The folklore of Discworld : legends, myths and customs from the Discworld with helpful hints from planet Earth

Review “One of the most interesting and critically underrated novelists we have ... The Folklore of Discworld — co-authored with the eminent folklorist Jacqueline Simpson — emphasizes his irreverence and drollery.” — The Times “Pratchett is, like Mark Twain or Jonathan Swift, not just a great writer but also an original thinker ... funny, exciting, lighthearted and, like all the best comedy, very serious.” — Guardian Product Description Terry Pratchett joins up with a leading folklorist to reveal the legends, myths and customs of Discworld, together with helpful hints from Planet Earth. Most of us grew up having always known when to touch wood or cross our fingers, and what happens when a princess kisses a frog or a boy pulls a sword from a stone, yet sadly some of these things are beginning to be forgotten. Legends, myths, and fairy tales: our world is made up of the stories we told ourselves about where we came from and how we got here. It is the same on Discworld, except that beings, which on Earth are creatures of the imagination — like vampires, trolls, witches and, possibly, gods — are real, alive and, in some cases kicking, on the Disc. In The Folklore of Discworld , Terry Pratchett teams up with leading British folklorist Jacqueline Simpson to take an irreverent yet illuminating look at the living myths and folklore that are reflected, celebrated and affectionately libelled in the uniquely imaginative universe of Discworld. A Beginner's Guide To British And European Folklore As Reflected, Celebrated And Affectionately Libelled In The Phenomenally Successful Discworld Series. Co-written By Terry Pratchett And Renowned British Folklorist Jacqueline Simpson. -- Provided By Publisher. Introduction / Terry Pratchett -- Introduction / Jacqueline Simpson -- 1. The Cosmos: Gods, Demons And Things -- 2. Dwarfs -- 3. The Elves -- 4. The Nac Mac Feegle -- 5. Trolls -- 6. Other Significant Races -- 7. Beasties -- 8. The Witches Of Lancre -- 9. The Land Of Lancre -- 10. The Witches Of The Chalk -- 11. The Chalk -- 12. Heroes! -- 13. Lore, Legends And Truth -- 14. More Customs, Nautical Lore And Military Matters -- 15. Kids' Stuff ... You Know, About 'orrid Murder And Blood -- 16. Death -- Bibliography And Suggestions For Further Reading. Terry Pratchett And Jacqueline Simpson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [373]-376) And Index. In Discworld, the beings that on Earth are creatures of the imagination, like vampires, trolls, witches and, possibly, gods,are real, alive and in some cases kicking on the Disc. This title looks at the living myths and folklore that are reflected, celebrated and libelled in the imaginative universe of Discworld.