Book:Hogfather: Difference between revisions

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{{Book Data
{{Book Data
|title= Hogfather
|title=Hogfather
|cover=
|cover=[[File:Cover Hogfather.jpg|thumb|240px|Cover art by Josh Kirby]]
[[File:Cover Hogfather.jpg|thumb|240px|Cover art by Josh Kirby]]
|coauthors=
|coauthors=
|illustrator=
|illustrator=
|date= 7 November 1996
|date=7 November 1996
|publisher= Doubleday
|publisher=Doubleday
|isbn=057506403X
|isbn=9780575064034
|pages=416
|pages=416
|rrp=
|rrp=
Line 13: Line 12:
|characters=[[Death]], [[Susan Sto Helit]], [[Teatime|Mr. Teatime]]
|characters=[[Death]], [[Susan Sto Helit]], [[Teatime|Mr. Teatime]]
|annotations=yes
|annotations=yes
|notes= Adapted as a TV film in 2006
|notes=Adapted as a TV film in 2006
}}
}}
==Blurb==
==Blurb==
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'You'd better watch out ...'
'You'd better watch out ...'


== Plot ==
==Plot==
The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. [[Susan Sto Helit]] has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see [[bogeymen]] and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the [[Auditors of Reality]] pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the [[Hogfather]]. [[Lord Downey]] sends for [[Jonathan Teatime]], a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.
The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. [[Susan Sto Helit]] has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see [[bogeymen]] and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the [[Auditors of Reality]] pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the [[Hogfather]] (the equivalent to Father Christmas). [[Lord Downey]] sends for [[Jonathan Teatime]], a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.


[[Death]] appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with [[Binky]], the [[Death of Rats]] and a [[Quoth|raven]] to the [[Castle of Bones]], which collapses due to lack of belief. Here, she discovers the newly created [[Bilious]], the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the [[Unseen University]] to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by [[Hex]] that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.
[[Death]] appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with [[Binky]], the [[Death of Rats]] and a [[Quoth|raven]] to the [[Castle of Bones]] (the Hogfather's residence) which collapses because children have stopped believing in the Hogfather. Here, she discovers the newly created [[Bilious]], the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the [[Unseen University]] to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by [[Hex]] that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.


Susan follows a trail through [[Ankh-Morpork]] and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human [[Tooth Fairy]], went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal [[Banjo Lilywhite]] (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.
Susan follows a trail through [[Ankh-Morpork]] and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human [[Tooth Fairy]], went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal [[Banjo Lilywhite]] (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.
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Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.
Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.


Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand bigger lies such as Justice, Mercy and Duty.
Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand "bigger lies" such as justice, mercy and duty.


As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.
As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.


== Sub-Plots ==
==Sub-Plots==
*Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by [[Albert]]. Death barges into the grotto [[Crumley's]] department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
*Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by [[Albert]]. Death barges into the grotto [[Crumley's]] department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
*Much of the humour in the book comes from in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers [[Galder Weatherwax|Archchancellor Weatherwax]]'s bathroom, designed by the dreaded [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson]]. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked {{wp|Old Faithful|Old Faithful}}, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.
*Much of the humour in the book comes from the scenes in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers [[Galder Weatherwax|Archchancellor Weatherwax]]'s bathroom, designed by the dreaded [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson]]. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked {{wp|Old Faithful|Old Faithful}}, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.
 
== Characters ==
 
=== Major Characters ===


==Characters==
===Major Characters===
* [[Jonathan Teatime]], an assassin
* [[Jonathan Teatime]], an assassin
* [[Susan Sto-Helit]], Death's granddaughter
* [[Susan Sto-Helit]], Death's granddaughter
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** the [[Librarian]]
** the [[Librarian]]


