The Ultimate Discworld Companion

Product Information

From Rimfall to Hub, explore the most richly illustrated and detailed depiction of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld to ever be produced, devised by the Emporium’s own Ian Mitchell and illustrated in astonishing detail by Marc Moureau. This unfolded print version of our original Mappa Discworld features a full-colour rendition on one side, and the sepia annotated map on the other – so there’s a mappa for all tastes and decor, without the task of folding it all up again afterwards! Your guide to the entirety of Discworld®, from The Colour of Magic to The Shepherd’s Crown, and everything in between. The Ultimate Discworld Companion covers the riotous, intricate, and exuberant world that is the life’s work of master storyteller Terry Pratchett.

The Discworld Companion is an encyclopaedia of the Discworld fictional universe, created by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Briggs. [1] Four editions have been published, under varying titles.

The Dunmanifestin Edition

One side features a stunning full colour rendition of the Discworld, while the reverse offers an annotated sepia-toned map bearing the names of topographical features, countries, continents and regions, oceans, rivers and settlements.

The Companion contains precise definitions of words, people, places and events that have appeared in at least one Discworld novel, map, diary or non-fiction book, or in one of the three short stories " Troll Bridge", " Theatre of Cruelty", and " The Sea and Little Fishes". Material is often quoted directly from these sources, but, in each successive edition, also includes information that had not yet been worked into the novels. For instance, William de Worde is mentioned in the first edition of the Companion six years before the publication of The Truth, the novel in which he is introduced. At the end of each article is an abbreviation indicating the book(s) in which the word, person, event or place appears, though if there are too many, no abbreviation is used. The book includes an introduction by Stephen Briggs and an interview with Terry Pratchett, both of which have been updated in each edition. The Discworld, a flat world atop four elephants stood on the shell of the mighty Great A’Tuin the Star Turtle, home of adventures that unfold over 41 fantastic novels with a cast over 1000 named characters. Terry Pratchett’s incredible book series also includes a rich collection of off-shoots and side publicaitons including maps, guides, journals, diaries, calendars spanning almost forty years – that’s a daunting amount of Discworld to keep a handle on! Why not let the Ultimate Discworld Companion guide you in your journey through Terry Pratchett’s wonderful world, with illustrations by Terry’s foremost artist Mr. Paul Kidby! Pratchett, Terry; Stephen Briggs (2014). Turtle Recall: The Discworld Companion...So Far. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-229255-1. Hardcover, US edition, 464 pp.Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983. In 1987, he turned to writing full time. Born Terence David John Pratchett, Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Pratchett, Terry; Stephen Briggs (1994). The Discworld Companion. London: Gollancz. ISBN 0-575-05764-5. Hardcover

Besides being the most comprehensive guide to Discworld, this special edition also includes expanded entries and information covering the events of The Science of Discworldseries, additional full-colour artwork, and exclusive brand-new illustrations. Bound in a foil-embossed cover and presented in a matching presentation slipcase, this book is the ultimate companion to your Discworld library. Pratchett, Terry; Stephen Briggs (2021). The Ultimate Discworld Companion. Gollancz. ISBN 978-1-47-322350-9. Hardcover, UK edition, 448 pp. This beautiful (and weighty at 4.5kgs) volume is the essential guide to Discworld’s characters, concepts and creatures, assembled by Terry’s long-time collaborators, Discworld archivist Stephen Briggs and official Discworld artist Paul Kidby. This is, unfortunately, a disappointment. The cover declares "The Ultimate Discworld Companion - containing Everything... and more besides", which is a lie, (apart from the word 'ultimate' in its meaning as 'the last one'). First, the good stuff: Paul Kidby's illustrations are wonderful, and several included here I have not seen before. The new entries for books published since "Turtle Recall" are also covered in reasonable detail, which is good.

Customer reviews

A bit smaller than the folded map, this beautiful print also measures 69.5 x 78.5cm for (slightly) more convenient display in your domecile! This giant map of wizardly proportions is an essential aid for prospective students of the magical arts, and anybody likely to get lost on campus. And lets, face it, getting lost in the bowels of the UU could be quite a time-consuming or, at worst, terminal affair. What a boon then to visitors, students and scholars alike to have this indispensable guide to hand!