The Unseen University Challenge
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The Unseen University Challenge is a book of trivia questions related to Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. It was written by David Langford (with Terry Pratchett's permission) and was published in 1996.[1][2] Its name is a reference to the television quiz University Challenge. Unseen University is the Wizard's university in Ankh-Morpork.[citation needed] The book was the number 6 best-seller in paperback non-fiction on 15 June 1996.[3]
The quiz consists of 841 questions in several categories, named after various faculties of the university, such as Thaumatology, Arcane History, Dwarf Studies, and Oook. Each section contains a bonus question, and several ways exist to score more points for a question, many of them ludicrous.
David Langford has intentionally not based his questions on the Annotated Pratchett File, a long list of Discworld trivia available on the internet. Nevertheless, several items are in both the APF and the quizbook.
Sequel
[edit]The Wyrdest Link is the sequel, featuring what might be Josh Kirby's last cover illustration for a Discworld-related book. The title is a reference to the 6th book of the series, Wyrd Sisters, and to the TV show The Weakest Link.
This book divides the questions into guilds. For example, if it is a question about a joke it may be categorised as in the Fools' Guild.
References
[edit]- ^ Callil, Carmen (8 June 1996). Books: Sense of humour pickled in aspic Carmen Callil on a satirical novelist who produces more giggles than groans. The Daily Telegraph, p. 7
- ^ Elaine Pritchard (13 June 1996). Spin doctor of disc fiction. Evening Post, p. 12
- ^ Bestsellers – now and then. The Daily Telegraph, p. 70 (15 June 1996)
External links
[edit]- The Unseen University Challenge title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- The Wyrdest Link title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- LSpace Website Take the quiz.
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