Which Terry Pratchett book to get started with?

[DystopianReality]

Ds is 14, loved The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series and JR Tolkien.

Does anyone have any advice on which Terry Pratchett book to start him with, grab his attention and hopefully fuel his interest in the next 40 or so books in the series? Is it strictly necessary to read them in order?

I started with Guards Guards and was hooked (about 15 years old). Nice to start with the first but not essential.

I just came on to suggest Guards Guards too. I love the Sam Vimes books. I agree that it's not necessary to read them in order. Some are lots better than others.

It's probably less confusing in the long run to start at the beginning but I was given The Colour of Magic as a present when I was a teenager but didn't really go back and read it properly until I read Guards Guards and Wyrd Sisters. Those are the books that got me hooked!

definitely the witches books. LOVE the witches!

mort
I was about the same age as your ds and I started with Mort, great way to get into the series

Any if them really, they are fab

Waterstones used to do three for two, I got most of mine that way, although that was years ago now..

Oh I forgot about Mort! You could get him Mort, Guards Guards and Wyrd Sisters. That would give him a nice selection and he can see which he prefers.

If do you start at the beginning with The Colour of Magic try and get The Light Fantastic as well as it follows on.

I started with Small Gods, which I think is a good place to start as it is fairly stand-alone, but avoids the really early books which frankly aren't as good. Would also echo starting with the witches - but not Equal Rites - the witches are much nastier and less developed in that one.

I started with Mort as well, but get the first two with whatever you decide on, so that he can get straight into them next and so that he can have some sort of reference for things that seem a little strange.

GrannyWeatherwax posted on 10 discussions in 2007 and hasn't been back since

Disappointed.

oh yes, the books featuring Death are great too

The first book, Colour of Magic, is a good one to start with, it is not only the first but also one of the best.

My sons recommended 'Wyrd Sisters' to me . Years ago. Yet to read it. I think ds1 has taken it back! I will read it .....

Aah I just came here to ask the same question for myself! So if I went with Gaurds guards, the colour of magic, Wyrd sisters and Mort I shouldn't be disappointed?

OP thanks so much for this thread!

I've always wondered where to start with Pratchett, and always seemed so 'arrrgghh' that everyone I have ever asked gives you a different book!!!!

Will read thread and hope for a start lol x

DontLetTheMugglesGetYouDown - if you're getting The Colour of Magic maybe get The Light Fantastic as it follows on. The rest sound like great choices to get started. Enjoy!

Brilliant, thanks! Have added it to my list :)

I'm not a huge Pratchett fan, although DH is, but even I really enjoyed Mort.

OP have you read Terry Goodkind 'Wizards first rule' series??

Oh I loved so much, best fantasy books x

I was going to say 'Guards Guards' too

The first Pratchett book I read was Good Omens - not a discworld book at all, but a collaboration with Neil Gaiman. I sat sniggering and snorting at every page.

Ive read every pratchett since and recently started reading Gaiman (although I find him harder to enjoy - possibly because I dont have time to dive into a book for hours).