Hogfather: Discworld: The Death Collection

The ultimate Christmas read. Terry Pratchett''s Hogswatch masterpiece that will leave you laughing out loud and help you understand what makes us uniquely human.

''He is screamingly funny. He is wise. He has style'' Daily Telegraph

IT''S THE NIGHT BEFORE HOGSWATCH AND IT''S TOO QUIET.

Where is the big jolly fat man? Why is Death creeping down chimneys and trying to say Ho Ho Ho? The darkest night of the year is getting a lot darker...

Susan the gothic governess has got to sort it out by morning, otherwise there won''t be a morning. Ever again...

The 20th Discworld novel is a festive feast of darkness and Death (but with jolly robins and tinsel too).

As they say: You''d better watch out...

Readers reread Hogfather time and time again:

''Hilariously entertaining . . . a high recommendation to new and old Pratchett fans. This one will definitely remain my beloved annual holiday read'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''Every year I read this. Every year I love it more and more. I am incapable of putting in to words my utter love for this book and everything contained within'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''Satirizes the concept of belief and fear and studies themes of faith, psychological need, and fundamental fairness in his special and unique way . . . One of his best, a MUST read for Discworld fans and maybe a good start for the series by those not yet initiated'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''This Pratchett tickled me in all the best places'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''Pratchett shows how the stories we tell are a huge part of what makes us human. It is a delightful treat'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''I really loved the Wizards in this . . . throw in Susan, Death''s pragmatic, level-headed, no-nonsense granddaughter, a murder plot involving universe Auditors who hate messy humanity . . . you''ve got some of the best of Discworld condensed into one book. Everything about this instalment just worked'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''Still as good on every reread. Pratchett at his best with better insights into humanity than anyone else'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What could more genuinely embody the spirit of Christmas (or Hogswatch, on the Discworld) than a Terry Pratchett book about the holiday season? Every secular Christmas tradition is included. But as this is the 21st Discworld novel, there are some unusual twists.

This year the Auditors, who want people to stop believing in things that aren't real, have hired an assassin to eliminate the Hogfather. (You know him: red robe, white beard, says, "Ho, ho, ho!") Their evil plot will destroy the Discworld unless someone covers for him. So someone does. Well, at least Death tries. He wears the costume and rides the sleigh drawn by four jolly pigs: Gouger, Tusker, Rooter, and Snouter. He even comes down chimneys. But as fans of other Pratchett stories about Death (Mort, Reaper Man, and Soul Music) know, he takes things literally. He gives children whatever they wish for and appears in person at Crumley's in The Maul.

Fans will welcome back Susan, Death of Rats (the Grim Squeaker), Albert, and the wizardly faculty of Unseen University, and revel in new personalities like Bilious, the "oh god of Hangovers." But you needn't have read Pratchett before to laugh uproariously and think seriously about the meanings of Christmas. --Nona Vero