The Color of Magic - Deeper meaning?

[Elizabeth]

The Color of Magic does contain a lot of humor and silliness to make us laugh, but what deeper message (or messages) do you think Pratchett is trying to convey amidst all of this?

[[deleted user]]

Ok, the deepest meaning I got out of it wasn't so much a thesis as a recognition of the pain and absurdity of life. Hardly a new idea, but Rincewind fits well the role of a comic hero who can't seem to get things to go just right and doesn't seem to expect much better from the universe.

[Mary]

Satire.

Fahred and the Gray Mouser, Conan the Barbarian, Anne McCaffery's dragons -- very recognizable if you know much of the sword & sorcery genre.

[Paul]

I'm with Mary; this and The Light Fantastic are pretty broad satire of the fantasy genre (with the occasional nod to the real world). Pratchett's more pointed and polished satirical and philosophical style developed over the next few books.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Most of the satire is aimed at the tourist, and all of his annoying stereotypes, and magic-user cliches in general. I don't know if that qualifies as "deep."

[Mary]

In general? You can pick out the works he's satirizing in particular. They just aren't so well known as they used to be.