Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Books => Topic started by: guessingo on March 14, 2010, 04:09:47 PM
-
I want to try these out, but there are so many of them. Which 4-5 would you recommend? It appears that Color of Magic is his first, but I read somewhere that it is not one of the best ones. When someone has 30+ books, especially in one setting, there are probably books that are better than others.
-
My favourites are the Moist von Lipwig novels, of which there are currently two: Going Postal and Making Money. Read Going Postal before Making Money, though. The Truth is another favourite of mine. Guards! Guards! is great too, and gives a nice introduction to the Civil Watch characters, who are some of my favourites.
It's hard to pick a fifth one, as there are so many good novels of Discworld. The above cover the two Moist von Lipwig books, an individual novel, and a Civil Wacth novel. I can't decide to recommend a Rincewind novel, a Granny Weatherwax novel, a Death book, or Tiffany Aching...
-
Pratchett is one of my all time favorites, and if I were going to list a few that are easy to get into:
Guards! Guards!
Men at Arms
Small Gods
Lords and Ladies
Interesting Times
Now, the above books are out of order (except for Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms; they are books one and two of the night watch series. Also, Small Gods is a stand-alone.), but that doesn't really matter. They are all highly entertaining on their own, and you won't be too lost.
The thing about Pratchett, though, is you have to give him 100 pages. The stories read fast, and some pick up faster than others, but after a 100 pages in, you will love the story. He does a lot of set up in the beginning, but it all pays off marvelously. Of the above books, Guards! Guards! and Small Gods are probably the two most difficult to get into, but they are also two of my all time favorites, so I feel they are worth the read. I can remember that in both books (heck, in pretty much every Pratchett book), I would reach a point where I'd have to put the book down and walk out of the room because I was laughing so hard that I was near hyperventilation.
He is very much worth your time.
-
I know there was a dark period where Pratchett wasn't putting out very high-quality stuff. It was thankfully short. It's true that some are better than others, but the worst are usually merely good instead of his usual phenomenal. The only Discworld book (that I've read) that I recommend skipping is (Faust) Eric. When I got through with that one, I put it down and thought, "That...actually wasn't very good. How unlike you, Terry!"
In the first couple books Pratchett was still finding his voice. However, they explain details of the world in more, well, detail than you get from other books, so they're worth reading if only for that.
This reading guide may help. (http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-guide-1-5.pdf) Read them all. I need to read them again; my main problem is that I've read so many that I don't rightly remember which I've read and which I've not.
-
Thanks. That link is very helpful. It looks like Color of Magic was made into a TV movie in England. It is availabe on netflicks. I might check it out. I was going to start with the Color of Magic since it was the first one until I read somewhere that it is not as good as some of the others.
I am going to listen to these on audiobooks. My library has alot of them on audiobooks.
-
I know there was a dark period where Pratchett wasn't putting out very high-quality stuff. It was thankfully short. It's true that some are better than others, but the worst are usually merely good instead of his usual phenomenal. The only Discworld book (that I've read) that I recommend skipping is (Faust) Eric. When I got through with that one, I put it down and thought, "That...actually wasn't very good. How unlike you, Terry!"
I think "Eric" was supposed to be an illustrated novel, a la "The Last Hero," which probably explains why it is so different (and short). It would probably have been seriously better with illustrations. Also, I found it's tone to be very similar to the earlier Rincewind novels, although there are some pretty gaping plot holes.
-
Faust Eric is an illustrated novel, though it was later reissued as a paperback with no illustrations. It's one of the books I haven't read, but when I do I plan to read the illustrated version.
-
so the rinceworld novels are not as good? I see multiple recommendations for the Watch Novels.
-
Rincewind is in the worst Discworld books. That said, some of them are pretty good, and keep in mind that the "worst" for Discworld still means "pretty good" most of the time.
Also, everything involving wizards in the other books is a lot funnier if you get the background on Unseen University from the Rincewind books.
-
I like the Rincewind books...
-
I think they're a bit like Kibo's Spot stories. If you aren't in the mood for a loud, annoying main character, you should read something else. At the right time, they're hilarious.
-
I like the Rincewind books...
Me too. Rincewind is essentially my favorite character from discworld. I just love the cowardly protagonist.
-
I like the Rincewind books...
Me too. Rincewind is essentially my favorite character from discworld. I just love the cowardly protagonist.
Don't get me wrong - I don't dislike the Rincewind books. They're just my least favorite in the series.
