# What should be my next Discworld book? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 16, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025 "2016-08-16T23:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/41 "2016-08-18T00:10:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Dendarii Dame** : > > I’d tried reading Discword before, but I’d started with The Light Fantastic, which isn’t where to start. I read two pages and gave up. Wow, I’m sorry. That’s the absolute worst possible one to start with. And on the topic of the Witches, which book is it that has the card game with DEATH? Because that one scene really captures the entire essence of Granny Weatherwax. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/42 "2016-08-18T01:05:16Z")
I’m leaning towards Guards! Guards! if you are all curious. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/43 "2016-08-18T01:28:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wow, I’m sorry. That’s the absolute worst possible one to start with. > > And on the topic of the Witches, which book is it that has the card game with DEATH? Because that one scene really captures the entire essence of Granny Weatherwax. **Witches Abroad.** Yeah, Esme was really badass in that one. And she never raised her voice or got peeved in any way. Except that one moment with Lily. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/44 "2016-08-18T01:33:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > **Witches Abroad.** > > Yeah, Esme was really badass in that one. And she never raised her voice or got peeved in any way. Except that one moment with Lily. 😛 Reference to a card game with Death. That is probably _Maskerade_, where Granny Weatherwax beats Death, 4 Queens to 4 1’s. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/45 "2016-08-18T01:40:20Z")
And Esme fixes DEATH’s repetitive stress injury and saves him a trip to worker’s comp. I believe you are right. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/46 "2016-08-18T02:24:29Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’ve honestly forgotten how Colour of magic ended. Was he on a raft going over the edge of the world? Yes! Hence why I had to read the next one, which is actually a continuation of the story. I couldn’t leave Twoflower and Rincewind there. Though, I admit, that part gets resolved fairly quickly–though it takes long to find out why the resolution happened, and, by then, I was fully into the book. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/47 "2016-08-18T06:19:05Z")
I’ve long thought Colour Of Magic and The Light Fantastic was supposed to be ONE novel but a decision was made to split it into two. This (or these) was/were the first DW novel(s) and Pratchett was still a bit wobbly. The Patrician changed somewhat in later novels. Rincewind didn’t change all that much and DEATH did change some. I think it took a while for PTerry to hit his stride. When I started on the DW series, I asked some folks what would be good ones to start with. Mort was one that was repeated suggested, but they didn’t have it in stock at the book store, so I went with Reaper Man. I didn’t think that was a bad start. It showed DEATH to be a bit more of a sympathetic character than he was in Colour Of Magic/Light Fantastic. My starter set that I’ve gifted folks with if I wanted to get started on DW is Colour Of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Mort or Reaper Man, Guards! Guards!, Weird Sisters, and if I’m feeling generous, The Truth. I think it helps a newcomer to be familiar with Granny and Nanny before they start on the Tiffany Aching series. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/48 "2016-08-18T06:21:22Z")
I’ve long thought Colour Of Magic and The Light Fantastic was supposed to be ONE novel but a decision was made to split it into two. This (or these) was/were the first DW novel(s) and Pratchett was still a bit wobbly. The Patrician changed somewhat in later novels. Rincewind didn’t change all that much and DEATH did change some. I think it took a while for PTerry to hit his stride. When I started on the DW series, I asked some folks what would be good ones to start with. Mort was one that was repeated suggested, but they didn’t have it in stock at the book store, so I went with Reaper Man. I didn’t think that was a bad start. It showed DEATH to be a bit more of a sympathetic character than he was in Colour Of Magic/Light Fantastic. My starter set that I’ve gifted folks with if I wanted to get started on DW is Colour Of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Mort or Reaper Man, Guards! Guards!, Weird Sisters, and if I’m feeling generous, The Truth. I think it helps a newcomer to be familiar with Granny and Nanny before they start on the Tiffany Aching series. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/49 "2016-08-18T09:13:24Z")
> [@Civil\_Guy](#): > > There is one more semi-religious one: **Carpé Jugulum** (did I get the é right?). It’s got one of my favorite lines in it although I can only paraphrase it (and spoiler it, nevertheless): > > Oh. So this battleaxe is not a holy object? Let’s make it one! (Protagonist then uses it to take out one of the evil vampires.) I liked that part, but what really affected me was the ordeal/journey with the team of Granny Weatherwax and the Omnian missionary; especially their discussion of the nature of Sin. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/50 "2016-08-18T14:09:26Z")
OK, _Maskerade_ sounds about right… I was thinking that _Witches Abroad_ was way too early for that scene. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/51 "2016-08-18T14:22:11Z")
But isn’t there a similar scene in **WA**? With Granny standing vigil over a sick child and a sick cow? Or is that in **M** and I’m just getting senile? ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/52 "2016-08-18T17:50:16Z")
I make no claims about your age-induced mental state, but the _Maskerade_ scene was the one you describe. And there was a lot of card-playing in _Abroad_, but it was mostly Cripple Mr. Onion, and none of it was with DEATH. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/53 "2016-08-18T22:50:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > OK, _Maskerade_ sounds about right… I was thinking that _Witches Abroad_ was way too early for that scene. Granny Weatherwax does play cards in Witches Abroad, though. It’s against regular people, who were foolish enough to cheat Nanny Ogg. She said she learned how to play with another witch who had a detached retina in her second sight. ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/54 "2016-08-21T16:19:54Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’ve honestly forgotten how Colour of magic ended. Was he on a raft going over the edge of the world? I think Color of Magic is one of those British comic things where they kill off everybody in the end. Blackadder for example. Thankfully Pratchett reconsidered. I really like Pyramids but it’s stand alone. Moving Pictures is also pretty stand alone, but it introduces Ridcully and the Wizards. And Gaspode. So it shouldn’t be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b782af/32.png) [@Why\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_Child)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/55 "2016-08-21T21:13:43Z")
Really, I enjoyed all of them _except_ for **Jingo**. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/56 "2016-08-21T21:19:48Z")
What didn’t you like about **Jingo**? \ ---
**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:** [August 22, 2016, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/57 "2016-08-22T08:54:51Z")
You didn’t like **Jingo**? Hmmm… hard to believe, but to each their own. Was that the one where Carrot really revealed his super charisma power? Even more than he did in that Troll bar in **Guards! Guards!** I didn’t care much for **Small Gods**. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/58 "2016-08-22T17:21:32Z")
I just finished Small Gods. Wow, powerful. The image of Brutha leading long dead Vorbis across the desert is a very powerful image to end on. I loved this book. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/59 "2016-08-22T18:09:14Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I just finished Small Gods. > > Wow, powerful. The image of Brutha leading long dead Vorbis across the desert is a very powerful image to end on. > > I loved this book. GOOD! Go forth and read more. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025/60 "2016-08-22T18:47:28Z")
Oh, yes, that ending is a great one. “Yes, I know.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-my-next-discworld-book/763025.md?page=4)