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!

The first Discworld book is The Colour of Magic.

But IMO it isn't the best Discworld book, and not one I'd recommend to someone new to Discworld who might only read one. I think Wyrd Sisters or Guards Guards are both much better reads, and good start points for people new to Discworld.

And I agree with Lipsiensis that Small Gods is a very good stand alone Discworld book. It's an absolutely fantastic read.

Ok, so Guards Guards or Monstrous Regiment are good choices, as is possibly Small Gods...

I second Monstrous Regiment as a standalone and an extremely good literary novel in its own right. Then if she likes that, I'd suggest either the Witches or Watch series as the next step. I don't like most of the standalones as much - they're good, but they lack the depth of character of the series-within-Discworld because there's no time to really develop the characters.

I haven't started the last one yet either. DH has read it, but I'm saving it to read to my DDs (12 and 14) after we finish off Raising Steam. We've agreed it will be the last book I read out loud to them.

Thank-you, pointy, and I hope you don't mind me saying but that seems so sad...

spots threads, takes notes I will ask DP to watch out for those three, then, MrsW . I promise I will read at least one.

Aha! And there she is!!

I read Wyrd Sisters first I think, it's quite a good one to start with. You don't have to read them in order. Guards Guards is still one of my favourites. Or Reaper Man. I still like the idea of Death going so people stop dying. The wizards trying to kill the old wizard (I've forgotten his name) is very funny.

In a way it does, but it's a logical stopping point - it means we've done all the major works, it's contributed towards them becoming avid readers and it just feels like time - to all three of us, this is entirely by mutual agreement. Starting something else when there isn't any more of the best Pratchett feels like a step backwards somehow. I admit that isn't rational.

It was my great good fortune to read Monstrous Regiment first. I think the later Pratchetts are much, much better than the early ones; The Colour of Magic is honestly a bit meh.

I am currently reading all the witches, in order, which is a real treat. Pratchett wrote fantastic women, particularly fantastic older women, how I love Granny Weatherwax.

I think the later Pratchetts are much, much better than the early ones

I'd agree, but I think he had a "golden age" from around Witches Abroad till around The Truth, when everything he wrote was brilliant. Not that there aren't outliers - Wyrd Sisters and Guards! Guards! are two of my favourites, and I love Night Watch and the first three Tiffany books. I would count them among his very best. I actually disliked Monstrous Regiment when I first read it, but went back to it earlier this year and really enjoyed it.

I also think that there are some startlingly beautiful descriptive passages in the very early books that seem not to occur so much in the later ones, as the (wonderful) satire, punnery and social commentary came into their own.

I would not start a new reader on The Colour of Magic, however. I like it very much for what it is but can see how some might be put off by it, and it isn't really representative of fully-formed Discworld.

I have just half an hour ago finished Lords And Ladies. The last scene with Granny Weatherwax and Ridcully by the bridge into Lancre has had me in tears. It is so understated and bittersweet.

Oh god, I'd forgotten about that! I think I'm going to have to suggest a Pratchett to book group. It's the only way I'm going to get a chance to read one again this side of the decade!