If we're picking favorites, mine is Vimes. Weatherwax is a close second.
-
I like the Rincewind books...
Me too. Rincewind is essentially my favorite character from discworld. I just love the cowardly protagonist.
Don't get me wrong - I don't dislike the Rincewind books. They're just my least favorite in the series.
If we're picking favorites, mine is Vimes. Weatherwax is a close second.
Moist von Lipwig is my favourite, even thought he's only been in two books so far. I have a fondness for con artists, plus he always has such interesting supporting cast.
Rincewind is my second favourite, followed closely by Vimes and the Patrician and Death in a tie for third. I have a hard time getting into the Granny Weatherwax books. Her character just doesn't appeal to me as much as the aforementioned. I don't dislike her, and I love the books she's in, just the character herself isn't my favourite.
-
If you're going to read the Rincewind books, don't start at the beginning. Start with Interesting Times. It's awesome, and you can go back and get the back-story later. You won't miss it.
The thing to do with Pratchett is to fall in love with the books first, which is why most people recommend starting with the Night Watch books since they are the most easily accessible. Once you love Pratchett, you can read some of his older stuff and still get a kick out of it. If you start with the older stuff, well, it's harder to swallow and you might get turned off of Pratchett, which would be tragic because he is the awesome.
Also, if you are a true Pratchett fan, you will realize that my avatar originates from the series. + 10 points to the person who can name the character/book :)
-
The thing to do with Pratchett is to fall in love with the books first, which is why most people recommend starting with the Night Watch books since they are the most easily accessible. Once you love Pratchett, you can read some of his older stuff and still get a kick out of it. If you start on it, well, it's harder to swallow and you might get turned off.
That's a very good point. I started with The Colour of Magic and honestly had to struggle a bit to get through the first half. The same with The Light Fantastic. I have a thing about reading books in order, even if the stories aren't completely sequential (for which, in Discworld, the only truly sequential stories are The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic; technically, the Night Watch books, the Granny Weatherwax books, etc follow each other, but it's not completely necessary to read them in order).
If it were me, I'd start with Night Watch or Going Postal.
-
I'm pretty sure that's Reg Shoe, the zombie watchman. Don't remember what book though.
Good point about Interesting Times. It's definitely the best Rincewind book.
-
I like the Rincewind books...
Me too. Rincewind is essentially my favorite character from discworld. I just love the cowardly protagonist.
Don't get me wrong - I don't dislike the Rincewind books. They're just my least favorite in the series.
If we're picking favorites, mine is Vimes. Weatherwax is a close second.
Man, i love Weatherwax, too. She's easily my second favorite. Mostly because she's a stubborn ol' coot.
Also: I always thought that Cohen and Granny weatherwax should get together. Make for some interesting exchanges. To my knowledge (at least in what i've read. I haven't read all of discworld, though i should really get around to it) they haven't met.
-
have you guys read all of the 30+ discworld books? That is a major committment to one author.
-
Yes, it is Reg Shoe, and the book it is themed from is Men at Arms, although the scene is not described exactly. That's when Vimes starts letting the Undead into the Watch.
And yes, I have read all 30+ Pratchett books, although I haven't gotten a hold of his newest few books (been busy and/or poor). It's not so much a commitment to one author as it is just freaking fun to read what he writes. Say it's a commitment makes it sound like a chore, and it is anything but. He's one of those authors who I eventually want to collect so that I have everything he's ever written.
Also, if you get the chance, pick up his Bromiliad trilogy, Truckers, Diggers, and Wings. They are some of the best books I've ever read.
-
Yes, it is Reg Shoe, and the book it is themed from is Men at Arms, although the scene is not described exactly. That's when Vimes starts letting the Undead into the Watch.
And yes, I have read all 30+ Pratchett books, although I haven't gotten a hold of his newest few books (been busy and/or poor). It's not so much a commitment to one author as it is just freaking fun to read what he writes. Say it's a commitment makes it sound like a chore, and it is anything but. He's one of those authors who I eventually want to collect so that I have everything he's ever written.
Also, if you get the chance, pick up his Bromiliad trilogy, Truckers, Diggers, and Wings. They are some of the best books I've ever read.
Also, discworld novels aren't too terribly long. Because of just that, i would rate the commitment behind reading all the discworld novels roughly similar to reading something like all of the wheel of time books, where the books are huge and there's quite a number of them (but not as many as discworld).
Also: I highly recommend checking out good omens, something pratchett wrote with neil gaiman.