=== Minor Characters ===
===Minor Characters===
 
* Lord [[Downey]], head of the [[Assassins' Guild]]
* Lord [[Downey]], head of the [[Assassins' Guild]]
* Mr [[Winvoe]], Assassins' Guild Treasurer.
* Mr [[Winvoe]], Assassins' Guild Treasurer.
* [[Modo]], Unseen University's gardener and odd-job dwarf
* [[Modo]], Unseen University's gardener and odd-job dwarf
* Lares and penates (small gods) created during the book (most, not all, cease to exist once belief in the Hogfather is restored):
* [[Lares and Penates]] (small gods) created during the book (most, not all, cease to exist once belief in the Hogfather is restored):
** [[Verruca Gnome]]
** [[Verruca Gnome]]
** [[Hair Loss Fairy]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Hair Loss Fairy]]
** [[Eater of Socks]]
** [[Eater of Socks]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Electric Drill Chuck Key Fairy]]
** [[Stealer of Pencils]]
** [[Stealer of Pencils]]
** [[God of Indigestion]]
** [[God of Indigestion]]
** [[Towel Wasps]]
** [[Lares and Penates|Towel Wasps]]
** [[Cheerful Fairy]] (aka Gwendoline Smith) and the [[Blue Bird of Happiness]] (a blue bird [a hen, in fact], not a bluebird)
** [[Cheerful Fairy]] (aka Gwendoline Smith) and the [[Blue Bird of Happiness]] (a blue bird [a hen, in fact], not a bluebird)
** [[Glingleglingleglingle Fairy]]
** [[Glingleglingleglingle Fairy]]
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** [[Gawain Gaiter]], Twyla's brother
** [[Gawain Gaiter]], Twyla's brother
** [[Mrs Gaiter]], their mother, a social climber
** [[Mrs Gaiter]], their mother, a social climber
** [[Mr Gaiter]], their father, in the wholesale shoes and boots business
** [[Mrs Gaiter|Mr Gaiter]], their father, in the wholesale shoes and boots business
* Villains who assist Teatime:
* Villains who assist Teatime:
** [[Chickenwire]]
** [[Chickenwire]]
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** [[Gaspode]] (not mentioned by name, just called "Foul Ole Ron's thinking brain dog")
** [[Gaspode]] (not mentioned by name, just called "Foul Ole Ron's thinking brain dog")


