Quote:
Originally Posted by kandwo
[...] So is there some particular reading order, or plain list of books, that would be optimal for someone willing to get back into reading the Discworld novels with the minimal amount of preachiness?
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This guide has been referenced previously, it may help understand what I say below:
Reading Guide.
As should be obvious, this is all opinion. I don't expect everyone (or anyone?) to agree with my list.
The Rincewind novels (
The Colour of Magic,
The Light Fantastic,
Sourcery,
Eric,
The Last Continent) emphasise humour. You might want to skip
Interesting Times.
The first couple of Watch novels might work for you, but the moral themes gets pretty strong from
Feet of Clay on.
Also try
Moving Pictures and
Pyramids.
I do like all these but they tend toward parody and farce which is not something I favour.
If you have no objection to books for younger readers, you might try the Tiffany Aching books, and the non-Discworld Bromeliad trilogy (
Truckers,
Diggers and
Wings). Certainly these have strong moral themes, but as books for younger readers you may find that it works anyway: seems to me that kids' books and moral themes tend to go together. (
Plus any chance to mention the often overlooked Bromeliad trilogy is a worth taking. I find it a wonderful epic in miniature, even if it is meant for children.)
If any of what I have listed (other than the kids' books) still seem excessively preachy in tone then I would suggest you resign yourself to being someone that doesn't like Pratchett's style. It happens. It says nothing negative about you or Pratchett. ( There is
a quote I like from A.A. Milne about people who don't like
The Wind in the Willows, but I wouldn't take it to heart.
)