Satire in Discworld Books
Satirical works that humorously critique various aspects of human society, institutions, and behaviors.
Featured in 7 books
Best Discworld Books About Satire
- 1
The Colour of Magic
Follow Rincewind, the inept wizard, as he unwittingly becomes a tour guide to Twoflower, Discworld's first tourist. Together, they stumble from one absurd danger to another across the strange flat world balanced atop four elephants riding a giant turtle.
Satirizes tourism and cultural misunderstandings, exploring how fear and ignorance shape human interactions.
Main characters: rincewind, twoflower, the luggage, hrun the barbarian, the patrician and liessa wyrmbidder
- 2
The Light Fantastic
Continuing their chaotic journey, Rincewind and Twoflower must save Discworld from imminent doom. A mysterious red star threatens to collide with the planet, and their misadventures might be the key to survival if they can stay alive long enough.
Examines fatalism, destiny, and humanity's impulse to face impending disaster with denial or absurdity.
Main characters: rincewind, twoflower, the luggage, cohen the barbarian, trymon and galder weatherwax
- 10
Moving Pictures
When cinema (or "moving pictures") arrives in Ankh-Morpork, it awakens mysterious forces from ancient times. Victor Tugelbend and aspiring star Ginger must confront the power behind their newfound fame.
Critiques mass media, celebrity culture, and the influence of entertainment on society.
Main characters: victor tugelbend, theda ginger witt, gaspode, cmot dibbler, detritus and archchancellor ridcully
- 17
Interesting Times
Rincewind is reluctantly summoned to the distant Counterweight Continent embroiled in revolution, prophecy, and chaos. He must survive politics, warfare, and assassination attempts usually by accident.
Satirizes revolution, political manipulation, and propaganda, revealing the absurdity and dangers of ideological extremism.
Main characters: rincewind, twoflower, cohen the barbarian, the silver horde and lord hong
- 21
Jingo
War threatens between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch over a newly risen island. Commander Vimes must navigate diplomacy, espionage, and prejudice to avert a senseless conflict.
A sharp critique of nationalism, xenophobia, and the absurdity of war, highlighting how easily prejudice is exploited politically.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, fred colon, nobby nobbs, lord vetinari, leonard of quirm and seventyone hour ahmed
- 22
The Last Continent
Rincewind finds himself on the mysterious continent XXXX (resembling Australia), forced to fix local weather and reality itself, while Unseen University's wizards get hopelessly lost in time.
Satirizes stereotypes, cultural identity, and ecological irresponsibility, especially human arrogance toward nature.
Main characters: rincewind, archchancellor ridcully, ponder stibbons, the librarian, mrs whitlow and god of evolution
- 25
The Truth
Discworld gets its first newspaper, The Ankh-Morpork Times, founded by William de Worde. Journalism clashes humorously and seriously with politics, murder, and conspiracy.
Explores journalism, truth, propaganda, and the social responsibility of the media in shaping public opinion.
Main characters: william de worde, sacharissa cripslock, otto chriek, mr pin, mr tulip and lord vetinari