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.
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.
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 (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!.
Another vote for Good Omens.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
‘Rough Music’ is probably the most brutal, most disturbing chapter/segment Pratchett ever wrote in any of his Discworld books.
I always recommend publication order - the early books are short anyway, and while he improved a lot, I still find them fun.
Maybe some of us use “likes books I like” as one of our criteria for friendship.
Still wrong.
I think the scene with the Goblins on the plantation in Snuff is as bad.
Oh, and the funniest Pratchett isn’t Discworld at all - it’s The Unadulterated Cat.
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.
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…
Avoid Good Omens. It’s the worst writing of both authors.
And ftg continues to be zero for umpteen.
Right, as i said the first two or so are fantasy parodies and pastiches. In tone, they are very unlike the later books.
Even worse than the Tiffany Aching books? My, that sounds awful indeed.
Read 'em all. Hell, I even enjoyed The Carpet People (first book, no relation to Discworld).
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.