Fantasy · Science fiction · Adventure
The Light Fantastic
The second Discworld novel follows a cowardly failed wizard and a cheerful tourist as the flat world faces a mysterious red star heading toward it. It picks up straight after the first book but works as a fresh comic fantasy.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1986
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 285
- Format
- Book 2 of 41 in Discworld
Read this if you like silly, quick-fire fantasy parody and want the Discworld at its most joke-dense.
Skip this if you would rather read the first book before this direct continuation, or want a tightly plotted story.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Quick answers about The Light Fantastic
- What is The Light Fantastic about?
- The second Discworld novel follows a cowardly failed wizard and a cheerful tourist as the flat world faces a mysterious red star heading toward it. It picks up straight after the first book but works as a fresh comic fantasy.
- Who should read The Light Fantastic?
- Read it if you like silly, quick-fire fantasy parody and want the Discworld at its most joke-dense. Skip it if you would rather read the first book before this direct continuation, or want a tightly plotted story.
- How long and how fast is The Light Fantastic?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 285 pages, first published in 1986.
- Does The Light Fantastic have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow The Light Fantastic for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Light Fantastic; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Light Fantastic?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Good Omens, The Princess Bride.
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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 Light Fantastic
-
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Same absurd, quotable humour pointed at science fiction instead of fantasy.
-
Good Omens Pratchett again, this time with Neil Gaiman, with an apocalypse treated as a comic mishap.
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The Princess Bride Another fantasy that loves the genre while teasing it, with dry narration and sharp one-liners.
Fantasy
