# Discworld novels, best & worst--you pick **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 10, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960 "2009-03-10T14:53:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/41 "2009-03-11T13:35:01Z")
Best: Night Watch Worst: Pyramids, maybe. Or Jingo, which is at least the worst of the Vimes books. ---
**Author:** ![Wash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@Wash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wash)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/42 "2009-03-11T14:27:00Z")
**Night Watch** is easily Pterry’s best writing, but the darkness of the subject matter means it’s not a book I go back to often, unlike say **Guards, Guards!** , **Men At Arms** or **Soul Music** Very much disliked **Lords & Ladies** , **Jingo** and **Eric**. **The Colour of Magic** and **The Light Fantastic** are weak, but I recognise them for what they are - a new writer finding his feet in the world he’s created. Plus, I do like the Rincewind and Twoflower characters, so though these two books are lower down the scale, I can’t put them among the worst. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/43 "2009-03-11T14:36:28Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > Most _enjoyable_ experience was the audiobook version of **Wee Free Men**. The narrator did a great job of creating distinct voices for each of the characters (instead of one generic Scots accent), and the Pictsies are even funnier when you hear them than when you read them. Big agreement here. I love the Discworld audiobooks. I don’t think I’ve actually read (with my eyes) any of the Tiffany Aching books. I listen to them on audio, and they’re great. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/44 "2009-03-11T14:40:11Z")
[Hijack] If you fans will forgive a brief hijack, and please don’t throw things at me, I’ve managed to get to the age of 53 and never read a Discworld book :eek: Ok, so I want to - at last - address this lack. Can you tell me if I need to start with the earliest books and work through in order? Given that the first book is _The Colour of Money_ which has been picked as the worst by large numbers this doesn’t seem a good idea! Thanks [/Hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Garula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/45 "2009-03-11T14:56:20Z")
[hijack response] It’s not necessary to read them in order. However, there are a few main series of books and for each series it’s a good idea to read them in order. The different series are the City Watch, Witches, Rincewind, Death, and Moist von Lipwig. Though each books is mostly self-contained plotwise, there’s a lot of overarching character development and it really helps to read it in order. If you want to read the City Watch books, for example you ought to start with **Guards! Guards!** before moving on to **Men at Arms** and then **Feet of Clay**. But yeah, starting with **Color of Magic** is probably a bad idea, as it may sour you on the rest. The wikipedia page is good to consult if you want to know more about which book falls where in which series. [/hijack response] ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/46 "2009-03-11T15:15:21Z")
> [@Archergal](#): > > Big agreement here. I love the Discworld audiobooks. I don’t think I’ve actually read (with my eyes) any of the Tiffany Aching books. I listen to them on audio, and they’re great. To add a second hijack, I also have only done Discworld books (except The Last Hero) via unabridged audio book. Does anyone know why Nigel Planer stopped doing the Discworld books from (as far as I know) “The Fifth Elephant” onwards? Because I actually stopped at that point because the guy who took over for “The Fifth Elephant” was terrible\*. And to add an apocryphal bit on here…I think the Watch books are over-rated. The Witches from “Witches Abroad” onward are far superior. -Joe \*“Terrible” chosen to avoid putting in a string of profanity. ---
**Author:** ![Omi\_no\_Kami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Omi\_no\_Kami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omi_no_Kami)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/47 "2009-03-11T16:55:12Z")
re: the hijack, here’s an obligatory link to the [Discworld Suggested Reading Order](http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-guide-1-5.jpg). My personal recommendation would be to start with **Guards, Guards!** , since it kind of exemplifies Pratchett’s style of humor. Beyond that, you could continue with the Watch novels or try one of the other series on for size. (I quite like the Witches stories, once Pratchett’s style becomes consistent.) ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/48 "2009-03-11T19:29:40Z")
Night watch is my favorite. Followed by Soul Music and Hoggfather. Not a fan of Eric or most of the Rincewind ones actually. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/49 "2009-03-11T19:47:18Z")
> [@](#): > > The different series are the City Watch, Witches, Rincewind, Death, and Moist von Lipwig. Though each books is mostly self-contained plotwise, there’s a lot of overarching character development and it really helps to read it in order. There are some crossover characters, though. So far as I know, DEATH makes at least a cameo in every one of the books, and the Librarian manages to show up in most of them, even those that don’t involve the other wizards (what book does a 300 pound ourangutang feature in? Any one he wants to). And you can definitely see character development even across the “unrelated” series. Personally, I always prefer to read a series of books entirely in order of publication, but if you go this route, be advised not to give up after the first two or three (by _Mort_, he’s definitely hit his stride). ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/50 "2009-03-11T21:07:18Z")
