"Terry Pratchett's Hogfather: A Christmas story for the year round"

"Terry Pratchett's Hogfather: A Christmas story for the year round"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr. 

I have recently reread some of my Terry Pratchett Books and I must say that I still idolize the guy. It is true there is Bar Nobody when it comes to this guy.

The Hogfather in a nutshell tells the story of what happens when the Hogfather ( The Discworlds version of Santa Claus) ceases to exist in a world that expects him to exist. It brings to mind 2 different movies that I also happen to enjoy. Nightmare before Christmas and Rise of the Guardians.

The former movie because the embodiment of Death ( who is a constant character in all of the Discs novels) takes over the reins as the Hogfather. There are hilarious results as Death tries to spread the Holiday cheer and not be Death himself as he gives toys to the little boys and girls all around the place.

The latter movie seems to have taken its mental cues from this story. The only way to kill an old God is with belief or the lack of it in this case. It is up to Deaths Grand Daughter (you have to read how he got one) Susan Sto Helit to unravel the mystery and to save Hogswatch night(Christmas and New Years for the Discworld)...

The Good:

-Deaths Point of views about Humanity in general
-Susan Sto Helits struggles to be Normal
-The ongoing Evolution of Hex the Discworlds only Super Computer
-The General Banter between the Wizards of the Unseen University , you want to read them again and again and just laugh
- The creation of various minor Gods in the absence of the Hogfather
- The Beggars Chorale

The Bad:

- The only thing bad is that like all Pratchett books this also comes to an end.

The Ugly

- Corporal Nobby Nobbs who makes an appearance and tries to settle his beef with the Hogfather
- Albert , Deaths Pixie assistant who doesn't look merry at all
- Most members of the Beggars hanging around Ankh-Morpork
- Foul Ol' Ron , The Deranged Beggars Deranged Beggar.

Pratchett plays a lot on the themes of Christmas in this book which makes me happy to have reread it in February. All the better to not experience Christmas but have a better feeling for that Holiday. All in all two thumbs up. A good read in any part of the year.