Pratchett Essentials

Jayaprakash Satyamurthy

Jayaprakash Satyamurthy

Knivesout no more
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I've read a few of his books in my college days, enjoyed them fairly well and then moved on. Now. I'm curious to re-visit this writer (intelligent humour is so intriguing) but the problem is, he has such a dauntingly large bibliography (nearly all of which is easily accesible as well) that I don't know where to start.

I'm informed that there's nary a clunker in the lot, but that still doesn't help much. What I'd like, if possible, is a list of essentials to begin with.

Anyone? And thanks in advance! :D
 
I am not sure what you mean by essentials, but I would suggest you read the earlier works. Many of them are about the same people in the same locale in Discworld and they roughly follow a timeline. The city stories start with Guards! Guards! where you are introduced to the Night Watch gang(my favs) I don't have all the books here at this house, but I think Colour of Magic is the first Granny Weatherwax book...DD can help me out here. Maybe it is Equal Rites. But I would definately start with the first books and get a feel for the setting of Discworld. I actually read Strata first, a prequel to the Discworld series that isn't counted as a discworld novel.
 
Yes, I read Strata and was terribly disappointed with it. The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic are the first two books about the Discworld (after Strata). Some consider these not nearly as well executed as the later ones but these pulled me into the Discworld so I'd suggest you start with them. After those, you can meander about without worrying about sequence - just pick the ones that sound interesting to you. To help with that, it seems that any that include the Night Watch and Death are favorites to those here on the board.
 
Well, to be honest, I was hoping for a 'top 5 Pratchett novels to run out and buy' sort of list. :D

He really is prolific. I know I have read a few of his works, but can't really recall much. Still, I understand that the consensus is that I should start with his earlier work and then pretty much ramble around as I see fit. Seems fair enough! :D
 
Top 5?

In no particular order, I'd personally recommend a combination of personal favourites and acknowledged classics:

Small Gods
Men At Arms
Guards! Guards!

Death
Pyramids

(the latter two had points I was not keen on - but they have severely classic moments in them - but I'll say no more in case I spoil. :) )
 
Is it still actual? I'd like to give my favs:

Soul Music
Wyrd Sisters
Pyramids
Guards! Guards!
Reaper Man

Do not read Equal Rites at first. I gave it to my brother that didn't know Pratchett and he didn't like it. For me it was not funny at all.

My friend has made a guide to Pratchett's books, I mean which one to read after which one. I'll give you the link when I have.
 
I personally think you can't go wrong with anything written about the Nightswatch. Check out 'Feet of Clay' or 'Guards! Guards!' they're both great.
 
The Truth (vampiric photograph addicted to cocoa, nuff' said)
Night Guard
Jingo
Hogfather.
 
I don't dislike the Discworld series, but if we're going for top 5 I'd actually suggest the Johnny Maxwell trilogy myself. I know it's supposed to be aimed at younger readers, but it's less blatently fantastic, though still fantasy, and I found that made it easier to care about what happened to the characters, - the Discworld stuff is too mad-cap for me to put my heart into.
This trology has a more consistent tone and POV, and more compassion and heart than the Discworld ones, while still being funny.

Just my opinion.

Or if you specifically wanted Discworld, then: Soul Music, Hogfather, Reaper Man, Masquerade and Men At Arms.
 
Any one of the Rincewind books, although best read in order. Of these, Eric is my favourite.
 
got to be the city watch novels

guards guards

men at arms

feet of clay

jingo

the fifth elephant
 
Hehe... now that I can do these properly... my 2 cents are that each subgroup needs to be read in order for full appreciation, whatever order you'd prefer to read the subgroups in is up to you. And these first books are... *drumroll*

The Colour of Magic (Rincewind)
Equal Rites (The Witches)
Mort (DEATH)
Guards! Guards! (The Night Watch)
Moving Pictures (????)

I dont' know what the last subgroup is really characterized by, but it seems to be growing too rapidly to ignore.

~BandSmurf
 
For intelligent humour (in certain stories at least), try Fritz Leiber. The last two stories in Swords Against Death were hilarious - much moreso than Pratchett, even if they don't last long. Anyway, the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories are excellent, though when Leiber puts in humour they are extremely funny. I've only read the Colour of Magic so far though. And Pratchett did make a slight reference to them - Bravd and Weasel were basically take offs of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
 
Not the best. Go directly to the Watch ones as "Guards, Guards". or "Men at arms". They're good and quite Leiber inspired (not copyied, inspired).
 
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