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NibbyCat · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 3201 Location: Eastern Ohio

Terry Pratchett has his own universe, called Discworld. The world is a disc resting on the backs of four elephants, who stand on the back of a great turtle as he swims through space. This world is populated by dwarves, golems, wizards, vampires, werewolves, humans, trolls and a large, extensive family of Igors. Oh, and let us not forget Death, and Death of Rats.

They don't have technology as we know it. Long distances are traveled by horse and carriage. Communications are sent by "clacks", a series of semaphore towers. "Iconographs" are drawn by a small imp in a box.

There are 30 books, so far, in the series, as well as several related "companion" books. For the most part, the books can stand alone, and you don't need to read them in order. To prevent littering this board with so many threads, I suggest that we keep discussions on his books to this one thread. He has some non-Discworld books, but they're few enough that they can just be added in here.

bannie · Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 1966 Location: Boston

I've heard that each book covers a different genre, or satirizes them, I cant remeber which

so if I wanted to jump into a later one, I could have almost no knowledge of the book's universe and still understand it and enjoy it?

NibbyCat · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 3201 Location: Eastern Ohio

He doesn't satirize other genres, but modern life, and all it encompasses. Sometimes small things are given small skewers (in Thud!, the commander of the Watch {think police chief} has a PDA, but it's an imp. He hasn't programmed it yet, so it always calls him "Insert your name here.") and other aspects may have the full book.

I do suggest starting with one of the regular books, not one of the companion books. The first Discworld book I read was Nanny Ogg's Cookbook, it was a gift from a friend. I had NO clue why certain things would be funny, but after reading some of the other books, I understand why the Librarian's recipe for bananas consists of "Ook," or why a werewolf would be vegetarian. Two recipes I want to try are Four-Rat Pizza and Strawberry Wobblers.

But otherwise, yes, you should be able to enjoy no matter where you start. There may be some aspect of life there that isn't fully explained in one book, but as you read others it gets fleshed out, and will probably even be a focus in one.

Brf

NibbyCat wrote: There are 30 books, so far, in the series,

LOL....That is even more prolific that Piers Anthony's Xanth series.... As far as I know, he stopped at a Trilogy of Trilogies of Trilogies.

Maus · Joined: 04 Dec 2004 Posts: 397

I have every book in the series, love them all, re-read them continuously, and am always on the lookout for a new one at the bookstore. Underneath the weird comedy, Pratchett is hands-down the most astute observer of human foibles on the planet. 8)

If I had to pick a couple of "bests", I'd go with

Small Gods
Night Watch

because they have the most thoughtfulness behind the humor. Night Watch is one of two that have made me laugh and skwinch back tears at the same time -- the other was The Last Hero for the fate of Cohen The Barbarian and the Silver Horde.

Elvengirl · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 363 Location: Belgrade, Serbia

his books are great, they're simply must read material.... i still havent read majority of them, but well.. there's time for it ;)

Elvish Magi · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 535 Location: England

What he does, Pratchett does very well.

The only problem is he only does one thing, so after a while you begin to get a sense of "sameness" to all his books (actually the first few Discworld books he wrote were slightly different in nature, but he moved away from that a long time ago).

Most of his books take a "real world" subject, and then use his fantasy world to hold up a mirror to modern life with a big dose of humour thrown in.

It is certainly worth reading some of his books - and there are plenty to choose from. Even if, like me, you find the edge has gone from them after about 10 and after about 20 you can't be bothered with the rest, that's still plenty of enjoyment to be had before you reach that stage.

crispybacon · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

You said it. He DOES get to be slightly repetitive, but I have been taking occaisionaly breaks between reading his stuff to keep up my interest. He is INSANELY good.

On a random note, I found some of his earlier, more rediculous humor (like the Big Bang theory of world creation) to be similar to Douglas Adams or Robert Asprin. Anybody else agree with me?
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