For me, my favourite book has always been small gods. Brilliant writing in every way.
Most you have already listed many of the amazing things about his writing but what struck me the most is how remarkably he can demonstrate that, while things change, human nature remains remarkably the same. The current integration of semaphores into the discworld universe is amazing. It forms one of the favorite parts of the new stories.
Monstrous Regiment is due to be published in the U.S. in September. I read an advance copy over the weekend.
There are cameos by Death and Sam Vimes and some of his crew, but it’s primarily new characters. Polly Perks, a serving girl, cuts off her hair, dresses as a man, and goes off to war with a rather unusual group of soldiers, fighting for their country and a very mad god. Polly is the usual Pratchett competent person among fools, and there are some very good new characters like Sgr. Jackrun and Lt. Blouse. It’s a first-class read. I kind of guessed the revelations at the end, but that didn’t matter. And the “horse pith” incident is one of Pratchett’s funniest. And don’t forget the socks.
It looks like the publisher is planning a big PR push. Pratchett was the biggest author in the UK (until Harry Potter came along), and they’re trying to do the same for him in the US.
Did he by chance have “Wizzard” written on his hat?
I will also confess that I’m a complete Terry Pratchett junkie. I don’t know if I could pick a favorite book, let alone a favorite character. I think the Watch series is my favorite, but not by much. I own most of the books, and I was in Discworld heaven last month, since I managed to get a copy of Nightwatch at the library one week, and then a copy of The Last Hero a couple of weeks later. Two new Discworld books in a row! Not that I mind re-reading the old ones.
I think my first book was Feet of Clay. I liked it, but I don’t think it’s the best book to start with. I then went with Men at Arms, which I loved.
I think the thing I like the most about Terry Pratchett is that he can mix obvious humor, subtle humor, interesting characters and though-provoking social commentary all together in one story. I admit I read his books mostly for the enjoyment factor, but he still manages to tackle some interesting issues as well.
For gods sake put some spoiler tags around that next time. Its one thing to discuss an author, its another to be revealing plot points about a book that HASNT BEEN RELEASED YET.
My best pterry experience was at Worldcon 2000 in Chicago, where I went to see him do a reading. It was in a tiny room that was simply packed with people - a most definite violation of the fire code. He first read from one of his published books, The Fifth Elephant, I believe. Hilarious. He’s got a very good sense of comedic timing. Then he pulled out his laptop and started reading excerpts from The Truth, which he was still writing at the time. We were probably one of the first groups of people to learn about Mr Pin and Mr Tulip. There was book-signing afterwards, and he very graciously posed for a photograph with my sister.
Terry Pratchett is the best author in the whole wide world.
A Pratchett thread on another forum I used to frequent inspired me to see what books of his my local library had available, and I picked up Equal Rites, Men At Arms, and Soul Music. I think I read Soul Music first, since I’m a rock fan.
There are so many great things to say about Pterry’s writing. First of all, his books aren’t funny just because he sticks in some jokes (although there are plenty of good jokes), they’re funny because of the way the characters react to each other and the situations they’re in. And he’s very, very good at drawing characters and having them react to things in entertaining but believeable ways. I was first impressed by his characterization of Susan – adolescent girl fantasy heroines are common, but there are none I’d rather spend time with than Miss Sto Helit. She remains one of my favorite characters, along with Vimes, Angua, Granny Weatherwax, and Ponder Stibbons. And of course DEATH, but that goes without saying.
I know a lot of people don’t care for the witch books, but I don’t know why. They are my favorite sub-series. I can see not caring for Equal Rites, which I liked well enough but never re-read (it’s probably the least funny of the Discworld books, although the plot is interesting), but once Granny Weatherwax joined up with a coven things really started cookin’! I like the Watch subseries a lot too, although I sometimes find Carrot a little wearying. If Vimes were not happily married to Lady Sybil I could almost wish that Angua would leave Carrot for him. Vimes rocks.
BTW, I started with Pratchett with The Colour of Magic; I believe that The Light Fantastic was the only other book available in the US at that time. I thought they were fun, but really became a fan when I read Mort.
Paul Kidby’s wonderful Discworld art can be viewed and purchased at this site . I bought Hogswatch cards and sent them out last Christmas. I got tons of compliments on them.
I MUST have the one of Corporal Beti, because it’s just the way I imagined Nobby looking. And of course, one of the whole watch. And a Death of Rats mousepad. I always get carried away there…
I think you are right!
It is the only TP book that I have read just the once, but that is just because it is the newest one. As soon as I was finished, I realised that something was missing…
I will have to re-read it to double check.
Shalmanese, I don’t think ** RealityChuck** has really spoiled anything - most of that info is stuff you would find on the dustjacket…
I love all the major characters - the Watch, the witches, the wizards, Death - it is the books that don’t have major characters that I like the least, although even those ones are still good!
From the Good Omens Annotations
I started reading the discworld series long ago, I had already read his Johnny books, and I came across Witches Abroad in the School library.
I was hooked, I don’t think I have a favourite sub-series they are all so different.
I have to agree with the questions about Carrot: is he going to be a “bad” guy or what? Prachett keeps dropping these hints about him, and occasionally making him into a semi-jerk so I’m kinda confused as well.
Vimes is just great, and I personally like Dorfl even though you rarely even see him He just has such a diffirent viewpoint. The fact that there’s prejudice against him from the people we’d consider monsters is fascinating.
My people!
I am also a major Pratchett-phile. It’s nearly a religion with me. I harp on friends to read Good Omens to get them hooked, then watch as they descend into madness, trying to figure out how to purchase all the books. Bwahaha!
I literally placed The Wee Free Men in Mr. Amanita’s hands last night because I was tired of him looking at me blankly when I would mutter, “Ach, crivens!” He’s been dutifully working his way through the Watch books at my urging, and enjoying them immensely. He stopped to read a book about furthering his career. Obviously, his priorities needed adjusting, and that is where a good spouse should step in.
My favorites so far have been Witches Abroad, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, and Night Watch.
Doesn’t anyone else like Vetinari? I love him, he’s so cool!
Yes, look here:
I discovered the Discworld when I attended the 1988 World Science Fiction Convention in New Orleans; my membership pack included a free promotional copy of Equal Rites. Since then I’ve read every book in the series (except for Wee Free Men, which I just learned about from this thread). I loved them all.
But, ever since 1988, I’ve been waiting and hoping to read about the further adventures of Eskarina the Female She-Wizardess – not to mention her faithful sidekick Simon, whose presence in her life might test the principle of the celibacy of the magy. Has Terry ever dropped any public hints that he means to write another Esk novel?
No, blast it, and now that you mention it, Brain Glutton , I’d like to see one, myself…
I been quite fond of Vetinari ever since his dungeon picnic with Vimes in Guards. The “arrangement” he has with the rats is priceless.
“My lord…it occurs to me that if you didn’t have Sir Samuel around, you would have had to invent him.”
“Do you know, my dear Drumknott, I rather think I did…”
perfect.
Methinks Esk and Simon went down a different path in the Trousers of Time™ – I don’t expect them to show up any time soon, especially since the end of Equal Rites is somewhat contradicted by later books.
I read Color of Magic and Light Fantastic. Loved 'em! Then people told me to get Small Gods. While witty, it was ‘eh’. Felt like I’d read this before. Then got Equal Rites. More of the same.
I feel like I’m reading similar novels when I pick up a Pratchett book… any suggestions on how to break this feeling?