Posts Tagged: Terry Pratchett

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A Chinese artist, known online as Shark’s Den, is producing some of today’s most incredible science fiction and fantasy book covers. Colourful and frenetic, hyper-detailed and lovingly bold, it’s as easy to get lost in the illustrations as it is in the novels themselves. From John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, The Legend of Korra and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, Shark’s Den has created incredible covers and artwork for some of SFF’s most beloved authors and series.

More of Shark’s Den’s work is available in his DeviantArt Gallery.

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Since the passing of Josh Kirby in 2001, Pratchett’s series has gone through a long search for a new artist that could match the verve and energy of the legendary artist’s interpretation of Pratchett’s beloved world. At long last, it looks like we’ve found the answer: French artist Marc Simonetti. From Gone with the Wind, to Abbey Road, to The Wizard of Oz, Simonetti’s artwork features the same level of tribute and sophisticated satire that makes Pratchett’s work such a joy. If there’s ever been so perfect a pairing of author and artist, I’m unaware.

Above is just a small part of Simonetti’s Discworld art collection, and many more paintings, which are used for the UK covers, are ava on Simonetti’s website. Whether you’re familiar with Discworld or not, Simonetti’s art is an achievement in itself, and well worth spending some time with.

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

Publisher: Doubleday - Pages: 384 - Buy: Book/eBook
Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

Full of Pratchett’s trademark wit and humor, Raising Steam is a tour de force of comedic fantasy and proves that despite recent health issues and uncertainty about his future as a novelist, Terry Pratchett is still a wordsmith and storyteller at the top of his game.

Steam power has come to Discworld and caught in the middle of it all is the irascible (but oh-so-lovable) Moist von Lipwig, the golden-tongued swindler and conman. As if running the Royal Mint, Royal Bank and Post Office of Ankh-Morpork wasn’t enough, Moist is quickly thrown to the wolves after being named (err… forced) by Lord Venitari to the role of civil representative for the new railway system as it spreads its tendrils through Discworld, maneuvering between mountains of trouble (literal, figurative and, well, always enormous) at every turn.

Moist von Lipwig, who should be recognizable to Discworld fans for his appearance in some of Pratchett’s most loved novels, returns to the Ankh-Morpork’s spotlight after being handed the responsibility of handling the next great invention on Discworld: the steam engine. As expected, hilarity and much fuss ensues, leaving Moist to navigate the politics and fast-moving (no pun intended) world of steam-powered locomotion. Add to this a civil war among the dwarfs, who are none-too-fond of the new-fangled railway, and you’ve got a story that’s chockfull of amusing misadventures, hair raising escapes and, as Pratchett fans will expect, a few genuinely tender and perceptive moments, too. Read More »

Discworld, Art by Paul Kidby

Discworld, Art by Paul KidbyIt was with tragic hearts that the Fantasy community first learned in 2007 of Sir Terry Pratchett’s slow battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Though he is still writing, Pratchett speaks openly about the disease and the effects that it has had on his career, his art and his creations. Recently, speaking with the New Statesmen, Pratchett revealed that he will be handing over control of his Discworld universe to his daughter Rhianna Pratchett, a writer herself, likely best known for the work she has done in the videogame industry, having worked on Tomb Raider, Mirror’s Edge, and Heavenly Sword, among other titles.

There’s nothing yet to suggest whether the younger Rhianna will work within the Discworld universe, or simply act as a guardian for the series and intellectual property, though Tor.com reports on an interview with Sir Pratchett that suggests “will continue on with the books once Terry decides it is time. Pratchett is quoted as saying, “the Discworld is safe in my daughter’s hands.”

Confirmed, however, is Rhianna Pratchett’s heavy involvement of a television adaptation of her father’s Discworld work, specifically Guards, Guards, and Pratchett “has every confidence in his daughter,” suggesting that both the television series and the book series are in good hands. Now, given Rhianna Pratchett’s involvement in the videogame industry, who’d be interested in a Telltale Games developed Discworld adventure game, similar to the old Psygnosis attempt?