The Light Fantastic
Score Classic
What it's about
The Discworld needs a hero, and fast: a red star is heading straight for it. Unfortunately, all it has is Rincewind, an inept and cowardly wizard still recovering from falling off the edge of the world, and Twoflower, a cheerful tourist whose luggage has a mind, and legs, of its own.
Why it's worth reading
It's the second Discworld novel, continuing The Colour of Magic. It's early, goofy Pratchett, a fantasy parody full of jokes.
You'll love it if you liked
The Colour of Magic, Equal Rites or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Good to know
Read The Colour of Magic first; this picks up where it ends. Later Discworld books are deeper, but these two are where it started.
Quick answers
Is The Light Fantastic worth reading?
Yes. It's the second Discworld novel, continuing The Colour of Magic. It ranks #2,046 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 63.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Light Fantastic about?
The Discworld needs a hero, and fast: a red star is heading straight for it. Unfortunately, all it has is Rincewind, an inept and cowardly wizard still recovering from falling off the edge of the world, and Twoflower, a cheerful tourist whose luggage has a mind, and legs, of its own.
How long does it take to read The Light Fantastic?
About 7 hours (285 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Light Fantastic?
If you liked it, try The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
By the numbers
- Readers47 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller33 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Loved by readers.
Where it ranks
- #25 of the 35 humor books we rank
- #314 of the 461 fantasy books we rank
- #587 of the 763 classics we rank
- #2046 of the 2,819 books we rank
Reads as
Adventurous, Funny, Uplifting
More by Terry Pratchett
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