May the Recording Angel be generous... RIP Terry Pratchett

[raleighnut]

Ok experts, never read any of his books. There's an overwhelming catalogue. Where should I start?

I'd begin with "The Colour Of Magic" and work my way through, some books are 'stand alone' but a lot refer back to earlier books in the Discworld series and feature characters written about earlier.
Then of course there are the non-Discworld books

 

[Rezillo]

Ok experts, never read any of his books. There's an overwhelming catalogue. Where should I start?

Guards Guards (introduces several recurring characters) then Men at Arms is a good a place as any. Athough the very early ones set more of the scene for what's to come, he is in his stride at this point.

 

[Saluki]

RIP Terry. I loved the Witches books best but have read most of them although I have got a bit behind over the last 5 or 6 years.

 

[John the Monkey]

Guards Guards (introduces several recurring characters) then Men at Arms is a good a place as any. Athough the very early ones set more of the scene for what's to come, he is in his stride at this point.

I'd second that. Discworld is big enough that there are series within the series - the City Watch is my favourite, so I agree with Rezillo

The "Groups" column here might help;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#Novels

 

[summerdays]

I've not read many but for me with my limited reading it has to be Wee Free Men!

 

[The Brewer]

Used to read them with the kids as they grew up, the Johnny books and the Truckers trilogy, before we on to the Disc world.
Eldest is just finishing her training as an English teacher to which Terry helped fire her passion for the subject and books. God bless

 

[StuAff]

My signed copy of Reaper Man is all too fitting now.....

 

[perplexed]

For those who enjoyed Terry, here's a link to the David Dimbleby lecture he delivered two or three years ago with the help of Tony Robinson. He talks about his diagnosis and his belief in changing the law on assisted dying. Quite touching.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90b1MBwnEHM

 

[Kestevan]

My signed copy of Reaper Man is all too fitting now.....

I've got an Unsigned copy.... probably rarer

 

[Markymark]

Guards Guards (introduces several recurring characters) then Men at Arms is a good a place as any. Athough the very early ones set more of the scene for what's to come, he is in his stride at this point.

So, should I buy Guards Guards as a place to start?

 

[User482]

A friend was at a Discworld convention, talking about an obscure film she had enjoyed. Terry Pratchett overheard her, ran over and gave her a big hug, saying that he thought he was the only person who had seen and liked the film. Nice guy.

 

[John the Monkey]

So, should I buy Guards Guards as a place to start?

It would be my choice, as it's my favourite subseries.

If you prefer a hapless protagonist somehow winning through, the Rincewind books might be the place, and the first of that series is the first of the whole Discworld series, so you get the benefit of seeing the world built as you follow along.

If you like sideways looks at technology and science, maybe Moving Pictures?

I was thinking about the question this morning, and turned up this, which is a nice way of visualising the different series;
http://io9.com/how-to-read-terry-pratchetts-discworld-series-in-one-h-1567312812

Death and the Witches are great characters too though - I think it's hard to go far wrong. Pick one up, and see what you reckon.

 

[Markymark]

If you like sideways looks at technology and science, maybe Moving Pictures

Ooh, I like the sound of that, thanks.

 

[marknotgeorge]

Ok experts, never read any of his books. There's an overwhelming catalogue. Where should I start?

Here's a handy chart. It's a jpeg, but I've posted it as a link because it's possibly a bit big (Mods, please check?)

Mod Edit: Should be OK, but does not work as a thumbnail to click on, so have inserted it as a full image.

 

[Markymark]

Here's a handy chart. It's a jpeg, but I've posted it as a link because it's possibly a bit big (Mods, please check?)

Perfect, thank you!