Terry Pratchett, Diskworld - worth reading? - Page 2

Rinzwind · 10-19-2010, 07:27 AM

"Terry Pratchett, Diskworld - worth reading?"

YES!

And Luggage agrees!

Sparrow · 10-19-2010, 07:28 AM

I'm not a fan myself, but there was a funny interview with TP on the BBC discussing his new book. He was bemoaning the fact that his books are classed as fantasy - he thinks his new one is a police procedural, but "stick in one lousy dragon" and everyone thinks it's fantasy.

nyrath · 10-19-2010, 01:01 PM

Terry Pratchett Reading Order Guide
http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-...r-guide-20.jpg
My personal favorites are the "Industrial Revolution" section, but most of them are gold.
I agree that the first three novels are sub-par.

loopeylisie · 10-19-2010, 03:54 PM

Terry Pratchett is well worth reading if you like Douglas Adams. I loved Hitchhikers guide series. There are similarities, but aren't there in so many fantasy series? Especially when both authors are English and even though the discworld series is based on another world/ in another universe you can feel the English gentleman attitude (if you know what I mean...) throughout the books. I think everyone has different favourites within the discworld series, I really liked the light fantastic (i find some parts hilarious even after many many rereads) though many others don't rate it. Terry pratchett's non-discworld titles are good too, I loved Good Omens: co-written with Neil Gaiman, which has a completely different style and might be more accessible.

R. Reed · 10-20-2010, 08:08 PM

I have been a huge Hitchhiker's Guide fan for many years. People kept telling me to read Pratchett but I didn't start until about three years ago and I am only up to Wyrd Sisters, the fourth or fifth. I look forward to all the rest. Adams and Pratchett do have a somewhat similar English sense of humor. I wouldn't accuse anyone of copying, the same kind of humor comes through in English comedy like The Goon Show, Monty Python and others.

JSWolf · 10-20-2010, 08:35 PM

It does help to have an understanding of UKisms. I do and I understand most of them. Any I don't understand, I can ask my wife about.

And as for reading Discoworld, the answer is YES! But do read them in order published. Pratchett does reference earlier books sometimes in later books so it helps to know the earlier books.

Bikeridr · 10-21-2010, 09:42 AM

You have me convinced.
I've 1-clicked the first 5 ebooks off the Amazon, and they are in the tbr-queue.

altworld · 10-22-2010, 12:07 PM

Yes he is, and start with Guards,Guards!

The Ankr-Morkphok Discworld Watchmen books give you a good anchor and feel for the world and his writing. The first three novels Color of Magic, Light Fantastic and Equal Rites aren't really hitting the bases straight away. From there keep expanding outwards.

ardeegee · 10-22-2010, 01:31 PM

I'd consider the correct reading order for the books to be the order of publication.

altworld · 10-22-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

I'd consider the correct reading order for the books to be the order of publication.

Thats the odd thing about Discworld, I don't think until Feet of Clay and the Witches Abroad that Terry Pratchett thought about any timeline for Discworld. It is an almost a jump in anywhere series of books, and only the later Discworld work (the last 10 years) did events from one knock into the next.

I wouldn't start any new reader to Discworld with the first three, and recommend starting with the Watchmen stuff, or the Witches. The character Rincewind isn't all that engaging, and Terry himself says he struggles to write for the character.

ardeegee · 10-22-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altworld

The character Rincewind isn't all that engaging, and Terry himself says he struggles to write for the character.

He's one of my favorites.

ATDrake · 10-22-2010, 02:04 PM

I started reading them almost entirely out of order, due to being kind of limited to what the library had in stock at the time before I went and bought them all, and I don't think I particularly suffered from it.

But for a new reader who can afford it, I'd suggest finding one of the natural starting points for the various series-within-the-series, like the "Watch" or "Death" or "Witches" or "Wizards" books.

I think you can freely skip over the earliest and often weakest books and come back to them later if you've particular interest.

For example, Equal Rites is technically the first appearance of Granny Weatherwax, and it's an okay read, but Wyrd Sisters is by far more interesting and better-written, and really the best place to start reading the "Witches" (also very useful for best understanding of the relationship dynamics and Magrat's character development through Witches Abroad and Lords and Ladies, though I think I myself read those two in reverse order).

Similarly, Moving Pictures is probably the best "Wizards" book to start with, even though Sourcery comes earlier. Mort and Guards! Guards!, however, are very solid beginnings and the best starting points for the Death and Watch books, respectively, although you'd still be doing pretty well if your first Death book was Reaper Man instead (but it really does help to read Mort before Soul Music, though).

A good standalone starting point for the series is Small Gods which is basically not strongly tied-in to anything else and neither "required" prequel or sequel reading to any other book (although the History Monks and the Omnian religion do pop up strongly in later books). It's pretty indicative in tone of the later Discworld books as they get more "serious" as they go along.

Similarly, Pyramids is also pretty standalone for the same reason, and a good representation of the earlier, "lighter" tone.

Between the two of those, you can see which, if any, of the two overall styles of Discworld books is more appealing to you, and judge whether you want to start at the more comedic and spoof-y beginnings, or would rather read the more "mature" works first and go back and fill in the background setup later.

Also standalone, the relatively recent Monstrous Regiment, which is set away from anything else, but does reference Ankh-Morpork quite a bit. So it can be enjoyed without reading the other books, but you get an idea of who's who and what's what in the "modern" Discworld setting.

And also The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, which is completely standalone and a very good YA fantasy if you're not averse to trying out younger readers' books.

jgaiser · 10-22-2010, 03:23 PM

I have to say I'm a *big* fan of Terry Pratchett and have read the first two books multiple times and still love the humor --- yes, I'm probably warped..

But some of the later ones are exceptional. Guards! Guards! got me started on the whole Watch cycle and Small Gods is just plain a great story and a bit insightful into Sir Terry's views of religion.

hols57 · 10-23-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loopeylisie

Terry Pratchett is well worth reading if you like Douglas Adams. I loved Hitchhikers guide series. There are similarities, but aren't there in so many fantasy series? Especially when both authors are English and even though the discworld series is based on another world/ in another universe you can feel the English gentleman attitude (if you know what I mean...) throughout the books. I think everyone has different favourites within the discworld series, I really liked the light fantastic (i find some parts hilarious even after many many rereads) though many others don't rate it. Terry pratchett's non-discworld titles are good too, I loved Good Omens: co-written with Neil Gaiman, which has a completely different style and might be more accessible.

Me too! I really recommend Good Omens, being one of the few books I've read more than once. Neil Gaiman is a great favourite of mine and I can recommend any of his books and short stories.

DixieGal · 10-23-2010, 12:15 PM

I'm almost finished with Interesting Times, and have Maskerade quesed and ready to go. LOVE THEM!!!!

10-19-2010, 07:28 AM	#17
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	I'm not a fan myself, but there was a funny interview with TP on the BBC discussing his new book. He was bemoaning the fact that his books are classed as fantasy - he thinks his new one is a police procedural, but "stick in one lousy dragon" and everyone thinks it's fantasy. Last edited by Sparrow; 10-19-2010 at 07:38 AM.

10-22-2010, 02:04 PM	#27
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	I started reading them almost entirely out of order, due to being kind of limited to what the library had in stock at the time before I went and bought them all, and I don't think I particularly suffered from it. But for a new reader who can afford it, I'd suggest finding one of the natural starting points for the various series-within-the-series, like the "Watch" or "Death" or "Witches" or "Wizards" books. I think you can freely skip over the earliest and often weakest books and come back to them later if you've particular interest. For example, Equal Rites is technically the first appearance of Granny Weatherwax, and it's an okay read, but Wyrd Sisters is by far more interesting and better-written, and really the best place to start reading the "Witches" (also very useful for best understanding of the relationship dynamics and Magrat's character development through Witches Abroad and Lords and Ladies, though I think I myself read those two in reverse order). Similarly, Moving Pictures is probably the best "Wizards" book to start with, even though Sourcery comes earlier. Mort and Guards! Guards!, however, are very solid beginnings and the best starting points for the Death and Watch books, respectively, although you'd still be doing pretty well if your first Death book was Reaper Man instead (but it really does help to read Mort before Soul Music, though). A good standalone starting point for the series is Small Gods which is basically not strongly tied-in to anything else and neither "required" prequel or sequel reading to any other book (although the History Monks and the Omnian religion do pop up strongly in later books). It's pretty indicative in tone of the later Discworld books as they get more "serious" as they go along. Similarly, Pyramids is also pretty standalone for the same reason, and a good representation of the earlier, "lighter" tone. Between the two of those, you can see which, if any, of the two overall styles of Discworld books is more appealing to you, and judge whether you want to start at the more comedic and spoof-y beginnings, or would rather read the more "mature" works first and go back and fill in the background setup later. Also standalone, the relatively recent Monstrous Regiment, which is set away from anything else, but does reference Ankh-Morpork quite a bit. So it can be enjoyed without reading the other books, but you get an idea of who's who and what's what in the "modern" Discworld setting. And also The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, which is completely standalone and a very good YA fantasy if you're not averse to trying out younger readers' books. Last edited by ATDrake; 10-22-2010 at 02:12 PM. Reason: Change book titles to italics so it doesn't look like I'm ironically air-quoting half the post.

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10-19-2010, 07:27 AM	#16
Rinzwind Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 16 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Netherlands Device: Kindle 3G UK 3.03	"Terry Pratchett, Diskworld - worth reading?" YES! And Luggage agrees!

10-19-2010, 01:01 PM	#18
nyrath Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 52007 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: nook	Terry Pratchett Reading Order Guide http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-...r-guide-20.jpg My personal favorites are the "Industrial Revolution" section, but most of them are gold. I agree that the first three novels are sub-par.

10-19-2010, 03:54 PM	#19
loopeylisie Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southampton, Hampshire. UK Device: none	Terry Pratchett is well worth reading if you like Douglas Adams. I loved Hitchhikers guide series. There are similarities, but aren't there in so many fantasy series? Especially when both authors are English and even though the discworld series is based on another world/ in another universe you can feel the English gentleman attitude (if you know what I mean...) throughout the books. I think everyone has different favourites within the discworld series, I really liked the light fantastic (i find some parts hilarious even after many many rereads) though many others don't rate it. Terry pratchett's non-discworld titles are good too, I loved Good Omens: co-written with Neil Gaiman, which has a completely different style and might be more accessible.

10-20-2010, 08:08 PM	#20
R. Reed Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Glendale, CA Device: Kindle	I have been a huge Hitchhiker's Guide fan for many years. People kept telling me to read Pratchett but I didn't start until about three years ago and I am only up to Wyrd Sisters, the fourth or fifth. I look forward to all the rest. Adams and Pratchett do have a somewhat similar English sense of humor. I wouldn't accuse anyone of copying, the same kind of humor comes through in English comedy like The Goon Show, Monty Python and others.

10-20-2010, 08:35 PM	#21
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,750 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	It does help to have an understanding of UKisms. I do and I understand most of them. Any I don't understand, I can ask my wife about. And as for reading Discoworld, the answer is YES! But do read them in order published. Pratchett does reference earlier books sometimes in later books so it helps to know the earlier books.

10-21-2010, 09:42 AM	#22
Bikeridr Information Acquirer Posts: 436 Karma: 4265156 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Latvia, Rigas Rajons Device: Kindle 3 International, Pocketbook Color	You have me convinced. I've 1-clicked the first 5 ebooks off the Amazon, and they are in the tbr-queue.

10-22-2010, 12:07 PM	#23
altworld Evangelist Posts: 495 Karma: 746472 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Deep in Maryland Device: Android G1	Yes he is, and start with Guards,Guards! The Ankr-Morkphok Discworld Watchmen books give you a good anchor and feel for the world and his writing. The first three novels Color of Magic, Light Fantastic and Equal Rites aren't really hitting the bases straight away. From there keep expanding outwards.

10-22-2010, 01:31 PM	#24
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	I'd consider the correct reading order for the books to be the order of publication.

10-22-2010, 03:23 PM	#28
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,283 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	I have to say I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett and have read the first two books multiple times and still love the humor --- yes, I'm probably warped.. But some of the later ones are exceptional. Guards! Guards! got me started on the whole Watch cycle and Small Gods is just plain a great story and a bit insightful into Sir Terry's views of religion.

10-23-2010, 12:15 PM	#30
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I'm almost finished with Interesting Times, and have Maskerade quesed and ready to go. LOVE THEM!!!!