Terry Pratchett

[Holy Knight]

Because the Man deserves his own thread.

His books never cease to amaze me. They are consistently hilarious at times, thoughtful at others and makes excellent stories out of excellent satire. One might say he could write anything.

I currently own about half the collection, which would be around 13-15 books and I loved each of them equally. It continues to astound me that he can put so many spins on the very same world and still have some very interesting material.

Genius? Madman? Both? You be the judge.

[Leader Desslock]

I just finished Wintersmith, which is the third in the Wee Free Men series. It was aimed at a younger audience than his usual novels, but it was still a good read. As is the case whenever I read one of the stories involving the Nac Mac Feegles, I'll have to consciously resist the urge to slip into brogue for the next couple of days. Crivens!

What have I read? Well, it's easier to list what I haven't. I own and have read (and reread multiple times) the whole Discworld series except: Mort, Sourcery, Pyramids, Soul Music, and Thief of Time.

Pratchett is a genius whose name I would not hesitate to list with Jonathan Swift and Samuel Clemens. He really is that much better than almost any modern author I could name. Will his works be studied in classrooms in a hundred years? Absolutely. I just hope those students are able to understand his humor well enough to appreciate his talent.

[superplough]

Pratchett is great. I have thoroughly enjoyed all his books I have read. Which isn't that many, I've only read, The Color Of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Reaper Man, Hogfather, Soul Music, The Last Continent, Night Watch, Carpe Jugulum, Jingo, Interesting Times and The Last Hero. I really want to read the lot but it's a matter of a) finding them and b) finding the time to read them.

[Mort]

What have I read? Well, it's easier to list what I haven't. I own and have read (and reread multiple times) the whole Discworld series except: Mort, Sourcery, Pyramids, Soul Music, and Thief of Time.


That a shame. My favorites from him deal with Death. He one of the best characters in any Disc world novel.

Over all I think I have read about half his books. Some of the best lines come from his footnotes. That something you don't see, that really stands out to me at lest.

[wrathborne]

I've read all the discworld books (and good omens which is awesome) and avidly looking forward to his latest one (to do with the discworld mint).
The discworld stories are well thought out and make entertaining reading, and i'm simply cannot decide who my favourite characters are.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

I have 33/35, I don't own The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, or The Last Hero though I have read the former.

I just finished Wintersmith, which is the third in the Wee Free Men series. It was aimed at a younger audience than his usual novels, but it was still a good read.
Oddly only his books that are aimed at younger audiences have received any 'official' recognition, in the form of awards, then again what award would he win?

I think there was an interview that mentioned that. It went something like:

"The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents won the Carnegie Medal, was this really the first award you have won?

Yes, did you think I won the Booker Prize and never told anyone?"



What have I read? Well, it's easier to list what I haven't. I own and have read (and reread multiple times) the whole Discworld series except: Mort, Sourcery, Pyramids, Soul Music, and Thief of Time.

That's a shame, Death is probably among the best characters, in my opinion anyway. At least you've read Reaper Man?

Will his works be studied in classrooms in a hundred years? Absolutely. I just hope those students are able to understand his humor well enough to appreciate his talent.

Strangely, or perhaps not, a lot of people tend to be dismissive towards him especially other authors.

I recall the Robert Rankin was a little annoyed at his writing being considered similar Pratchett as he published his first book two years before the first Discworld Novel. Rankin had trouble locating him at a party because he was told that they looked similar, tall and bearded. However Rankin is apparently several inches taller. He commented that selling millions of books must make you seem six feet tall.

[superplough]

Death is my favourite character. And Rincewind.

[Tenou]

The man is a genius, and there is no fine line between genius and insanity... it's more like a sliding scale.

Dess, I noticed you didn't say you were going to resist stealin' an' drinkin' an' fightin'... But being a former blue man, maybe those urges aren't as strong.

I haven't read anything outside of the Discworld series except for Good Omens. Which I might re-read soon... And I haven't read The Last Hero or Wintersmith
And he's got a new one out today, Making Money.

