The Colour of Magic [and] Sourcery / Terry Pratchett

The Colour of Magic

and

Sourcery

category: fantasy, author:

Terry Pratchett

books 1 and 5 of Discworld
original copyright 1983 & 1988,
read in April 2011 (and before, in about 2009)

Agamedes' opinion: 6 and 8 out of 10

What can you say about The Colour of Magic? This is the first ever Discworld book: funny, clever, imaginative... And yet...

The Colour of Magic has the strengths of later Discworld books -- and the weaknesses. More particularly, one weakness: Rincewind the loser.

It is very difficult to enjoy a book about a loser. What is there to enjoy -- other than the suffering of the "hero"?! It may be funny. It is also uncomfortably painful.

On the other hand, there are the puns, the outrageous characters, the ridiculous rip-offs of stereotypical situations... Pure Discworld though still learning.

Read it to enjoy it. More importantly, read Colour for its place in Discworld history.

Then read Sourcery for pure enjoyment...

Why is Sourcery better that Colour? Partly, because Pratchett's writing has hit its stride, it is more... professional? sophisticated? just slightly better. It is also a complete -- and complex -- novel, typical of the rambling interconnectivity of most Discworld books.

More importantly, Rincewind is not just a failed wizard. Yes, his failure as a wizard is a vital part of his character. Yes, he has no power, no ability, no great personality. Yet he does have some internal drive to do the right thing.

Pratchett has taken a loser and made him more human.

In Colour Rincewind was so one-dimensional that the reader can only be embarrassed by his actions and incompetence. In Sourcery Rincewind is just as cowardly and incompetent -- but he does try to save the world. He knows that there is no possibility of winning but he realises that he has to try. This effort makes a huge difference to my enjoyment of the book.

When a loser just... loses... there is only pain. Some readers may enjoy pain. I don't.

When a loser struggles... makes just a tiny effort... maybe has some minor, almost insignificant victory -- the book is far more enjoyable.

Rincewind is a difficult character. In Sourcery I believe that Pratchett has managed to keep the cowardly loser -- and to make him a sympathetic character.

Read Colour for its place in literary history. Read Sourcery for pure enjoyment.

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your processes, problems or documents, email nickleth at gmail dot com.