-
I have never read Neil Gaiman. The subjects of his books don't really appeal to me(and I don't like Young Adult books.. I know all of his books are not Y/A). I may check out good Omens.
@Cynic: Pratchetts books should all be in the library. You don't have to buy them.
-
I know I don't have to buy them. I want to buy them. And I also live on the Mexican border in the very darkest pit of Texas, so it takes them awhile to update their fiction section.
-
I haven't read all of Pratchett's stuff, but I want to. I second the recommendation for Good Omens.
-
Thirded. Good Omens was actually the first Pratchett book I read, and moving on to his other work, I was afraid that it wouldn't be close enough to his collaborative effort. :P
-
Thirded. Good Omens was actually the first Pratchett book I read, and moving on to his other work, I was afraid that it wouldn't be close enough to his collaborative effort. :P
That's how I got into Pratchett work as well. Good Omens, then the Discworld novels.
-
I actually didn't read Good Omens until after I had read most of Pratchett's other stuff, but I will have to ditto everyone above and say that it is an awesome place to start. Keep in mind, though, that it is not part of the Discworld universe. If anything, you'd have to call it urban fantasy.
-
I've read all the Discworld books, and I definitely recommend them, but I wouldn't recommend reading a lot of them in a row. They need a little space between them.
-
Yes, it is Reg Shoe, and the book it is themed from is Men at Arms, although the scene is not described exactly. That's when Vimes starts letting the Undead into the Watch.
And yes, I have read all 30+ Pratchett books, although I haven't gotten a hold of his newest few books (been busy and/or poor). It's not so much a commitment to one author as it is just freaking fun to read what he writes. Say it's a commitment makes it sound like a chore, and it is anything but. He's one of those authors who I eventually want to collect so that I have everything he's ever written.
Also, if you get the chance, pick up his Bromiliad trilogy, Truckers, Diggers, and Wings. They are some of the best books I've ever read.
I thought Reg Shoe first appeared in Reaper Man. I'm certain that's where the slogan in your avatar came from.
-
Hmm... you might be right. It seems like I remember the undead magician in Reaper Man meeting Reg Shoe at a bar, but my memory is hazy (it's been like ten+ years). I know the whole equal rights for undead satire didn't hit the forefront until Men at Arms though.
-
I too, read all the discworld books, plus the Bromiliad trilogy, the Carpet people, Nation, the "Johnny" series, Dark Side of the Sun, Strata, the Tiffany spin -off (Crivens!) and of course Good Omens. I can recommend them all without a second thought.
Also, for those of you who like a bit of real science (non fiction) I HIGHLY recommend the "Sience of Discworld"-books. They are brilliant. Imagine the Wizards at UU trying to make sense of our world. (the books are divided into 2 alternating sections, short Discworld paragraphs and true explanations).
The only book from Pratchett that I have yet to read is "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" but I'll get to that eventually.
-
Hmm... you might be right. It seems like I remember the undead magician in Reaper Man meeting Reg Shoe at a bar, but my memory is hazy (it's been like ten+ years). I know the whole equal rights for undead satire didn't hit the forefront until Men at Arms though.
I've read Reaper Man more times than is really healthy, and what happens is that Windle Poons (said undead wizard) meats Reg Shoe at the fresh start club, which is essentially an undead rights activist club. It has a menagerie of spoofs of undead stereotypes, like a middle-class shy vampire and a wereman (a wolf which becomes human at full moon.) Reg is constantly spouting new slogans at the meeting.
-
Where do unseen academicals and making money fall on this chart? They are knew and don't appear to be on them.
http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-guide-1-5.pdf
-
They're the two most recent, I believe, Unseen Academicals being the latest.
-
That is correct
-
Making Money goes after Going Postal.
-
There's this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#Bibliography) on Wikipedia which gives a suggested reading of the Discworld books by arc. Of the Discworld books, I've only read (some of) the City Watch series and the Moist von Lipwig series. I think they're awesome; I've heard that many of the other books aren't as great.
Also, Nation is not a Discworld novel, but it's fantastic nonetheless.
-
I am going to start with Going Postal. Alot of people seem to like Moist von Lipwig. My public library has several discworld books on audio, but not all of them.
-
You should start with the rincewind books, then read mort, hogfather, making money, going postal, guards guards, etc..
-
Don't start with the Rincewind books. He is the least interesting character in the series. Only the luggage and the librarian are interesting around him.