# What's your favorite Discworld novel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2001, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646 "2001-10-05T19:42:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/1 "2001-10-05T19:42:56Z")
A few months ago, I asked for a book recommendation and was guided toward Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. I decided to give them a shot. A cult passing out heroin, rum and chocolate chip cookies couldn’t have pulled me in faster. So far, I’ve read _Equal Rites, Carpe Jugulum, Wyrd Sisters, Feet of Clay, Men at Arms, Soul Music_and _Guards, Guards_. I’m not reading them in order, but it seems perfectly possible to enjoy them out of sequence. At this point, I prefer the books set in Ankh-Morpork better than the books set in the country. I like reading about the various Guilds, the Patrician’s handling of the city, and the various foiled attempts to kill the Patrician. Feet of Clay has so far been my favorite. It’s a murder mystery, with amusing forensic science. I also love the name of the pious constable: Visit-the-Infidel-with-Explanatory-Pamphlets. How about everyone else? Favorite book? Favorite character? Recommendation for the next one I’ll read? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/2 "2001-10-05T19:50:37Z")
I too found the joy that is Pratchett earlier this summer. So far I have read all but Eric/Faust. My favorite thems are indeed the City Watch series, with Guards, Guards! being the weakest imho. I really like The Thief of Time and I recommend you read it after reading Small Gods for Lu-Tze features in both. ---
**Author:** ![sghoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@sghoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sghoul)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/3 "2001-10-05T20:08:56Z")
I have been reading TP for a fw years now…read and own them all. I am a Watch fan. Those books are my Favs. Especially The Fifth Elephant. What’s really encouraging about Terry, is that i feel like he gets BETTER with each book. Theif Of Time is just GREAT! I rabidly await every book. I even enjoyed the bromilliad trilogy (not Discworld, but still good). I hope someday, someone makes a Disc movie…and does it RIGHT. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/4 "2001-10-05T21:22:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sghoul \* > \*\*I hope someday, someone makes a Disc movie…and does it RIGHT. \*\* Although not a movie as such, both Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music are out on DVD as an aminated series. I haven’t seen Soul Music yet, but I thought Wyrd Sisters was quite good. My favorite novels have been Small Gods and Interesting Times _urinating dog, urinating dog_. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2001, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/5 "2001-10-05T21:26:53Z")
Hey, **Ballybay** - I’d have to say _Small Gods_ is my fave. Brother Om is just simply so… _perfect_ that he just can’t be described. It’s the book I suggest to first-time Discworld readers. My favorite character, though… it’s hard to say. I’m seriously in love with Angua, but I have way too much respect for Carrot to try to steal her away from him. Besides, Vimes’d kick my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Saitou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Saitou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saitou)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/6 "2001-10-05T22:05:56Z")
Small gods **!!!** No matter how many times i’ve read it, it still manages to draw me in and move me like no other pratchett novel. From his more recent books i’d have to say The Fifth Elephant, which incidentally has one of my favorite Pratchett quotes: “We’re all floating in the same boat. We may certainly try to push one another over the side, but only a maniac would make a hole in the bottom.” Fav. Character: Granny Weatherwax ---
**Author:** ![lucie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed8c4c/32.png) [@lucie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucie)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/7 "2001-10-05T22:27:47Z")
I put “Small Gods” in a different category from the rest of Discworld. It really stands alone. Wonderful book, certainly more serious than the rest. Flirts with being genuine literature. Of the rest, it really depends on my mood. I’ve read all but the most recent several times. Of the witch books, I think I like “Witches Abroad” best, of the City Watch books, “Jingo” is my favorite. I’m also deeply fond of “Reaper Man”. I’m just starting “the Truth”, and my huusband says it’s his best yet. Favorite main character: Granny Weatherwax with Death and Vimes as close runners-up. Favorite recurring supporting character: either the Librarian or Igor (any of them). ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/8 "2001-10-05T22:33:07Z")
_Mort_. ---
**Author:** ![Yue\_Han](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eada6e/32.png) [@Yue\_Han](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yue_Han)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/9 "2001-10-05T22:34:19Z")
Urgh, hard to pick. I’d probably take Soul Music though. I love rock and roll, and the promise of rock as Pratchett articulates it: 'Live fast, die young… because you died the Legend never will… you will live forever in that one white hot moment on the stage" is so close to what seems to be the reality; in a similar vein my favorite song is Miss American Pie, about all the great musicians who died untimely deaths. –John ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/10 "2001-10-05T22:51:21Z")
