Ten years ago (and yes, it feels strange saying that), I posted this (there’s a question coming at the end, but bear with me so this isn’t a 3 sentence post).
Received this e-mail today from someone submitting a comment to the “Suggest a Book” form:
Do have reviews on ANY Terry Pratchett book. Would love to “hear” your thoughts…
Thanks for the question! Not just because I like getting suggestions/e-mails, but also because I had nothing else to post today, having opted for sleep and time with my family over finishing a book.*
Pratchett’s a legend — almost universally praised and adored. I read the first two Discworld novels back in 2011, and didn’t care for ’em. Which I assume is an indictment of me, my taste, and very likely my morality, patriotism and love for my wife. So, readers, is it just these first couple of books? Should I start with a different Pratchett book? I’d like to bask in his particular brand of genius, just need a hand.
Anyway, I wasn’t going to bother dusting these off as they’re so short, but since you asked, here are my 2-star reviews for the first two Discworld novels.
The Colour of Magic
by Terry Pratchett
Hardcover, 183 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 1983
It was amusing enough–chuckle-inducing in more than one place–but I never connected with it, not the story, not the characters, not the world. Left me pretty durn blah.
Probably just me, eh?
The Light Fantastic
by Terry Pratchett
Hardcover, 189 pg
Colin Smythe, 1987
I liked this one better than The Colour of Magic — it was better constructed, the characters were a touch more believable as characters, and I certainly laughed more. But, I had the same issues with this as I had with the previous.
I just didn’t care about anything or anyone, and saw no reason why I should.
Funny, clever stuff, and I couldn’t wait to be done with it.
—–
* Not that I didn’t try for all three
Here’s My Question
I’ve been thinking lately that I really should try Terry Pratchett again. Given the above…where should I start? Give The Colour of Magic another try? Start with something else? As I understand it, Discworld novels need not be read sequentially, do I have that right? So where would be a good place to jump in? Or what would be a good stand-alone-ish novel to try?
I know I have Pratchett lovers out there, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Mike Finn
Yes, the first two novels were awful. Please don’t read either one again. It won’t help. Personally, I’m not a fan of any of the Rincewind novels.
It does help to read the Discworld novels in order… but not the order that you might think. This is the Discworld after all, nothing travels in a straight line for very long without falling off the edge.
Here’s the best map I know of for showing the reading order of the various Discworld subgroups.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_(cropped).jpg/390px-Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_(cropped).jpg
My favourites are the Watch novels and the Witches novels.
The Watch novels start with Guards! Guards!
The Witches novels start with Equal Rites.
If you read those two and still don’t like Pratchett then he’s probably not for you.
I know people who swoon over the Death series.I like to re-read Hogfather at Christmas from time to time.
The industrial revolution ones don’t need to be read in order although I’d read the Moist Von Ludwig ones in order (and they’re a lot of fun)
The map I’ve linked to doesn’t include the Tiffany Aching novels. I wouldn’t start there. If you like the Witches novels, read about Tiffany after you’ve read Witches Abroad.
HCNewton
Fantastic answer! Thanks, Mike!!
Well, I think it’s a fantastic answer–I’ll have to look at the map and actually read a couple of the books to really know, right? 🙂 But it looks good.
Gary Hayenga
The first two novels are very different than the subsequent novels. As the previous commenter mentioned there are several sub-series set on the Discworld. Based on the other things you’ve posted about liking here I would recommend that you start with The Watch series, starting with Guards! Guards!. The second book in that series is even better.
HCNewton
I do think I’m leaning toward The Watch at the moment based on everything I’m hearing. Thanks, Gary. I appreciate the input!