Discworld and Terry Pratchett [Archive]

Catatonik

05-27-2005, 08:07 AM

I could wax poetic about my love of Mr Pratchetts writing. I could compare it to the light of the sun, or I could do an inteprtive mime dace to show it...

But I don't want to end up hanging upside in a scorpion pit.

But yes, I am a huge fan of Pratchetts writing, and not just his Discworld books...infact, I usually surprise people when I say that's how I first got into Neil gaiman was through Terry pratchett.

I have a special soft spot in my heart for the Nightwatch books...Vimes owns.

jkingler

05-27-2005, 08:11 AM

I love The Truth and Mort. Between Otto and Binky, I was laughing for days XD

Kimi Sama

05-27-2005, 06:14 PM

Tsk, a few days and only two replies? Shame on you, rest of the board!

I have a special soft spot in my heart for the Nightwatch books...Vimes owns.

Possibly my favourite series as well. Vimes does indeed > all.
Oh and do feel to wax poetic about Pratchett all you like Catatonic, there wont be a scorpian pit for you.

And yeah jKingler Otto rocks. He's got a cameo in Going Postal, which I much appreciated.

I think I'll rep you both for being the only two replies so far....

Yey boredom!

Catatonik

05-27-2005, 07:59 PM

Thank you.

On that note, even Pratchetts kids books are brilliant, and I have to say he is possibly my single favourite author of all time.

Sharp, witty, vicious, insightful and emotion tugging.

TriSal

05-28-2005, 08:53 AM

I love Pratchetts books and the best character is the Wizzard Rencwind he always make me laugth alot

Voynich

05-28-2005, 08:57 AM

They're awesome! I love Terry Pratchett's writing so much. Too bad our library doesn't have all his books..and my cashflow doesn't allow excessive bookshopping. I read about 5 or 6 from the Discworld series... I prefer to read them in English, but sometimes (for a non native speaker) they're kind of hard to follow. <3333333 footnotes.

Catatonik

05-28-2005, 06:02 PM

Yeah, the footnotes can really overwhelm you, but they add so much to the story. ;)

TriSal

05-28-2005, 07:15 PM

If you haven´t read "Intersting times" then do it quickly because it´s the best ever book written by Pratchett

Literally Exaggerated

05-28-2005, 07:57 PM

hardly. the best by Pratchett would be either Men at Arms or the Hogfather.

the Hogfather has Pratchett's best villain of all time, Mr. Teatime. Plus, it features Death, Pratchett's second best character after Vimes.

on the other hand, Men at Arms is the best story of the Watch. It has all the major players in the Watch (Carrot, Vimes, Angua, Detritus, Nobby, Fred), and you can tell Pratchett's really got a handle on them, but the watch hasn't yet becomes the insanely advanced organization it becomes later in the series.

after those, there are a bunch that are truly brilliant, including:

The Last Continent
Night Watch
Soul Music

Catatonik

05-28-2005, 10:59 PM

Ever notice how each series has a theme to it.

I mean the Rincewind series feels almost cartoony/Looney Tunes in it's humour, with scenes like a horse that can go up vertical cliffs and will walk away from under Rincewind if he lets his feet touch the ground.

The Witches series is generally very psychological humour, with a lot of comments on human nature.

The Death series is very based in philosophy and respective theology.

:D

Kimi Sama

05-29-2005, 05:53 AM

Yeah good point Catotonic, there definatly is a theme to all the series.

Adding on to the ones you said, I'd say that the Watch is also very psycological in it's humour, with lots of insight into human nature, and also character studies for Vimes and co since the story very much revolves around thier personalities.

Then we have all the random one off books, who tend to each do thier own thing. Small Gods did organised religion (and very well it did too), The Truth did the media, and Going Postal has been another excellent study into human nature, and also the Royal Mail lol.

And yeah LitteralyExaggerated, Teatime is definatly the best Pratchett villain that comes to mind right now. He's just so...intense

Catatonik

05-30-2005, 02:04 AM

Nost

06-02-2005, 08:27 AM

I loved Thief of Time, man those history monks were cool.
When I read a discworld book its like watching a movie, the way he describes scenes unfolding is way more visual than a typical book. Also he creates some of the most real characters and places all set in a unrealistic (or is it?) world.

Catatonik

06-06-2005, 05:03 AM

There's no arguing that Pratchetts ability to bring his characters to life is what really drives the stories..even if the character is a footnote blurb who really has nothing to do with the story.

