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Discworld Companion Books
The Art of Discworld
In THE ART OF DISCWORLD, Terry Pratchett takes us on a guided tour of the Discworld, courtesy of his favourite Discworld artist, Paul Kidby. Following on from THE LAST HERO, THE ART OF DISCWORLD is a lavish 112-page large format, sumptuously illustrated look at all things Discworldian. Terry Pratchett provides the written descriptions while Paul Kidby illustrates the world that has made Pratchett one of the best-selling authors of all time. Here you will find favourites old and the City Watch, including Vimes, Carrot and Angua, the three witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - and the denizens of the Unseen University Library, not forgetting the Librarian, of they're all here in sumptuous colour, together with the Ankh-Morpork, Lancre, Uberwald and more ...No Discworld fan will want to be without this beautiful gift book.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
8 people are currently reading
3635 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
684 books46.1k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
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November 18, 2021
If you're not a fan of Terry Pratchett or the Discworld series of books, this particular edition will probably sail right over your head. If you are, well, it's more than just the art of Discworld.
In the beginning, Discworld covers were done by Josh Kirby, who sadly passed away, handing the mantel on to Paul Kidby, whose similar yet independent style kept the Discworld spirit alive. This book features Kidby's work only, with sketches and finished articles alongside some never-before-seen material that bring Discworld to life.
It's also narrated by Terry himself, with little notations by Kidby, but it's Terry's words that make this book more than just an art one. He gives us insight in to his thinking of the characters we love and gives us a few books and people that have inspired him throughout his writing career to look out for as references ourselves. It's the ultimate dip-in-and-out book and the illustrations have so many little things to look for it can overtake your imagination for days on end.
In the beginning, Discworld covers were done by Josh Kirby, who sadly passed away, handing the mantel on to Paul Kidby, whose similar yet independent style kept the Discworld spirit alive. This book features Kidby's work only, with sketches and finished articles alongside some never-before-seen material that bring Discworld to life.
It's also narrated by Terry himself, with little notations by Kidby, but it's Terry's words that make this book more than just an art one. He gives us insight in to his thinking of the characters we love and gives us a few books and people that have inspired him throughout his writing career to look out for as references ourselves. It's the ultimate dip-in-and-out book and the illustrations have so many little things to look for it can overtake your imagination for days on end.
April 6, 2017
The blending of art and narration gives this book a good pleasure. A perfect coffee table book to accompany an enjoyable coffee time for Discworld's fans.
This book is for fans of Discworld, and presenting the arts from Paul Kidby. Not only just the art, but also the narration by Pratchett gave some insight of the author himself about the characters and setting of Discworld. I like the part where Ankh Morpork grew in Pratchett's mind.
This book is for fans of Discworld, and presenting the arts from Paul Kidby. Not only just the art, but also the narration by Pratchett gave some insight of the author himself about the characters and setting of Discworld. I like the part where Ankh Morpork grew in Pratchett's mind.
January 2, 2019
I picked this up on my anniversary used book shopping spree and do not regret it. This collects a LOT of Paul Kidby's art, both the rough drawings and the finished pieces, along with Terry Pratchett's commentary on the characters and where they came from. There are a lot of delightful behind-the-scenes tidbits, like how Carrot got his name from a builder's apprentice with red hair whose nickname was Carrot, or how Vimes was never meant to be the main character in Guards! Guards!. I only wish for the impossible, which is that it could cover the entirety of the Discworld series--Pratchett writes of the Ankh-Morpork City Guards that "there are no vampires in the Watch," because Sally hasn't come along yet. Oh, and that they'd included the painting of Greebo as a human. Mmmmm.
December 5, 2021
Бъдещето е затворена книга ...
December 30, 2020
Looking back at Discworld now is kind of bittersweet, as it was a franchise I got into when it was still a going concern, but then the author died. At the time this was published, Going Postal was the latest book in the main series. Kidby's drawings include cover art and character portraits, including some parodies of other works of art. Pratchett claimed that Kidby's illustrations pretty much captured what he pictured in his head when writing. There are also brief descriptions of the characters and situations pictured. It's too bad we're unlikely to ever see new works featuring them, but the series is already pretty fleshed out.
August 30, 2022
Required reading for any Discworld fan!