I have different favorites at different times. The alternates for the top of the list are _Carpe Jugulum, Lords and Ladies, Jingo,_ and _The Fifth Elephant_. I aspire to become Granny Weatherwax in my old age. Unfortunately, I’m speeding toward Nanny Ogg. And you gotta love a suspicious bastard like Vimes. ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/11 "2001-10-05T23:04:08Z")
I need to read more. I’m reading them in published order, and I’ve only gotten through _Pyramids_. As **sghoul** said, he keeps getting better, and apparently I haven’t hit the really good ones yet. Of those I have read, probably Mort. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/12 "2001-10-05T23:59:17Z")
Favorite book would be Small gods, closely followed by all the Watch books, Reaper man, Mort, Soul Music, Interesting times and Hogsfather. I did not particularly like the first books in the series, and somehow the witches (especially Granny) do not appeal to me at all. Favorite characters: DEATH and Sam Vimes ---
**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:** [October 6, 2001, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/13 "2001-10-06T07:24:33Z")
My favourite is _Maskerade_. Doesn’t seem to figure on most people’s fave list, for some reason, but I think it’s just a perfect blend of parody and characterisation. Next one on the list is _Men At Arms_. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/14 "2001-10-06T07:41:07Z")
I read these like candy! I just read The Truth, TP’s take on the newspaper, kinda a throwback to Moving Pictures and quite funny. Hard to pick a favourite, but Small Gods is awfully good, and Constable Visit will make more sense and be a lot funnier after you read it. Anything with Rincewind makes me laugh, but’s that’s 'cause I read them more or less in order, and back in the day the “Rinser of Winds” _was_ Discword. Still, I love 'em all. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2001, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/15 "2001-10-06T13:11:09Z")
Lords and Ladies Small Gods Reaper Man Thief of Time ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/16 "2001-10-06T14:01:42Z")
Thief of Time stands out in my mind. But I’ve read 'em all at least twice. ---
**Author:** ![RickQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RickQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickQ)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/17 "2001-10-06T23:04:09Z")
I have read all the books too. One of my favourites is Guards! Guards! cause it was the first one I read, then I went back and read them all in order. I also like Reaperman, well any book Death is in and Thief of time was really cool too. I like all the books about The Watch too. My favourite characters are (in no particular order) Death, Carrott, Rincewind, The Watch (gotta love Nobby and Colon) and CMOT Dibbler. I’m not really a fan of the witches, but I read all the books and love them all anyway. I get all the books when they come out in hardback now (there is usually a book signing around that time, so I love to get them signed, 4 and counting so far). Rick ---
**Author:** ![MarsDragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@MarsDragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarsDragon)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/18 "2001-10-07T04:32:31Z")
I havn’t read them all yet, though I am working on it. So far, my favourite is Reaper Man, with Small Gods as a seconed. I don’t like The Watch ones all that much. Might have something to do with the time I missed the bus because I was too engrossed in Men at Arms… My favourite charater’s Bloody Stupid Johnson. His influence is felt throughout time. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2001, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/19 "2001-10-07T07:47:31Z")
They’re _all_ great, and I’ll gladly re-read any of them. But some stand out in my mind more than others… Small Gods (my personal favorite so far) The Last Continent Pyramids Reaper Man (Death is such a stitch) Mort And I think it goes without saying that just about all of the Discworld books have some great lines in them. Genuine laugh-out loud lines. Prior to discovering Pratchett, it was a rare occurrence for me to laugh out loud when reading a book. But plenty of his lines gave me the giggles. ---
**Author:** ![Kantalooppi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@Kantalooppi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kantalooppi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2001, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646/20 "2001-10-07T10:03:13Z")
Hm. The Truth, I’d say, although Soul Music and Interesting Times also stand out. I couldn’t really get into Theif of Time, and wonder why - after all, it has Susan, the Auditors and History Monks. Guess I’m starting to get a wee bit bored with all the Igors. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-discworld-novel/85646.md?page=2)