Interesting note...Listening to Primus while reading Discworld works disturbingly well.

SofaKing

06-12-2005, 12:26 PM

I've just started reading the Disk World series. I read the "The Coulor of Magic" last week and read "The Lights Fantastic" yesterday.

I actually got into it after having read Good Omens a while back too, actually.

From what I'm hearing, it sounds like there are sub series in the Disk World, should I try reading the books in the order they were written or go for all of the rest of the ones with Rincewind in them first (I loved his character, especailly with Twoflower).

komrade_smith

06-13-2005, 06:51 PM

words cannot describe my love for Prattchet. What a guy. My English teacher doesn't like him. Fool

I've actually been to a talk that Terry Pratchet held in my local library, there was only room for about 60 people. It was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't quite beleive it when I saw that Prattchet was coming to my crappy town :D

Catatonik

06-17-2005, 03:15 AM

sofaking, do all the Rincewind series first, then the Guards series, then Death, and then the Witches, followed by the miscellanious books, the kids books and the graphic novels ;)

Aternox

08-06-2005, 11:24 AM

I love Pratchett, I really do. I must admit that Pratchett books are the reason why I improved my Engrish. I badly wanted to read those books =3
My favourite serie is the NightWatch one, I love Carrot, and Death, of course. I have a really soft spot for Rincewind, and I was really ouched by the Monstrous Regiment.
I'm currently patiently waiting for " Thud!" to be out ( yay! another Vimes' book!)
And I am secretly in love with "the Amazing Maurice and his Educated rodents"

X3

Bshj

08-08-2005, 10:01 AM

I'm another huge terry pratchett fan, ive read all his books (i think, all the discworld ones anyway) at least twice. Definitely my favourite series of books. He did a book signing in my town for the launch of "A hat full of sky" so ive got a signed copy of that.
He is just a machine, its incredible how he can write such quality books so quickly.

My favourite book is "the truth"

"He's a vampire!"

"I object most stronkly," said the hidden Otto. "It iss such an easy assumption to believe that everyvun with an Uberwald accent is a vampire, is it not? There are many thousand of people from Uberwald who are not vampires!"

William waved his hand aimlessly, trying to shrug off the embarassment.

"All right, I'm sorry, but--"

"I am a vampire, as it happens," Otto went on. "But if I had said 'Hello my cheeky cock sparrow mate old boy by crikey,' what vould you have said zen, eh?"

"We'd have been completely taken in," said William.

Mr. Tulip is one of my favourite chacters ever, its a shame he dies, i'd have liked to see more of him.

Mr. Tulip: "That ---ing zombie is ging to end up on the end o a couple of ---ing handy and versatile kebab skewers. An' then I'm gonna put an edge on this ---ing spatula. An' then ... then I'm gonna get medieval on his arse."
Mr. Pin: "How, exactly?"
Mr. Tulip: "I thought maybe a maypole. An' then a display of country dancing, land tillage under the three-field system, several plagues, and, if my ---ing hand ain't too tired, the invention of the ---ing horse collar."

For anyone who hasnt read it, i didnt edit that, its how he actually speaks.

I'm currently re-reading "the last continent" and "the last hero".

Catatonik

09-08-2005, 01:19 AM

Currently gearing up to buy Going Postal the Almanack and a copy of the Last Hero

Oh yeah.

In honour of that, I just read the Witches books through again.

My god but does Granny terrify me.

Voynich

09-08-2005, 06:34 AM

Just finished Mort, Pyramids and Reaper Man last week. It sucks they are fairly hard to get over here. =/

Catatonik

09-09-2005, 08:28 PM

That does suck.

I have almost the entire collection.

Icluding the RPG and Nanny Oggs Cookbook :D

Vikrat

09-12-2005, 04:25 PM

I love Pratchett,ahrd to choose a facourite among them tough,there' so many of them.Mort is really good, and i really like most of the watch books too and then there's Good OMens that he wrote together with Neil Gaiman,i loved that one.

moer

10-22-2005, 12:50 PM

my god, so pratchett isn't only my favaurite? i don't have much friends that are interested reading so i don't really discuss books with anyone, this is nice to know, up untill now i have two of his books, the amazing maurice and his educated rodents, and reaper man, even though the first book i mentioned is for kids i still love, i hope to get more of his books, but i'm broke now, and there isn't a good library around me, but at least i know what to look for

Catatonik

11-05-2005, 12:53 AM

Maurice rocks.

