# A zillion people tell me I should read Terry Pratchett **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101 "2016-08-17T18:22:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/21 "2016-08-17T23:37:19Z")
I found **Good Omens** extremely underwhelming. The premise was interesting, but the delivery fell flat. It wasn’t particularly funny, even though people insist it’s hilarious. **Wee Free Men** was good, though. Not great, but good. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/22 "2016-08-17T23:45:35Z")
The first one I read was _Pyramids_, and it got me hooked. If you can’t find _Pyramids_, try _Moving Pictures_. They are both standalone books with only passing reference to previous books. If you don’t like them then chances are you won’t like the rest. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/23 "2016-08-18T00:49:43Z")
Ten or fifteen years ago, when I was looking for humorous novels, several people (including, I think, some here) recommended Terry Pratchett. So I found out that _The Colour of Magic_ was the first book, bought it and read it. Although I finished it, it was far from the hilarious romp that I had been led to expect, based on everyone’s descriptions of Pratchett books. It was pretty dull. So I wrote off Pratchett for the next five or ten years as other people’s idea of funny, but not my cup of tea. Then, probably in a thread like this, I saw what others here have been saying: his first few books just aren’t that good. So I picked up _Guards! Guards!_, found it truly funny and satirical and enjoyable, and have become a huge Pratchett fan. I’ve read nearly every one of his books since, and even re-read _The Colour of Magic_. (It hasn’t improved.) So find a [Discworld Reading Guide](https://www.google.com/search?q=pratchett+reading+guide&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjy3oyv3snOAhUJRiYKHZOKADcQ_AUICCgB&biw=1536&bih=764#imgrc=P1fRvNge7qPZVM%3A) (annoyingly, no one seems to have created one yet that lists the latest and last of his works), pick a series, and read its first book. I recommend _Guards! Guards!_. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/24 "2016-08-18T00:55:24Z")
Another vote for _Good Omens_. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/25 "2016-08-18T01:02:45Z")
I’ve only read 2 1/2 of them. Colour of Magic, Mort, and am halfway through Small Gods. I’d say **Small Gods** is easily the best of the bunch and is an amazing novel. Zero prior knowledge required. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/26 "2016-08-18T01:34:37Z")
To address the OP’s question: IMO **Soul Music** is the funniest, **Night Watch** is the best. Both require previous readings for greatest impact. “Scum,” said Crash, his voice low with resigned menace, “you’ve bought a leopard, haven’t you?” “Don’t put your trust in revolutions. They always come around again. That’s why they’re called revolutions. People die, and nothing changes.” ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/27 "2016-08-18T03:26:17Z")
I have a hard time believing some folks hate the Tiffany Aching books. I Shall Wear Midnight is my favourite of his books, and the chapter “Rough Music” emotionally wrecks me every time I read it. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/28 "2016-08-18T04:24:21Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Don’t listen to this, it’s objectively wrong. 😉 I agree. Some of his best work. All of his books I’ve found enjoyable. Each of his later books left stunned at some point as well as being pretty funny. His earlier books were probably funnier but the later ones were better. I would always say to read them chronologically to see his progression as a writer. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/29 "2016-08-18T10:38:15Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I have a hard time believing some folks hate the Tiffany Aching books. I Shall Wear Midnight is my favourite of his books, and the chapter “Rough Music” emotionally wrecks me every time I read it. ‘Rough Music’ is probably the most brutal, most disturbing chapter/segment Pratchett ever wrote in any of his Discworld books. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/30 "2016-08-18T11:00:31Z")
I always recommend publication order - the early books are short anyway, and while he improved a lot, I still find them fun. > [@ftg](#): > > Also, don’t listen to friends. All friends recommendations on books to read are crap as far as I can tell. Maybe some of us use “likes books I like” as one of our criteria for friendship. > [@](#): > > And whatever you do, don’t ever read the Tiffany Aching books. They are young adult books and are awful. Still wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/31 "2016-08-18T11:04:10Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > ‘Rough Music’ is probably the most brutal, most disturbing chapter/segment Pratchett ever wrote in any of his Discworld books. I think the scene with the Goblins on the plantation in _Snuff_ is as bad. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/32 "2016-08-18T11:07:25Z")
Oh, and the _funniest_ Pratchett isn’t Discworld at all - it’s _The Unadulterated Cat_. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/33 "2016-08-18T14:01:14Z")
Yeah, about “funny”: The Discworld books are often categorized as “humor”. They shouldn’t be. They’re fantasy stories that often happen to be funny, but if the humor and the story are interfering with each other, it’s the story that wins (except perhaps in the first few). Don’t go in expecting something like _The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy_. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/34 "2016-08-18T14:40:01Z")
_Reaper Man_ should be in the first five you read, if not sooner. If only to understand why DEATH is such a beloved character. _Paging doper Bill Door… Paging Bill Door…_ ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/35 "2016-08-18T16:51:14Z")
Avoid _Good Omens_. It’s the worst writing of both authors. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/36 "2016-08-18T17:28:44Z")
And **ftg** continues to be zero for umpteen. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/37 "2016-08-18T17:48:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Yeah, about “funny”: The Discworld books are often categorized as “humor”. They shouldn’t be. They’re fantasy stories that often happen to be funny, but if the humor and the story are interfering with each other, it’s the story that wins (except perhaps in the first few). Don’t go in expecting something like _The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy_. Right, as i said the first two or so are fantasy parodies and pastiches. In tone, they are very unlike the later books. ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/38 "2016-08-18T18:21:57Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Avoid _Good Omens_. It’s the worst writing of both authors. Even worse than the Tiffany Aching books? My, that sounds awful indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/39 "2016-08-18T19:09:38Z")
Read 'em all. Hell, I even enjoyed _The Carpet People_ (first book, no relation to Discworld). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101/40 "2016-08-18T19:29:36Z")
You should read Terry Pratchett. My first was _Reaper Man_, followed by a couple of others **Shayna** and **Spiny Norman** gave me as Christmas presents. After that, I started from the beginning and read the books in order. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-zillion-people-tell-me-i-should-read-terry-pratchett/763101.md?page=3)