=== Cameos and Mentions ===
===Cameos===
 
* [[Bibulous]], the God of Wine
*  Carter, [[Assassins' Guild]] servant
* [[Charlie (Hogfather)|Charlie]], runs Bulk Collection and Despatch for the Tooth Fairy
* [[Vernon Crumley]], owner of Crumley's in the Maul
* [[Didactylos]], philosopher
* [[Didactylos]], philosopher
* [[Sir Geoffrey]], guest of the Gaiters
* [[Aaron Fidget]], a Hogfather disbeliever
* the [[Sandman]] (mentioned)
* [[Jack Frost]], a supernatural entity
* [[Old Man Trouble]] (mentioned)
* Mr [[Winvoe]], Assassin's Guild Treasurer
* [[Carter]], Assassin's Guild servant
* [[Sir George]], one of Teatime's victims (as was Sir George's dog)
* [[Sir George]], one of Teatime's victims (as was Sir George's dog)
* [[Soul Cake Duck]] (mentioned)
* Miss Harding, cashier at [[Crumley's]]
* [[Scissor Man]]
* [[Anaglypta Huggs]], Hogswatch caroler who carefully removes offensive elements from songs like [[The Red Rosy Hen]]
* [[General Tacticus]] (mentioned)
* [[Rachel]] and [[Verity]], friends of Twyla's (mentioned)
* Other Ankh-Morpork villains named Dave or similar (mentioned):
** [[Big Dave]]
** [[Fat Dave]]
** [[Mad Dave]]
** [[Wee Davey]]
** [[Lanky Dai]]
* [[K. W. Dobson]], assassin (mentioned)
* [[DeBris Gang]] (mentioned)
* [[Packley]], a man with a strongroom (mentioned)
* [[Igor]], barman at Biers
* [[Igor]], barman at Biers
* [[Shlimazel]], a bogeyman
* [[Captain Carrot]] (mentioned as "Captain Carrot One-Man Night Watch" doll set; since it's unlikely Carrot would merchandise himself, one wonders if [[Dibbler]] is responsible here?)
* Children who meet or write to the Hogfather:
** [[Virginia Prood]], a girl
** [[James Riddle]]
** [[Doreen]], a girl who wants (and gets) a castle and sword for Hogswatch, not a Baby Tinkler Doll, nor a Just Like Mummy Cookery Set, and especially not a Cut-Out Kitchen Range Book, despite what her mother says.
** [[Aaron Fidget]], a Hogfather disbeliever who lives in The Pines on [[Edgeway Road]], whose Hogswatch desire include the book [[Walnut's Inoffensive Reptiles of the Sto Plains]]
** [[Euphrasia Coat]], a girl who wants (and gets) a pony for Hogswatch
* [[Jack Frost]]
* [[Ronnie Jenks]], bully who used to beat up Sideney
* [[Angie]], Ronnie's wife, and her sister [[Continence]]
* [[Gammer Wimblestone]], ran dame school Sideney attended
* Mrs [[Gammage]], regular at Biers (mentioned)
* [[John Barleycorn]], a supernatural entity (mentioned)
* [["Bloody Stupid" Johnson]]
* [["Bloody Stupid" Johnson]]
* Archchancellor [[Galder Weatherwax|Weatherwax]] (mentioned)
* [[Vernon Crumley]], owner of Crumley's in the Maul
* Miss [[Harding]], cashier at Crumley's
* [[Windle Poons]] (mentioned)
* [[Blind Io]] (mentioned)
* [[Ma Lilywhite]], Banjo and Dave's deceased mother
* [[Ma Lilywhite]], Banjo and Dave's deceased mother
* [[Osric Penicillium]], inventor (or possibly discoverer) of the pencil
* [[Professor of Applied Anthropics]]
* [[Glossy Ron]], person killed by [[Ma Lilywhite]]
* [[Glossy Ron]], person killed by [[Ma Lilywhite]]
* [[Bibulous]], the God of Wine
* [[Sarah, the Little Match Girl]]
* Prophet [[Ossory]] (mentioned)
* [[Scissor Man]]
* Mrs [[Whitlow]] (mentioned)
* [[Shlimazel]], a bogeyman
* [[Sarah, the Little Match Girl]], scheduled to die at the doorway of [[Thimble's Pipe and Tobacco Shop]], [[Money Trap Lane]]
* [[Ventre]], philosopher
* [[Osric Pencillium]], inventor (or possibly discoverer) of the pencil
* Archchancellor [[Galder Weatherwax]]
* Mrs. [[Whitlow]]
* [[Gammer Wimblestone]], ran dame school Sideney attended
* Mr. [[Winvoe]], Assassin's Guild Treasurer
* Children visited by Violet Bottler in her role as tooth fairy:
* Children visited by Violet Bottler in her role as tooth fairy:
** [[William Wittles]] aka "Willy" and "Tosser", who lives at 68 [[Kicklebury Street]]
** The Honorable [[Jeffrey Bibbleton]] aka "Trouble in Trousers" and "Foureyes", who lives at [[Scrote Manor]], [[Park Lane]]
** [[Nuhakme Icta]] aka "Little Jewel"
** [[Sophie Langtree]] aka "Daddy's Princess", who lives at 5 [[The Hippo]]
** [[Sophie Langtree]] aka "Daddy's Princess", who lives at 5 [[The Hippo]]
** the Honorable [[Jeffrey Bibbleton]] aka "Trouble in Trousers" and "Foureyes", who lives at [[Scrote Manor]], [[Park Lane]]
** [[Nuhakme Icta]] aka "Little Jewel"
** [[William Rubin]], who, due to a misunderstanding, had ''all'' his teeth taken by Violet (using pliers)
** [[William Rubin]], who, due to a misunderstanding, had ''all'' his teeth taken by Violet (using pliers)
* [[Charlie (Hogfather)|Charlie]], runs Bulk Collection and Despatch for the Tooth Fairy
** [[William Wittles]] aka "Willy" and "Tosser", who lives at 68 [[Kicklebury Street]]
* [[Jermain]], a king's page
* [[Anon]] (mentioned), collective reference for people who never received a name
* [[Aabana Bottler]] (mentioned)
* [[Anaglypta Huggs]], Hogswatch caroler who carefully removes offensive elements from songs like [[The Red Rosy Hen]]
* Miss [[Eulalie Butts|Butts]] (mentioned), Susan's former teacher (mentioned by full name in {{SM}})
* [[Thomas Ague]], visited by a tooth fairy (not necessarily Violet), lives at 9 [[Castle View]] in [[Sto Lat]]
* [[Thomas Ague]], visited by a tooth fairy (not necessarily Violet), lives at 9 [[Castle View]] in [[Sto Lat]]
* [[Fate]] (mentioned)
* [[Professor of Applied Anthropics]]
* Archchancellor [[Buckleby]] (mentioned), died in a wardrobe
* [[Mericet]] (mentioned)
* Archchancellor [[Spode]] (mentioned)
* Lord [[Selachii]] (mentioned)
* [[Ventre]], Quirmian philosopher who expounds the Discworld equivalent of {{wp|Pascal%27s_wager|Pascal's Wager}}
* [[Electric Drill Chuck Key Fairy]] (mentioned)