But I've got The Science of Discworld (1 and 3, I keep meaning to pick up the second, but I don't really recommend them. There are 2 co-authors with Pratchett, and it shows. The writing is choppy, not seamless like Good Omens (Pratchett and Gaiman) and I haven't even bothered to read Science of Discworld 3), Nanny Ogg's Cookbook (I recommend it), The Discworld Almanack (highly recommend), and Unseen University Quizbook... (which is fine if you like to quiz yourself on the series, but not... entertaining in a reading way, but entertaining in a spending some fun time with your friends quizzing yourselves.)

[Leader Desslock]

Dess, I noticed you didn't say you were going to resist stealin' an' drinkin' an' fightin'...
That's 'cause I didn'a intend tae stop, ye ken.

[superplough]

My girlfriend dug out an old box of books and she has The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, so I've started to read that. It's good so far, but I haven't gotten far into it as my reading time is limited.

[whatsherface]

I want to start reading his books. So, any ideas on which one to start with?

[superplough]

The first one would probably be good. The Colour of Magic.

I finished Amazing Maurice, it was pretty good. But I like Rincewind better.

[Tenou]

Monstrous Regiment. Much better than Colour of Magic (which isn't all that good. Rincwind is a whiner). Equal Rites is a good start to the Witches, or Guards! Guards! because I like Captain Vimes.

You don't really have to read the books in order because, though they have recurring characters, most of the characters have independent story lines.

[Leader Desslock]

I just finished Thief Of Time, and I quite enjoyed it. Is it me, or did Lu Tze remind anyone else of Chiun, from The Adventures Of Remo Williams? :lol:

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Monstrous Regiment. Much better than Colour of Magic (which isn't all that good. Rincwind is a whiner). Equal Rites is a good start to the Witches, or Guards! Guards! because I like Captain Vimes.

You don't really have to read the books in order because, though they have recurring characters, most of the characters have independent story lines.

If that dosen't get Desslock running back (http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?p=5973196&post5973196) in here I don't know what will. Except for this (http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=208951) obviously. Edit: I didn't refresh my page before posting obviously. :)

You needn't start with The Colour of Magic as they aren't really connected and most of the essential background info is given in the first 10 pages of most of the books. However many of them are connected by the characters they have in common.

Rincewind = The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Socrcery, Eric, Interesting Times, The Last Continant, The Last Hero.

The Witches (Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat Garlick, Agnes Nit etc) = Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade, Carpe Jugulum.

The Wizards (Archchancellor Ridcully and his faculty) = Moving Pictures, Reaper Man, Lords and Ladies, Interesting Times, The Last Continent, (they mostly share their books with other protagonists.)

The City Watch = Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, The Night Watch, Monstrous Regiment, Thud!

Death Series = Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather, Thief of Time

Moist von Lipwig Series = Going Postal, Making Money

Tiffany Aching Series = The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith

[Leader Desslock]

You know, I actually liked The Color Of Magic. I don't think it's one of the more compelling Discworld novels, but it's solid humor. Twoflower's great, and The Luggage is... The Luggage. I mean, how can you categorize it? It's like the One Ring in LOTR. It's not quite a character, but at the same time, it's the 800-lb gorilla in the corner. Rincewind is a good character, I think.

I'd say The Color Of Magic is worth reading for two reasons:

1) When I've read a substantial body of any one author's work, I like to read his earlier stuff to see the evolution of his style and ideas. The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic are good for that. You can see Pratchett working out the kinks in his expression style, seeing what works and what doesn't.

2) The Rincewind series is epecially worth reading for the novel Interesting Times, which is one of my favorites.


You know, the only one I really didn't like was The Fifth Elephant. And even then, I can't say I didn't like it at all. It was merely... less entertaining? Less inspired? I dunno. It almost reads like a good fanfic - it's got all the right elements in the right order, but somehow the special spark of the author isn't there.

[Josh]

My favorite Discworld book is probably Small Gods. And, as Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are my two favorite authors, Good Omens is obviously way up there for me.