E
Ernest Riera
Ernest Riera is the author of The Light Fantastic, a science fiction novel. He writes engaging stories that explore imaginative worlds.
The Light Fantastic
Synopsis
A direct sequel to The Colour of Magic, beginning exactly where the previous novel ended — with Rincewind and Twoflower falling off the edge of the world. As the Discworld hurtles toward catastrophic collision with a malevolent red star, it turns out that a single spell lodged in Rincewind's head is the only thing standing between existence and destruction. Rincewind, Twoflower, and the relentless Luggage must journey back across the Disc to the Unseen University before time runs out.
Genres
Characters
RincewindProtagonist
The Disc's most incompetent wizard, who discovers that survival is itself a form of heroism, however undignified.
TwoflowerSupporting
The world's first tourist, whose unfailing optimism remains the emotional centre of this final Rincewind-and-Twoflower adventure.
Cohen the BarbarianSupporting
An incredibly elderly, toothless barbarian hero who is the Disc's most legendary warrior. His first appearance in the series.
The LuggageSupporting
TrymonSupporting
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read The Colour of Magic first?
Yes. The Light Fantastic begins immediately after The Colour of Magic's cliffhanger ending and is a direct continuation. These two books are the only true duology in the Discworld series.
When was The Light Fantastic published?
First published in 1986 by Colin Smythe. It is the second Discworld novel and the second Rincewind book.
Who is Cohen the Barbarian?
Cohen the Barbarian makes his debut here as a very elderly, nearly toothless barbarian hero — the greatest warrior the Disc has ever produced, now in his eighties and dealing with the practical difficulties of a life spent slaughtering monsters. He becomes a recurring character, most prominently in The Last Hero (2001).
What does the title mean?
The title is taken from John Milton's 1645 poem 'L'Allegro': 'Come and trip it as you go / On the light fantastic toe.' Pratchett adapted it as a metaphor for the unpredictable, improvised nature of Rincewind's survival.
Is this the last appearance of Twoflower?
Twoflower returns in Interesting Times (1994), where Rincewind is sent to the Agatean Empire — Twoflower's homeland. The reunion is a significant emotional moment for readers who started with The Colour of Magic.