== Locations ==
===Mentions===
* [[Anon]], collective reference for people who never received a name
* [[John Barleycorn]], a supernatural entity
* Archchancellor [[Buckleby]], died in a wardrobe
* Miss [[Eulalie Butts|Butts]], Susan's former teacher (mentioned by full name in {{SM}})
* [[Captain Carrot]] (mentioned as "Captain Carrot One-Man Night Watch" doll set; since it's unlikely Carrot would merchandise himself, one wonders if [[Dibbler]] is responsible here?)
* [[Blind Io]]
* [[K. W. Dobson]], assassin
* [[DeBris Gang]]
* [[Fate]]
* Mrs. [[Gammage]], regular at Biers
* [[Mericet]]
* Prophet [[Ossory]]
* [[Packley]], a man with a strongroom
* [[Windle Poons]]
* The [[Sandman]]
* Lord [[Selachii]]
* [[Soul Cake Duck]]
* Archchancellor [[Spode]]
* [[General Tacticus]]
* [[Old Man Trouble]]
* Ankh-Morpork villains named Dave or similar:
** [[Big Dave]]
** [[Fat Dave]]
** [[Mad Dave]]
** [[Wee Davey]]
** [[Lanky Dai]]


==Locations==
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
* [[Ankh-Morpork]]
** [[Biers]]
** The [[Maul]], a mall
*** [[Crumley's]], a store in the Maul
** [[Esoteric Street]] The location of both [[Fidgett's]] Gentlemans' Club and the [[Frout]] Academy For Enquiring Young Minds
** [[Gleam Street]] (mentioned)
** [[Goose Gate]] (mentioned)
** [[Nap Hill]] (mentioned)
** [[Phedre Road]] (mentioned)
** [[River Ankh]] (mentioned)
** [[Sator Square]]
** [[Short Street]] (mentioned)
** [[The Shades]] (mentioned)
** [[Treacle Mine Road]] (mentioned)
** [[Unreal Estate]]
** [[Unseen University]]
** [[Unseen University]]
*** [[High Energy Magic Building]]
*** [[High Energy Magic Building]]
Line 198: Line 197:
*** [[Uncommon Room]]
*** [[Uncommon Room]]
*** [[Tower of Art]] (mentioned)
*** [[Tower of Art]] (mentioned)
** [[Sator Square]]
** [[YMPA]]
** [[Unreal Estate]]
* [[Agatean Empire]] (mentioned)
** [[Short Street]] (mentioned)
* [[Castle of Bones]], the Hogfather's home
** The [[Maul]], a mall
*** [[Crumley's]], a store in the Maul
** [[The Shades]] (mentioned)
** [[Treacle Mine Road]] (mentioned)
** [[Goose Gate]] (mentioned)
** [[Nap Hill]] (mentioned)
** [[YMPA]] (Banjo was staying there)
** [[Phedre Road]] (mentioned)
** [[River Ankh]] (mentioned)
** [[Gleam Street]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Child's Painting Land]], a land which looks like a child's painting
* [[Child's Painting Land]], a land which looks like a child's painting
* [[Omnia]] (mentioned)
* [[Biers]]
* [[Krull]] (mentioned)
* [[Quirm]] (mentioned)
* [[Death's Domain]]
* [[Death's Domain]]
** [[Death's library]]
** Room of [[Life-timer]]s
** Room of [[Life-timer]]s
 
