Terry Pratchett Discworld

[Pond frog]

Any fans of Terry Pratchett here ? I haven’t read any but think I’ll like them the question is are they best read in order or can you just start anywhere?

 

[Anguz]

there is an order but i found after the first couple it dont really matter
colour of magic is the 1st

 

[Endeleus]

I read them in order, partly by necessity as he'd only written about the first 4 when I discovered them, and then carried on as they were published.

Personally, I think reading in order makes sense, as it introduces characters and concepts in a rational (if there is such a thing in the Discworld!) order. I have seen critics more recently suggest that reading from the start isn't the optimal approach, but I haven't seem any particularly convincing argument.

At the very least, I would probably start with The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, and then pick up what you fancy after that.

 

[PhillipM]

Any fans of Terry Pratchett here ? I haven’t read any but think I’ll like them the question is are they best read in order or can you just start anywhere?

In order means you get the in-jokes.
However, I would say, the early books have probably some of the best humour, but they are the worst written, can be hard for some people to get into.

I would absolutely recommend trying them, but if you don't get on with them don't give up on the series - instead try starting at the Guards or Witches series of Discworld books - they're some of the best written mini-series, and then go back to the earlier books.
Absolutely incredible series though, and I'll honestly credit STP with a lot of the way I developed my thinking and humour as a kid to that series. Masterclass in social commentary.

 

[BrokenBiker]

love the discworld books. I have the first 5 as paperback and the rest on my kindle acccount, i read them in work quite often, recently re-started the whole series and in my option best read in order. the colour of magic is a tricky one to get into, but it is worth persisting with

 

[Pond frog]

Ok thanks for info, I’d prefer to read them in order but with 41 books I thought it might be a bit cheaper if I could pick them up ad hoc at the second hand shop. I’ve seen a couple of box sets cheap but they seem to be a random selection

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Oddly never read the discworld series. I enjoyed the carpet people though!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Start with Mort .

Then Colour of magic.

Try Diggers as well.

 

[Dev]

There’s mini series that I think it makes sense to read in order, like the ones about Granny weatherwax and the ones about the city watch,

 

[marlinspike]

I read an early one years ago and thought it was quite poorly written. Couldn't understand what the fuss was about. Might give the later ones a go.

 

[Morris]

You can read them in order or read the Guards, Witches , Lord Vetinari etc books as a mini series sort of thing. Some, like Small Gods and Pyramids are stand alones. All are excellent with very clever puns, running jokes, social commentary and general pee taking.
I have the full set and currently revisiting the Guards.

 

[Nomad]

Many can be read in isolation but then you don't have the backstory about the characters - not a huge problem.
Sometimes I find I get more from a book if I read it a 2nd (or 3rd) time after a couple of years, maybe just me.

I'd add "Wee free men" to your list, one of the Discworld series.

There have also been a couple of TV productions (Colour of magic + Hogfather come to mind, there may be others..)

He also wrote a few other series (diggers / tuckers / wings about little people), also a Pied Piper themed book etc.

 

[rtcosic]

The boys and I started with the first one because at the time it was the only one! Thereafter we read them in order as the paperbacks were published. Later, we even bought hardbacks as they came out.
The amusing thing is that as Terry (and Douglas Adams) were both my age, we all had the same cultural references. My boys read and appreciated the superficial humour but missed the deeper political references.

EtA I think I'm missing Carpet People ones.

 

[Robotstar5]

Another Discworld fan here, hence my signature I read them in order as they came out and probably re-read them 3 or 4 times now.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Never read them but when I find the order I will listen to them if all are available as audio books

 

[Nomad]

Never read them but when I find the order I will listen to them if all are available as audio books

I did find most of them online as PDF books a few years ago, I've not looked but I expect you can find something that will read the PDF copy to you ...


A quick google for audiobooks looks promising but I've not tried any of them ..

It’s Discworld like you’ve never heard it before - Sir Terry Pratchett

Listen to the brand new re-recordings of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. 40 new audiobooks are releasing in 2022 and 2023, narrated by outstanding British talent. The Witches series Obi Wan Kenobe star Indira Varma narrates the Witches books, with Bill Nighy as the voice of the footnotes...

www.terrypratchettbooks.com

- or -
(free 30 day trial but you must cancel or it costs you..)

Audible | Listen to Audiobooks, Podcasts & Originals

Try Audible free for 30 days. Discover best-selling audiobooks, free podcasts and exclusive Audible Originals. Listen offline with the Audible app.

www.audible.com

 

[Dev]

There’s a load available on Libby- free if you have a library card.

 

[Trevorleach]

Had them all, only a few weeks back gave the lot to the charity shop.
I would go through phases of reading anyhting and everything then get bored and not read anyhtimg for months/years.
Discworld books made me smile as there are lots of injokes about real life dotted all over.

 

[E T]

Anybody read this one?

 

[MysterG]

Have had The Colour of Magic on the shelf for years.
Lost count of the times I've tried to read it, but gave up....