Power and Society in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: Building a Fantasy Civilisation

A critical deep-drive into conceptions of power and society in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, this book brings together experts in fantasy literature, political sciences, economics, philosophy, history, and journalism to consider the intricate social tapestry of one of the most intricate worlds in modern fantasy. Surveying the Discworld’s institutionalised power structures from government and police to civil services, banks and societies, it explores ideas such as language, translation, humour, crowds, community, justice and coercion in the series’ major works. Featuring analyses of novels such as Arms, Equal Rites, Carpe Jugulum, Guards! Guards!, Jingo, Night Watch, Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad and many more, this collection illuminates how Pratchett juxtaposed his narratives with contemporary reflections on social constructs. Broken down into parts looking at social power dynamics, building and destroying worlds and the power of language, the book offers a much-needed corrective to the dearth of scholarship on one of fantasy literature’s worldbuilding titans.

Justine Breton is Associate Professor in Literature at Reims University, France. She has written books on T. H. White, the Monty Python, and The Witcher and has contributed to several books on fantasy including Dictionnaire de la fantasy (2018), Fantasy et Moyen Âge (2023).