* [[Dunmanifestin]], mountain home of the Gods
* [[Genua]] (mentioned)
* [[Howondaland]] (mentioned as place where people eat insects)
* [[Klatch]] (mentioned)
* [[Krull]] (mentioned)
* [[Llamedos]] (mentioned)
* [[Llamedos]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Omnia]] (mentioned)
* [[Klatch]] (mentioned)
* [[Quirm]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Agatean Empire]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Ramtops]] (mentioned)
* [[Ramtops]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Scrote]] (mentioned)
* [[Castle of Bones]], a castle made of ice, the Hogfather's home
 
* [[Dunmanifestin]], mountain home of the Gods
 
* [[Sumtri]], land where the pencil bush was first discovered
* [[Sumtri]], land where the pencil bush was first discovered


* [[Scrote]] (mentioned)
==Things and Concepts==
 
* [[Aurora Corealis]], atmospheric phenomenon resembling ''Aurora Borealis'', but magical rather than electromagnetic
* [[Howondaland]] (mentioned as place where people eat insects)
* [[Beggars' Guild]] (mentioned)
 
* [[Bells of St Ungulant's]], song (mentioned)
* [[Hall of Murgle]], a hall with a famous lock
* [[Book of St Ossory]]
 
* [[Bows and Ammo]], magazine parodying ''Guns_and_Ammo''
* [[Genua]] (mentioned)
* [[Bubble's Catastrophe Suite]], organ piece played by the Librarian
 
* [[Burleigh and Stronginthearm]], crossbow manufacturers
== Things and Concepts ==
 
