Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyR
[...]Pratchett constantly changed characters with his Discworld series. While I also think he got a bit preachy in later novels (and creepily fascistic with his love of Vetinari, the absolute dictator who is perfect at everything), at the same time he kept things fresh by not always using the same bunch.[...]
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I find it strange that you portray it as a "love of Vetinari". I come away from the series with a very different image, Vetinari is the cynic against which the greater ideals of Vimes (for example) are compared. The all-knowing/all-powerful nature of the character, I think, just offers a useful contrast (like the Discworld itself: a mirror).
But yes, I think one of the things that has kept the Discworld going is the variety offered by the different story-lines and characters.
I love Hitch Hiker's too, but the nonsense aspect does get a bit much unless you're in the right mood ... I guess that's one of the reasons why the Rincewind/wizard stories of the Discworld are my least favourites of those.
I seem to remember reading one or two of the first Myth books when they first came out, but they didn't stick with me enough to bother chasing them up again later. Maybe I should try them again, just to see if they appeal any more now.