Product Description

In THE ART OF DISCWORLD, Terry Pratchett takes us on a guided tour of the Discworld, courtesy of his favourite Discworld artist, Paul Kidby. Following on from THE LAST HERO, THE ART OF DISCWORLD is a lavish 112-page large format, sumptuously illustrated look at all things Discworldian. Terry Pratchett provides the written descriptions while Paul Kidby illustrates the world that has made Pratchett one of the best-selling authors of all time. Here you will find favourites old and new: the City Watch, including Vimes, Carrot and Angua, the three witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - and the denizens of the Unseen University Library, not forgetting the Librarian, of course: they're all here in sumptuous colour, together with the places: Ankh-Morpork, Lancre, Uberwald and more . . . No Discworld fan will want to be without this beautiful gift book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110166 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 112 pages

Customer Reviews

A graphic feast
I thought of taking a star off because in case my superlatives were ill-judged but, to be honest, I do think it deserves all five stars. If you enjoy Kidby's illustrations of the Discworld universe, you'll find a sparkling selection within this book.

Several examples of his cover art are to be found, some with precursor images for illustrative purposes, and one example, the "Rincewind Scream" cover for The Last Hero, is shown here in its full glory for the first time ever, having been cut down in the graphic novel it was originally intended for.

In addition to the illustrations of characters, groups and scenes, Terry Pratchett supplies a commentary relating to each section of the book, which lets us further into his world and allows us to understand the relationship between the Author, his world and the illustrator. Kidby also comments on selected pieces (his text is italicised), as well as both contributors providing their own 'forewards' to the text.

Where the Discworld Portfolio, Josh Kirby's earlier work, is of the style of an art-catalogue (or, as it happens to be, a portfolio) this book is more modern and accessible in its outlook and well represents both the talents of the artist observing the Discworld and Discworld itself.

I would definitely recommend this publication to anyone who enjoys the Discworld universe. It goes well on the shelving with the other larger-cover books (such as The Last Hero, the GURPS publications and assorted graphic novels) and the eye-candy within will be frequently browsed.

A Mirror to Reality..
A word to all Pratchett fans-BUY THIS BOOK! Somehow Paul Kidby
manages to make the characters look totally realistic,but gives them their own very distinctive 'Discworldly' appearance. Here are all the main cahracters & not a few of the lesser ones-places,people & er...things..that populate one of the best thought-out fantasy universes since Tolkien.
The perfect Hogswatchnight present (or Christmas,depending on which universe you inhabit)

A gorgeous Discworld feast for Hogswatch
Terry Pratchett has a gift given to few authors (Tolkien and J.K. Rowling are two others with this gift) - that of being able to create characters and places so vividly realised that his readers tend to see them exactly as the author envisages them. Paul Kidby's beautifully drawn and painted illustrations are proof of this, all the characters being instantly recognisable to any Discworld aficionado. If you love the Discworld, or even if you just enjoy fine illustrations, this book will provide endless pleasure. Far from being a 'sorry piece of merchandising' as one reviewer put it, this is a gorgeous book that would make an excellent Hogswatch present for a lover of the Discworld. I couldn't resist....