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{{Short description|1986 Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett}}
{{infobox Discworld|id=2nd novel – 2nd Rincewind story
{{Other uses|Trip the light fantastic (disambiguation)}}
|characters=]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]
{{EngvarB|date=September 2017}}
|locations=]<br/>]
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
|motifs=] ]s
{{Infobox book
|year=]
| name = The Light Fantastic
|publisher=
| image = TLF.cover.jpg
|ISBN1=
| caption = First edition
|ISBN2=ISBN 0552128481
| author = ]
|awards=
| illustrator =
|notes=
| cover_artist = ]
| language = English
| series = {{ubl|'']''|2nd novel – 2nd Rincewind story}}
| subject = {{ubl|] ]s|'''Characters:'''|], ], ], ]|'''Locations:'''|], Dungeon Dimensions}}
| genre = ]
| publisher = ]
| pub_date = 2 June 1986
| awards =
| isbn = 0-86140-203-0
| preceded_by = ]
| followed_by = ]
}} }}
'''''The Light Fantastic''''' is a ] novel by ], the second of the ] series. It was published in ]. The title is a quote from a poem by ] and in the original context referred to dancing lightly with extravagance. '''''The Light Fantastic''''' is a ] novel by ], the second of the '']'' series. It was published on 2 June 1986, the first printing being of 1,034 copies. The title is taken from '']'', a poem by ], and refers to dancing lightly with extravagance, although in the novel it is explained as "the light that lies on the far side of darkness, the light fantastic. It was a rather disappointing purple colour."


The events of the novel are a direct continuation of those in the preceding Discworld novel, '']''. The events of the novel are a direct continuation of those in the preceding book, '']''.


==Plot summary==
{{spoiler}}
The book begins shortly after the ending of ''The Colour of Magic'', with ] ], the tourist ], and the Luggage falling from the Discworld. They are saved when the ], the most powerful book of magic on the Discworld, readjusts reality to prevent the loss of one of its eight spells. The spell had lodged in Rincewind's head when he was a student at ]. Rincewind, Twoflower and the Luggage end up in the Forest of Skund. The wizards of ] use the Rite of Ashk-Ente to summon ] to find an explanation for the Octavo's actions. Death warns them that the Discworld will soon be destroyed by a huge red star unless the eight spells of the Octavo are read.


Several orders of wizards travel to the forest of Skund to capture Rincewind, who is currently staying with Twoflower and the Luggage in a ]. In the subsequent chaos, Rincewind and Twoflower escape on an old witch's broom. The Archchancellor of Unseen University attempts to obtain the spell, but accidentally summons the Luggage on top of him, crushing him to death. His apprentice, Ymper Trymon, uses the opportunity to advance his own power, intending to obtain the eight spells for himself.
After the wizard ] has fallen from the edge of the Discworld, his life is mysteriously saved as he lands back on it. Meanwhile, the wizards of ] discover that the Discworld will soon be destroyed unless the eight spells of the ] are read: the most powerful spells in existence, one of which hides in Rincewind's head. Consequently, several orders of wizards try to find Rincewind and kill him, led by Trymon, a former classmate of Rincewind's, who wishes to obtain the power of the spells for himself.


Rincewind and Twoflower encounter a sect of druids who have assembled a "computer" from large ]s, and learn of the approaching red star. As Twoflower attempts to stop the druids from sacrificing a young woman named Bethan, Cohen the Barbarian, an octogenarian parody of ], attacks the druids. Twoflower is poisoned in the battle, forcing Rincewind to travel to ] to rescue him. The pair narrowly avoid being killed by ], Death's adopted daughter. As they escape, the Octavo tells Rincewind that it had arranged for its eighth spell to escape into his head, to ensure the spells could not be used before the appointed time.
After Rincewind, who has met again with ], escapes them, it becomes apparent that ], the giant turtle that carries the Discworld, has set a new course that leads it directly into a red star with eight moons. Rincewind and Twoflower are accompanied by ], an aging hero, and Bethan, a sacrificial virgin saved by Cohen, with assistance from Rincewind and Twoflower.


Rincewind and Twoflower travel with Cohen and Bethan to a nearby town, where the toothless Cohen leaves to have ] made, having learned of them from Twoflower. Rincewind, Twoflower and Bethan are attacked by a mob of people who believe the star is coming to destroy the Discworld in response to the presence of magic. The trio escape into a magical travelling shop, one of many that sell strange and sinister goods and vanish inexplicably the next time a customer tries to find them. These shops travel the multiverse, set adrift by a sorcerer's curse on the shopkeeper for not having something in stock. The three are able to return to Ankh-Morpork via the shop.
Rincewind becomes one of the very few people ever to enter ] whilst still alive. He is nearly killed when he meets ] adopted daughter ], but is saved by the quick-acting ].


