# Discworld Latecomers Ongoing Discussion (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [January 12, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979 "2017-01-12T18:35:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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:** [June 5, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/141 "2018-06-05T13:31:11Z")
Not that I am aware of. L-Space hasn’t been updated in at least a decade. _Eric_ is second-rate, but it does set up Rincewind for _Interesting Times_, which is much better. ---
**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:** [June 5, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/142 "2018-06-05T20:36:11Z")
Eh, I read them all in publication order, too, and I still see some big stylistic jumps. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/143 "2018-06-05T21:33:15Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Prepare for disappointment IMO. Less so if you’re reading the fully illustrated version, but even then, I’m not the hugest Kirby fan… > > And you’re aware your reading guide is missing a lot of later books, right? At least, I don’t see _Snuff_ and _Raising Steam_. Mind you, as fully illustrated Pratchett books go, Paul Kidby’s work on [The Last Hero](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwVVYGZqSSc/WLH4Z_hvtgI/AAAAAAAAC7U/lp_W3GAPBpsupFaM1hJOVHE7aQuWvyYtACLcB/s1600/cc3a8c0957342afcd2889b087d5d98eb.jpg) is a pretty high bar. Also Sean Connery should have come out of retirement one last time to play Cohen the Barbarian. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/144 "2018-06-05T21:48:49Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Prepare for disappointment IMO. Less so if you’re reading the fully illustrated version, but even then, I’m not the hugest Kirby fan… Am I the only one on Roundworld who liked _Eric_? (It was the second DW book I read, and the one that convinced me to keep going back for more). ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/145 "2018-06-05T22:01:14Z")
I can recommend the graphic novelisation of Small Gods. I got it for my niece who is dyslexic but a parental veto was applied so I enjoyed it myself. 🙂 ---
**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:** [June 5, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/146 "2018-06-05T22:03:30Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Am I the only one on Roundworld who liked _Eric_? > (It was the second DW book I read, and the one that convinced me to keep going back for more). _Eric_ isn’t as bad as some would make out. It isn’t first tier Pratchett, but it also isn’t irredeemable dreck like _Unseen Academicals_. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/147 "2018-06-05T23:08:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _Eric_ isn’t as bad as some would make out. It isn’t first tier Pratchett, but it also isn’t irredeemable dreck like _Unseen Academicals_. I’m one of the few people who liked _Unseen Academicals_. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/148 "2018-06-06T06:25:10Z")
I \*\*love \*\*_Unseen Academicals_. But then, I grew up in a soccer-mad community… > [@Penfeather](#): > > Mind you, as fully illustrated Pratchett books go, Paul Kidby’s work on [The Last Hero](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwVVYGZqSSc/WLH4Z_hvtgI/AAAAAAAAC7U/lp_W3GAPBpsupFaM1hJOVHE7aQuWvyYtACLcB/s1600/cc3a8c0957342afcd2889b087d5d98eb.jpg) is a pretty high bar. Agreed! > [@](#): > > Also Sean Connery should have come out of retirement one last time to play Cohen the Barbarian. Yuck! Let’s agree to disagree, there. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/149 "2018-06-06T07:20:25Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I \*\*love \*\*_Unseen Academicals_. But then, I grew up in a soccer-mad community… > > Agreed! > Yuck! Let’s agree to disagree, there. My Dad’s from Liverpool and used to watch the English football on a Saturday morning when I was a kid growing up, and that stuff gets ingrained. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/150 "2018-06-13T23:58:24Z")
**Faust - Eric** I thought it was OK and it helps tie between the end of Sourcery and the beginning of Interesting Times, which will obviously be my next Rincewind book. I didn’t laugh out loud much. I keep believing Rincewind books will improve. I like the idea, I like the university, but his books have not been huge hits with me. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/151 "2018-06-14T01:01:56Z")
_Interesting Times_ is one of the better Rincewind books. I think you’ll like it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/152 "2018-06-14T01:15:39Z")
If they’re going to make movies of the whole series, I think they should put Paul Kidby together with Pixar. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2018, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/153 "2018-06-14T08:52:08Z")
