Strata is a comic science fiction novel by Terry Pratchett. Published in 1981, it is one of Pratchett's first novels and one of only two purely science fiction novels he has written, the other being The Dark Side of the Sun. Although it takes place in a different fictional universe and is more science fiction than fantasy, it could be said to be a kind of prequel to the Discworld novels, as it also features a flat Earth similar to the Discworld. It has been called a "preconsideration" of Discworld, though the plot is modelled on (or parodies) that of the novel Ringworld by Larry Niven. Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Terence David John Pratchett OBE is an English fantasy author (born April 28, 1948, in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England), best known for his Discworld series. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Dark Side of the Sun is a comic science fiction novel by Terry Pratchett, first published in 1976. ... For other meanings see Fantasy (disambiguation) Fantasy is a genre of art, literature, film, television, and music that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of either plot, theme, setting, or all three. ... Cover art of The Colour of Magic by Josh Kirby The Discworld is a series of thirty-four satirical fantasy novels and a number of shorter works by Terry Pratchett set on the Discworld. ... Earth is the third planet from the Sun. ... The Discworld is the setting for all of Terry Pratchetts Discworld series of novels. ... Larry Nivens Ringworld, seen from space. ... Larry Niven Laurence van Cott Niven (born April 30, 1938) is a US science fiction author. ...

In the novel, three intelligent beings - Kin Arad, a human, Marco, a kung, and Silver, a shand - are led to a flat Earth, apparently artificially created and modelled after medieval views of the universe. After their ship is hit by an orbiting "planet", they are forced to land on the flat Earth. A return from the flat Earth seems impossible, unless they are able to find its mysterious builders. It turns out that this world is indeed modelled closely on the medieval Earth - with the exception of its absurd cosmology and the fact that "magical" creatures and objects actually exist on it. All of this is supported by highly advanced and sophisticated technological systems; but as they lack maintenance, they are beginning to fail and the flat Earth threatens to fall apart... The notion of a Flat Earth refers to the idea that the inhabited surface of the Earth is flat, rather than curved (see Spherical Earth). ...

Also a rock music band (formerly Downside) from Campbell, CA. Self-titled album released in 2004. Vocals: Eric Victorino, Guitar: Ryan Hernandez, Bass: Hrag Chanchanian, Drums: Adrian Robison.

Translations

• Страта (Bulgarian)
• Strate-à-gemmes (French)
• Strata (German)
• Dysk (Polish)

External links

• Annotations for Strata
• Quotes from Strata
• rock band Strata
• myspace site for rock band Strata