* [[Hogswatchnight]], holiday setting for book
* [[Year of the Sideways Leech]] (mentioned)
* [[Viper House]], a house (dormitory?) in the Assassin's Guild
* [[Thieves' Guild]] (mentioned)
* [[Campaign for Equal Heights]], an activism group for dwarfs, pixies, and other vertically-challenged members of society
* [[Campaign for Equal Heights]], an activism group for dwarfs, pixies, and other vertically-challenged members of society
* [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson#Devices|Improved Manicure Device]], Bloody Stupid invention used to peel potatoes
* [[Chase My Neighbour Up The Passage]], a game
* [[Dolls of All Nations]] singing [[Wouldn't It Be Nice If Everyone Was Nice]], parody of the {{wp|It%27s_a_small_world|It's a Small World}} attraction and song, most commonly associated with Disneyland.
* [[Dolls of All Nations]] singing [[Wouldn't It Be Nice If Everyone Was Nice]], parody of the {{wp|It%27s_a_small_world|It's a Small World}} attraction and song, most commonly associated with Disneyland.
* [[Dratley and Sons]], wardrobe manufacturers
* [[Dried frog pills]]
* [[Dried frog pills]]
* [[Aurora Corealis]], atmospheric phenomenon resembling ''Aurora Borealis'', but magical rather than electromagnetic.
* [[Englebert's Enhancer]], a substance that enhances properties of other substances
* Fast of St [[Ossory]], celebrated in [[Omnia]] about the same time as Hogswatch
* Fast of St [[Ossory]], celebrated in [[Omnia]] about the same time as Hogswatch
* [[Book of St Ossory]], a religious book
* [[Wow-Wow Sauce]], a dangerous condiment, outlawed in three cities
* [[Englebert's Enhancer]], a substance that enhances properties of other substances
* [[Spold's Unstirring Divisor]], a spell that separates things
* [[scumble]], alcoholic drink made from "mainly apples"
* [[Burleigh and Stronginthearm]], crossbow manufacturers
* [[Bows and Ammo]], magazine parodying ''Guns_and_Ammo''
* [[Fighting Tiger Limpet]], fairly aggressive mollusk favored (as food) by wizards
* [[Fighting Tiger Limpet]], fairly aggressive mollusk favored (as food) by wizards
* [['Three Wizards' Chardonnay]], a brand of wine
* [[Year of the Talking Frog]] (mentioned)
* [[Winkles Old Peculiar]], a brand of beer
* [[Woddeley's Basic Gods]], a book
* [[First Empire]], time period
* [[First Empire]], time period
* [[Grandmother's Footsteps]], a game
* [[Happy Tales]], a reading primer
* [[Happy Tales]], a reading primer
* [[Hogswatchnight]], holiday setting for book
* [[Hunt the Slipper]], a game
* [[Hunt the Slipper]], a game
* [[Chase My Neighbour Up The Passage]], a game
* [[I Spy]], also a Roundworld {{wp|I_spy|game}}
* [[Hooray Jolly Tinker]], a game
* [[Bergholt Stuttley Johnson#Devices|Improved Manicure Device]], Bloody Stupid invention used to peel potatoes
* [[Krullian pipefish]], an animal that's probably not related to bananas
* [[Krullian pipefish]], an animal that's probably not related to bananas
* [[Offler's League of Temperance]], a group that refrains from alcohol
* [[Offler's League of Temperance]], a group that refrains from alcohol
* [[Dratley and Sons]], wardrobe manufacturers
* [[Sardines]], identical to the Roundworld {{wp|Hide_and_seek#Sardines|game}} of the same name
* [[Sardines]], identical to the Roundworld {{wp|Hide_and_seek#Sardines|game}} of the same name
* [[Grandmother's Footsteps]], a game
* [[scumble]], alcoholic drink made from "mainly apples"
* [[I Spy]], also a Roundworld {{wp|I_spy|game}}
* [[Spold's Unstirring Divisor]], a spell that separates things
* [[SpoIt's  Forthright Respirator]], spell that can help people breathe
* [[Thieves' Guild]] (mentioned)
* [['Three Wizards' Chardonnay]], a brand of wine
* [[Twurp's Peerage]]
* [[Viper House]], a house (dormitory?) in the Assassin's Guild
* [[Winkles Old Peculiar]], a brand of beer
* [[Woddeley's Basic Gods]], a book
* [[Woddeley's Occult Sequence]], a locking spell
* [[Woddeley's Occult Sequence]], a locking spell
* [[Twurp's Peerage]], a book about nobility
* [[Wow-Wow Sauce]], a dangerous condiment, outlawed in three cities
* [[SpoIt's  Forthright Respirator]], spell that can help people breathe
* [[Discworld calendar|Year of the Sideways Leech]] (mentioned)
* [[Bells of St Ungulant's]], song (mentioned)
* [[Discworld calendar|Year of the Talking Frog]] (mentioned)
* [[Bubble's Catastrophe Suite]], organ piece played by the Librarian
* [[Beggars' Guild]] (mentioned)
* [[Sago-sago tree]] (mentioned)
* [[Burglar Crab]] (mentioned)
* [[Ice Bear]] (mentioned)


==Television==
==[[TV and Film:Hogfather|Television]]==
{{TV Data
{{TV Data
|title= Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
|title= Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
|cover= [[File:HFDVD.jpg|thumb|200px]]
|asin= B000V7ZMK0
|asin= B000V7ZMK0
|imdb= 0765458
|imdb= 0765458
Line 307: Line 272:
|annotations=  
|annotations=  
|notes=  
|notes=  
|prev=[[Soul Music#Adaptions|Soul Music]]
|prev=[[TV and Film:Soul Music|Soul Music]]
|next=[[The Colour of Magic#Television|Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic]]
|next=[[TV and Film:The Colour of Magic|Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic]]
}}
}}
The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458/ '''''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'''''], it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. [[Terry Pratchett]] made a cameo as a toymaker.
The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458/ '''''Terry Pratchett's Hogfather'''''], it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. [[Terry Pratchett]] made a cameo as a toymaker.