I’d prefer Aardman did them, myself, or Laika, rather than Pixar. They both have the right sensibilities, in a way Pixar doesn’t. I’d say it was, in some way, capturing the essential Englishness of Discworld - Laika’s as thouroughly American a company as Pixar, yet has a similar humour style to Aardman in e.g. _Boxtrolls_ and _ParaNorman_. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/154 "2018-06-14T13:36:27Z")
To me, the biggest problem with _Unseen Academicals_ wasn’t the football madness. It was that the football madness comes out of nowhere. If football were really as big in Ankh-Morepork as _UA_ claims, then it should have at least been mentioned in one of the 20-odd previous books. And it wasn’t even a leakage from Roundworld like movies and rock and roll were-- It’s just “we have always played football against Eastasia”. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/155 "2018-06-15T12:45:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To me, the biggest problem with _Unseen Academicals_ wasn’t the football madness. It was that the football madness comes out of nowhere. If football were really as big in Ankh-Morepork as _UA_ claims, then it should have at least been mentioned in one of the 20-odd previous books. Ermm, except for[that one time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingo_(novel)) a soccer match helped settle the war between Klatch and Ankh-Morpork, you mean? Or this quote from Reaper Man (pg 21, while describing Ridcully’s larger-than-life persona): > [@](#): > > The Archchancellor wanted the University to form its own football team for the big city game on Hogswatchday. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/156 "2018-06-15T13:31:19Z")
Clearly yet another sign that I need to re-read all of the books one of these days. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/157 "2018-06-15T19:52:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To me, the biggest problem with _Unseen Academicals_ wasn’t the football madness. It was that the football madness comes out of nowhere. If football were really as big in Ankh-Morepork as _UA_ claims, then it should have at least been mentioned in one of the 20-odd previous books. And it wasn’t even a leakage from Roundworld like movies and rock and roll were-- It’s just “we have always played football against Eastasia”. Have prior books focused on the life of families in the poorer areas? That seems to be the last place where the footie was happening, it being forbidden and all. And if that doesn’t do it for you, blame the monks of time. There was a sweeper near the beginning. No telling what he had been getting up to. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/158 "2018-06-16T22:27:50Z")
**Witches Abroad** I have a screw loose. I love moments in the Witches books, but I have yet to enjoy one very much. Things happen in them that make me smile, but I am never drawn into the characters the way the Night Watch books pull me in. In those books, I love cutting to just about every character or set of characters. In the Witches book, it’s only ever OK for me. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that I listen to the audio books for over 80% of the time I read these. Nigel Planer is great, but perhaps it is harder to bring to life a book about three women. Most of the Watch is male and maybe it is easier to change voices for them. I’m not sure, but I haven’t read a great Witches book year. I’ll continue, of course. I enjoy reading them, of course. But they haven’t lit up yet for me. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/159 "2018-06-29T01:13:10Z")
Unseen Academicals I’m actually not done, but am about 80% through this and have some thoughts. 1. I like this book more than many of you. It’s basically a wizards-novel, just one not focused on Rincewind. I like that, actually. 2. It seems very much to me like this book is a few stand-alone novellas that Terry Pratchett eventually merged into one story. We have: - Glenda the cook’s story - Juliet the fashion model story - The entire football story with Hex the computer, Trevor Likely, and Mr. Nutt 1. I almost wonder if this was a Rincewind book in part that gradually phased him out. I picked this because of the World Cup and while not a great book, I like it quite a bit. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979/160 "2018-06-29T01:17:28Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I picked this because of the World Cup and while not a great book,\*\* I like it quite a bit\*\*. Somebody has to, I suppose. It is only because of my completeness fetish that the book remains on the bookshelf. And I still own a copy of Battlefield Earth! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-latecomers-ongoing-discussion-open-spoilers/776979.md?page=9)