January 28, 2022
Ciekawostki o Świecie Dysku to dobro, a te od samego Terry'ego Pratchetta, z drobnymi dopiskami odnośnie dyskowych obrazów od Paula Kidby'ego to dobro największe. Może fajnie byłoby przeczytać wznowione tłumaczenie, z tytułami czy terminami opartymi o już wszystkie przetłumaczone na polski tomy, ale też to wydanie przypomina o czasie, w którym powstało. Jeszcze gdy Świat Dysku powstawał, gdy wciąż wszystko było w nim możliwe. A do tego mnóstwo szkiców i finalnych wersji obrazów - tych znanych z okładek i tych do innych wydań, Paula Kidby'ego, dzięki którym Dysk ożywa nawet bardziej.
August 22, 2013
A must have for Discworld fans
You know that feeling of browsing through old holiday snapshots? That melancholic feeling of those great times of the past. Those little moments that are still carved into your brain, hopefully never to erode away. Well, that is exactly the sentiment you experience when browsing through the Art of Discworld. That is, if you are one of those many people who have read quite a few of the Discworld novels. Have you never read one of those? What are you waiting for? Skip the Art of Discworld (for now) and start reading the books!
Paul Kidby is arguably the best artist to ever try envision the wonderful world and characters of Terry Pratchett�s Discworld. The incredible amount of details he puts in the drawings make you want to study them again and again, each time discovering new aspects. The most noteworthy pieces are the depictions of the Great A�Tuin, Death, The-ook-ook-Librarian and of course Nanny Ogg�s cat Greebo.
Accompanying the excellent reproductions are the comments of the big chief Pratchett himself and to a lesser amount Paul Kidby�s remarks. Terry Pratchett reveals some of the creative processes behind the conception of many of the beloved characters.
You know that feeling of browsing through old holiday snapshots? That melancholic feeling of those great times of the past. Those little moments that are still carved into your brain, hopefully never to erode away. Well, that is exactly the sentiment you experience when browsing through the Art of Discworld. That is, if you are one of those many people who have read quite a few of the Discworld novels. Have you never read one of those? What are you waiting for? Skip the Art of Discworld (for now) and start reading the books!
Paul Kidby is arguably the best artist to ever try envision the wonderful world and characters of Terry Pratchett�s Discworld. The incredible amount of details he puts in the drawings make you want to study them again and again, each time discovering new aspects. The most noteworthy pieces are the depictions of the Great A�Tuin, Death, The-ook-ook-Librarian and of course Nanny Ogg�s cat Greebo.
Accompanying the excellent reproductions are the comments of the big chief Pratchett himself and to a lesser amount Paul Kidby�s remarks. Terry Pratchett reveals some of the creative processes behind the conception of many of the beloved characters.
June 25, 2010
When I was young, my mother was very disturbed that in second grade, I was still reading picture books rather than chapter books. My father read my brother and I part of a chapter book every night, and I liked pictures. I was pressured away from picture books, only to become an art history(and math) major in college. Sometimes, kids do know what is best for them.
I do, however, now LOVE chapter books. Reading is one of my great joys in life, especially reading Terry Pratchett books. So imagine my delight at a Terry Pratchett picture book, illustrated by the incredible Paul Kidby! While his visions of Terry's characters don't always match mine(the Sam Vimes in "Where's my cow?" is closer to my mental image), he is an excellent artist. Sometimes, he paints a person or place and I just go "wow"! The Librarian, Vetinari, Death, Granny Weatherwax, Mr. Wuffles, Detritus, Rincewind, Mustrum Ridcully, Carrot, Nobby Nobbs--all rendered perfectly alive. I wish there had been more pictures of Lady Sybil and Agnes Nitt.
To make it even better, Terry gives his commentary on each picture, including how he thinks the characters should look.
I do, however, now LOVE chapter books. Reading is one of my great joys in life, especially reading Terry Pratchett books. So imagine my delight at a Terry Pratchett picture book, illustrated by the incredible Paul Kidby! While his visions of Terry's characters don't always match mine(the Sam Vimes in "Where's my cow?" is closer to my mental image), he is an excellent artist. Sometimes, he paints a person or place and I just go "wow"! The Librarian, Vetinari, Death, Granny Weatherwax, Mr. Wuffles, Detritus, Rincewind, Mustrum Ridcully, Carrot, Nobby Nobbs--all rendered perfectly alive. I wish there had been more pictures of Lady Sybil and Agnes Nitt.
