Would like to start reading Terry Pratchett... which book should I try first?

[AngeloMysterioso]

Have always been aware of him as an author but never read anything of his. Not got a clue about his books, genre (I assume it’s fantasy?) or style of writing so open to all suggestions!

Going postal! It’s just utterly brilliant.

Equal Rites or Mort.

I wouldn't start with the first few discworld ones, most people agree it took him a while to find his stride. I read hogfather first which works but its a xmas book so feels a bit odd to recommend it in June in spite of the state of the weather at the moment.

Guards Guards is a good one to start with, or Small Gods.

This is the best reading order for Discworld books.

Personally I would start with the witches, then death, city watch, Rincewind, Moist and saving Tiffany for last. Prepare to fall in love with the characters.

But if you fancy a book on its own, not in the series to see if you like the way he writes, Good Omens or Dodger are amazing.

I think I started with Wyrd Sisters some decades ago. Also he co wrote Good Omens with Neil Gaiman, which is a good read (haven't watched it on screen yet).

The very early disk world books aren’t really representative of what the series became. I know people who have only read The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic and refuse to read any more Terry Pratchett because they didn’t like them. I think Guards! Guards! Or Wyrd Sisters are good jumping off points, but any of the ones written in the mid 1990s also be.

Mort is a great one to start with

First of the witches one or first of the guards one.

Was wyrd sisters the first witches one? I think Guards! Guards! was the first guards one.

Although my first was soul music. The best thing is that they all work as standalone, so even if you jump in on a later one, it's still a really good read and then you have the pleasure of going back and discovering some of the characters backstories.

The hogfather would also be a good one. I think Death is my favourite character.

I'd suggest Small Gods, which is a bit more of a standalone than many others in the series. And it has immortal monks who cultivate bonsai mountains, delicately adjusting the erosion patterns over the centuries to the desired shape.

His style is fantasy with a lot of very funny twists, which will make you laugh out loud while giving you a new perspective on all sorts of real life things (economics, philosophy, religion, grief, hope...).

I started with mort which was not a bad call but I think I might have been better starting with the wyrd sisters, or possibly the colour of magic

Also, I am vvv jealous that you have all those Terry Pratchett books yet to read and to look forward to.

You are in for a treat!

Going Postal - the letters talk!

I agree don’t start with the very early ones. Try Guards Guards or Wyrd Sisters

Death is brilliant. I loved Small Gods & still think of Anoia The Goddess of Things That Get Stuck In Drawers.

I'd quite like to read more Pratchett too, not a complete newbie, good omens is one favourite books of all time. I have read hat full of sky and loved it and maybe a few of his earlier books. I remember pyramids vaguely, and a footnote that used cheetahs as an analogy for electrons?!? Made me laugh anyway.

Mort

I think Pixel’s list pretty much has it covered.

I wouldn't start with the first few discworld ones, most people agree it took him a while to find his stride.

Sorry, I disagree. "The Colour of Magic" was great and I've never forgiven him for dropping The Luggage as a character!