Terry Pratchett passed away

[alienjesus]

I've never read any Pratchett.

I do own Discworld (PS1).

Where should I start?

From the beginning of the Discworld series, which would be The Colour of Magic.

Just be aware that there's quite a shift in tone and writing style over the series. I prefer the later novels, but others like the early stuff more. It's all great though.

[Stark]

I've never read any Pratchett.

I do own Discworld (PS1).

Where should I start?

From the beginning of the Discworld series, which would be The Colour of Magic.

Just be aware that there's quite a shift in tone and writing style over the series. I prefer the later novels, but others like the early stuff more. It's all great though.

I agree with AJ, you should start from the beginning, especially since that is with Rincewind as the main character. Those are my favorites.

[Stark]

oops.

[Key-Glyph]

I've never read any Pratchett.

I do own Discworld (PS1).

Where should I start?

When people ask this, I always recommend Small Gods.

I usually don't suggest that people start from the beginning, because I don't think The Colour of Magic (the first book) best represents Terry's depth as a writer. You can tell he's still figuring things out with that book -- which is totally fine, but I've found it sometimes doesn't grab people who are testing the waters.

Small Gods is a great starting point because it's a more contained plotline focusing on characters who aren't among the frequently repeating groups (the wizards, Death & co., etc.), so you won't be feeling like you might have missed some backstory from previous books*. It's also one of his darkest and most poignant, and at one point it literally made me jump out of my chair and cheer while I was reading it. It's the kind of novel that might inspire you to dig into more of his stuff.

I also think you'll like it in particular, dsh. I have my reasons!

*Technically you can start anywhere. The thing with Pratchett is that you'll never be reading a book and feel lost; at most you get a sense of "there are clearly events that led to this that I'd like to go back and discover." It's just that sometimes people are paranoid about having missed stuff anyway, so I find that recommending Small Gods sidesteps that problem.

[BogusMeatFactory]

I've never read any Pratchett.

I do own Discworld (PS1).

Where should I start?

When people ask this, I always recommend Small Gods.

I usually don't suggest that people start from the beginning, because I don't think The Colour of Magic (the first book) best represents Terry's depth as a writer. You can tell he's still figuring things out with that book -- which is totally fine, but I've found it sometimes doesn't grab people who are testing the waters.

Small Gods is a great starting point because it's a more contained plotline focusing on characters who aren't among the frequently repeating groups (the wizards, Death & co., etc.), so you won't be feeling like you might have missed some backstory from previous books*. It's also one of his darkest and most poignant, and at one point it literally made me jump out of my chair and cheer while I was reading it. It's the kind of novel that might inspire you to dig into more of his stuff.

I also think you'll like it in particular, dsh. I have my reasons!

*Technically you can start anywhere. The thing with Pratchett is that you'll never be reading a book and feel lost; at most you get a sense of "there are clearly events that led to this that I'd like to go back and discover." It's just that sometimes people are paranoid about having missed stuff anyway, so I find that recommending Small Gods sidesteps that problem.

You nailed it perfectly my dear! I started off reading Small Gods myself and I absolutely adored it. That was a very delightful read and doesn't require any previous knowledge of the world. And I agree as well on the Colour of Magic not being the best to start off on, as the world just isn't as fleshed out or as....Colourful? (mind the pun) as later titles. It is a must read for sure, but you can go back and read it later.

[alienjesus]

I started by reading Interesting Times myself.

[wclem]

Weird, I thought the first book was one of the better ones. I do not really care for the Witch books but prefer Rincewind and Death books were the best.

The humor in the books may put some off. You either like it or not. If you find yourself not enjoying it then the whole series and a lot of his other stuff is gonna bore you.

Where would you guy put Discworld against the Tales of Xanth by Piers Anthony?

[Ivo]

I think all the books with Death as a main character were very good.

Small gods is a very good standalone so Key-Glyph is good in recommending it.

I love the Rincewind / early ones myself, it is a bit more whimsical writing with perhaps less of the hard hitting stuff that becomes more common in later books. They are not better or worse, but there is a bit of a shift in style even if they are all very "Pratchett". The early ones remind me more of Douglas Adams than the later ones. Adams is another favorite writer that died too soon :/ But maybe not a style that everyone prefers.

Another very good one is Night Watch (which is a competitor for the darkest one I've read, probably even compared to Small gods). But in that one I think a reader would prefer to have read the previous books featuring Sam Vimes as a main character.

[Key-Glyph]

I just picked up Maskerade tonight and am having the best time. I'd forgotten how much I love the witches.

I agree on all points that his early stuff is good, and that everything with Death is good. Sometimes I think about promoting Mort more, but I'm never sure how Death is going to go over with random folks (even though he's one of the most beloved characters in the series).

My first was The Light Fantastic, which is the second in the series, and I think it's still my favorite. I hesitate to suggest people start there, though, because I did that once and the reader was really unnerved by the fact that the opening starts smack in the middle of a scene-in-progress from the book before.

"Why are they falling off the world?!" this person asked.
"It doesn't matter -- just go with it!" I responded.

I have to say, their incredulous stare was warranted.

You have to read a few Discworld novels before you trust that everything you need to know will be explained. At about the same time you'll come to understand that there are never any spoilers, just conclusions you want to see play out.

And is anybody else's favorite character the Luggage? I have to know.

[Ivo]

And is anybody else's favorite character the Luggage? I have to know.

I would have guessed your favourite was the Librarian

Mort is also a very good book.