To make it even better, Terry gives his commentary on each picture, including how he thinks the characters should look.
April 28, 2008
Why on EARTH have I not been reading Terry Pratchett's Discworld series all my life?? The simple commentary by the author and illustrator in this volume alone had me laughing out loud on nearly every page, and so Pratchett's actual novels must be brilliant and hilarious. Paul Kidby's "realistically cartoonish" style of drawing and painting must lend itself extremely well to Pratchett's satirical fantasy, and my only complaint about the volume is that there wasn't nearly enough of his art in it, especially given that both men made mention of many more caricatures of characters that were not present.
December 3, 2018
Paul Kidby's art feels like the way I've always pictured these characters in my head, but now get to see brought to life by someone who actually has talent. It is obvious he loves the works he is illustrating, and the commentary by Pratchett provides wonderful details to characters I've followed over the course of almost 40 novels. Who knew that most of my favourites, Vetinari, the Librarian, Nanny Ogg, and even Death were never meant to be in more than a scene or two!?
This book is a must-have for anyone who loves Discworld. And for anyone who doesn't love Discworld, the only possibility is that you haven't read it yet, so do yourself a favour and get reading!
This book is a must-have for anyone who loves Discworld. And for anyone who doesn't love Discworld, the only possibility is that you haven't read it yet, so do yourself a favour and get reading!
December 20, 2008
Just as I pictured them: the Librarian, Lord Vetinari, most of the Watch, Greebo.
Better than I pictured them: Sam Vimes, swamp dragons, Tiffany and the Feegles, young Nanny Ogg, Angua, Ridcully.
Not quite as I pictured them: Old Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax, Carrot.
Distressingly absent: Greebo as a human, Lady Sybil.
Better than I pictured them: Sam Vimes, swamp dragons, Tiffany and the Feegles, young Nanny Ogg, Angua, Ridcully.
Not quite as I pictured them: Old Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax, Carrot.
Distressingly absent: Greebo as a human, Lady Sybil.
February 2, 2013
A set of fabulous illustrations with humorous commentary. What is not to love?
February 22, 2014
Wanted a copy of this for years, did not disappoint. Paul Kidby is ridiculously good.
February 1, 2017
Бъдещето е затворена книга.
А може би не?
А може би не?
November 3, 2025
A fantastic fantasy series merits fantastic art
If you're a fan you'd know Josh Kirby illustrated the Discworld for a long time before Paul, and his work is iconic to me, imprinted on the memories of beautiful hours reading Pratchett's work. This deserves mention.
But this book is, beyond a fun tour around the Discworld, a tour de-force of Paul Kidby's powerful style.
If you're at all moved by art, you'd appreciate this book more for the pictures than the words. I kind of think that was the point.
Kidby brings to life the unique combination of inquisitive allegory, epic tale, human imperfection and quizzical humor that is so endearingly Pratchett.
If you read this book and enjoy the art, it will also wet your appetite to read more of the Discworld enchanting novels.
In this world of screens, this one is a pathway for people of any age to return to leaf-turning.
If you're a fan you'd know Josh Kirby illustrated the Discworld for a long time before Paul, and his work is iconic to me, imprinted on the memories of beautiful hours reading Pratchett's work. This deserves mention.
But this book is, beyond a fun tour around the Discworld, a tour de-force of Paul Kidby's powerful style.
If you're at all moved by art, you'd appreciate this book more for the pictures than the words. I kind of think that was the point.
Kidby brings to life the unique combination of inquisitive allegory, epic tale, human imperfection and quizzical humor that is so endearingly Pratchett.
If you read this book and enjoy the art, it will also wet your appetite to read more of the Discworld enchanting novels.
In this world of screens, this one is a pathway for people of any age to return to leaf-turning.
June 26, 2017
This is great. And not just for the art. I mean, the art is good and all but it's the text that's of equal or even more interest.
Text is split up into plain font and italic font, plain written by Terry and italic by Kidby, although Kidby's comments are few and far between - it's mostly Terry's writing. (Which makes sense - Kidby communicates through the art.)
