A Stroke of the Pen

The Lost Stories

By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman - foreword

Narrated by: David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, Jon Culshaw, David Jason, Katherine Parkinson, Paterson Joseph, Indira Varma, Tony Robinson, Nigel Planer, Stephen Briggs, Rhianna Pratchett

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A delightfully funny, fantastically inventive collection of twenty newly unearthed short stories by Sir Terry Pratchett, the award-winning and bestselling author of the phenomenally successful Discworld fantasy series. This special trove is a must-have for Pratchett fans of all ages and includes a foreword by Neil Gaiman. The audiobook is narrated by a stunning cast that includes David Tennant, Claire Foy, Paterson Joseph, Indira Varma, and more!

These rediscovered tales were written by Terry Pratchett under a pseudonym for British newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. The stories have never been attributed to him until now, and might never have been found—were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated fans.

As Neil Gaiman writes in his introduction, “through all of these stories we watch young Terry Pratchett becoming Terry Pratchett.” Though none of the short works are set in the Discworld, all are infused with Pratchett's trademark wit, satirical wisdom, and brilliant imagination, hinting at the magical universe he would go on to create.

Meet Og the inventor, the first caveman to cultivate fire, as he discovers the highs and lows of progress; haunt the Ministry of Nuisances with the defiant evicted ghosts of Pilgarlic Towers; visit Blackbury, a small market town with weird weather and an otherworldly visitor; and embark on a dangerous quest through time and space with hero Kron, which begins in the ancient city of Morpork.

Irresistibly entertaining, A Stroke of the Pen is an essential collection from the great Terry Pratchett, a “master storyteller” (A. S. Byatt) who “defies categorization” (The Times).

The full cast of narrators includes:

• David Tennant
• Claire Foy
• Paterson Joseph
• Stephen Briggs
• Nigel Planer
• Tony Robinson
• Katherine Parkinson
• Indira Varma
• John Culshaw
• Mathew Baynton
• Richard Coyle
• Derek Jacobi
• David Jason
• Steffan Rhodri
• Maggie Service
• Hallie Morahan
• Jason Watkins
• Rhianna Pratchett
• Rob Wilkins
• Colin Smythe
• Neil Gaiman

©2023 Terry Pratchett (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

LOVED IT!!

From the beginning with Gaiman’s soothing voice until the very last syllable, every bit a wonder and delight. Pratchett’s imagination and wordplay were stunningly clever, clearly even as a young man. <3

It's like a preview of the Disc World

Wonderful to hear Sir Pratchett's early work. There is a 15 word minimum for reviews. Who do they think I am, Terry Pratchett?

So good to have some fresh Terry Pratchett again

...even if it had to be thawed out first. Big big thanks to everyone involved.

What a delight!

So lovely to find Terry’s voice in pieces I’d never heard.
His magical worlds live on!

A Beautiful Tribute to Sir Terry Pratchett

These stories are beautifully told, and the narratives are wonderful. It’s a beautiful tribute to Sir Terry Pratchett.

Fantastic!

There wasn’t a single story I didn’t like, and it’s wonderful to hear the words of Sir Terry Pratchett again.

So wonderful to be able to hear more stories from Sir Terry!

As someone who has read pretty much everything Pratchett ever wrote that was published, including the Carpet People books, the Johnny stories, and the Bromeliad trilogy, every single story here is a gift. Of course some are stronger than others. But SO much fun! The performances are wonderful. And Rob Wilkins should pursue a career in voice work! As others have said— thank you so much for this!

Gaiman and Pratchett are just perhaps dickens and python magic put together to create something better than sex?

It takes a genius to recognize a genius. And then something more to convincingly prove that they are genius and act like they don’t care if you care. But also. Gaiman reminds us that fandom doesn’t require or necessitate, moral objectivity and perfection. You will love the stories. They are just good and funny.

The cast is insanely good.

Thanks for all of the fish (ref Douglas Adams)

Best short story

It was best short stories about the experience of the local western UK, Blackbury .

A portrait of Terry Pratchett as a young author

These little stories from Pratchett's early days are a treat. I loved how his unique style was developing as he played with words.