Last week, I asked for some advice on where I should start with Discworld books, since my attempts with reading The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic didn’t really leave me wanting more.
I received some good input, and thought I’d pass some of it along (if only so there’s a central location for me to come back to later for reference).
The overall consensus was that I picked a couple of bad ones to start with. But beyond that,
Mike Finn (you should read his blog, by the way), said (in part):
Here’s the best map I know of for showing the reading order of the various Discworld subgroups.
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.
K.R.R. Lockhaven (you should read his books, by the way) admitted:
I…um…have to admit that I haven’t actually read ALL of them. Most, though. I’m partial to the City Watch books, starting with Guards! Guards! Maybe Small Gods would be good, too. It’s a standalone.
Lockhaven also pointed me to Fiction Fans podcast’s “Bonus Episode: Which Discworld Book Should You Read First?” It was an interesting chat–the episode notes include:
They… don’t really give a straight answer. But they DO know which book you should NOT read first. You’re welcome.
Possible First Reads:
Wyrd Sisters (if you like witches)
Reaper Man (if you like Death)
Small Gods (if you want a good standalone with religious satire)
Hogfather (if you like Christmas)
Monstrous Regiment (if you want a good standalone with scathing social commentary)
Going Postal (if you like con artists)
wyrdsis (an account name that suggests they might know a thing or two about the series), chimed in with:
…I got really into it with the Witches (starting with Equal Rites), and Ankh Morpork City Watch (starting with Guards! Guards!), then Hogfather, Thief of Time, The Truth, the von Lipwig series….etc
David Frew sent me to
*or, why should I read this thing that everyone keeps going on about?
by Micah @rincewind.run (another account name that suggests they might know a thing or two about the series).
Gary Hayenga chipped in:
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.
Peat
Goodness, I somehow missed this. And I have thoughts, albeit a lot of thoughts that echo what you’ve already been told.
The big thing about Discworld is continuity is loose and mainly focused in sub-series, so depending on how much you care about continuity, there’s a lot of possible entries – and a lot of different types of stories – and a fair amount of different styles. So going through that sub-series
Witches – You’ll notice you’ve been given two starting points; Equal Rites and Wyrd Sisters. That’s because while Equal Rites is the first book that features witches, and one of the main characters, Wyrd Sisters is the first book that features all the main characters (and the setting and aforementioned main character evolve quite a lot). Me, I recommend starting with Wyrd Sisters as it’s more like the books afterwards and also a more polished, better book.
In any case – read if you’re into Shakespeare/Folklore references, rural communities, magic, and stories about women – women being friends with women, opposing women, learning from women, teaching women. and also hanging out with men sometimes too.
Death Series – The guides should give Mort as the first book, although I notice you’ve been given Reaper Man too. That makes sense as Reaper Man is the first specifically about Death, with Mort mostly being told through the PoV of an apprentice. For me, Mort is a great starting point, as the Death series is only loosely about Death itself, but rather his world – which is a place just beyond human reality, a place where we deal with endings and beginnings. Also a lot of mental health and what you do vs who you are themes.
City Watch – Nice simple one! Guards Guards is the obvious start (although even then, there is noticeable evolution to Men-At-Arms). And its strengths are obvious ones – police procedural, mystery (although interesting philosophy on a lot of the things surrounding those). But, you know, police procedural and murder mystery, I know you have no interest in those things.
NOTE – A lot of Ankh-Morpork books key off of this series a little. I can see The Truth being a great book for starting you, but there’s some small continuity stuff coming off of it from the City Watch. So caveat emptor depending on how much that matters to you. And Monstrous Regiment keys off it a bit too.
There’s Rincewind, which you bounced off, so enough of that
And there’s a couple of early books that stand alone very well in Small Gods and Pyramids. Small Gods is very well thought of, as mentioned.
Anyway, that’s my bit said.
HCNewton
I’ve read this comment a couple of times, how have I not approved it yet? Thanks, Pete!! Appreciate the feedback.