As the star comes nearer and the magic on the Discworld becomes weaker, Trymon tries to put the seven spells still in the Octavo into his mind, in an attempt to save the world and gain ultimate power. However, the spells prove too strong for him and his mind becomes a door into the "]", from whence strange, horrible creatures try to escape into reality. After winning a fight against them, Rincewind is able to read all eight spells aloud - whereupon the eight moons of the red star crack open and reveal eight tiny world-turtles that follow their parent A'Tuin on a course away from the star. The Octavo is then eaten by Twoflower's Luggage. As the star comes nearer and the magic on the Discworld weakens, Trymon tries to put the seven spells still in the Octavo into his mind, in an attempt to save the world and gain ultimate power. However, the spells prove too strong for him and his mind becomes a door into the "Dungeon Dimensions", home of terrifying ] creatures. Rincewind and Twoflower manage to kill the now-mutated Trymon.


Rincewind reads all eight of the Octavo's spells aloud. This causes eight moons of the red star to crack open, birthing eight infant world-turtles. They follow their parent ], the massive turtle who carries the Discworld, on a course away from the star. The Octavo falls and is eaten by the Luggage.
The book ends with Twoflower and Rincewind parting company, as Twoflower decides to return home, leaving The Luggage with Rincewind as a parting gift.


Cohen and Bethan leave to get married. Twoflower and Rincewind part company as Twoflower decides to return home, leaving the Luggage with Rincewind as a parting gift. Rincewind decides to re-enroll in the university, believing that with the spell out of his head, he will finally be able to learn magic.
===''The Light Fantastic'' translations===

*''Lehké fantasticno'' (Czech)
==Characters==
*''Dat Wonderbare Licht'' (Dutch)

*''Fantastiline Valgus'' (Estonian)
*Rincewind - the most pathetic wizard on the disc
*''Valon Tanssi'' (Finnish)
*Twoflower - a naive tourist from the exotic Counterweight Continent
*''Le Huitième Sortilège'' (French)
*the Luggage - a sentient trunk with a homicidal attitude
*''Das Licht der Phantasie'' (German)
*D<small>EATH</small> - the Grim Reaper, speaks for itself doesn't it?
*''A Mágia Fénye'' (Hungarian)
*Ymper Trymon - an ambitious wizard in the Unseen University
*''I Colori della Magia'' (Italian)
*Galder Weatherwax - ArchChancellor of the Unseen University
*''Det Fantastiske Lyset'' (Norwegian)
*The Librarian - speak for itself
*''Blask Fantastyczny'' (Polish)
*Cohen - a ''very'' old hero
*''A Luz Fantástica'' (Brazilian portuguese)
*Bethan - a druid virgin sacrifice who doesn't want to be saved
*''Svetlost &#269;udesnog'' (Serbian/Yugoslavian)

*''La Luz Fantástica'' (Spanish)
==Releases==
*''Det Fantastiska Ljuset'' (Swedish)
The cover of a United States paperback release features a mistake, with Cohen's name stated to be "]".<ref> scan from ]</ref>

==Adaptations==

===Graphic novel===
A graphic novel adapted by Scott Rockwell and illustrated by Steven Ross and Joe Bennet, was first published as a four-part comic in June, August, December 1992 and February 1993 by the ] of Wheeling WV, before being published as a single volume by Corgi on 4 November 1993. It has been published in hardcover along with the graphic novel of The Colour of Magic, as ''The Discworld Graphic Novels.'' ({{ISBN|978-0-06-168596-5}})

===TV adaptation===
{{Main|The Colour of Magic (TV film)}}
] and ] produced a miniseries, combining both ''The Colour of Magic'' and ''The Light Fantastic'', broadcast on Easter Sunday and Monday 2008. Sir ] played the part of Rincewind. He was joined by ] as ],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/sundaymercury/features/tm_headline=harry-potter-and-the-magical-midlanders%26method=full%26objectid=19463171%26siteid=50002-name_page.html | title = Harry Potter and the magical Midlanders | work = ] | date = 15 June 2007 }}</ref> ] as Twoflower,<ref name="kidbycast">{{cite web | url = http://www.paulkidby.com/news/jul2007.html | title = Colour of Magic Cast | work = ] official website | date = 31 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080315034636/http://www.paulkidby.com/news/jul2007.html | archive-date = 15 March 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> ] as Trymon,<ref name = "kidbycast"/> and ] taking over the role of Death from ]<ref name = "kidbycast"/> (a role he previously portrayed in the animated series ] and ]).

