Discworld and the Disciplines - (Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy) (Paperback)

About the Book

This collection of new essays applies a wide range of critical frameworks to the analysis of prolific fantasy author Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Essays focus on topics such as Pratchett's treatment of noise and silence and their political implications; art as an anodyne for racial conflict; humor and cognitive debugging; visual semiotics; linguistic stylistics and readers' perspectives of word choice; and Derrida and the "monstrous Regiment of Women." The volume also includes an annotated bibliography of critical sources. The essays provide fresh perspectives on Pratchett's work, which has stealthily redefined both fantasy and humor for modern audiences.

Book Synopsis

This collection of new essays applies a wide range of critical frameworks to the analysis of prolific fantasy author Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Essays focus on topics such as Pratchett's treatment of noise and silence and their political implications; art as an anodyne for racial conflict; humor and cognitive debugging; visual semiotics; linguistic stylistics and readers' perspectives of word choice; and Derrida and the "monstrous Regiment of Women." The volume also includes an annotated bibliography of critical sources. The essays provide fresh perspectives on Pratchett's work, which has stealthily redefined both fantasy and humor for modern audiences.

Review Quotes

"a comprehensive, interesting and challenging collection"-SFRA Review; "this text is firmly rooted in a variety of critical approaches, and each essay demonstrates strong commitment to scholarship and academia...an excellent resource"-Children's Literature Association Quarterly; "an important addition to Pratchett scholarship and will be of interest to anyone doing critical work on Discworld"-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts.

About the Author

Anne Hiebert Alton is a professor of English at Central Michigan University, where she teaches literature of all sorts. She lives in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. William C. Spruiell is an associate professor of English at Central Michigan University, where he teaches English linguistics, Old English, and science-fiction and fantasy literature. He lives in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.