I’ve decided to postpone today’s post…I’d finish a paragraph and think of two or three more I needed to write. Which I think will prove to make me happier about the end result, but I have to get some sleep. So…let’s take another look at this, with a quick update at the end.
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.
I’m about 1/3 of my way through Guards! Guards! and I think I might be seeing what everyone else sees in Pratchett. Or maybe I’m seeing something else, maybe I’m still learning. Regardless, I am having a blast. I’m re-reading passages just for fun, or because I think I might have missed a joke because I was distracted by another. I know that I’ve read the passage where Carrot’s father tells him he’s not a dwarf more times than is necessary. But I kind of want to go read it again now that I’ve mentioned it.
Thank you all for your help, I think it’s paying off!
Mike
The City Watch books get better and better and funnier and funnier. Night Watch, where Sam goes back in time to train himself, is pure genius. Probably my most reread book. As people have said, the Witches books are good though Equal Rites possibly the weakest.
HCNewton
That’s great to hear–but funnier? I’m having a hard time believing that, Guards! Guards! is a riot. Looking forward to finding out that I’m wrong about that possibility.