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Original poster

Terry Pratchett virgin here. Where do I start?

104 replies

Littlefiendsusan · 17/03/2021 13:59

Over the last few days I've come across Granny Weatherwax in various places and learning about her has piqued my interest in TP.
So, which book would I best start off with? I have absolutely no idea!

OP posts:
bluebluezoo · 19/03/2021 17:23

My “gateway” book was Wyrd Sisters.

Had tried Pratchett but never really got hooked, until Dh picked that one for me to start on.

Proper fan now :)

ScarfaceCwaw · 19/03/2021 17:21

Now that I think about it, some of the good female characters (other than the witches) emerge later on, like Sacharissa Cripslock and of course Adora Belle Dearheart.

Original poster
Littlefiendsusan · 19/03/2021 17:20

Excellent stuff- these quotes have got me chuckling and wanting more.
Someone said about there being a touch of Python about it and that's what came to my mind too. That lovely intelligent silliness.

Right. I'm leaving my first book choice up to the Gods.
I'm going to start with Guards Or First Rites- whichever is the cheapest on Amazon secondhand.

OP posts:
Springchickpea · 19/03/2021 17:14

I agree that I think it really matters where you start and not the beginning. I’ve not read that much Pratchett, but eg I struggled with Small Gods and loved Going Postal.

Amortentia · 19/03/2021 17:11

@BIoodyStupidJohnson

Personally, I wouldn't start with Equal Rites but jump in with Wyrd Sisters, then do Witches Abroad and Lords and Ladies.

Equal Rites is great but Wyrd Sisters introduces Nanny Ogg, who is a magnificent foil to Granny Weatherwax.

Then try Guards! Guards! and maybe Reaper Man.

Absolutely agree. Come back to equal rites later. Wyrd Sisters is good and sets you up for the rest of the series. My favourites are witches Abroad, Maskerade and Carpe Jugulum. Then go on to the Tiffany Aching series, the later books incorporated all the Witches.

I love the city watch to but Guards! Guards! Isn’t a particular favourite but it does set up the series for you. All Pratchett books just get better and better the further you get in to a series.

I also love the Moist Von Lipwig series too.

I’d strongly recommend the audio books, especially for the Witches, the voices are hilarious. Be warned that they are very old recordings and get rated down on Audible for this, but are perfectly fine if you use headphones for audiobooks.

Needhelp101 · 19/03/2021 17:00

I'll raise a glass of Nanny Ogg's scumble. It's made of apples.

Well, mainly apples.

Needhelp101 · 19/03/2021 16:59

Oh, yes to Lady Sybil and Vetinari!
I can't be the only one who thinks that his system of organised crime is genius and wonder whether it would work in real life.

Waitwhat23 · 19/03/2021 16:51

I love Lady Sybil Ramkin - I think she's a really underrated character. She's strong and brave and takes no nonsense.

Another favourite is Vimes - one of his best moments is when he's running through the caves scaring the crap out his enemies, screaming the words to 'Where's My Cow' because he's late home to read Young Sam his bedtime story.

I love the possibilities of the romance across timelines/the trouserleg of fate of Granny Weatherwax and Ridcully.

Carrot and his conscious naivety of his destiny.

CMOT Dibbler (and all his doppelgangers!).

And of course Death, who is not cruel but just terribly, terribly good at his job.

lazylinguist · 19/03/2021 16:32

I adore Nanny Ogg (she and Miss Marple are my old lady goals). I think I love her even more than Death.

She is brilliant. But as favourite Pratchett characters go, mine has to be Vetinari, followed by Granny Weatherwax and Vimes.

SirSamuelVimes · 19/03/2021 16:22

Amazing book, absolutely scathing deconstruction of organised religion.

CatChant · 19/03/2021 15:48

Small Gods - fab choice. One of the best.

dementedma · 19/03/2021 15:37

Ok, a friend has lent me “Small Gods” so I’m about to dip my toe in the world of Terry Pratchett

SirSamuelVimes · 19/03/2021 14:53

Pass me a battle bagel then. And a rat onna stick. With ketchup, please.

CatChant · 19/03/2021 14:19

Now that sounds like something a seamstress might offer...

Dwarf bread baked with Greebo's cat litter? Some enthusiastic quaffing and a chorus of "Gold, Gold, Gold..."

ScarfaceCwaw · 19/03/2021 13:52

I knew you lot wouldn't leave me hanging.

Anyone for a Tuppenny Upright instead?

SedentaryCat · 19/03/2021 13:51

@HesterLee

I have a friend who is such a huge Terry Pratchett fan and it was his enthusiasm which got me started. I was so disappointed but now have renewed hope. I've just pulled out all the books I have and I don't have any of the Watch strand unfortunately. I have 5 Death novels and 3 Witches so think I shall start with Mort.
That's where I started a few many years ago. The idea of Death having an apprentice and riding a horse called Binky got me interested.

For OP I'd suggest starting with Equal Rites or Wyrd Sisters, not The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic... I lent these to DD and haven't seen them since, I suspect they have been lost forever. She wasn't impressed and hasn't read TP since.

crumpet · 19/03/2021 13:46

My first was Equal Rites which introduced me to Granny Weatherwax and TP. I’m not such a fan of the Colour of Magic, although do enjoy Rincewind and the Luggage more generally

CatChant · 19/03/2021 13:43

Nah rat-onna-stick, Dibbler's finest.

SirSamuelVimes · 19/03/2021 13:40
Grin

Love you awesome Pratchett nerds.

merryhouse · 19/03/2021 13:36

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrghhhh!!!!!!

SirSamuelVimes · 19/03/2021 13:15

Roasted figgins?

ScarfaceCwaw · 19/03/2021 13:12

If we're really going to settle into this thread, at least let's send out for coffee and figgins. Grin

SirSamuelVimes · 19/03/2021 12:25

@Babdoc

Needhelp101, “You can’t give her that! It’s not safe!” “IT’S A SWORD. IT’S NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE”. Death’s reply to the horrified mother when he gives her small daughter the real four foot sword she requested as a Hogswatch present!
"She's a child!" IT'S EDUCATIONAL. "What if she cuts herself?' THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.

GrinGrinGrin

helpfulperson · 19/03/2021 12:15

I love the audio books from audible. My favourites are the watch books but my favourite character is Death.

Babdoc · 19/03/2021 11:59

Needhelp101,
“You can’t give her that! It’s not safe!”
“IT’S A SWORD. IT’S NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE”.
Death’s reply to the horrified mother when he gives her small daughter the real four foot sword she requested as a Hogswatch present!

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