NationStates Jolt Archive

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.

Good Omens is alright, but Jack Vance's Cugel books are far better.

Jack Vance... Never heard of him. Tell me more of this wonderful land.

Just read as many Disc World novels as you possibly can, it should keep you from the streets for quite a while.

Nope, never heard of Terry Pratchett. I certainly don't own every single adult Discworld novel save for The Last Hero. No sirree.

Night Watch, definitely. Also, Guards Guards, Men at Arms, Equal Rites, Lords and Ladies, Hogfather....

Terry Pratchett is pretty underground, as far as I know. Popular culture has nothing to do with him.

Nope, never heard of Terry Pratchett. I certainly don't own every single adult Discworld novel save for The Last Hero. No sirree.

*sniffs* Is that... sarcasm I smell?

Bet you haven't played all 3 of the computer games though.

Jack Vance... Never heard of him. Tell me more of this wonderful land.

He writes verbose science fiction, which is decent. His best by far is a his Dying Earth series. The first book in the series is not really comedy; the last, Rhialto the Marvelous, is about on par with Terry Prattchet's stuff. But the middle two books, which concern the scoundrel Cugel, are beyond superb!

No, I haven't.

Night Watch, definitely. Also, Guards Guards, Men at Arms, Equal Rites, Lords and Ladies, Hogfather....

Oh god... that's like.... $48. Time to start saving up my lunch money.

♥ 71-hour Ahmed. He's my hero.

If you have to choose ONE of those, do Night Watch, if you're a Vimes fan. Otherwise, choose Hogfather.

If you have to choose ONE of those, do Night Watch, if you're a Vimes fan. Otherwise, choose Hogfather.

Vimes ftw, he's my fave char so far, besides Lipwig.

Ha i've never heard that before, i quite like it, its almost discworld-esque

We've got another one! Someone drag him in here!

everybody seemed to know about Pratchett when i was at school. maybe because i was geeky and had geeky friends, maybe because he was just really popular a few years back... i don't know. read quite a lot of his books but can't remember which ones now. if Only You Can Save Mankind is his, then read that cos its funny

I'd second Night Watch. Come to that, I'd second anything with Commander Vimes and the Watch.

However, I'm just now reading The Last Continent, and frankly I haven't laughed so hard in a long, long time!

Just read as many Disc World novels as you possibly can, it should keep you from the streets for quite a while.

As my friend has pointed out to me...

"lol like ud ever go on the streets"

:( It's so true!!!!

Nope, never heard of Terry Pratchett. I certainly don't own every single adult Discworld novel save for The Last Hero. No sirree.
What's wrong with The Last Hero? It was the first one I bought.

Hmm... 2 reccomendations for Night Watch AND my friend (the mean one up there) wants me to get it so that he can read it after I finished. Bye bye $8!

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=540235

I liked Thief of Time. It was a nice, confusing first read to shove me into Discworld

The Last Continent

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=540235

No thanks, I have too many fancy words in my mandatory school reading. Admittedly, A Tale of Two Cities wasn't too bad once I got into it though. But Oliver Twist was hell. That's why I didn't read it. And got a 67 on the test.

Just about any of them? I thought that the last one, Making Money, was probably the weakest one, but just about all of them have something to recommend. THUD! and Jingo are really good if you want a good satire about current affairs though.

small gods, obviously

All of them. Pratchett is fantastic.

Also, you need to make the jump over to Gaiman as well. :)

Just about any of them? I thought that the last one, Making Money, was probably the weakest one, but just about all of them have something to recommend. THUD! and Jingo are really good if you want a good satire about current affairs though.

He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.)

♥ 71-hour Ahmed. He's my hero.

Thanks for the suggestions :p

Gaiman? Who or what would that be?

*dies*

No, seriously, Neil Gaiman. Brilliant, hilarious, frightening, profound, insane fantasy author who's great friends with Terry Pratchett. They wrote the book Good Omens (which I highly recommend) together. They have quite distinct styles, but very few people who love one of 'em don't end up loving the other as well.

