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gmw · 03-04-2011, 12:10 AM

I am a big Pratchett fan - so of course my opinion is biased, however...

I find that all of the Discworld books about the Wizards to be a sort of slapstick - indeed some of the books even have scenes reminiscent of the Keystone Cops. "The Colour of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic" feel to me like a collection of experimental writing, fun but just mucking about. Add to that the fact that the early books are intentionally just a parody of fantasy and you can see why they are the weakest books. It's only later that he really starts to have more depth and detail in his books. I enjoy them all, but the wizard books are certainly my least favourite.

All that aside, if you truly couldn't stand the first book (and can't convincingly blame it on the audio rendition), then there is a chance you wont like the subsequent stories. Certainly Pratchett's story telling and writing style matures and improves, but it is still very much his own style and you can pick it, whether reading his first books or his latest books or his kids books. If you don't like the style you aren't going to like any of them. If you are inclined to give him a second go then I'd suggest trying "Pyramids" or "Guards! Guards!", these are more substantial stories and you may find them more satisfying.

03-04-2011, 12:10 AM	#14
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	I am a big Pratchett fan - so of course my opinion is biased, however... I find that all of the Discworld books about the Wizards to be a sort of slapstick - indeed some of the books even have scenes reminiscent of the Keystone Cops. "The Colour of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic" feel to me like a collection of experimental writing, fun but just mucking about. Add to that the fact that the early books are intentionally just a parody of fantasy and you can see why they are the weakest books. It's only later that he really starts to have more depth and detail in his books. I enjoy them all, but the wizard books are certainly my least favourite. All that aside, if you truly couldn't stand the first book (and can't convincingly blame it on the audio rendition), then there is a chance you wont like the subsequent stories. Certainly Pratchett's story telling and writing style matures and improves, but it is still very much his own style and you can pick it, whether reading his first books or his latest books or his kids books. If you don't like the style you aren't going to like any of them. If you are inclined to give him a second go then I'd suggest trying "Pyramids" or "Guards! Guards!", these are more substantial stories and you may find them more satisfying.