Hogfather - Terry Pratchett

Hogfather

By Terry Pratchett

  • Release Date: 2009-10-13
  • Genre: Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 217 Ratings

Description

“Pratchett’s writing is a constant delight. No one mixes the fantastical and mundane to better comic effect or offers sharper insights into the absurdities of human endeavour.”—Daily Mail

When the guy in the red suit goes missing the night before the Discworld’s favorite holiday, it falls on Death to take up the sleigh reigns in this wonderfully irreverent holiday fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Terry Pratchett.

Very few things are held sacred in the twisted, corrupt, heartless—and oddly familiar—universe of the Discworld, but the Hogfather is one of them. Each year at this most joyous of times, Hogswatchnight, the jolly, red-suited Hogfather hops into his hog-drawn sleigh. But this year, the old gift giver has vanished without a trace.

Could it be that belief in the Hogfather is dangerously low among the cynical citizens of the Discworld, a place where superstition makes things work? That’s why Death decides to stand in. But it’s just not right to find a seven-foot skeleton creeping down your chimney bellowing “ho, ho, ho.”

On this last night of the year, as the time is turning, it’s up to levelheaded Susan, gothic governess and Death’s granddaughter, to sort everything out by morning—or there won’t be a morning. Ever again . . .

The Discworld novels can be read in any order, but Hogfather is the fourth book in the Death series. The full collection includes:
MortReaper ManSoul MusicHogfatherThief of Time

Reviews

  • Happy Hogswatch!!!

    5
    By Josey86
    I loved the social commentary about Christmas, consumerism, and social inequality. I also loved the commentary on human belief and mythology. I know neither was the point of the book, but I enjoyed it all the same. I also enjoyed the story. What’s not to love about Death filling in for - and saving - the Hogfather (Santa)? I also liked how Death didn’t care about the rules and made sure kids got what was on their lists, no matter how much everyone told him he couldn’t.
  • Snarky fun

    5
    By Marina Ariadne
    Am reading this after having seen the BBC video a couple of years ago, and having read only the Tiffany Aching quintet before this novel. I snickered a lot reading this. A Yank, I’d never heard of Wow-Wow sauce, and now I’m curious. There are parts of this book that resonate too strongly with current societal situations, bordering on omniscient and—I hope not—timeless. There are discussions about charity that need to be jammed into a few heads. Perception and choices are threads wound through the plot. You can choose to read this as another Terry Pratchett experience, a seasonally apt book, winter fun, an anthropological study, a philosophical debate, any or all of the above, or in a completely different light. I think, by whichever perceptual lens you read it, you’ll be happy you did.
  • Love it

    5
    By SeattleSue99
    Love it and the movie, a holiday we we hold true..... :)
  • Wonderful!

    5
    By Jack.S
    Even though I haven't bought this book for the iPad, I've read it in paper book form and it's amazing! The attention to detail is fantastic and the humour which Terry creates is very good. A wonderful read and I recommend it for all who love mystery, 'Hogswatch' and a good laugh!