Okay, I'll check him out... after I read the other twenty-something Discworlds

*dies*

No, seriously, Neil Gaiman. Brilliant, hilarious, frightening, profound, insane fantasy author who's great friends with Terry Pratchett. They wrote the book Good Omens (which I highly recommend) together. They have quite distinct styles, but very few people who love one of 'em don't end up loving the other as well.

Gaiman, absolutely.

I love Pratchett, but I worship Gaiman.

Jumping into Gaiman, you can see if you can track down an old video copy of "Neverwhere" or the much newer "Mirrormask". Coraline is supposed to be out next year, I believe. That might be a gentle introduction.

Otherwise, any "Sandman" book you can find - they're all excellent.

Well, any of it is excellent, actually...


For Pratchett, my faves are probably "Small Gods", "Pyramids" and "Moving Pictures". Or the 'witches trilogy'.

Hmm

Okay, next time I stop at Borders I'm gonna get Small Gods and Night Watch :D

Hmm

Okay, next time I stop at Borders I'm gonna get Small Gods and Night Watch :D

You know there's like.. 50 books in that series, now... right?

Yeah... I'll just buy as many as I can find when I have the money. -.- Might finish them all by the end of my Senior year.

I think Making Money was probably written after Pterry's stroke and finding out he's got Alzheimer's.

*dies*

No, seriously, Neil Gaiman. Brilliant, hilarious, frightening, profound, insane fantasy author who's great friends with Terry Pratchett. They wrote the book Good Omens (which I highly recommend) together. They have quite distinct styles, but very few people who love one of 'em don't end up loving the other as well.
I just finished Gaiman's Neverwhere. Really good.

Yeah... I'll just buy as many as I can find when I have the money. -.- Might finish them all by the end of my Senior year.
They have this think called the library.... you might want to try it... reading for FREE!

Thanks for the suggestions :p
Now don't I feel silly.

That's what happens when you post during a break I guess. :tongue:

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.

Small Gods is good although a little gruesome at times. They are all good.

small gods, obviously

Ooh. Small Gods is amazing.. It's also the first one I picked up :D

Terry Pratchett is pretty underground, as far as I know. Popular culture has nothing to do with him.

Huh? Underground? I remember Family Guy making at least 2 referrances, and subtle nods in Futurama episodes... Ok maybe in American Dad aswell.

P.S.
I saw a Discworld graphic novel at Borders Sunday.

Terry Pratchett is a wonderful and absolutely amazing writer.
I have all of his books.

However, am I the only one who read them in order?
From first to last?
Seriously?

Nope, as you can tell nobody here has ever heard of the Discworld. It's completely unpopular and unknown online.

You seem to have started in the middle, which is fine, but by skipping the earlier books you've missed some things. The later books assume a lot of stuff established earlier. The earlier books are more stand alone.

So, I'm going to reccomend against reading Night Watch until you at least read Guards, Guards and Men at Arms, as those two set up the watch story arc.

I'd also recommend The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic for setting up the whole shebang.

Wyrd Sisters, and Witches Abroad set up the Witches/Lancre arc, which you haven't gotten into as yet, it looks like. (Actually it starts with Equal Rites, but ER doesn't tie into the main witches/Lancre storyline as much.

Finally, my fave is probably Soul Music.

Terry Pratchett is a wonderful and absolutely amazing writer.
I have all of his books.

However, am I the only one who read them in order?
From first to last?
Seriously?

I've read them more or less in order. As I was pointing out above, that makes the storylines a bit easier to follow.

They have this think called the library.... you might want to try it... reading for FREE!

Indeed.

Terry Pratchett is a wonderful and absolutely amazing writer.
I have all of his books.

However, am I the only one who read them in order?
From first to last?
Seriously?


You're not...

They really need to be read in sequence as the later books build on the earlier ones. Particularly the books involving the Watch, and to a lesser extend the witches, very much form a single long story.

Finally, my fave is probably Soul Music.

Really? That was probably the only one I thought (of what I've read so far) was Pratchett writing 'by the numbers'... basically recycling Moving Pictures.

Really? That was probably the only one I thought (of what I've read so far) was Pratchett writing 'by the numbers'... basically recycling Moving Pictures.

Heh. Yeah, I know what you mean, but that was one of the few I read out of order (Gaurds, Gaurds, Soul Music, Men at Arms, and then in order), so it didn't read as a recycle.

If you have to choose ONE of those, do Night Watch, if you're a Vimes fan. Otherwise, choose Hogfather.Definitely! Also, "Guards! Guards!", "Men at Arms" and "Feet of Clay" are (more or less) chronological Vimes goodies with lots of Carrot and Angua, delicious!

Cheerio!

No Rincewind? Don't come back until you've read at least one book with Rincewind in it.

Guards, Guards is by far the best Watch novel, I'd recommend that.

And Reaper Man is probably one of the best of the entire series.

Lords and Ladies for a very, very good take on elves.

No Rincewind? Don't come back until you've read at least one book with Rincewind in it.
Actually, yeah. Rincewind and the wizards are some of the best characters. Shame he's stopped doing them of late.

Avoid Monstrous Regiment like the plague.

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next?Personally, I mostly follow the reading order guide (http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/) on L-space.

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.Small Gods and Lords and Ladies have had a lasting impact on me. I suggest taking a look at your local library. Pratchett's been around for a while, and this year is Discworld's 25th anniversary, so you may not have to buy all the books to read them.

The Vimes series are the best in my opinion, Night Watch is fantastic, the fifth elephant is pretty good aswell. If you're not into vimes try mort, thats brilliant.

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.

Heh shit you are in for a fun time. Yep read all of them, 'Small Gods' I think is probably one of funniest ones.

Ohh, to be once again in the glorious state of having read only a few Pratchetts. To be able to look at all those beautiful covers lined up on the shelves and think, "I wonder if this one is as good as the last?" and know it will be.

To have Vimes and Angua and Carrot and Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax and Margarat and Veterinari creeping slowly, one-dimensionally, into your head and then have them acquiring extra dimensions as you read more ... imagine meeting Death for the first time ... the Monks of Time ... Mr Shine, he Diamond ...

I remember the innocent days when I was a Pratchett virgin. Would I go back to my unawakened state, if I could, just to luxuriate in every word all over again?

No; how could anyone deprive themselves of what we now have, even for a minute! But just thinking about it, reliving it, makes me feel ... makes me remember ... I get this urge ...

brbfolks!!!

Oh man, you need to enlighten yourself.

everybody seemed to know about Pratchett when i was at school.

That's not surprising. Pretty much everyone who likes to read fantasy and/or science fiction has at the very least heard of Terry Pratchett.

No Rincewind? Don't come back until you've read at least one book with Rincewind in it.

I WOULD like to thank you all for your insight... but I'm not allowed to come back T,T

Good Omens is alright, but Jack Vance's Cugel books are far better.
QFT. Liane the Wayfarer is the best fantasy short story I've ever read.
His Lyonese series is imo the best fantasy trilogy written. And yes, I do mean better than LOTR. (And thus we do open that can of worms and this thread doth descend into chaos).
For sci-fi humor, his Magnus Ridolph stories are superb.

That's not surprising. Pretty much everyone who likes to read fantasy and/or science fiction has at the very least heard of Terry Pratchett.

well my real point was everybody was reading it, too. but i didn't actually say that did i? :$

Terry Pratchett is pretty underground, as far as I know. Popular culture has nothing to do with him.

You're kidding right ? IIRC the man is Britains second most selling living author (the first one being Rowling), and the number 1 most shoplifted ;)

My collection is almost complete. I just lack an unsigned original illustrated edition of Eric!.

Hogfather I think is my favourite.

Jack Vance... Never heard of him. Tell me more of this wonderful land.

Jack Vance writes both SF and high fantasy. His most famous fantasy work from which Cugel originates is "tales of the dying earth", which described an original magic system that has since become the basis for Dungeons and Dragons magic.

I personally prefer his SF novels though. Admittedly they are "lighter" than the fantasy, but hey ;)

You're kidding right ? IIRC the man is Britains second most selling living author (the first one being Rowling), and the number 1 most shoplifted ;)

Yes, I was actually kidding. And I would have gotten away with it too if it hadn't been for those darn NSG kids and their mangy dog!

