[gmw]

Originally Posted by Enkidu of Abydos

Interesting, most of you seem to be saying that Myth is repetitive while Discworld is not, while I get the
completely opposite impression. [...]

I am not trying to be contrary, but my own situation is this: The Myth stuff I only read (some of) a long time ago, it didn't score well enough with me to make me chase it up - I think it's time I gave it a second chance (I'm much older now and my tastes have changed). Not only don't I see the Discworld as repetitive (because I don't see it really as a single series, even though I usually reread it in publication order), but I actually think Pratchett has gotten better over time. The early Discworld stuff I see very much as parody, the later books have things to say - they're not subtle, you don't have to read hard, but there is a depth to his later stuff that didn't exist in his earliest books. I've read the books often enough now that I don't find many new jokes, I simply enjoy the ride, it's that longevity that keeps several of these on the list of my all-time favourite books.

Originally Posted by Enkidu of Abydos

[...]My point is (I have no idea who Vetinari is) you can never be sure whether an author is criticizeing something or promoteing it.

I think Pratchett is pretty clear. Vetinari is only ever a background character, someone the main characters run up against. I think Pratchett's standards show up pretty well in a range of main characters - even Rincewind. Of course we can't be certain of that, but after 38 books (plus pretty much everything else of his) I am pretty confident.

Originally Posted by Enkidu of Abydos

P.S.
I saw the Hogfather and Color of Magic movies and found both mildly entertaining (not boring but not hilariously funny either), just like Discworld.

I think hilarity grows old. What I like about Discworld is the smile on my face, I may not laugh out loud, but I'm definitely enjoying myself. I think Hogfather is among his better books, so it may just be a matter of not liking Pratchett's style, and that's okay - as I said on another thread, no one's perfect.

I like Tom Holt's books, but only his first few have really stood the test of time with me. The others are funny, the first time, or if you wait long enough between reads, but the later ones have not the full/rich experience I find with Pratchett's better books.

ETA: The Hogfather movie (not seen The Colour of Magic) was "okay", and followed the book as well as a movie ever can. But you wont work out Pratchett's writing style from watching a movie.