The production team wanted to get fans involved in the adaptation so some of the extras used in the adaptation (in mob scenes and during the fight in the Broken Drum) were Discworld fans who were selected via various website and Newsletters.

==Reception==
] reviewed ''The Light Fantastic'' for '']'' #83, and stated that "Abandoning the cruel fantasy parodies of his previous book, Pratchett leans more heavily on the one-line gags: the result isn't as pointedly funny, but still evokes more laughs than anything else around. ''Especially'' ]."<ref name="WD83">{{cite journal | last =Langford | first =Dave | author-link =David Langford | title =Critical Mass | journal =] | issue = 83 | pages =8 | publisher =] | date = November 1986 }}</ref>

==Reviews==
*Review by Barbara Davies (1986) in '']'' 134<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2209 | title=Title: The Light Fantastic }}</ref>
*Review by Pauline E. Dungate (1986) in '']'', November 1986
*Review by Wendy Graham (1986) in ''Adventurer'', December 1986
*Review by Ken Lake (1986) in ''Paperback Inferno'', #63
*Review by Neil Gaiman and Wendy Graham (1987) in ''Adventurer'', January 1987
*Review by Don D'Ammassa (1987) in '']'', #97 October 1987
*Review by John C. Bunnell (1988) in '']'', July 1988
*Review by James Cawthorn and Michael Moorcock (1988) in ''Fantasy: The 100 Best Books''
*Review by Marc Lemosquet (1993) in ''Yellow Submarine'', #106

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{wikiquote|Discworld#The Light Fantastic|The Light Fantastic}}
*Pages at for ''The Light Fantastic'' : | |
* {{isfdb title|2209}}
*Pages at LSpace.org for ''The Light Fantastic'' : | |

{{s-start}}
{{s-other|]}}
{{succession box | before = ] | title = 2nd ] | years= | after = ]}}
{{succession box | before = ] | title = 2nd ] | years=Published in 1986 | after = ]}}
{{s-end}}


{{Template:Discworld}} {{Discworld books}}
{{Terry Pratchett}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 02:26, 8 August 2024

1986 Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett For other uses, see Trip the light fantastic (disambiguation).

The Light Fantastic
First edition
AuthorTerry Pratchett
Cover artistJosh Kirby
LanguageEnglish
Series
Subject
GenreFantasy
PublisherColin Smythe
Publication date2 June 1986
ISBN0-86140-203-0
Preceded byThe Colour of Magic 
Followed byEqual Rites 

The Light Fantastic is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, the second of the Discworld series. It was published on 2 June 1986, the first printing being of 1,034 copies. The title is taken from L'Allegro, a poem by John Milton, and refers to dancing lightly with extravagance, although in the novel it is explained as "the light that lies on the far side of darkness, the light fantastic. It was a rather disappointing purple colour."

The events of the novel are a direct continuation of those in the preceding book, The Colour of Magic.

Plot summary

The book begins shortly after the ending of The Colour of Magic, with wizard Rincewind, the tourist Twoflower, and the Luggage falling from the Discworld. They are saved when the Octavo, the most powerful book of magic on the Discworld, readjusts reality to prevent the loss of one of its eight spells. The spell had lodged in Rincewind's head when he was a student at Unseen University. Rincewind, Twoflower and the Luggage end up in the Forest of Skund. The wizards of Ankh-Morpork use the Rite of Ashk-Ente to summon Death to find an explanation for the Octavo's actions. Death warns them that the Discworld will soon be destroyed by a huge red star unless the eight spells of the Octavo are read.

Several orders of wizards travel to the forest of Skund to capture Rincewind, who is currently staying with Twoflower and the Luggage in a gingerbread house in the forest. In the subsequent chaos, Rincewind and Twoflower escape on an old witch's broom. The Archchancellor of Unseen University attempts to obtain the spell, but accidentally summons the Luggage on top of him, crushing him to death. His apprentice, Ymper Trymon, uses the opportunity to advance his own power, intending to obtain the eight spells for himself.

Rincewind and Twoflower encounter a sect of druids who have assembled a "computer" from large standing stones, and learn of the approaching red star. As Twoflower attempts to stop the druids from sacrificing a young woman named Bethan, Cohen the Barbarian, an octogenarian parody of Conan, attacks the druids. Twoflower is poisoned in the battle, forcing Rincewind to travel to Death's Domain to rescue him. The pair narrowly avoid being killed by Ysabell, Death's adopted daughter. As they escape, the Octavo tells Rincewind that it had arranged for its eighth spell to escape into his head, to ensure the spells could not be used before the appointed time.

