Hogfather - Definition and Overview

Hogfather is the 20th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.

"The Hogfather" is also a character in the book, who also figures in other Discworld novels, representing something akin to Father Christmas. He grants children's wishes on Hogswatchnight (1st day of Offle) and brings them presents.

The Hogfather wears a red, fur-lined cloak, and rides a sleigh pulled by four wild boars, Gouger, Rooter, Trouter and Snouter. In earlier times he gave households pork products, and naughty children a bag of bloody bones. Earlier than that, he was a winter god of the death-and-renewal kind. The modern version is a jolly toymaker, with vestiges of the earlier myths (such as his Castle of Bones) still clinging to him.

In the novel The Auditors strike again: They decided to eliminate Discworld's equivalent to Santa Claus because he does not fit into their view of the universe. Death decides to take over for him, wearing a long red cloak and a beard now but things start to become complicated because he is taking the children's wishes too literally. Meanwhile, his granddaughter Susan must find out what's happened to the real Hogfather, and if anyone can save him.

Translations

• Дядо Прас (Bulgarian)
• Otec prasátek (Czech)
• Schweinsgalopp (German)
• Valkoparta Karjupukki (Finnish)
• Wiedźmikołaj (Polish)
• Дед Кабан (Russian)
• Berevaar (Dutch)