I recommend looking for Guards, Guards next. It's a really good (re-)starting place.

Yue Ryong

11-06-2005, 06:45 PM

I used to really like the discworld series, but I've gotten a little behind of late and the last one I looked at was Theif of Time

Catatonik

11-06-2005, 07:17 PM

Yue need to catch up (punintended)

:)

Goig Postal rocks.

So does the Monstrous Regiment

jkingler

11-07-2005, 04:03 PM

Having read some of the Night Watch books (namely Night Watch) about a month ago, I can now safely say that Vimes is among my favorite Discworld characters :thumbs

And I still have my pristine, signed, hardcover copy of Thud! to look forward to :drool

*will get to it after A Feast For Crows :dance*

abfluvver

11-07-2005, 04:11 PM

Death is my favourite character <3
Especially when he is Bill Door.

And then Nanny (and Greebo) after that.

Kimi Sama

11-07-2005, 04:54 PM

I'm reading Thud! at the moment, and I gotta say Pratchett just gets better and better cause this is my favourite DW book so far. It's been utterly perfect so far, and not only is it deeply funny, it's also very intellegent and has a great social commentary on religous extremism and racism.

Death is my favourite character <3
Especially when he is Bill Door.

And then Nanny (and Greebo) after that.

Agreed, Death rocks. I hppe theres another book focusing on him soon, he hasnt done much since Soul Music.
Another Witches book would be awsome too, I miss Greebo. Theres a book called When I Am Old I Shall Wear Midnight on its way some time so I figure thats probably a witch book.

My favs gotta be Sam Vimes though since he's been so great in Thud! so far.

The Space Cowboy

11-07-2005, 05:16 PM

Kimi Sama

11-07-2005, 06:07 PM

"WHERE IS MY COW?!"

Ah yes, the Discworld series--they're quite wonderful books, and not in the same sense elves are wonderful either.

Mr. Pratchett never fails to entertain me--especially with Sam Vimes, although I think we could use a bit more of Rincewind in the next novel.
Definately. (Rincewind and the Faculty of UU) need another book ASAP. The Last Continent, which has loads of both him and the wizards, is one of my favourites.

The back cover of Thud! has Where Is My Cow? On it:smile-big I'm tempted to buy it, even if it is essentialy a kid's picture book. It's a DW kid's pic book, so its worth it!

Dark Travis

11-07-2005, 06:42 PM

I love the Discworld series! I was first introduced to it by a demo of Discworld 2

I have all the books (including the side-ones) except for Thud! which I might wait for until it's paperback as well as the 3 games (1, 2 and Noir)
The endless satire is great. Favourites include Rincewind, Luggage, Vimes, the Patrician, Death and Gaspode the Wonder Dog
I also totally agree that it's about time Rincewind gets another book (the city watch have been getting quite a few books lately, though that's not a bad thing, let the others shine as well)

Catatonik

11-10-2005, 12:56 AM

When I am Old I Shall Wear Midnight I think is the third book in the kids witches books. I am pretty sure it is actually.

More Feegle madness.

I need Thud!

I need it badly.

jkingler

11-10-2005, 05:01 AM

Death is my favourite character <3
Death is definitely up there in my pantheon of Pratchett characters. When he is stalking Rincewind...too funny XD

Also, Death's HoHoHo-ing was priceless.
Especially when he is Bill Door.
Which book is that from? I seem to have missed that one (read: I haven't mooched it off of my Discworld collecting friend yet).

And then Nanny (and Greebo) after that.
Same question regarding Greebo: which book is he (she?) from?

Gandhi

11-10-2005, 05:06 AM

Death is definitely up there in my pantheon of Pratchett characters. When he is stalking Rincewind...too funny XD

Also, Death's HoHoHo-ing was priceless.

Which book is that from? I seem to have missed that one (read: I haven't mooched it off of my Discworld collecting friend yet).

Same question regarding Greebo: which book is he (she?) from?

Bill Door is in Reaper man.

Greebo is a large tom cat. You'll meet him in any of the books that feature the witches. Which is quite a few.

Read up, there're ace! :wink

jkingler

11-10-2005, 05:22 AM

Kimi Sama

11-10-2005, 07:26 AM

AH, will do, Gandhi. :)

I am already a few hundred pages into Carpe Jugulum, but alas, no Greebo. I guess the vampires DO make up for that, though. :amuse So far I am loving the "modern" approach, and how these vamps eschew traditional (stupid) behaviors XD

Ah I havent read that in aaages. I cant remember if Greebo does much at all in that actualy. Best one for him is probably Masquerade, when he gets turned into a human. Of sorts.
I found this last night, actualy http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/6822/somethingwicked9gs.jpg
Thats Greebo. Evil murderous bastard of a cat, except to Nanny Ogg, who still thinks he's a fluffy little kitten.

