# Interesting News from Sir Pterry! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097 "2012-11-15T16:26:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/21 "2012-11-18T01:52:50Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Only You Can Save Mankind is pretty good, too, though I don’t know how the video game aspects hold up these days. IMHO, the video games probably wouldn’t hold up well to someone who didn’t play them in the 80s. I really like **Johnny and the Dead**. I thought of it a lot when I was reading Gaiman’s **The Graveyard Book.** ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/22 "2012-11-18T13:46:52Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Pretty sure Pterry would disagree with that last sentence from just about every angle, and he’s been dead against people praying for him. “IF”. ---
**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:** [November 19, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/23 "2012-11-19T02:12:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve been trying to get my wife to read Terry, and I fear should will insist on reading them “in order” and be unimpressed by The Color of Magic and not get caught up in his work. I’m another one who insists on reading series in order, but I’ll also ask “When does this get good?” and give it that long of a chance (in this case, I think the advice I got was to read at least through _Mort_). Sometimes (for non-Pratchett series), the answer I get is within the part I’ve already read, and then I know I can safely just give up. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/24 "2012-11-19T02:42:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m another one who insists on reading series in order, but I’ll also ask “When does this get good?” and give it that long of a chance (in this case, I think the advice I got was to read at least through _Mort_). Sometimes (for non-Pratchett series), the answer I get is within the part I’ve already read, and then I know I can safely just give up. Start with _Guards, Guards_; that’s when he really hits all his marks as a writer in the series: _TCoM_ really, really isn’t a very good book, and as a fairly leaden fantasy parody, it’s not really very indicative of the humour that makes the series. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/25 "2012-11-19T03:03:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m another one who insists on reading series in order, but I’ll also ask “When does this get good?” and give it that long of a chance (in this case, I think the advice I got was to read at least through _Mort_). Sometimes (for non-Pratchett series), the answer I get is within the part I’ve already read, and then I know I can safely just give up. If you’re dead set on reading them in order (and I’m another one who’d recommend against it), then yeah, I’d agree that _Mort_ is the earliest book that seems in retrospect like a “proper” Discworld novel. Reading on through _Guards, Guards!_ would give you a more complete introduction to what the Discworld series is all about, as that would take you through the first books in most of the subseries, but I wouldn’t really expect someone to force themselves through eight books if they weren’t enjoying the first few. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/26 "2012-11-19T03:04:27Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > Start with _Guards, Guards_; that’s when he really hits all his marks as a writer in the series: _TCoM_ really, really isn’t a very good book, and as a fairly leaden fantasy parody, it’s not really very indicative of the humour that makes the series. The Color of Magic isn’t up to the standard of his later work, but that’s not surprising. I still like it, but that’s because it introduces the Luggage, and I love the Luggage. And the Librarian. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/27 "2012-11-19T03:39:42Z")
> [@Kingspades](#): > > The Tiffany Aching books are actually the best Pterry books I’ve read in the last few years. They’re funny and interesting and could easily sit among the regular novels rather than in the YA section. Don’t miss out. A ditto on this. ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/28 "2012-11-19T03:51:32Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > And I think it’s better to end when you’re on top of things rather than having a period of decline. I agree with the sentiment; but alas, I think that Pterry went into his decline some time ago. _Snuff_ and _Unseen Academicals_ really weren’t that good. UA in particular came as a shock: to read a Pratchett book that just didn’t seem…well written. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/29 "2012-11-19T03:55:53Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > Start with _Guards, Guards_; that’s when he really hits all his marks as a writer in the series: _TCoM_ really, really isn’t a very good book, and as a fairly leaden fantasy parody, it’s not really very indicative of the humour that makes the series. I’d first tried reading Pratchett in the late 80s, when I was in the Science Fiction Book Club, and the first few Discworld books were offered. I wasn’t impressed, and I didn’t continue past the second book I read. A few years ago, I became friends with a fellow RPG player who is a huge Pratchett fan; she finally recommended that I try reading Pratchett again by starting with _Guards, Guards_. My best opportunity for “reading” these days is while driving to and from work, so I got _Guards, Guards_ as an audiobook, and just loved it. I’ve been gradually working my way through the Watch books (I’m about to start _The Fifth Elephant_), and have really enjoyed them. