Line 142: Line 139:
* [[Gammer Wimblestone]], ran dame school Sideney attended
* [[Gammer Wimblestone]], ran dame school Sideney attended
* Mr. [[Winvoe]], Assassin's Guild Treasurer
* Mr. [[Winvoe]], Assassin's Guild Treasurer
* Children who meet or write to the Hogfather:
** [[Euphrasia Coat]], a girl who wants (and gets) a pony for Hogswatch
** [[Doreen]], a girl who wants (and gets) a castle and sword for Hogswatch, not a Baby Tinkler Doll, nor a Just Like Mummy Cookery Set, and especially not a Cut-Out Kitchen Range Book, despite what her mother says.
** [[Aaron Fidget]], a Hogfather disbeliever
** [[Virginia Prood]], a girl
** [[James Riddle]]
* Children visited by Violet Bottler in her role as tooth fairy:
* Children visited by Violet Bottler in her role as tooth fairy:
** The Honorable [[Jeffrey Bibbleton]] aka "Trouble in Trousers" and "Foureyes", who lives at [[Scrote Manor]], [[Park Lane]]
** The Honorable [[Jeffrey Bibbleton]] aka "Trouble in Trousers" and "Foureyes", who lives at [[Scrote Manor]], [[Park Lane]]
Line 158: Line 147:
* [[Thomas Ague]], visited by a tooth fairy (not necessarily Violet), lives at 9 [[Castle View]] in [[Sto Lat]]
* [[Thomas Ague]], visited by a tooth fairy (not necessarily Violet), lives at 9 [[Castle View]] in [[Sto Lat]]


=== Mentions ===
===Mentions===
 
* [[Anon]], collective reference for people who never received a name
* [[Anon]], collective reference for people who never received a name
* [[John Barleycorn]], a supernatural entity
* [[John Barleycorn]], a supernatural entity
Line 168: Line 156:
* [[K. W. Dobson]], assassin
* [[K. W. Dobson]], assassin
* [[DeBris Gang]]
* [[DeBris Gang]]
* [[Electric Drill Chuck Key Fairy]]
* [[Fate]]
* [[Fate]]
* Mrs. [[Gammage]], regular at Biers
* Mrs. [[Gammage]], regular at Biers
Line 181: Line 168:
* [[General Tacticus]]
* [[General Tacticus]]
* [[Old Man Trouble]]
* [[Old Man Trouble]]
* Ankh-Morpork villains named Dave or similar:
* Ankh-Morpork villains named Dave or similar:
** [[Big Dave]]
** [[Big Dave]]
Line 189: Line 175:
** [[Lanky Dai]]
** [[Lanky Dai]]


== Locations ==
==Locations==
 
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
** [[Biers]]
** The [[Maul]], a mall
*** [[Crumley's]], a store in the Maul
** [[Esoteric Street]] The location of both [[Fidgett's]] Gentlemans' Club and the [[Frout]] Academy For Enquiring Young Minds
** [[Gleam Street]] (mentioned)
** [[Goose Gate]] (mentioned)
** [[Nap Hill]] (mentioned)
** [[Phedre Road]] (mentioned)
** [[River Ankh]] (mentioned)
** [[Sator Square]]
** [[Short Street]] (mentioned)
** [[The Shades]] (mentioned)
** [[Treacle Mine Road]] (mentioned)
** [[Unreal Estate]]
** [[Unseen University]]
** [[Unseen University]]
*** [[High Energy Magic Building]]
*** [[High Energy Magic Building]]
Line 198: Line 197:
*** [[Uncommon Room]]
*** [[Uncommon Room]]
*** [[Tower of Art]] (mentioned)
*** [[Tower of Art]] (mentioned)
** [[Sator Square]]
** [[YMPA]]
** [[Unreal Estate]]
* [[Agatean Empire]] (mentioned)
** [[Short Street]] (mentioned)
* [[Castle of Bones]], the Hogfather's home
** The [[Maul]], a mall
*** [[Crumley's]], a store in the Maul
** [[The Shades]] (mentioned)
** [[Treacle Mine Road]] (mentioned)
** [[Goose Gate]] (mentioned)
** [[Nap Hill]] (mentioned)
** [[YMPA]] (Banjo was staying there)
** [[Phedre Road]] (mentioned)
** [[River Ankh]] (mentioned)
** [[Gleam Street]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Child's Painting Land]], a land which looks like a child's painting
* [[Child's Painting Land]], a land which looks like a child's painting
* [[Omnia]] (mentioned)
* [[Biers]]
* [[Krull]] (mentioned)
* [[Quirm]] (mentioned)
* [[Death's Domain]]
* [[Death's Domain]]
** [[Death's library]]
** Room of [[Life-timer]]s
** Room of [[Life-timer]]s
 
