Midnight sees the publication of the final novel in the series, The Shepherd’s Crown. This is a series Bargepole lost touch with many years ago – so what are the best novels, do they need to be read in sequence, any other comments on the series or indeed Terry Pratchett’s work in general?
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ganglesprocket says
I asked this question on facebook not that long ago, mainly because I hated The Colour Of Magic and The Light Fantastic but understood that the series had improved tenfold since.
The recommendation that I got was start with Guards Guards, read the city watch books and if you like them, then the rest follows on, just check wikipedia if your unsure of the order etc.
I can say that it was good advice. The City Watch books are ace and I’ve read enough of them now to trust that Terry knew what he was doing. I am looking forward to my new, potentially favorite light reading (I have read so much Wodehouse, I need a new one…)
policybloke says
What Gangle says. I did read them in sequence, and quite enjoyed The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, but the series starts to fly with Guards, Guards! Also, any of them where Death is a central character, OF COURSE. Wasn’t keen on the Witches books, so from my point of view, his last novel is not one I’ll be queuing at midnight for, but, hey, it may be right up your street.
ruff-diamond says
Just an FYI his final book is part of the Tiffany Aching series written for teens (or “Young Adults” as the publishing world likes to call them) so isn’t strictly speaking part of the main Discworld sequence.
As for those, I would definitely recommend the Sam Vimes/City Watch books – start with Guards! Guards! and work your way through. I would say read those in sequence because you can follow the evolution of the characters. Standouts for me in this series (apart from the first one) would be Feet Of Clay, Thud! and Night Watch.
Moist von Lipwig was an interesting character with a lot of potential and I think that Pratchett probably had big plans for him in the future – try Going Postal first, then Making Money and Raising Steam.
GCU Grey Area says
I’d agree with @ruff-diamond about Feet Of Clay, Thud and Night Watch. Especially Night Watch, a quite superb book.
Mort, Lords and Ladies and Pyramids are great stand-alone reads.
ruff-diamond says
Pyramids is a great choice. I’d also go for Wyrd Sisters (part of the witches series but can be read on its own), Small Gods, Interesting Times and Monstrous Regiment. And I forgot to mention The Truth along with the other von Lipwig books.
Clive says
Not my cup of tea but for anyone looking for a children’s book my nine year old was blown away by Dragons At Crumbling Castle (a collection of short stories).
Duncan Disorderly says
Re Discworld, this chart might be useful:
http://io9.com/how-to-read-terry-pratchetts-discworld-series-in-one-h-1567312812
JustB says
I never read them in sequence as a teenager, and it never bothered me. Agree with @ganglesprocket about the first too, but I loved Sourcery, Mort, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies.