Which Pratchett first?

[MrsWembley]

A friend has just disclosed that she has never read any!!! She also said she would be willing to try one.

I suggested Mort, as it's the first one I read many, many years ago. But then again, if she's only going to read one, is that The One? There was talk at the table of witches, or the Watch or any where Vetinari is a prominent character... Oh the choice is too hard and too great!

[ShadowLine]

I think Guards Guards or Wyrd Sisters would both be good starting points. Hogfather is my favourite of the Death / Susan books, so I'd recommend that over Mort.

[Fluffy24]

Witches Abroad!

[CMOTDibbler]

I think I'd go with Guards Guards. Or the Wee Free Men

[MrsWembley]

I do like Guards Guards...

[LaContessaDiPlump]

Mort, Guards Guards or (as a great one-off) Small Gods.

[Pedestriana]

I've been reading them since they were first published, so very hard to pick any one over the other. The first three are the great TP finding his feet, but even so, they're pretty well constructed.

One of my first real laugh out loud bits was in Pyramids when Teppic/Pteppic is getting ready for his assassins exam.

[SillyStuffBiting]

Always admired the man but never read any! I'm confused looking at all the series and collections and don't know where to start!

[Lurkedforever1]

I'd say good omens, it's got the pratchett humour but isn't part of a series. Ok his books are brilliant as stand alones too, but you get the full force of the humour because there's no missing back story.
Dds first was the world of poo hog father, and wyrd sisters is a good starter.

[TheExMotherInLaw]

start at the beginning - Colour of Magic
if you google, you can find a chart of order of books. I introduced (very dyslexic) dh to Discworld audiobooks last year, and hearing them in order was helpful, and filled in a few blanks for me

[HexBramble]

Start at No.1 for the love of God!
Colour of Magic.
It's an essential read and explains fully the magic of Discworld.

To start with any other book is tantamount to blasphemy!

Read them in order. That's the Law.

[NuggetofPurestGreen]

Mort! That was my first. Well I'd read Good Omens and a couple of the kids ones but for a first DW I think Mort.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

DH has only ever read Soul Music.

[Pedestriana]

Hex - I tend to reread them in order, every so often. It was my custom to read them ALL prior to reading the newest offering from the pen of TP. I'm waiting to get a copy of The Shepherd's Crown and I'll probably cry when I read it in the knowledge that there will be no more.

[mollyonthemove]

Have to admit I would like to try too. I have no idea even what they're about where should I start???

[HexBramble]

mollyonthemove, if you're wanting to get into Discworld, then you really must start at the very beginning. There are so many characters to get to know.

[HexBramble]

Pedestriana, I know exactly what you mean. My copy of The Shepherds Crown was delivered on the day of release and yet it's still in its box, unopened, at the side of my bed. I'm dreading reaching the last chapter of this book with the knowledge that TP will pen no more

The joy of Discworld is knowing that there are more to come. I tend to not re-read them in order now (have read each one at least 5 times) but I'll pick up each novel that contains the characters I want to read about again. I truly love so many characters, that I couldn't possibly chose my favourite.

[SillyStuffBiting]

Ok, Colour of Magic ordered, I will do this properly!

[dontpokethebear]

I daren't read 'The Shepherds Crown' either.
I would usually say start from the beginning in a series of books, but the first discworld I read was Soul Music. After that I was hooked and then started from the beginning.
My recommendations for a one off read would be Soul Music, The Hogfather or Lords and Ladies.

[dontpokethebear]

Or any of the Tiffany Aching series. Aaaarrrggghhh too many to choose!

[Bluewombler2k]

My absolute faves are Mort and Small Gods but I think you have to start from the beginning

[ShadowLine]

I have to say that The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic are probably my least favourite Discworld books.

[MrsWembley]

Yes, I agree about reading from the beginning if you plan to read them all (and I always used to read from the start when a new one came out, until it got to the point where another new one had arrived before I'd got to the first new one!) but if there's that little chance that my friend will only read one, is The Colour of Magic really that one?

And I, too, have an unopened box awaiting attention, that I can't yet face.

[Lipsiensis]

Just one Discworld novel? Then no, definitely don't recommend The Colour of Magic.

I usually recommend Small Gods as a one off, although we did Wyrd Sisters in book club last year which went down well,

[Lambbone]

I disagree with those posters who advise reading The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic first because (whisper) they aren't very good.

My first was Monstrous Regiment which is almost a standalone and is bloody brilliant. I couldn't wait to read more. I wouldn't have bothered if I'd read the first ones first.

I'd also suggest the Moist books as a first, as they are the work of mature Pratchett at his best. Going Postal and Making Money. And they introduce you to the City. I know they are late on in the lives of some of the principal chararcters, but they are mostly Moist.

[mollyonthemove]

Which is the first one?