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/30 "2012-11-19T16:23:24Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > You know what I hope? It’s kind of morbid, but I hope that Pratchett has already written death scenes for most of his major characters, that could be collected into a set of vignettes. Pratchett’s Death is just so compassionate and, well, decent, that his death scenes almost aren’t even sad. And I’d love to see how, say, Granny Weatherwax would finally go into that long goodnight, or Carrot, or Rincewind. Ha! Granny Weatherwax would take over, and Death could retire (again) 🙂 Rincewind would be too busy running to notice he was dead. Carrot would arrest Death-Granny for something-or-other 🙂 > [@MacSpon](#): > > I agree with the sentiment; but alas, I think that Pterry went into his decline some time ago. _Snuff_ and _Unseen Academicals_ really weren’t that good. Sadly, I agree. ☹ I just finished “Dodger” though, and after a shaky start, I was very \*very \*impressed. I know it’s not technically Discworld, but oh, come on, it might as well be - scruffy urchins in dirty alleys, and a river so thick you can walk on it, he might as well have changed a few names and called it Ankh Morpork rather than Dickensian London 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/31 "2012-11-19T19:16:45Z")
> [@MacSpon](#): > > I agree with the sentiment; but alas, I think that Pterry went into his decline some time ago. _Snuff_ and _Unseen Academicals_ really weren’t that good. I liked Snuff. It was a bit darker than some of the other books (references to prison rape) but Night Watch had its dark moments too. The book I liked least was The Last Continent but that’s probably because a lot of the humor was Australian related. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/32 "2012-11-19T19:28:03Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > “IF”. No need to shout. Pterry’s talent, achievement, fame and fortune are all by his own deserving, and it’s only over the issue of his illness and forthcoming death that we need to drag God in, and then only to scream “Unfair?”. Oh, and I was reading Pratchett before it was cool, and I really enjoyed TCoM, TLF and Equal Rites. So there. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/33 "2012-11-19T23:04:32Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I liked Snuff… …The book I liked least was The Last Continent but that’s probably because a lot of the humor was Australian related. I liked _Snuff_ too, I thought the jokes with the Wizards were old schol hilarious, and once I understood it was about supermodels marrying football stars and the trappings of fame, it all snapped into place. _Last Continent_ is one of my favourites, but then I live in Australia. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/34 "2012-11-20T03:58:38Z")
Supermodels marrying football stars was _Unseen Academicals_, not _Snuff_. And I’ll agree with the consensus that those were both subpar, but _I Shall Wear Midnight_ and both of the Lipvig books have been great, so I’m not sure it’s time to give up on him yet. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/35 "2012-11-20T07:28:00Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Supermodels marrying football stars was _Unseen Academicals_, not _Snuff_. Oh yeah! I got them confuzzled. In that case, I didn’t like _Snuff_, I liked _Unseen Academicals_. Also, I think I need to re-read _Making Money_, as I cannot remember anything about it at all. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2012, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/36 "2012-11-20T08:40:22Z")
I liked both _Snuff!_ and _Unseen Academicals_. I thought _Snuff!_ dealt with issues of marginalized peoples in a fairly good way, without pulling any punches. I found the scene with Wee Mad Arthur on the plantation to be very emotional. And _Unseen Academicals_ is about the footie. 'nuff said. Although I also really like how it deals with Tolkien’s dilemma re: Orcs and the “[Always Chaotic Evil](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AlwaysChaoticEvil)” problem. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/37 "2012-11-20T14:05:07Z")
I kinda felt like _Snuff_ tied up the Watch story line pretty well. And that _I Shall Wear Midnight_ did pretty much the same with the Witches. And if there are no more books with those characters, I think I’m ok with that. I’d rather it all end decently than otherwise. I personally don’t want to read books where Vimes or Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Ogg or any of those folks dies. I’d rather remember them living on, mythically. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097/38 "2012-11-21T11:37:24Z")
> [@Archergal](#): > > I personally don’t want to read books where Vimes or Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Ogg or any of those folks dies. I’d rather remember them living on, mythically. That was done very well in _Last Hero_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-news-from-sir-pterry/641097.md?page=1)