The Discworld is, as everyone must now know, and no one should need to be told, flat. It rides through space on the back of four elephants* which, in turn, are standing on the shell of an enormous turtle. The Rincewind trilogy is a bumper volume containing the complete text of two novels and one novella, all starring one of the Discworld's most popular characters: the Wizzard Rincewind and his irrepressible - and quite intractable - Luggage. * There used to be five, but that's another story entirely
Sir Terry Pratchett is a publishing phenomenon. Among his many prizes and citations are the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award, the Carnegie Medal, the BSFA Award, eight honorary doctorates and, of course, a knighthood. In 2012, he won a BAFTA for his documentary on the subject of assisted suicide, 'Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die'. He is the author of fifty bestselling books but is best known for the globally renowned Discworld series.
The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, and the series is still going strong almost three decades later. Four Discworld novels - Hogfather, Going Postal, The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic - have been adapted for television, with more to follow. His books have sold approximately 85 million copies worldwide (but who's counting?), and been translated into forty languages.
In 2007, Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. He died in 2015.