Description: "A collection of 20 excellent, often laugh-out-loud early works. . . . Pratchett devotees will be moved and gratified by this unexpected gift and even casual readers will be utterly charmed. There isn't a bad story in the bunch." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "These early stories show Pratchett's remarkable ability to poke fun at the absurdity of the real world through fantasy full of irreverent wordplay, silly authority figures, and subverted endings. . . . Pratchett's legion of fans will relish the view through this almost-overlooked window into the author's evolution, finding much to love in these clever, funny, and tightly written tales." -- Booklist (starred review) "Comic fantastical fragments riffing on everything from cave people to Father Christmas." -- The Guardian "A short and slightly bittersweet portrait of Pratchett as a young writer, as seen through this collection of long-lost and forgotten short stories. . . . They reflect an author in search of his craft, but there are hints of the Discworld to come. . . particularly in the standout story in the collection, 'The Quest for the Keys' . . . . The earliest seeds of what later became Discworld are there for readers who still miss his inimitable style." -- Library Journal "A collection of lost stories from early in Pratchett's career. . . . Several stories set in the fictional town of Blackbury have a genial, tall-tale feel, and the "proto-Discworld" in 'The Quest for the Keys' is a true treat." -- Kirkus Reviews "Delightful. . . . The comedic fantasies that shape this book make for a fun read. The wit, wisdom and intelligence are interspersed with a lively dose of naivete, with entertaining results." -- Independent (London) "You always feel the push of the inimitable Pratchett behind them -- funny, sharp, warm, wise and always so, so readable." -- Daily Mail (UK) "The inventiveness and whimsicality that made the author's Discworld books and other offerings so popular are present here . . . . Pratchett aficionados will find A Stroke of the Pen a treasure trove glittering with lost gems." -- Financial Times "There's much here to delight the open-minded, the fantasy aficionado and the Pratchett completist--including hints of the Hogfather and an early glimpse of Morpork. The long legacy of fantasy short fiction is well-served." -- The Observer (London) "There are so many little quips and turns of phrase that foreshadow the author that Pratchett will become. These moments make A Stroke of the Pen a fascinating and satisfying read. . . . If you have a Pratchett fan in your life, you're absolutely going to want to pick this book up for them. The festive nature of the lot of the stories means it's the perfect gift for the Holiday season." -- GeekDad.com

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