Hogfather
| Terry Pratchett The Discworld series 20th novel – 4th Death story | |
| Outline | |
| Characters: | Death Susan Sto Helit |
| Locations: | Death's Domain |
| Motifs: | Christmas, children's stories |
| Publication details | |
| Year of release: | 1996 |
| Original publisher: | |
| Hardback ISBN: | |
| Paperback ISBN: | ISBN 0552145424 |
| Other details | |
| Awards: | |
| Notes: | Came 137th in the Big Read |
Hogfather is the 20th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.
"The Hogfather" is also a character in the book, who also figures in other Discworld novels, representing something akin to Father Christmas. He grants children's wishes on Hogswatchnight (1st day of Offle) and brings them presents.
The Hogfather wears a red, fur-lined cloak, and rides a sleigh pulled by four wild boars, Gouger, Rooter, Trouter and Snouter. In earlier times he gave households pork products, and naughty children a bag of bloody bones. Earlier than that, he was a winter god of the death-and-renewal kind. The modern version is a jolly toymaker, with vestiges of the earlier myths (such as his Castle of Bones) still clinging to him.
In the novel The Auditors strike again: They decided to eliminate Discworld's equivalent to Santa Claus because he does not fit into their view of the universe. They meet with Lord Downey, head of the Assassin's guild, and commission the services of Mr. Teatime, whose particular brand of insane genius makes him an ideal candidate for the assassination of the Hogfather and other anthropomorphic personifications. Death decides to take over for the Hogfather, wearing a long red cloak and a beard, but things start to become complicated because he is taking the children's wishes too literally. Meanwhile, his granddaughter Susan must find out what's happened to the real Hogfather, and if anyone can save him.
Hogfather Translations
- Дядо Прас (Bulgarian)
- Otec prasátek (Czech)
- Schweinsgalopp (German)
- Orikavana (Estonian)
- Valkoparta Karjupukki (Finnish)
- Le Père Porcher (French)
- Wiedźmikołaj (Polish)
- Дед Кабан, Санта-Хрякус (Russian)
- Berevaar (Dutch)
Categories: 1996 books | Discworld books