Discworld - Page 2

jessicalynn · 01-11-2011, 01:40 PM

I missed the jasper fforde comment upthread! I personally loved those books as well. I guess I kind of have a quirky sense of humor, and I understood most of the literature references. I must say, I didn't think the most recent thursday next book was as good as the other ones.

gmw · 01-11-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Is there a preferred entry point to the series? When I get around to the series I plan to read them in publication order.

I generally read the books in publication order ... but be warned that many people don't like his earlier books all that much - too much parody and not enough substance for some readers I think. Starting around Pyramids his work becomes much more stable. That's not to say there's not fun to be had in the early books, Pratchett is one of my favourite authors, only to suggest you don't try to judge him by the first few. I personally think the early books are still worth reading, and you get a much better understanding of the Discworld by doing so, but there is much more depth and polish to his later books.

DixieGal · 01-11-2011, 11:16 PM

I want to be like Nanny Ogg when I get old.

gmw · 01-11-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I want to be like Nanny Ogg when I get old.

Do you realise what that means while you're young?

silasgreenback · 01-11-2011, 11:43 PM

I just started with the series last year and finished "Faust / Eric" earlier today.

My favorite story arc looks like it will be the City Watch books.

Edit: I overlooked the Death books. I've only read "Mort" so far and am eager to get to the rest.

natasha_fawn · 01-11-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

Do you realise what that means while you're young?

Ooh, ooh, sing the Hedgehog Song!

(Or A Wizard's Staff has a Knob on the End!)

DixieGal · 01-12-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

Do you realise what that means while you're young?

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha_fawn

Ooh, ooh, sing the Hedgehog Song!

(Or A Wizard's Staff has a Knob on the End!)

I'll never tell!

silverraven · 01-12-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I want to be like Nanny Ogg when I get old.

Me too, Me too! I love the witches books.

And yes, I would agree, his first books weren't as good, but I enjoyed reading them to give me the background to build on.
I definitely have to look for Going Postal movie!
S

jehane · 01-13-2011, 02:58 AM

His early novels are much more parody of fantasy tropes whereas the later novels are a reflection of our world. Also, as with any author, the writing improves, the characters gain depth and the stories themselves gain depth as the author gains experience. But the early novels are worth reading as background to Discworld, just be aware that they are nowhere near as polished as the later ones.

Personally my favourite line is the Watch, although the Tiffany books are excellent and Esme is one of my favourite characters. Definitely check out some of his non-Discworld books - I love Good Omens and Only You Can Save Mankind (but be sure to read Ender's Game first!)

I haven't found many other authors that come close - I've read Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Robert Rankin and Tom Holt. I think Tom Holt comes closest, although I preferred his earlier works (Expecting Someone Taller, Here Comes the Sun) to his more recent stuff. I found Jasper Fforde a little too smug with the literary references - The Eyre Affair was quite good, but the joke was really only good for one book, not an ongoing series. Robert Rankin was ok, but just didn't grab me (though I still read several of them), and the obsession with the Milk Marketing Board (IIRC) was stretched too far, IMO. Douglas Adams was good, and if you can get hold of it, the original radio play of H2G2 is excellent, but it's a different sort of humour to TP.

Lately I've been going more for the snarky urban fantasy/crime novels of Simon Green and Jim Butcher. Green in particular has been taking aim at fantasy/SF tropes for years - Deathstalker, the Hawk & Fisher novellas, plus the first Rupert & Julia novel Blue Moon Rising.

dworth · 01-13-2011, 08:41 AM

"I love Good Omens and Only You Can Save Mankind (but be sure to read Ender's Game first!) "

And play 'Wing Commander'

grzzly · 01-14-2011, 07:03 AM

I'm actually Enders Game right now (don't want to read only Discworld for the remainder of the year

) and it's just that great book to lose yourself in. I almost finished it and started yesterday

About the Discworld earlys, yeah the writing isn't that polished, and the story and characters have hardly any depth...but they are soooo funny. I hope the writing stays at least close to being this funny throughout the series.

DixieGal · 01-14-2011, 07:45 AM

Grizzly, you will not be disappointed. They just keep getting better. Even the lesser ones, like the one I just finished, are head and shoulders above other similar series.

01-11-2011, 11:43 PM	#20
silasgreenback New Leaf Turner Posts: 260 Karma: 1026664 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hadestown Device: Kobo Glo	I just started with the series last year and finished "Faust / Eric" earlier today. My favorite story arc looks like it will be the City Watch books. Edit: I overlooked the Death books. I've only read "Mort" so far and am eager to get to the rest. Last edited by silasgreenback; 01-11-2011 at 11:54 PM.

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01-11-2011, 01:40 PM	#16
jessicalynn Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 10099 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook First Gen (broken), iPad, Kindle Touch SO	I missed the jasper fforde comment upthread! I personally loved those books as well. I guess I kind of have a quirky sense of humor, and I understood most of the literature references. I must say, I didn't think the most recent thursday next book was as good as the other ones.

01-11-2011, 11:16 PM	#18
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I want to be like Nanny Ogg when I get old.

01-13-2011, 02:58 AM	#24
jehane Book addict Posts: 441 Karma: 2650464 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Antarctica/Australia/Ohio Device: Sony PRS-300/T1/Asus TF101	His early novels are much more parody of fantasy tropes whereas the later novels are a reflection of our world. Also, as with any author, the writing improves, the characters gain depth and the stories themselves gain depth as the author gains experience. But the early novels are worth reading as background to Discworld, just be aware that they are nowhere near as polished as the later ones. Personally my favourite line is the Watch, although the Tiffany books are excellent and Esme is one of my favourite characters. Definitely check out some of his non-Discworld books - I love Good Omens and Only You Can Save Mankind (but be sure to read Ender's Game first!) I haven't found many other authors that come close - I've read Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Robert Rankin and Tom Holt. I think Tom Holt comes closest, although I preferred his earlier works (Expecting Someone Taller, Here Comes the Sun) to his more recent stuff. I found Jasper Fforde a little too smug with the literary references - The Eyre Affair was quite good, but the joke was really only good for one book, not an ongoing series. Robert Rankin was ok, but just didn't grab me (though I still read several of them), and the obsession with the Milk Marketing Board (IIRC) was stretched too far, IMO. Douglas Adams was good, and if you can get hold of it, the original radio play of H2G2 is excellent, but it's a different sort of humour to TP. Lately I've been going more for the snarky urban fantasy/crime novels of Simon Green and Jim Butcher. Green in particular has been taking aim at fantasy/SF tropes for years - Deathstalker, the Hawk & Fisher novellas, plus the first Rupert & Julia novel Blue Moon Rising.

01-13-2011, 08:41 AM	#25
dworth Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 2094632 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bradford, UK Device: kindle pc	"I love Good Omens and Only You Can Save Mankind (but be sure to read Ender's Game first!) " And play 'Wing Commander'

01-14-2011, 07:03 AM	#26
grzzly Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Germany Device: Kindle 3	I'm actually Enders Game right now (don't want to read only Discworld for the remainder of the year ) and it's just that great book to lose yourself in. I almost finished it and started yesterday About the Discworld earlys, yeah the writing isn't that polished, and the story and characters have hardly any depth...but they are soooo funny. I hope the writing stays at least close to being this funny throughout the series.

01-14-2011, 07:45 AM	#27
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Grizzly, you will not be disappointed. They just keep getting better. Even the lesser ones, like the one I just finished, are head and shoulders above other similar series.

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