Terry Pratchett virgin here. Where do I start?

[Littlefiendsusan]

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!

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.

I flicked through TSC at an airport WH Smith soon after it was released. Was in floods of tears and vowed never to read it.

Don't stary with the Colour of Magic. I think the Hogfather or maybe Moving Pictures is good.

Having said that, I did start with the CoM and loved it. It is not his best though.

@Babdoc

Needhelp101 “I’m babysitting on Tuesday. For our Jason’s youngest. I can manage Friday.” Wyrd Sisters was wonderful, wasn’t it!

@Babdoc, yes! I adore Nanny Off (she and Miss Marple are my old lady goals). I think I love her even more than Death.

OP, agree with others that the Watch series is also excellent and Guards! Guards! is wonderful.

"Oh, the caged whale. You want the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night. Three doors down."

^This whole scene reminds me of Monty Python 😁

@Babdoc

The Hogfather is bloody hilarious, and will definitely hook you to read the others! I loved Death best as a character, he is so deadpan and sepulchral (all his speech is written in upper case) but he has some of the funniest lines. His attempt at jollity when he fills in for the missing Hogfather (Discworld’s version of Santa Claus) had me in hysterics.

@Babdoc HO. HO. HO.

Almost as funny as when Granny Weatherwax tries to tell the only joke she knows, in Lords and Ladies, and gets it wrong ever time 😁

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!

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

@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.

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

Roasted figgins?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrghhhh!!!!!!

Love you awesome Pratchett nerds.

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

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

@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.

I knew you lot wouldn't leave me hanging.

Anyone for a Tuppenny Upright instead?

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..."

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

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

Small Gods - fab choice. One of the best.

Amazing book, absolutely scathing deconstruction of organised religion.

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.

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.

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.

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

Well, mainly apples.

@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.