Anybody read Terry Pratchett

[PABLOP]

Fancy trying out Terry Pratchett books, appreciate any advice on which book to read first because there seems to be a lot.

start at the beginning of the discworld series - The colour of Magic - & work your way through..

the earlier ones are the best as well - I envy you

There are lots and they are fab. I'd suggest Wyrd Sisters, or Guards, Guards. He's very funny and has an amazingly deep knowledge of human psychology.

Don't know if you've heard but poor man has got early-onset Alzheimers so there may not be too many more... at you having the whole lot to read for the first time.

thanks for that imagine.. I really fancy getting into an author where there are lots of books to read, he was doing an interview on "this morning" yesterday.

love it love it. All DH's fault, he got me into them when we met.
Easy-reads i started with :
Pyramids
Wyrd Sisters
The Hograther
The Colour of Magic (was on sky at easter, we've got it off the internet last week )

His books are really funny. I would also recommend starting with "The Colour of Magic" and working your way through. It will make more sense that way.

umm, HogFATHER. can't type

Califrau, I wouldn't suggest anyone started with The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic to be honest, very much his earlier works before he got into his stride. And Soul Music was a bit of an off day. Readers who already love him can take it in their stride, but I can see how it might be off-putting for newbies.

If you do ever fancy trying again - just to understand why some people rave about him - go for Guards, Guards.

Have you explored MI's taste in music, btw?

I've just read THe Carpet People - the first book TP wrote. It was reprinted recently after extensive rewiting - so is a collaboration between his late teenaged and adult self. DS got it for his birthday, and I really enjoyed it!

I totally agree with edam - I was nearly put off Pratchett by starting with the first two, but then my nephew suggested Small Gods and I never looked back. I'm not that keen on Making Movies, but perhaps that's because I was never a movie buff.

I have phases where I re-read the Watch books, or the Death books - I'm now on the witchese & currently reading Lords and Ladies.

I think my favourite is still Small Gods, but I also lovedf Night Watch, but then I'm a time travel fan anyway.

DON'T start at the beginning - they are by no means the best books. Start with the Witches or the Watch. So, Wyrd Sisters or Guards Guards.

Soul Music is a fairly good stand alone.

I love a bit of Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters is a great one to start on, am currently reading Wintersmith Califrau, give him another go, he really is very funny and insightful.

Reaper Man was fantastic - Death takes a day off, and doesn't come back. He goes to work in a cafe instead.

I tried Truckers because DH raved about TP and I hated it.

I tried the Rincewind books and didn't like them much.

A couple of years later I tried the Watch books and adored them. All the Death books, the Witches etc. rock. 'The Third Elephant', 'Reaper Man' and 'Going Postal' are some of my favourites.

'Fifth' not 'Third'

Wyrd Sisters is brilliant. Granny Weatherwax is a genius comic creation and I may have to fight anyone who says otherwise.

I don't think I've read many Discworld since they got into double figures, though - too many other books out there, and they did begin to get a bit samey.

The Colour of Magic is not the best, but it does set up an awful lot of the recurring characters for the later books so it is worth reading fairly early on if you find you're enjoying them.

I don't think it really matters where you start... Feet of clay was my introduction. I thought I hated TP at first... then I got into the language thing and now love them... in small doses... i.e. no more than two books in a row.

Oh oh oh oh oh - can't believe I didn't say it - instantly switched into Discworld recommendations BUT

my truly favourite terry pratchett is the one he wrote with Neil Gaiman - Good Omens.

This is absolutely my all-time favourite book and it is up against pretty stiff competition. I think I have re-read it more than any other book (and I don't re-read much as I try to save my reading time for new stuff), and it never fails to make me laugh out loud.

Am having to sit on my hands to avoid bombarding you with quotes..... (I'm actually typing tis with my nose)

ok I'm going to buck the current trend here and say that I totally loved The Colour Of Magic and Light fantastic. Thought Wyrd sisters was weak in comparison. LOVED Guards Guards, The Reaper Man and also Mort, Pyramids was a great read to. As for the rest I cant say as working my way throught them all myself. Good Omens is brilliant BTW.

Oh Flossie you said exactly what i was going to say!! Good Omens is BRILLIANT - especially for someone who also loves Richmal Crompton's William books. Brill Brill Brill. I may have to go and dig it out and have yet another reread.

My advice to get into PTerry is 1. Good Omens 2. Wyrd Sisters then that will be enough. Going postal and Thief of time are two of my faves as well, but i love the witches books. Granny W is so cool (and a tad scary). The illustrated book about the horde was really good too - cant remember its name, oh i suppose im listing too many now!

Have you thought about talking books? I get PTerrys on cd and listen to them at bedtime! The abridged versions are read by Tony Robinson and i think he does a great job.

have read pratchett since i was a nipper and love him still. favourite author by far

agree with pp who said colour of magic NOT a highlight overall. i always struggle when recommending discworld. its nice to start at the beginning, but sadly the beginning isnt the best example of why is so brilliant.

luckily, almost everyone i know loves pratchett, but i have one friend who just doesnt get it.