I have just finished reading The Light Fantastic and I believe an apology is due. Historically, I have been dismissive of Rincewind, claiming that he is a passive protagonist, spending books having things happen TO him and choosing to run away instead of interact. I called him a coward. I called him uninteresting.
After rereading these first two books, I have to admit I was dead wrong.
Rincewind's cowardice is a finely honed critical life skill, one that (likely with the help of The Lady and an extremely powerful spell living rent-free in his head) has kept him alive in spite of everything that fate and Fate has tossed at him. His self-preservation is frequently overridden by his conscience, despite his best efforts to act like he doesn't have one. The finale of Light Fantastic is an act of heroism (fueled by rage, but still) that one wouldn't expect from the cowardly man I had painted in my head. I was wrong, I'm sorry, and I'm glad to have been set straight.
To be honest, The Color of Magic is not a great book. I know that, you know that, heck, Terry Pratchett has admitted it himself. Its a perfectly adequate book that spends more time making jokes and nods to established fantasy tropes and series than having a plot. Because of this, it feels like a series of vignettes. This is probably where most of my bad memories of Rincewind happened, in these scenes of Things Happening. Its also a bit jarring when we first meet The Patrician, because this is obviously a proto-Patrician with his multiple chins and affection for candied starfish. Death here is a bit more spiteful, perhaps? This is a world that has shape and color, but perhaps hasn't had the shadow and detail added that turns it into the fully fleshed out version we know and love from later books. But the bones are there, and they are Good.
The Light Fantastic, on the other hand, is a much better crafted book. There is a pun on the first page that had me groaning in pain ("no such thing as a free launch", for those who are asking). There's a plot and character growth, but still the enthusiastic love of the genre, a density of jokes and play on words, and a strong sense of adventure. We visit Death's home for the first time, and plant seeds that won't come to fruition until his fourth book, Mort. Terry tries out the surname Weatherwax on an Arch Chancellor, and will reuse it in his next book on a different character. This book is FUN, and I'm looking forward to next week's reading of Equal Rites.
I should also mention here that our little Discord community is having a fun time cheering each other on and discussing the books as we go, so feel free to join us!
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