* [[Dunmanifestin]], mountain home of the Gods
* [[Genua]] (mentioned)
* [[Howondaland]] (mentioned as place where people eat insects)
* [[Klatch]] (mentioned)
* [[Krull]] (mentioned)
* [[Llamedos]] (mentioned)
* [[Llamedos]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Omnia]] (mentioned)
* [[Klatch]] (mentioned)
* [[Quirm]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Agatean Empire]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Ramtops]] (mentioned)
* [[Ramtops]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Scrote]] (mentioned)
* [[Castle of Bones]], a castle made of ice, the Hogfather's home
 
* [[Dunmanifestin]], mountain home of the Gods
 
* [[Sumtri]], land where the pencil bush was first discovered
* [[Sumtri]], land where the pencil bush was first discovered


* [[Scrote]] (mentioned)
==Things and Concepts==
 
* [[Howondaland]] (mentioned as place where people eat insects)
 
* [[Hall of Murgle]], a hall with a famous lock
 
* [[Genua]] (mentioned)
 
== Things and Concepts ==
 
* [[Aurora Corealis]], atmospheric phenomenon resembling ''Aurora Borealis'', but magical rather than electromagnetic
* [[Aurora Corealis]], atmospheric phenomenon resembling ''Aurora Borealis'', but magical rather than electromagnetic
* [[Beggars' Guild]] (mentioned)
* [[Beggars' Guild]] (mentioned)
Line 255: Line 223:
* [[Bows and Ammo]], magazine parodying ''Guns_and_Ammo''
* [[Bows and Ammo]], magazine parodying ''Guns_and_Ammo''
* [[Bubble's Catastrophe Suite]], organ piece played by the Librarian
* [[Bubble's Catastrophe Suite]], organ piece played by the Librarian
* [[Burglar Crab]] (mentioned)
* [[Burleigh and Stronginthearm]], crossbow manufacturers
* [[Burleigh and Stronginthearm]], crossbow manufacturers
* [[Campaign for Equal Heights]], an activism group for dwarfs, pixies, and other vertically-challenged members of society
* [[Campaign for Equal Heights]], an activism group for dwarfs, pixies, and other vertically-challenged members of society
Line 269: Line 236:
* [[Happy Tales]], a reading primer
* [[Happy Tales]], a reading primer
* [[Hogswatchnight]], holiday setting for book
* [[Hogswatchnight]], holiday setting for book
* [[Hooray Jolly Tinker]], a game
* [[Hunt the Slipper]], a game
* [[Hunt the Slipper]], a game
* [[I Spy]], also a Roundworld {{wp|I_spy|game}}
* [[I Spy]], also a Roundworld {{wp|I_spy|game}}
Line 287: Line 253:
* [[Woddeley's Occult Sequence]], a locking spell
* [[Woddeley's Occult Sequence]], a locking spell
* [[Wow-Wow Sauce]], a dangerous condiment, outlawed in three cities
* [[Wow-Wow Sauce]], a dangerous condiment, outlawed in three cities
* [[Year of the Sideways Leech]] (mentioned)
* [[Discworld calendar|Year of the Sideways Leech]] (mentioned)
* [[Year of the Talking Frog]] (mentioned)
* [[Discworld calendar|Year of the Talking Frog]] (mentioned)


==Television==
==[[TV and Film:Hogfather|Television]]==
{{TV Data
{{TV Data
|title= Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
|title= Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
|cover= [[File:HFDVD.jpg|thumb|200px]]
|asin= B000V7ZMK0
|asin= B000V7ZMK0
|imdb= 0765458
|imdb= 0765458
Line 305: Line 272:
|annotations=  
|annotations=  
|notes=  
|notes=  
|prev=[[Soul Music#Adaptions|Soul Music]]
|prev=[[TV and Film:Soul Music|Soul Music]]
|next=[[The Colour of Magic#Television|Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic]]
|next=[[TV and Film:The Colour of Magic|Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic]]
}}
}}
The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458/ '''''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'''''], it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. [[Terry Pratchett]] made a cameo as a toymaker.
The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458/ '''''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'''''], it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. [[Terry Pratchett]] made a cameo as a toymaker.


