Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic, is epic. Terry Pratchett, needs no introduction. He is one of the most read contemporary writers of fantasy. The Colour of Magic is part of a series known as the Discworld. It was published in 1983 as a novel and in 1992 as a graphic novel. It is as a graphic novel that I read The Colour of Magic and I will be reviewing the graphic novel.
When I first read The Colour of Magic, we still called them "comics" rather than graphic novels. I feel this is a good text to teach in school at Upper Sec level, as it has different layers of meaning that might be a little too tough for Lower sec kids. Kids love reading comics/graphic novels, especially the Japanese-Manga ones, which can be quite complex. The Colour of Magic weaves a fantasy world that appeals to students, who seem to enjoy this genre, especially now with the Twilight generation.
The Colour of Magic is like an action adventure with two almost Quixotic characters going on a series of adventures. When a tourist from a more powerful universe comes to visit Ankh-Morpork, an incompetent and failed wizard is set by the ruler to take him around safely. As a result of a tavern bawl, the entire city burns down and the wizard Rincewind escapes with Twoflower, the tourist from the Agatean Empire. They embark on a journey that is quest-like and defeat different villains and help several people in the course of their journeys.
Unknown to the characters, they are being controlled by a group of gods playing a board game.
This text can be used to introduce many themes and values. One is of course the parody of the romance genre, where a knight goes on a quest and defeats villains in an effort to either win the favour of a lady-love or glory. This is more in the vein of a picaresque novel, with Rincewind as the picaro. The idea of the anti-hero can also be introduced through this novel, for neither the cowardly, inefficient RIncewind nor the whimsical Twoflower are what we would call, "heroes". They do not fit the category or the values of traditional heroes or even modern-day heroes and do not fulfill the criteria wherein one can look up to them in admiration.
They are at best misfits.
Another important point that can be covered here is the fact that Rincewind is always being reminded of his failure as a wizard. He was a drop-out and therefore was considered an inefficient wizard. However, gradually throughout the story, he gains in confidence as he learns to solve the problems and meet adversities. This is an important life lesson for our students, that we can use to connect to their own lives. Though sometimes, we feel that we are the pawns of destiny or bad luck or any such influence, one can overcome one's situation if one has enough perseverance and confidence in one's self.
Except for a few complexities, I feel this book could have been a great text for lower sec classrooms too.
When I first read The Colour of Magic, we still called them "comics" rather than graphic novels. I feel this is a good text to teach in school at Upper Sec level, as it has different layers of meaning that might be a little too tough for Lower sec kids. Kids love reading comics/graphic novels, especially the Japanese-Manga ones, which can be quite complex. The Colour of Magic weaves a fantasy world that appeals to students, who seem to enjoy this genre, especially now with the Twilight generation.
The Colour of Magic is like an action adventure with two almost Quixotic characters going on a series of adventures. When a tourist from a more powerful universe comes to visit Ankh-Morpork, an incompetent and failed wizard is set by the ruler to take him around safely. As a result of a tavern bawl, the entire city burns down and the wizard Rincewind escapes with Twoflower, the tourist from the Agatean Empire. They embark on a journey that is quest-like and defeat different villains and help several people in the course of their journeys.
Unknown to the characters, they are being controlled by a group of gods playing a board game.
This text can be used to introduce many themes and values. One is of course the parody of the romance genre, where a knight goes on a quest and defeats villains in an effort to either win the favour of a lady-love or glory. This is more in the vein of a picaresque novel, with Rincewind as the picaro. The idea of the anti-hero can also be introduced through this novel, for neither the cowardly, inefficient RIncewind nor the whimsical Twoflower are what we would call, "heroes". They do not fit the category or the values of traditional heroes or even modern-day heroes and do not fulfill the criteria wherein one can look up to them in admiration.
They are at best misfits.
Another important point that can be covered here is the fact that Rincewind is always being reminded of his failure as a wizard. He was a drop-out and therefore was considered an inefficient wizard. However, gradually throughout the story, he gains in confidence as he learns to solve the problems and meet adversities. This is an important life lesson for our students, that we can use to connect to their own lives. Though sometimes, we feel that we are the pawns of destiny or bad luck or any such influence, one can overcome one's situation if one has enough perseverance and confidence in one's self.
Except for a few complexities, I feel this book could have been a great text for lower sec classrooms too.
I agree! Terry Pratchett is amazing! (I say this as someone who's read every discworld novel that he's published so far, including the young adult ones) That said though, satire, parody and irony run very strongly in his narratives and would it be perhaps too difficult for our kids to catch the nuances of it? Especially if we were to teach it to our kids. I read it as a secondary school student but I'm pretty sure now (looking back) I missed the bulk of the richness that his works contained. So would students miss out on that same richness and if we were to point it out, would it diminish that richness in Pratchett's works? I'm not sure but I'm just thinking aloud. I'd really love to bring in one of Pratchett's text into the classroom though! :D
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