Aaaanyway, so Terry gives a great bunch of background info about the development of all the characters and places and his personal influences. It's fascinating stuff.
Highly recommended.
Text is split up into plain font and italic font, plain written by Terry and italic by Kidby, although Kidby's comments are few and far between - it's mostly Terry's writing. (Which makes sense - Kidby communicates through the art.)
Aaaanyway, so Terry gives a great bunch of background info about the development of all the characters and places and his personal influences. It's fascinating stuff.
Highly recommended.
March 15, 2024
This absolute beauty of a book features words by Terry Pratchett and art by Paul Kidby and is all about the Discworld, its people and its places.
What’s interesting is that a lot of the images that Kidby created lined up with the way that I imagined the characters and the settings myself. With that said, I’m not sure how much of that is due to ongoing exposure to Kidby’s illustrations throughout the 60+ Pratchett books that I’ve read.
Regardless, if you’re a big Discworld fan then you’re going to want to read this at some point. And it’s a quickie!
What’s interesting is that a lot of the images that Kidby created lined up with the way that I imagined the characters and the settings myself. With that said, I’m not sure how much of that is due to ongoing exposure to Kidby’s illustrations throughout the 60+ Pratchett books that I’ve read.
Regardless, if you’re a big Discworld fan then you’re going to want to read this at some point. And it’s a quickie!
May 10, 2017
What can I say: I love the discworld and I love Josh Kirby. If you do not love/like any of those this book is not for you.
This book gives nice background information of the discworld with sketches and drawing by Josh and an explanation by Pratchett. I bought this for inspiration for a discworld art project I am working on and the inspiration I get from this book is great!
so recommended for everyone who loves discworld and likes to look at pictures.
This book gives nice background information of the discworld with sketches and drawing by Josh and an explanation by Pratchett. I bought this for inspiration for a discworld art project I am working on and the inspiration I get from this book is great!
so recommended for everyone who loves discworld and likes to look at pictures.
June 21, 2017
Táto knižka ma veľmi príjemne prekvapila. Je plná nádherných kresieb a ešte krajších Terryho pokecov k jednotlivým postávam, jeho postrehy a stručný popis, ako ich vymyslel. Zároveň nechýba ani Paulov Kidbyov pohľad na vznik jeho ilustrácií. Keďže už mám takmer všetky zeměplošské knihy za sebou, táto pôsobila veľmi nostalgickým dojmom a nedalo sa mi nespomínať na všetky tie postavy a na to všetko, čo som s nimi zažila...
September 14, 2022
😭
I loved it so much.
😭
Compared to "Terry Pratchett's DW Imaginarium" which was published after Sir Pratchett's passing, this one was written by him and Paul Kidby.
And it was so good to have the entire Discworld explained by both, their inspirations, where they drew their ideas from.. it was perfect.
Definitely a must-have for lovers of the Discworld.
I loved it so much.
😭
Compared to "Terry Pratchett's DW Imaginarium" which was published after Sir Pratchett's passing, this one was written by him and Paul Kidby.
And it was so good to have the entire Discworld explained by both, their inspirations, where they drew their ideas from.. it was perfect.
Definitely a must-have for lovers of the Discworld.
July 10, 2019
Loved the art and concepts and even moreso the indepth back story of the artist and Terry himself. It's a great read, although it's not really a book or story.
The art is really amazing if you think about how it's made.
There were some spelling and grammar mistakes, though.
The art is really amazing if you think about how it's made.
There were some spelling and grammar mistakes, though.
September 16, 2024
I mean, there's just nothing NOT to like about this book. Full colour renditions of some of Paul Kidby's illustrations, with words from Sir Terry about how his character's and places came about in his imagination ... a lovely journey through some great Discworld moments.
November 28, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the descriptions were Pratchett discussing how he came up with things for the Discworld books. Kidby talked about the art as well, but it wasn't as solely focused on the art as the title led me to presume.
May 15, 2017
Paul Kidby hat wirklich ein Händchen für die Figuren der Scheibenwelt - ein toller Bildband!
March 5, 2018
This was interesting. I like some of the art work.
July 7, 2019
Beautiful illustrations with very interesting tidbits of info!
January 19, 2024
I love the artwork in this book and being a fan of the Discworld I found it beautiful
August 22, 2024
Love the art work!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews