Discworld Reading Order

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Huh!! On the other hand, I really enjoyed Mort and really didn't like Small Gods.

I too liked Mort better then Small Gods.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by gmw

But, having thrown various quotes out there, I think they demonstrate another reason why some readers might not enjoy his work. Some people don't much like Charles Dickens, because they find his work to be too preachy, that the themes and morals are too obvious in his work. I think the same might be said of Terry Pratchett; there is little doubt as to his values. Certainly there are things that he acknowledges as ambiguous, but there are things that obviously spark his emotions and these are often quite clear in the books.

Just sayin'.

I read The Colour of Magic very long ago and laughed like a maniac all the way through.

Several years later, remembering that book, I tried to return to the series, trying different books. But I didn't find them particularly funny and even worse: I found them very preachy, as you note here.

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?

[gmw]

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?

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. )

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by gmw

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. )

Thank you! That's very helpful. I'll give it a go

[jbcohen]

Liked discworld however I kike the thrill of waiting for the next book and a dead author can't oblige. Who, living, would you recommend?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Liked discworld however I kike the thrill of waiting for the next book and a dead author can't oblige. Who, living, would you recommend?

Try this...https://www.literature-map.com/terry+pratchett

I can also recommend Jasper Fforde.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by gmw

( 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. )

I would plead guilty, but that implies I concede it to be a crime, which I do not

[Dazrin]

Not really Discworld, but another lost story by Terry Pratchett was found early last year. They are publishing it in the new version of A Stroke of the Pen but they have also posted it online for free: https://terrypratchett.com/arnold-th...nable-snowman/

It's just over 400 words, so a very quick read.

[issybird]

Not just Discworld, but yesterday’s Guardian had an article: Where to start with Terry Pratchett. The article agrees with the common wisdom (including Pratchett himself) that The Colour of Magic is not the best entry point. Also that most of his novels work as entries.

For those who can’t be bothered, the Guardian overall pick is Feet of Clay, with various runners up. Who’s read Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook? That sounds like fun, even if I never read anything else.

[badgoodDeb]

After reading the first 2-3 published (soon after they were published) I stopped reading Pratchett. I tried again with Feet of Clay -- dunno what caught my eye, but that's when I tried again. WOW! It really got me back into them (although, not so much the first few)!

So, I apparently did exactly what The Guardian recommended!

[issybird]

A New York Times article a few days ago recommended starting Pratchett with Monstrous Regiment since it's a standalone.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by issybird

A New York Times article a few days ago recommended starting Pratchett with Monstrous Regiment since it's a standalone.

However many people would rate it as one of the poorer ones. I found it OK, if predicable.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by issybird

A New York Times article a few days ago recommended starting Pratchett with Monstrous Regiment since it's a standalone.

I saw that and harrumphed a bit, since my number 1 fave Discworld by far is ALSO a standalone, Small Gods, and it didn't even rate a mention

[Witty Username]

I make recommendations to suit the interests of the individual asking. If they have a decent knowledge of

Movies - Moving Pictures
Music - Soul Music
Phantom of the Opera - Maskerade
Macbeth - Wyrd Sisters
Military - Monstrous Regiment
Australians - The Last Continent

Hogfather suits anyone, Equal Rites for the majority of women etc

It's always more fun to understand at least some of the references in a book.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by issybird

A New York Times article a few days ago recommended starting Pratchett with Monstrous Regiment since it's a standalone.

Sorry, it's not standalone as it has characters from previous books.