Terry Pratchett

Creator of the Discworld series, has also written several children's books and early works which are unrelated to the Discworld, or contain embryonic Discworld features only.

* The Discworld:

The Discworld is a flat world carried on the back of four elephants, who in turn ride upon a giant turtle swimming through space. It is populated with archetypes, parodies and myths garnered from 'our' world made literal - for example, on the Disc, Death really is a skeleton carrying a scythe. It is a series which began as a light-hearted comic look at science-fiction and fantasy conventions such as wizards and witches, and moved into a much deeper analysis of folk myths and archetypes. The most recent books in the series have shown a new social criticism which creates ironic parallels between 'our' world and the Discworld as a means of satirizing modern politics and current events. Pratchett has always been a social commentator/observer, but his humour and wit now focuses on current events rather than generalities.

* Feminist agenda:

Pratchett's female characters, like his writing style, have evolved tremendously, and while they never suscribed to the 'token bimbo love interest' stereotype - indeed, this is one stereotype Pratchett parodies - they have moved beyond a refutation of the bimbo stereotype and into a class of their own. His women are typically strong, independent, often unconventional (in both looks and mentality), and span a wide age range. Notable recurring characters include:

• Esmerelda (Esme) 'Granny' Weatherwax, Lancre 'head' witch, expert in 'headology' and 'borrowing'
• Agnes Nitt, one-time opera singer, ex-goth (as 'Perdita X Dream'), now Lancre witch and a fat girl with a thin girl (her alter-ego, Perdita) and a lot of chocolate inside
• Lady Sybil Vimes (nee Ramkin), dragon-breeder, also runs the Sunshine Sanctuary for sick dragons, has a magnificent bosom, and is one of the 'Ladies who Organise'
• Mrs Rosemary 'Rosie' Palm, a lady of 'negociable affection', now runs the euphemistically-named Seamstresses' Guild in Ankh-Morpork
• Corporal Cheery Littlebottom, works in the Ankh-Morpork Watch, one of the first to defy dwarf tradition and assert her female sexuality (and to wear boots sporting welded-on high heels)
• Tiffany Aching, a student witch near Lancre

As well as these recurring characters, individual books in the series also feature feminist issues such as the right to equal education (Equal Rites) and the issue of women in the armed forces (Monstrous Regiment).

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