If I had one criticism of Paul Kidby, it’s that his name is all too similar to Josh Kirby. I remember noticing a change in style of Terry Pratchett’s book covers but being very confused about why. Sadly, of course, it was because the late great Josh Kirby, who created the covers for all the Pratchett books I had read in my youth, had passed away. The baton was passed then on to another great artist, Paul Kidby, who has since made Discworld his own. In his new book, Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, Kidby takes us behind the scenes, into the artist’s mind, and by association, into the wonderful brain of Sir Terry Pratchett.
What Is Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld?
I must confess that Kidby isn’t “my” Pratchett illustrator – that honor falls to the previously mentioned Josh Kirby. For around 10 years from 1986, I avidly consumed Pratchett’s books, but by the time Kidby took over as Discworld’s cover artist, I was in my mid-twenties and had “put away childish things.” More fool me…
In the intervening years, Kidby has become “the” Discworld artist, and this book is a wonderful journey through the inspiration and perspiration required to bring one of the world’s most-loved novelist’s work to life.
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld opens with the story of Kidby’s journey from amateur artist to Discworld professional, outlining the lovely story of how he earned himself the gig – a tale testament to the fact that artistic recognition relies on as much graft as it does talent. Through 13 Chapters and 250 pages, the book then goes through the locations and denizens of Discworld and explains Kidby’s approach to illustrating them. This includes an explanation of the parodies of classic art that Kidby has slipped into his drawings. Some are obvious, some much less so. Finally, there’s a tour of Kidby’s studio and the wonderful artists’ tools that lie within.
Why Read Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld?
These types of books can be hit and miss. Publishing loves to spin out old talent but we can often end up in a “money for old rope” situation. The idea of such books, I suppose, is to maintain the legacy of a much-loved author and to help bring their work to new audiences. I’m pleased to report that Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld firmly falls into the “burnishing the legacy” category.
I’m only a casual Pratchett fan, and as I mentioned before, I’m even less familiar with Kidby’s illustrations of the books. Nevertheless, this book is beautifully produced, interesting to read, and sheds a wonderful light on the creative process. It is also absolutely stuffed full of beautiful and funny illustrations.
One tends to take book covers for granted. Kidby highlights just how much thought and work goes into the process of creating images that chime and enhance the words they are to go with. The book has given me a whole new appreciation for not only his work but for the work of all artists and illustrators. With the specter of AI lurking behind us, Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is a timely reminder of the importance of human experience in the creation of art.
The November release of the book is no coincidence: it’s a perfect gift for the Holiday season for Pratchett fans, old and new. The aficionados will recognize old friends, and draw much from learning how they ended up looking the way they do. Dabblers are invited into the deeper world of Pratchett and will be inspired to seek out novels that perhaps they haven’t read yet. Lapsed Pratcheteers (like myself) might find themselves drawn back to them and to rediscover the wonderful wizardry of Sir Terry Pratchett.
If you would like to pick up a copy of Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld you can do so here, in the US, and here, in the UK. (Affiliate Links)
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other book reviews, here.
I received a copy of this book in order to write this review.