Jack Vance writes both SF and high fantasy. His most famous fantasy work from which Cugel originates is "tales of the dying earth", which described an original magic system that has since become the basis for Dungeons and Dragons magic.

I personally prefer his SF novels though. Admittedly they are "lighter" than the fantasy, but hey ;)

Can't stand Vance's work, but I love the Discworld stuff. The only problem I have with it is (for me) there's no re-readability. Once I've digested a book of his, I have no real desire to ever read it again.

I always recommend Sourcery to people wanting to start reading Terry Pratchett - simple plot; cultural references that everyone will get; doesn't require great knowledge of the previous novels; Death and the Librarian beginning to emerge as three dimensional characters.

Then they ignore me, and read something else.

Monstrous Regiment[/i] like the plague.

...um, why? It was less silly and more bitingly satirical than some of the books, but I've never heard anyone suggest it wasn't still typical excellent Pratchett. :confused:

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.

I like the Guards series.

You can't go wrong with a Pratchett book, so just keep picking them up. Each one is a gem. I do find, however, that I can't read Pratchett books one after the other. I need space inbetween to let them sink in. Like savouring good chocolate X3

But, I agree on Good Omens. Read it and love Neil Gaiman as well. He's a fantastic author, though he doesn't have nearly enough novels.

No thanks, I have too many fancy words in my mandatory school reading. Admittedly, A Tale of Two Cities wasn't too bad once I got into it though. But Oliver Twist was hell. That's why I didn't read it. And got a 67 on the test.

Ah, but is there a Dickens (and he is agreeably a poor writer) role-playing game?

http://www.dyingearth.com/

Hey everyone, towards the beginning of the summer I discovered a great satiric/comic writer who goes by the name of Terry Pratchett. He is the author of the Discworld novels, of which I have read 6 (Jingo, Reaper Man, Thud, Thief of Time, Going Postal, and Carpe Jugulum.) Anyone have any suggestions about which of his novels I should read next? Or any other such authors they'd like to reccomend? Any comments on any Discworld novels you've read? Basically just say w/e you want about discworld novels.

Reaper Man is hands down my favorite Discworld novel. If you enjoyed it, you really should consider picking up a copy of Mort.

You're kidding right ? IIRC the man is Britains second most selling living author (the first one being Rowling), and the number 1 most shoplifted ;)
It used to be that 1% of all the books sold in the UK were Pratchett books, 10% of sci fi and fantasy books.

The Lost Continent is my favourite. I'll also throw in Masquarade, Small Gods and Interesting Times as must reads. Avoid all the new ones. They kinda suck.*

*With the exception of Wee Free Men and Hatful of Sky. That was a genius throwback to his early days.

Can't stand Vance's work, but I love the Discworld stuff. The only problem I have with it is (for me) there's no re-readability. Once I've digested a book of his, I have no real desire to ever read it again.

Ah, but Cugel will always be re-readable for me. The Gilfigites are too funny!

I never read stuffs more than once. Takes too much time.

P.S. DAMMIT Parkus! I thought I was being original saying I was in Hell. -.-

...um, why? It was less silly and more bitingly satirical than some of the books, but I've never heard anyone suggest it wasn't still typical excellent Pratchett. :confused:
I really disliked it, I really thought it wasn't up to his usually stand. I've really not liked the majority of his new ones, and Going Postal was the only one to really break it. Thud and Night Watch I really didn't like and Making Money seeming like a rehash of Going Postal.

Heh. Yeah, I know what you mean, but that was one of the few I read out of order (Gaurds, Gaurds, Soul Music, Men at Arms, and then in order), so it didn't read as a recycle.

He's sufficiently good, that you read it anyway, even when it does come across as a bit of a rehash. And you make extra allowances because he's so good when he rehashes someone else's work (yes, Shakespeare, I'm looking at you...) but it was still a bit of a let down.

(yes, Shakespeare, I'm looking at you...)

Umm... you stole his corpse? COOL!

Umm... you stole his corpse? COOL!

Stole it? That's not even halfffff....errrr.... what corpse?

Night Watch, definitely..

Yes, definitely.

One of my favourite books, along with Thief of Time and Jingo and, well, infact rest of them excluding most of the witch novels.