Overview

A critical deep-drive into conceptions of power and society in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, this book brings together experts in fantasy literature, political sciences, economics, philosophy, history, and journalism to consider the intricate social tapestry of one of the most intricate worlds in modern fantasy. Surveying the Discworld’s institutionalised power structures from government and police to civil services, banks and societies, it explores ideas such as language, translation, humour, crowds, community, justice and coercion in the series’ major works. Featuring analyses of novels such as Men at Arms, Equal Rites, Carpe Jugulum, Guards! Guards!, Jingo, Night Watch, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad and many more, this collection illuminates how Pratchett juxtaposed his narratives with contemporary reflections on social constructs. Broken down into parts looking at social power dynamics, building and destroying worlds and the power of language, the book offers a much-needed corrective to the dearth of scholarship on one of fantasy literature’s worldbuilding titans.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dr Justine Breton (Associate Professor in Literature, Reims University, France) ,  Senior Lecturer Matthew Sangster (University of Glasgow UK) ,  Senior Lecturer Dimitra Fimi (University of Glasgow UK) ,  Professor of English Brian Attebery (Idaho State University USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 16.40cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 23.80cm
Weight:   0.520kg
ISBN:  

9781350465312

ISBN 10:   1350465313
Pages:   240
Publication Date:   24 April 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Introduction – Justine Breton, Associate Professor, Reims University, France Part 1. Social Power Dynamics 1. Collective Strength, Collective Weakness: Crowds and their Use on the Discworld – Bettina Juszak, PhD student, York University, Toronto 2. Where the Streets Are Paved with Glod: The Role of Civil Society in Ankh-Morpork Community and Civic Life – Jon Dean, Associate Professor, Sheffield Hallam University, UK 3. Truth and Justice in the Big Wahoonie: Ankh-Morpork's Social Topography – Helena Esser, Independent scholar 4. A Utopia of Power: Using David Graeber to Understand Pratchett’s Views on the Emergence and Development of Power Structures (and vice versa) – Janna Kraus, PhD student, University of Fribourg, Switzerland Part 2. Tools for Building, Tools for Destroying 5. Maps of the Future: Spatial Revolution in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld – Christopher Lynch Becherer, PhD student, University of Glasgow, UK 6. A “Vetinarian” World Order: Great Powers and Multilateralism in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series – Guilhem Jean, Independent scholar 7. Political Idealism in the Discworld Novels – Ruchira Mandal, Assistant Professor, Lady Brabourne College, India 8. King Carrot: Refusing Power to Build a Better Society – Justine Breton Part 3. The Power of Language 9. Greatness and Small Miseries: Journalism in the Discworld novels – Jean-Christophe Piot, Journalist and Independent scholar 10. “People listen when I’m screaming”: Language and Empowerment in The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents – Anne Hiebert Alton, Professor of English, Central Michigan University, USA 11. “Let him be whoever he thinks he is”: Magic as Truth in Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters – Sarah Richardson, Postgraduate Research, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK 12. The Power of Stories: Narrative Causality and Coercive Narratives in Pratchett’s Witches books – Yevheniia Orestivna Kanchura, Associate Professor, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Ukraine and Jane Suzanne Carroll, Ussher Associate Professor, Trinity College, Ireland Bibliography Index

Reviews

Author Information

Justine Breton is Associate Professor in Literature and Cultural Studies at Nancy University, France. She has written books on T. H. White, the Monty Python, and The Witcher and has contributed to several books on fantasy including Dictionnaire de la fantasy (2018), and Fantasy et Moyen Âge (2023).

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions