Witches Abroad
by Terry Pratchett (Victor Gollancz, 1991); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1996)
Lots of witchy dialogue ‘get the reference’ humour but overall a little too much icing, not enough cake. Nigel Planer’s Discworld audiobook readings are wonderful, but it’s a shame not to have had Celia Imrie continue her association with these all-female instalments.
A Sudden Puff of Glittering Smoke and Other Stories; aka Genie, Genie, Genie
by Anne Fine (Mammoth, 1992); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Bolinda, 2015)
Three stories involving middle-grade children and genies. Fine explores the culture and mythology of Ancient Persia, alongside notions of wish-fulfilment and consequence, perspective and empathy. The first tale is more entertaining and outstrips its two conceptual sequels in integrating the modern world.
Soul Music
by Terry Pratchett (Victor Gollancz, 1994); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1996)
Though chock full of rock ‘n’ roll allusions and puns, Soul Music is a rarity amongst the Discworld novels in that it isn’t really about anything. Witty and imaginative and still amusing on a micro level, yes, but by Pratchett’s standards underwhelming.
The Colour of Magic
by Terry Pratchett (Colin Smythe, 1983); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1995)
Pratchett’s first Discworld novel is a bubbling primordial soup of imagination. It sets the scene but at this burgeoning stage is less a crowning achievement in comedy and more the concomitant satire of a very funny man trying to write serious fantasy.
The Robe of Skulls
by Vivian French (Walker Childrens, 2007); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Bolinda, 2014)
A short, fun, fairy tale influenced middle grade fantasy, brought vividly to life by Nigel Planer’s audiobook reading. French integrates several familiar elements while often employing a humorous slant or unexpected interpretation, such as with the three Fates and their penitent weaving.
Small Gods
by Terry Pratchett (Victor Gollancz, 1992); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1997)
Pratchett’s one-off Discworld novels were often rather special, and such is the case with this exposé on organised religion. The (formerly) Great God Om finds himself unwillingly manifested as a tortoise with only one follower. Nigel Planer is exquisite in his narration.
Feet of Clay
by Terry Pratchett (Victor Gollancz, 1996); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (ISIS, 1999)
Feet of Clay continues the examination of racism (on the Discworld, species-ism) begun in Men at Arms, adding little except welcome reiteration. Although the golems make for interesting characters, Fred Colon and Nobby Nobbs—two of Pratchett’s less explicably favoured creations—don’t.
Mort
by Terry Pratchett (Victor Gollancz, 1987); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1995)
Mort is the book with which Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series turned from imaginative curiosity to comedic fantasy par excellence. The plot is atypically focussed for Pratchett, and Death (who in a mid-life crisis takes on an apprentice) becomes an instant fan favourite.
Hogfather
by Terry Pratchett (Gollancz, 1996); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 1999)
Pratchett might belabour the point, yet his stark critique of Christmas is so lavishly adorned that the humour tends to dominate. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a black comedy, it is Death (no less) and his granddaughter who bring the magic back to Hogswatchnight.
Pyramids
by Terry Pratchett (Corgi, 1989); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Isis, 2002)
Pratchett’s Discworld series truly hit its stride in this, the BSFA-winning seventh book. Pyramids is a self-contained and ingeniously conceived, desert-dry satire on the type of human thinking that underpins religious folly. Nigel Planer is suitably droll in voicing the befuddled participants.