Many thanks to all who responded to my hijack! Looks like \*Guards, Guards \*would be a good start. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/51 "2009-03-12T04:11:17Z")
Just a marker for how far I’ve scored the ratings. Continue on! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ---
**Author:** ![wintertime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c68b51/32.png) [@wintertime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wintertime)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/52 "2009-03-12T13:06:49Z")
Best: “Night Watch” Worst: “Monstrous Regiment” and “Making Money” (I was even more disappointed than I would have usually been because “Going Postal” was incredibly funny). ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/53 "2009-03-15T02:57:25Z")
Hey! I need more data!!! ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/54 "2009-03-15T08:24:16Z")
Best: _Night Watch_. I am madly in love with Sam Vimes. As his wife says, “Not a gentleman, but a gentle man.” Worst (I’m going to get lynched for this): _Small Gods_. As evidenced by the fact that I only read it once and barely remember anything about it; I found it a bit boring and didn’t really like any of the characters. All the rest of them I enjoy to a greater or lesser extent, but when I’m feeling down I reach for a Watch book. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/55 "2009-03-15T09:48:30Z")
I deliberately haven’t read the thread before posting, so I’ve no idea how the general consensus will pan out, but here’s my picks. Best: **Feet of Clay**. There’s something about it that just _works_ - all the bits fit together in a very satisfying way, the characters of Vimes and (especially) Carrot really start to take off and loads of the sort of social commentary we expect from good Pratchett. Worst: **Monstrous Regiment**. A re-hash of **Men at Arms** except that that one was good. He’s already got the Dwarfs as his canvas for exploring the “Women in a man’s world” theme, and he does it very well. Socks down teh trousers just doesn’t compare to Cheery Littlebottom and her ruby-studded axe. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/56 "2009-03-16T06:12:59Z")
> [@Marlitharn](#): > > Worst (I’m going to get lynched for this): _Small Gods_. As evidenced by the fact that I only read it once and barely remember anything about it; I found it a bit boring and didn’t really like any of the characters. Give it another read. My first time through, I was pretty lukewarm about it. The second time through, I really loved it. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/57 "2009-03-24T15:30:09Z")
OK, it looks like we won’t be getting any more votes any time soon. Here are the results: ```auto Night Watch 51.00 (21 good or best, 1 bad) Small Gods 16.00 (8 good or best, 1 worst) Soul Music 8.00 (4 good or best, 1 bad) Guards! Guards! 6.00 Wyrd Sisters 5.00 Thief Of Time 5.00 Going Postal 4.00 Reaper Man 3.00 Maskerade 3.00 The Truth 3.00 A Hat Full Of Sky 3.00 Men At Arms 2.00 Feet Of Clay 5.00 Lords And Ladies 1.00 The Last Continent 1.00 Pyramids -1.00 Making Money -3.00 The Light Fantastic -2.00 The Fifth Elephant -2.00 Sourcery -3.00 Jingo -3.00 Equal Rites -4.00 Monstrous Regiment -10.00 Moving Pictures -12.00 (6 bad or worst, 1 good) The Colour Of Magic -21.00 (11 bad or worst) Eric -34.00 (14 bad or worst, 1 good) ``` The following got no votes either way in my poll: Mort, Witches Abroad, Interesting Times, Hogfather, Carpe Jugulum, The Last Hero, The Amazing Maurice, The Wee Free Men, Thud!, Wintersmith In my previous parsing of several threads for similar information, these were the findings: ```auto Small Gods 25.00 Night Watch 22.00 Men at Arms 9.00 The Truth 5.00 Carpe Jugulum 4.00 Maskerade 4.00 Mort 4.00 Pyramids 4.00 Guards! Guards! 3.00 Soul Music 3.00 The Last Hero 3.00 Thief of Time 3.00 Wee Free Men 3.00 Hogfather 1.00 Monstrous Regiment 1.00 Reaper Man 1.00 Interesting Times 0.00 (received votes which canceled) Jingo 0.00 (received votes which canceled) Sourcery -1.00 Fifth Elephant -3.00 Moving Pictures -3.00 Lords and Ladies -6.00 The Last Continent -9.00 Eric -10.00 ``` Feel free to draw your own conclusions. This is not a scientific poll, YMMV, Post No Bills, Batteries Not Included. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/58 "2009-03-24T17:25:02Z")
Sorry for being so late, but my worst is The Colour of Magic and my best is Night Watch, though I really don’t hate any of them and personally I love Eric. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/59 "2009-03-24T19:09:04Z")
I don’t expect you to update just for me, especially since my vote wont change anything really. My favorite is Witches Abroad. It’s the one I’ve read and listened to the most. My least favorite is (can you guess?) Eric. For the record, I read them in order, starting with The Color of Magic. I loved every single book, except Eric and even that wasn’t horrible but I doubt I’d read it a second time. I have also listened to all that are available on Audible and I agree that The Wee Free Men is incredible. I love the Feegles. My next tattoo is up in the air at the moment. It’s either going to be Rob Anybody, Death and some kittens, or the Death of Rats, sitting on Quoth’s back. hmmmm. Hard decision. When I have a very large amount of spare cash (so, never probably), I’m going to get the whole Discworld on my back. My ex-boyfriend got Vimes’ badge on his arm recently. We’re nerds. We’re not ashamed 🙂 Oh, and I like Rincewind. He reminds me of Arthur Dent. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960/60 "2009-03-25T09:23:45Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > When I have a very large amount of spare cash (so, never probably), I’m going to get the whole Discworld on my back. You mean A’Tuin and the elephants and the disc? That would be awesome! > [@congodwarf](#): > > We’re nerds. We’re not ashamed 🙂 So you’re going to the N.A. Discworld con then? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discworld-novels-best-worst-you-pick/488960.md?page=4)