Line 328: Line 292:
*[[Bilious]] - Rhodri Meilir (''My Family'')
*[[Bilious]] - Rhodri Meilir (''My Family'')
*[[Ernie]] The Cart Driver - Arthur White (''A Touch of Frost, The Darling Buds of May'')
*[[Ernie]] The Cart Driver - Arthur White (''A Touch of Frost, The Darling Buds of May'')
*[[Vernon Crumley]] - Tony Robinson (''Blackadder, Time Team'')
*[[Vernon Crumley]] - [[Tony Robinson]] (''Blackadder, Time Team'')
 
==Gallery==
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:H Letterbox.jpg|thumb|120px|First Edition Cover by [[Josh Kirby]]]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Black.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2004]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Tape.jpg|thumb|120px|Audio Cassette]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H CD.jpg|thumb|140px|Audio CD]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H MS.jpg|thumb|110px|Cover by Michael Sabanosh]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H MS2.jpg|thumb|100px|Cover by Michael Sabanosh-paperback]]
|}
{|
|-
| valign="top" | [[File:H Movie.jpg|thumb|110px|TV Series Cover]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H US.jpg|thumb|110px|US Cover]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H Zoom.jpg|thumb|110px|Paperback 2012]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H CL.jpg|thumb|110px|Collectors Library Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H 25.jpg|thumb|110px|25th Anniversary Edition]]
| valign="top" | [[File:H 2022.jpg|thumb|100px|Paperback 2022]]
|}


==External links==
==External Links==
[http://www.lspace.org/books/apf/hogfather.html  ''Hogfather'' Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File]
[http://www.lspace.org/books/apf/hogfather.html  ''Hogfather'' Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File]


Latest revision as of 21:24, 11 August 2024

Hogfather
Cover art by Josh Kirby
Co-author(s)
Illustrator(s)
Publisher Doubleday
Publication date 7 November 1996
ISBN 9780575064034
Pages 416
RRP
Main characters Death, Susan Sto Helit, Mr. Teatime
Series Death Series
Annotations View
Notes Adapted as a TV film in 2006
All data relates to the first UK edition.

Blurb

It's the night before Hogswatch. And it's too quiet.

There's snow, there're robins, there're trees covered with decorations, but there's a notable lack of the big fat man who delivers the toys ...

Susan the governess has got to find him before morning, otherwise the sun won't rise. And unfortunately, her only helpers are a raven with an eyeball fixation, the Death of Rats and an oh god of hangovers.

Worse still, someone is coming down the chimney. This time he's carrying a sack instead of a scythe, but there's something regrettably familiar ...

Ho. Ho. Ho.


It's true what they say.

'You'd better watch out ...'

Plot

The story begins in the evening before Hogswatch, the Discworld counterpart of Christmas. Susan Sto Helit has found work as a governess in the Gaiter household, where her ability to see bogeymen and defeat them with a fire poker comes in extremely useful. Meanwhile, the Auditors of Reality pay the Assassins Guild a huge fee to assassinate the Hogfather (the equivalent to Father Christmas). Lord Downey sends for Jonathan Teatime, a young, dangerously talented assassin. Teatime employs five criminals, a wizard and a locksmith in his mission.

Death appears to Susan to tell her that the Hogfather is 'unavailable', and he will have to deliver the presents in his place. In Death's library, she discovers the god's hourglass has shattered and travels with Binky, the Death of Rats and a raven to the Castle of Bones (the Hogfather's residence) which collapses because children have stopped believing in the Hogfather. Here, she discovers the newly created Bilious, the "Oh God" of Hangovers, and brings him back to the Unseen University to be cured of his illness. At the University, it is revealed by Hex that the wizards are (accidentally) creating Small Gods to compensate for the lack of belief in the Hogfather.

Susan follows a trail through Ankh-Morpork and discovers that Violet Bottler, a human Tooth Fairy, went missing while taking a tooth to a criminal Banjo Lilywhite (one of Teatime's assistants). In Death's library, her biography shows she is being held captive in the land of the Tooth Fairy. Susan, the Oh God and Binky travel to the land, a world created by children's imagination. In the tower, they rescue Bottler and discover that their enemies have been using the children's teeth to control the children into not believing in the Hogfather.