Line 326: Line 292:
*[[Bilious]] - Rhodri Meilir (''My Family'')
*[[Bilious]] - Rhodri Meilir (''My Family'')
*[[Ernie]] The Cart Driver - Arthur White (''A Touch of Frost, The Darling Buds of May'')
*[[Ernie]] The Cart Driver - Arthur White (''A Touch of Frost, The Darling Buds of May'')
*[[Vernon Crumley]] - Tony Robinson (''Blackadder, Time Team'')
*[[Vernon Crumley]] - [[Tony Robinson]] (''Blackadder, Time Team'')
 
==Gallery==
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:H Letterbox.jpg|thumb|120px|First Edition Cover by [[Josh Kirby]]]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Black.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2004]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Tape.jpg|thumb|120px|Audio Cassette]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H CD.jpg|thumb|140px|Audio CD]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H MS.jpg|thumb|110px|Cover by Michael Sabanosh]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H MS2.jpg|thumb|100px|Cover by Michael Sabanosh-paperback]]
|}
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:H Movie.jpg|thumb|110px|TV Series Cover]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H US.jpg|thumb|110px|US Cover]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Zoom.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2012]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H CL.jpg|thumb|110px|Collectors Library Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H 25.jpg|thumb|110px|25th Anniversary Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H 2022.jpg|thumb|100px|Paperback 2022]]
|}


==External links==
==External Links==
[http://www.lspace.org/books/apf/hogfather.html  ''Hogfather'' Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File]
[http://www.lspace.org/books/apf/hogfather.html  ''Hogfather'' Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File]


Latest revision as of 21:24, 11 August 2024

Hogfather
Cover art by Josh Kirby
Co-author(s)
Illustrator(s)
Publisher Doubleday
Publication date 7 November 1996
ISBN 9780575064034
Pages 416
RRP
Main characters Death, Susan Sto Helit, Mr. Teatime
Series Death Series
Annotations View
Notes Adapted as a TV film in 2006
All data relates to the first UK edition.

Blurb

It's the night before Hogswatch. And it's too quiet.

There's snow, there're robins, there're trees covered with decorations, but there's a notable lack of the big fat man who delivers the toys ...

Susan the governess has got to find him before morning, otherwise the sun won't rise. And unfortunately, her only helpers are a raven with an eyeball fixation, the Death of Rats and an oh god of hangovers.

Worse still, someone is coming down the chimney. This time he's carrying a sack instead of a scythe, but there's something regrettably familiar ...

Ho. Ho. Ho.


It's true what they say.

'You'd better watch out ...'

Plot

The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. Susan Sto Helit has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see bogeymen and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the Auditors of Reality pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the Hogfather (the equivalent to Father Christmas). Lord Downey sends for Jonathan Teatime, a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.

Death appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with Binky, the Death of Rats and a raven to the Castle of Bones (the Hogfather's residence) which collapses because children have stopped believing in the Hogfather. Here, she discovers the newly created Bilious, the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the Unseen University to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by Hex that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.

Susan follows a trail through Ankh-Morpork and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human Tooth Fairy, went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal Banjo Lilywhite (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.

Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.

Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand "bigger lies" such as justice, mercy and duty.

As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.

Sub-Plots

  • Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by Albert. Death barges into the grotto Crumley's department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
  • Much of the humour in the book comes from the scenes in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers Archchancellor Weatherwax's bathroom, designed by the dreaded Bergholt Stuttley Johnson. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked Old Faithful, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.

Characters

Major Characters

Minor Characters

Cameos

Mentions

Locations

Things and Concepts

Television

Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
ASIN B000V7ZMK0
IMDB 0765458
First Broadcast 17-18 December 2006
Broadcast Channel Sky One
Director(s) Vadim Jean
Producer(s) Rod Brown & Ian Sharples
Writer(s) {{{writer}}}
Starring Michelle Dockery, Marc Warren, Ian Richardson, Joss Ackland, David Jason
Duration 189 minutes
Episodes 2
Series Death Series
Annotations Annotations for Book:Hogfather
Notes
Preceded by Soul Music
Followed by Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic
All data relates to the UK home release.

The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled Terry Pratchett's Hogfather, it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. Terry Pratchett made a cameo as a toymaker.

Cast

  • Susan Sto Helit - Michelle Dockery (Fingersmith, Downton Abbey)
  • Jonathan Teatime - Marc Warren (Hustle, State of Play, Band of Brothers)
  • Death (voice) - Ian Richardson (House of Cards, The Final Cut)
  • Albert - David Jason (Only Fools And Horses, A Touch Of Frost, The Darling Buds of May)
  • Mustrum Ridcully - Joss Ackland (White Mischief, Lethal Weapon 3, Cliffhanger, Midsommer Murders)
  • Lord Downey - David Warner (Planet of The Apes, The Omen)
  • Mr. Sideney - Nigel Planer (The Young Ones)
  • The Raven (voice) - Neil Pearson (Bridget Jones' Diary, Drop The Dead Donkey)

Gallery

First Edition Cover by Josh Kirby
Paperback 2004
Audio Cassette
Audio CD
Cover by Michael Sabanosh
Cover by Michael Sabanosh-paperback
TV Series Cover
US Cover
Paperback 2012
Collectors Library Edition
25th Anniversary Edition
Paperback 2022

External Links

Hogfather Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File


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Jingo

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Soul Music

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Thief of Time

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