Rincewind and Twoflower travel with Cohen and Bethan to a nearby town, where the toothless Cohen leaves to have dentures made, having learned of them from Twoflower. Rincewind, Twoflower and Bethan are attacked by a mob of people who believe the star is coming to destroy the Discworld in response to the presence of magic. The trio escape into a magical travelling shop, one of many that sell strange and sinister goods and vanish inexplicably the next time a customer tries to find them. These shops travel the multiverse, set adrift by a sorcerer's curse on the shopkeeper for not having something in stock. The three are able to return to Ankh-Morpork via the shop.

As the star comes nearer and the magic on the Discworld weakens, Trymon tries to put the seven spells still in the Octavo into his mind, in an attempt to save the world and gain ultimate power. However, the spells prove too strong for him and his mind becomes a door into the "Dungeon Dimensions", home of terrifying eldritch creatures. Rincewind and Twoflower manage to kill the now-mutated Trymon.

Rincewind reads all eight of the Octavo's spells aloud. This causes eight moons of the red star to crack open, birthing eight infant world-turtles. They follow their parent Great A'Tuin, the massive turtle who carries the Discworld, on a course away from the star. The Octavo falls and is eaten by the Luggage.

Cohen and Bethan leave to get married. Twoflower and Rincewind part company as Twoflower decides to return home, leaving the Luggage with Rincewind as a parting gift. Rincewind decides to re-enroll in the university, believing that with the spell out of his head, he will finally be able to learn magic.

Characters

  • Rincewind - the most pathetic wizard on the disc
  • Twoflower - a naive tourist from the exotic Counterweight Continent
  • the Luggage - a sentient trunk with a homicidal attitude
  • DEATH - the Grim Reaper, speaks for itself doesn't it?
  • Ymper Trymon - an ambitious wizard in the Unseen University
  • Galder Weatherwax - ArchChancellor of the Unseen University
  • The Librarian - speak for itself
  • Cohen - a very old hero
  • Bethan - a druid virgin sacrifice who doesn't want to be saved

Releases

The cover of a United States paperback release features a mistake, with Cohen's name stated to be "Conan".

Adaptations

Graphic novel

A graphic novel adapted by Scott Rockwell and illustrated by Steven Ross and Joe Bennet, was first published as a four-part comic in June, August, December 1992 and February 1993 by the Innovative Corporation of Wheeling WV, before being published as a single volume by Corgi on 4 November 1993. It has been published in hardcover along with the graphic novel of The Colour of Magic, as The Discworld Graphic Novels. (ISBN 978-0-06-168596-5)

TV adaptation

Main article: The Colour of Magic (TV film)

The Mob Film Company and Sky One produced a miniseries, combining both The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, broadcast on Easter Sunday and Monday 2008. Sir David Jason played the part of Rincewind. He was joined by David Bradley as Cohen the Barbarian, Sean Astin as Twoflower, Tim Curry as Trymon, and Christopher Lee taking over the role of Death from Ian Richardson (a role he previously portrayed in the animated series Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters).

The production team wanted to get fans involved in the adaptation so some of the extras used in the adaptation (in mob scenes and during the fight in the Broken Drum) were Discworld fans who were selected via various website and Newsletters.

Reception

Dave Langford reviewed The Light Fantastic for White Dwarf #83, and stated that "Abandoning the cruel fantasy parodies of his previous book, Pratchett leans more heavily on the one-line gags: the result isn't as pointedly funny, but still evokes more laughs than anything else around. Especially Thrud."

Reviews

  • Review by Barbara Davies (1986) in Vector 134
  • Review by Pauline E. Dungate (1986) in Fantasy Review, November 1986
  • Review by Wendy Graham (1986) in Adventurer, December 1986
  • Review by Ken Lake (1986) in Paperback Inferno, #63
  • Review by Neil Gaiman and Wendy Graham (1987) in Adventurer, January 1987
  • Review by Don D'Ammassa (1987) in Science Fiction Chronicle, #97 October 1987
  • Review by John C. Bunnell (1988) in Dragon Magazine, July 1988
  • Review by James Cawthorn and Michael Moorcock (1988) in Fantasy: The 100 Best Books
  • Review by Marc Lemosquet (1993) in Yellow Submarine, #106

References

  1. Misprinted Cover scan from Amazon.com
  2. "Harry Potter and the magical Midlanders". Sunday Mercury. 15 June 2007.
  3. ^ "Colour of Magic Cast". Paul Kidby official website. 31 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 March 2008.
  4. Langford, Dave (November 1986). "Critical Mass". White Dwarf (83). Games Workshop: 8.
  5. "Title: The Light Fantastic".

External links

Reading order guide
Preceded byThe Colour of Magic 2nd Discworld Novel Succeeded byEqual Rites
Preceded byThe Colour of Magic 2nd Rincewind Story
Published in 1986 		Succeeded bySourcery
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