Meanwhile, Teatime's group have been trying to unlock a door at the top of the tower. As Susan climb to the top of the tower, Teatime's accomplices are devoured by their childhood fears, apart from Banjo, who turns on the Assassin and refuses to attack Susan. Teatime grabs Death's sword off her but it fails to work, since children do not understand death. Susan succeeds in pushing Teatime off the tower where he falls into the pile of teeth. Through the door, she finds the original bogeyman, who became a children's myth as adults stopped believing in him. The bogeyman collected teeth to stop people from controlling the children. Susan leaves Banjo to clean up, and Bilious announces that he will be getting a new job.

Death takes her to the site of the Castle of Bones where the Hogfather, in the form of a pig, is being chased by Auditors in the form of dogs. Susan joins with the pig and guides him to safety over a cliff, while Death confronts the Auditors and condemns them for breaking the Rules. The Auditors are unable to lose their solid form and disappear off the edge of the cliff. The Hogfather transforms back into human form and flies off into the night. Death explains to her that childhood fantasies are important and help us to be human, since later we must understand "bigger lies" such as justice, mercy and duty.

As they return to the Gaiter's house, Teatime follows them in and contemplates trying to kill Death. Susan throws the nursery poker and thanks to the power of the children's belief, it passes straight through Death and impales the Assassin.

Sub-Plots

  • Death's tenure as the Hogfather, aided by Albert. Death barges into the grotto Crumley's department store and causes a flood of people into the shop by giving out his own presents. There is much discussion between Death and Albert on the meaning of Hogswatch, and an alternative version of the story of King Wenceslas.
  • Much of the humour in the book comes from the scenes in the University. Each time the Wizards mention a non-existent lare or penate, they are suddenly created, to fill the void caused by the Hogfather's absence (e.g. "Veruca Gnome", "Eater of Socks" and worst of all, the "Cheerful Fairy"). In addition, Ridcully also discovers Archchancellor Weatherwax's bathroom, designed by the dreaded Bergholt Stuttley Johnson. He re-seals it after two near accidents, one involving a tap marked Old Faithful, and a worse problem involving the University Organ, which is not described in the narrative.

Characters

Major Characters

Minor Characters

Cameos

Mentions

Locations

Things and Concepts

Television

Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
ASIN B000V7ZMK0
IMDB 0765458
First Broadcast 17-18 December 2006
Broadcast Channel Sky One
Director(s) Vadim Jean
Producer(s) Rod Brown & Ian Sharples
Writer(s) {{{writer}}}
Starring Michelle Dockery, Marc Warren, Ian Richardson, Joss Ackland, David Jason
Duration 189 minutes
Episodes 2
Series Death Series
Annotations Annotations for Book:Hogfather
Notes
Preceded by Soul Music
Followed by Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic
All data relates to the UK home release.

The novel was made into a TV film in 2006. Titled Terry Pratchett's Hogfather, it was first broadcast as a two-parter on Sky One, on 17 December and 18 December. Terry Pratchett made a cameo as a toymaker.

Cast

  • Susan Sto Helit - Michelle Dockery (Fingersmith, Downton Abbey)
  • Jonathan Teatime - Marc Warren (Hustle, State of Play, Band of Brothers)
  • Death (voice) - Ian Richardson (House of Cards, The Final Cut)
  • Albert - David Jason (Only Fools And Horses, A Touch Of Frost, The Darling Buds of May)
  • Mustrum Ridcully - Joss Ackland (White Mischief, Lethal Weapon 3, Cliffhanger, Midsommer Murders)
  • Lord Downey - David Warner (Planet of The Apes, The Omen)
  • Mr. Sideney - Nigel Planer (The Young Ones)
  • The Raven (voice) - Neil Pearson (Bridget Jones' Diary, Drop The Dead Donkey)

Gallery

First Edition Cover by Josh Kirby
Paperback 2004
Audio Cassette
Audio CD
Cover by Michael Sabanosh
Cover by Michael Sabanosh-paperback
TV Series Cover
US Cover
Paperback 2012
Collectors Library Edition
25th Anniversary Edition
Paperback 2022

External Links

Hogfather Annotations - The Annotated Pratchett File


Previous book

Feet of Clay

Discworld Series Next book

Jingo

Previous book

Soul Music

Death Series Next book

Thief of Time

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