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2023 re-read. Yes, every year I get Hogfather out at this time of year because as a Christmas book you can't beat it. As a Discworld book it's very high on the list of my favourites. Every year something new springs out at me, every year I laugh like a drain, have a little cry and it renews my faith in all things Pratchett and even humanity. The part that got me this year was right at the end where Death is talking about what a peculiar species humans are. Terry Pratchett, apart from being a master storyteller, world creator and generally hilarious author was great at the study of human beings with all our faults and foibles. I miss that new Pratchett Christmas book every year but thank Offler that we still have the whole Discworld to lose ourselves in. Happy Hogswatch people!

Perfection.

I've been a Pratchett fan for about 35 years but I think Hogfather despite being the 20th Discworld novel (1996 vintage) is a great place to start. It gives you some of the best loved characters-Susan, Death, Albert, the Assassins Guild and the wizards of Unseen University and the librarian but it works wonderfully as a stand alone novel. You don't really need to know anything about their history because the story of Father Christmas/ Hogfather and Christmas time/ Hogswatch is a well trodden road.

I listened to the new recording released in 2021 and it brought back my love of the book when I read it all those years ago. It's funny and silly and clever and everything you expect from a Discworld novel.

Just suspend your skepticism and BELIEVE!

Highly recommended.