Hogfather - Discworld Book 20

Synopsis

When the Hogfather (Discworld's Santa) vanishes, Death fills in for him to maintain belief and save humanity. His granddaughter Susan races to discover who kidnapped the Hogfather and why.

Book Overview

In Hogfather, Discworld’s satirical take on Christmas traditions, Terry Pratchett explores deep questions about belief, tradition, and humanity’s fundamental need for mythology and storytelling. The Hogfather, Discworld’s version of Santa Claus, mysteriously vanishes, causing Death himself to step into the role temporarily, awkwardly dispensing presents and grappling comically yet earnestly with the true meaning behind the holiday spirit.

Death’s granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, investigates the Hogfather’s disappearance, uncovering a sinister conspiracy led by a shadowy group intent on killing belief itself. This scheme represents the Auditors of Reality’s obsessive desire to eradicate messy human traits—emotions, imagination, irrationality—and enforce pure, logical order upon the universe. Susan’s rationality and skepticism clash intriguingly with Death’s growing appreciation of human complexity and the intangible value of belief and imagination.

Pratchett uses the Hogfather’s plight to meditate on the nature and necessity of belief, highlighting how essential myths, stories, and traditions are to human identity. Beneath the comedic satire of holiday commercialism and superficial rituals lies a sincere and thoughtful exploration of why humanity clings so strongly to traditions, irrational beliefs, and collective myths.

As part of the Death-centric series within Discworld, Hogfather significantly deepens Death and Susan’s characters. Death’s attempt to understand humanity from within a beloved cultural tradition provides humorous yet poignant insights into the paradoxical nature of human existence. The novel’s exploration of belief systems, mythologies, and the power of narrative continuity strongly echoes themes explored in earlier novels like Small Gods, making it one of the most thematically significant and beloved Discworld entries.

Principal Characters

Death
The anthropomorphic personification of death on Discworld, who speaks in ALL CAPITALS and has a fondness for cats, curry, and humanity. Despite his intimidating appearance as a skeleton in a black robe, he's generally fair, philosophical, and tries to understand humans.
Appears in 7 booksView Details
Susan Sto Helit
Death's granddaughter who inherited some of his abilities, such as walking through walls and stopping time. Practical, logical, and no-nonsense, she reluctantly steps in when supernatural duties call, despite preferring a normal life as a governess or teacher.
Appears in 3 booksView Details
Jonathan Teatime
Jonathan Teatime, pronounced 'Teh-ah-tim-eh,' is a brilliantly unhinged assassin with a penchant for chaos and a chillingly calm demeanor. In 'Hogfather,' he is hired to eliminate the Hogfather, the Discworld's equivalent of Santa Claus, showcasing his role as a disruptor of traditions and beliefs. His significance lies in his embodiment of the unpredictable and often darkly humorous nature of the Discworld, challenging the boundaries between reality and myth.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully
The long-serving head of Unseen University, a boisterous, outdoorsy wizard who's the complete opposite of the stereotypical academic. His robustness and refusal to listen have made him unusually long-lived in a position traditionally subject to deadly politics.
Appears in 7 booksView Details
Auditors Of Reality
The Auditors of Reality are enigmatic, bureaucratic entities that embody the cold, impersonal laws of the universe. They are obsessed with order and detest the chaos and unpredictability of life, particularly human life. In 'Hogfather,' they play a significant role by attempting to eliminate the Hogfather, thereby disrupting the fabric of belief that sustains the Discworld.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Bilious
Bilious, known as the "Oh God of Hangovers," is a minor deity in the Discworld universe, embodying the personification of hangovers. His role is both humorous and pitiable, as he suffers the consequences of overindulgence without ever experiencing the pleasures of drinking. In "Hogfather," he becomes an unlikely ally to Susan Sto Helit, showcasing a blend of self-pity, reluctant bravery, and a surprising depth of character.
Appears in 1 bookView Details

Auxiliary Characters

Albert
Albert, whose full name is Alberto Malich, is the cantankerous and irascible servant of Death, having once been the most powerful wizard on the Disc. He is known for his grumpy demeanor, deep loyalty to Death, and his past as the founder of Unseen University. Albert's significance lies in his unique position as a bridge between the world of the living and the supernatural, providing a humorous yet poignant perspective on mortality.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Ponder Stibbons
A young wizard at Unseen University who serves as the head of Inadvisably Applied Magic and the closest thing the university has to a research scientist. Intelligent and often exasperated, he manages the magical computer Hex and gradually accumulates administrative responsibilities.
Appears in 7 booksView Details