Terry Pratchett

[J Bryson]

The writer of several comedy novels including Good Omens (with Neil Gaiman), Terry Pratchett is inarguably best known for his extensive Discworld series. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor, social commentary, a grab-bag of high and low fantasy tropes (usually averted), and some of the most well-detailed characters in the English language, this series has maintained its popularity since his first outing in The Colour of Magic.

While perusing the threads on here, I've found a number of Pratchett fans. It's time for a thread dedicated to one of the best writers alive today.

I'm a fan of the City Watch books more than others (Night Watch tying with Thud! as a personal all-time favorite), but I know that there's a sizeable Witches of Lancre contingent, and several rather fierce Rincewind fans. Not to mention Death, of course, who I believe has appeared in every book to date, including more than a few of his own.

So, favorite character(s)? Specific works? Specific series? Moments and quotes that stay with you? Or comments about Sir Terry in general?

 

[McBell]

What?!
No links!?

TerryPratchettBooks.com

 

[J Bryson]

What?!
No links!?

TerryPratchettBooks.com

Pfft. Real fans already know where to find him. But if you insist:

Pratchett Wiki

 

[Alceste]

I'm reading Wintersmith right now. (Well, as soon as I'm done with this post). I love the idea of the Wee Free Men, who believe they died in a lesser world and this world (the world the stories take place in, anyway) is paradise.

 

[rojse]

I've read just about every Terry Pratchett book, excepting one or two non-Discworld novels, some of which aren't too easy to find.

I would have to recommend "Small Gods" and "Good Omens" - the first is a Discworld satire about religion, starring a god whom is in the shape of a tortoise, and the second is a comedy about the apocalypse, and is co-written with Neil Gaiman.

And, to improve the list of links on this thread, here are some short stories by Pratchett:

Theatre of Cruelty:
Terry Pratchett: Theatre of Cruelty

Troll Bridge
Terry Pratchett: Theatre of Cruelty

Turntables of the Night
Terry Pratchett: Turntables of the Night

Death and What Comes Next
The L-Space Web: Death and What Comes Next

The Sea and Little Fishes (Download)
Terry Pratchett - Discworld - The Sea And Little Fishes

 

[J Bryson]

Oh, that's fantastic! But "Troll Bridge" actually leads to "Theatre of Cruelty" again. Which is fine, since I hadn't read it before, and wanted to do so again immediately.

Here's Troll Bridge

Thanks for the leads. I loved them all.

 

[Phasmid]

Pratchett is without doubt one of the greatest writers ever (in my opinion).

Everytime I drive back to my home county I drive through Wiltshire and think, "I'm in the same county as Pratchett" and I feel at ease.

I think my favourite Discworld novel is Pyramids. It was the first ever Discworld novel I'd ever read and it just stuck with me. I also thought Night Watch was excellent and I love the character of Sam Vimes.

I'm currently reading Thud! which is also very good.

The man is a legend and anyone who hasn't read his work should get a Discworld novel ASAP!

 

[Alceste]

The man is a legend and anyone who hasn't read his work should get a Discworld novel ASAP!

Totally! Starting with "Small Gods" because it reminds me of RF.

 

[Storm]

What do you guys think of the movie The Colour Of Magic?

 

[J Bryson]

I didn't see the movie version of it, although I should, since the fact that it's not my favorite book means that I'll be less annoyed if they muck it up. I have a fondness for the BBC's Hogfather, though.

 

[Yerda]

My favourite character is the wee gnome who headbutts everybody and appears to speak with a Scottish accent. I like the Watch books best, but my favourite of all is The Truth.

 

[J Bryson]

My favourite character is the wee gnome who headbutts everybody and appears to speak with a Scottish accent. I like the Watch books best, but my favourite of all is The Truth.

Wee Mad Arthur!

Interesting synchronicity that you posted this today, as I just finished re-reading "The Truth" this morning. William de Worde is an excellent character, but I think that Otto is my favorite out of that work. However, my favorite character is currently Moist von Lipwig, con man extraordinaire, Postmaster General of Ankh-Morpork, and recent head of the bank. Rumor in fan circles has it that Vetinari is grooming him as the next Patrician. I'm not sure that I believe it, but I can see how one could see his story as headed in that direction.

 

[Falvlun]

I must admit, I read Pratchett books like candy-- I don't go into them looking for depth: I know that they will be well-written, witty, and interesting.

I've read Discworld books pretty willy-nilly and so I also tend to get confused and forget which I have read yet or not. I think I've read the Colour of Magic like three times now, because each time I see it I think "Oh, this looks like a good book", completely forgetting that I know it to be a good book and I've already read it, dangit.

 

[Miskellybones]

I'm a huge Pratchet fan, particulary of the Wee Free Men (I identify with them XD) However, despite enjoying "Going Postal" I was dissapointed by Moist's second appearance, which was pretty much Going Postal but with a bank. However I would love to see him as a politician - he would probably invent parliament or something of that sort!

 

[J Bryson]

I must admit, I read Pratchett books like candy-- I don't go into them looking for depth: I know that they will be well-written, witty, and interesting.

I've read Discworld books pretty willy-nilly and so I also tend to get confused and forget which I have read yet or not. I think I've read the Colour of Magic like three times now, because each time I see it I think "Oh, this looks like a good book", completely forgetting that I know it to be a good book and I've already read it, dangit.

I don't go into Pratchett books looking for depth, but I seem to find it anyway. For example, as a meditation on prejudice, war, and religious enmity, Thud! works very well.

 

[J Bryson]

I'm a huge Pratchet fan, particulary of the Wee Free Men (I identify with them XD) However, despite enjoying "Going Postal" I was dissapointed by Moist's second appearance, which was pretty much Going Postal but with a bank. However I would love to see him as a politician - he would probably invent parliament or something of that sort!

I enjoyed Making Money, but I can see how it wouldn't be to everyone's taste. There was rumor of a third Moist von Lipwig book to be entitled Death And Taxes, but I haven't heard anything about it lately.

Supposedly, the next book will have to do with Unseen University getting together a football squad.