Despite its escapist tendencies, fantasy as a genre certainly can express social concerns, and Terry Pratchett touches on several important issues in The Colour of Magic. He never allows himself to lapse into preaching, however, and his comedy rushes along at such a breathless pace that there is no time for more than quick jabs.

Magic often (but not always) serves as an analogue for nuclear energy; it is immensely powerful, difficult to control, and more dangerous than anything else. The Discworld would be destroyed by it if it were not contained, but all the restraints are tenuous. If sealed in a cylinder and sunk in the ocean, it causes "shoals of invisible fish or psychic clams"; and "burial in deep caves on land was earlier ruled out after some districts complained of walking trees and five-headed cats." In case anyone should be in doubt about...