Terry Pratchett newbie - where do I begin?

[OrionsSpelt]

I’ve never read a Terry Pratchett book but now the time has come. Do you have any recommendations on where to begin? Should I go with chronological order?

Thanks!

No, don't go in chronological order - some of the first books won't be that great (until you've read everything else). I'd recommend Wyrd Sisters or Guards, Guards. He's proper brilliant by then, and both books are the start of a series so it's an easy way in.

You have such a treat ahead of you!

The Discworld books are in sets (although characters and locations overlap) - the Rincewind/Unseen University books, Witches, the Watch, Tiffany Aching, Death, Moist von Lipvig, and the stand alones - I may have missed something. It is worth reading them in order within the set, but not essential to read in turn from the start.

I wouldn't start with The Colour of Magic (probably my least favourite first time round) instead with Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Guards Guards or maybe The Light Fantastic - others may disagree!

I was going to list my favourites but it would be too long. You have made me want a reread!

What a treat you have ahead of you!
SirTP and Discworld are fabulous.

I agree with pp about t NOT starting with the Colour of Magic, he was just practicing there!

Reading Order from Discworld Emporium

Welcome to Discworld!

Welcome to the Disc!

I’d echo what others have said start with guards guards as it’s one of my favourites!!

Enjoy!! I’m hoping to start rereading them again as soon as the baby allows me to pick up a bloody book again 🤣

If you're only going to read one I'd make it Small Gods.

But all the Vimes' are fantastic. And the witches. And if you like martial arts you'll need Thief of Time. Death is a fabulous character, luckily he's in all of them, to some extent. If you like Christmas you'll need the Hogfather. Agree you can skip Colour of Magic.

I’m hoping to start rereading them again as soon as the baby allows me to pick up a bloody book again

Have you got an e reader? I used to read my Kindle with one hand while cuddling/feeding, pressing the screen with my nose to turn the page.

As others have said, no absolute need to read them in order, but reading the sets out of order may find it confusing, personally would start with the witches set , wynd sisters,or those involving death, mort or hog father or possibly one of the stand alone books such as pyramid or moving pictures

I hope you like absurdist humour. It's definitely a taste thing.

Agree with gaurds gaurds to start with. The death series is also excellent but probably helpful to get more context first so you know more about his character and the world.

I enjoy all the stand alone ones. Pyramids, small gods was great, monstrous regiment also great. Going postal is excellent but it's a late addition to the series so better to establish world building first imo.

So yeah. To reiterate. Read all the watch books first, starting with gaurds gaurds, that covers a lot of ground. then explore the others sets. I do recommend reading the colour of magic at some point but rincewind is a bit of a useless character who bumbles about and isn't very likable so definitely not to start with.

Just to add that I am ancient enough to have read CoM Wehrmacht it was first published.

Along with Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, then Robin Hobb, Discworld has been my consistent comfort read over all those years.

I fell and battered my head just over a month ago so turned to Sam Vimes and Moist van Lipwig and all the other characters while I healed.
I had recently reread the Witches or they would have been my first choice.

Just about to pick up Wee Free Men today.

Sorry OrionsPelt I have wandered off topic. I think I may be slightly envious because you have the delight of reading these funny and moving novels for the first time ☺️💖

Thank you to everyone for your replies!! I am very excited to begin now!

guards guards is a good introduction to the discworld universe. Mort is wonderful. If you don’t enjoy either of those then it isn’t going to be for you.

My first Pratchett was Pyramids. I sat on the train in tears of laughter.

Thanks for this thread @OrionsSpelt
I've just looked on amazon and thd kindle version of Guards, Guards! is only £1.99. So I'm looking forward to starting on this journey when I've finished my current book.

So what with Terry Pratchett, georgette heyer and Jane Austen being among my top favourites, I feel I should likely try Robin Hobb - never read any! Going on my list now… thanks!

I used this image to work it out https://images.app.goo.gl/5woTvHkzEoy2wsg87
If you are normally into fantasy start with rincewind strand , if you are less sure then start with the watch strand. The witches strand was my fave. Lost steam at the industrial revolution strand as someone said they were not so good as written when he was ill. Also spoils the pre industrial world Will get to them someday

I started with Mort, and was instantly hooked.

@Caaarrrl thank you!

This is the link to the original fan created reading order in multiple languages!

https://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/

As others have said, there are "series" within the series. If you like detective fiction then the Watch books start with Guards Guards. For the witches start with Wyrd Sisters. For the Death books start with Mort.

For the Rincewind books I think it is best to start with TCoM but bear in mind that the first two books are really scene setters and two halves of one book.

Not all the books are gems (Jingo for instance), but many are great fun and observant. You are lucky to have them all in front of you.

BTW the new audiobook versions have very good casts if you like audio.

If you like Pratchett, maybe try Douglas Adams as well. It's the same mix of humour and fantasy (though sci fi). I'm a recent convert and am now working way through everything Adams wrote.

Definitely start with Mort. It's a perfect first Pratchett story. I also agree you might enjoy Douglas Adams as well if you like Terry Pratchett. Both wonderful writers. Enjoy!

OrionSpelt thank you for this thread, I love knowing that others love STP too!

Happy reading and rereading everyone!

Oh and yes to laughing out loud on public transport, in cafes and when your partner is trying to go to sleep 😴

And to reading bits out loud; my wife, bless her, is very accepting of this.
True Love!

“Oh , the places you’ll go ! “

The Witches are my absolute favourite, and I reread regularly. Granny Weatherwax & Nanny Ogg are just brilliant characters.

My first was Mort.

I am so envious that you have all these wonderful stories to read.

My autographed copy of The Truth is a dear possession and memory of seeing STP give a talk at the Oxford Union.

I used to buy each book in hardback, as it was published.

But not The Shepherd's Crown.

I cannot bear to live in a world where there are no new Pratchett books to read.

One day, I will buy it and read it. But it is not time yet.