Fantasy
The Colour of Magic
The first Discworld novel follows Rincewind, a cowardly failed wizard, who is hired to guide the first tourist the flat world has ever seen. The pair stumble through danger, gods and dragons across a flat world carried on the back of a turtle.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1983
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 287
- Format
- Book 1 of 41 in Discworld
Read this if you want a silly, quick, joke-packed fantasy parody and enjoy episodes more than a single plot.
Skip this if you want a polished story, since this early book is more a string of gags and wandered into by later ones improving.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Colour of Magic
- What is The Colour of Magic about?
- The first Discworld novel follows Rincewind, a cowardly failed wizard, who is hired to guide the first tourist the flat world has ever seen. The pair stumble through danger, gods and dragons across a flat world carried on the back of a turtle.
- Who should read The Colour of Magic?
- Read it if you want a silly, quick, joke-packed fantasy parody and enjoy episodes more than a single plot. Skip it if you want a polished story, since this early book is more a string of gags and wandered into by later ones improving.
- How long and how fast is The Colour of Magic?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 287 pages, first published in 1983.
- Does The Colour of Magic have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow The Colour of Magic for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Colour of Magic; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Colour of Magic?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Guards! Guards!, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Hobbit.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Colour of Magic
-
Guards! Guards! A later Discworld novel with a tighter plot and sharper characters, often a better entry point.
-
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Another quick, absurdist comedy that sends hapless characters through a ridiculous universe.
-
The Hobbit
The classic quest story that this book playfully pokes at.
Fantasy