I found this place (www.paulkidby.com) which does all kinds of merchandise with art by Kidby (he does the DW illustrations now, he rocks).
I'm gonna buy me a shirt with this http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/9774/deathkitten19us.jpg on it. Hehe

Also I'm about halfway through Thud!, the latest book. It really is an outstanding piece of woek - probably the closet thing to perfection I've ever read.

Catatonik

11-11-2005, 02:18 AM

Greebo gets a good showcase in Lords and Ladies, Maskerade and Witches Abroad

I'm especially fond of Errol. The supersonic swamp dragon XD

Sakura Kaijuu

11-26-2005, 03:51 AM

Now I'm all excited and stuff. I think the Discworld books are some of the best things ever. My dad tried to get me into them when I was twelve. That failed. When I was fourteen, I was more ready for them. And then he tried to make me read them in order...I did for a while...And then I picked The Fifth Elephant up off my coffee table. And managed to read the Watch books completely out of order, and I still haven't read Guards, Guards!

But I finished Thud! a while ago. It was so terrific. I love the Watch. And I love Susan. I want more Susan so much...Thief of Time was so good. So extremely good.

ydraliskos

11-28-2005, 02:01 PM

Thief of Time was the most cinematic book I've read in a long time..

The part where they raced the lightning through zimmerman's valley was O_____O

Sometimes, he can be so believable, even when it's all fiction. I half expected to search google and find that zimmerman's valley would be an existing scientific term or something. (it wasn't)

Pratchett doesn't need a serious situation to blow your mind away. I mean, you could be in the middle of the most ridiculus situation, and then something happens, and you see everything in a different light, and you are amazed, despite the humour around.

jkingler

11-28-2005, 02:18 PM

Pratchett is indeed gifted when it comes to painting a picture. I can't wait to start Thud--today!

/just finished A Feast For Crows

Catatonik

12-07-2005, 07:00 PM

Few authors have as strong a grasp of sardonic humour, human nature and literary flow as Pratchett. When readin through Going Postal I was completely absorbed in the characters, and even the most absurd situations seemed perfectly viable.

At this point in time Pratchett is bar NONE my favourite author and I push his novels on everyone I know.

Pazuzu

12-17-2005, 09:06 AM

Pratchett is my favourite author of all time. Easily.

I've just recently been on a Discworld binge since I started reading the first two again (Brilliant. Rincewind and Twoflower work amazingly well together) and I just finished off my collection. Oddly enough, Interesting Times was the last book I needed to have them all.

I DEMAND MORE WITCHES BOOKS. NANNY OGG NEEDS MORE SCREEN PAPER TIME, DAMMIT.

Anyone else catch him at a Thud! signing?

Yoshi

12-26-2005, 06:41 PM

Anyone read Thud yet? I just started it, got it for Christmas.

Sir Whirly

01-14-2006, 07:39 PM

Has anyone read The Wee Free Men. That one is quite good. And I havent found the book version but I have listened to the audio of A hat full of sky. Its more witches starring a new character Tiffany.

Catatonik

01-16-2006, 08:39 PM

I own all of the Tiffany Aching books, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, all of the 28 (29?) regular novels, Nanny Oggs cookbook, the Guards, Guards graphic novel, the Fools Guild Diary, the Almanack and the Roleplaying Game.

I need more....

Byakugan style

01-17-2006, 08:39 AM

I used to be a big Pratchett fan! My fave book has to be The Hogfather!

Theres actually plans to make a movie on one of Pratchetts books!
http://http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds28055.html

Catatonik

01-17-2006, 09:47 PM

bad link...no worky.

I have to say, if they plan to go for it, I hope Pratchett keeps as firm a grasp on it as Rawlings does.

Oh and that they get the remaining Monty Python boys involved somehow.

Byakugan style

01-18-2006, 11:16 AM

Monty Python that would be good! sorry bout the link! I'll try and fix that!

Tora Boys and Ino Girls

01-18-2006, 02:15 PM

I've only read The Last Continent, and I loved it so much it was enough to make me a big Prachett fan. I plan to read the rest but I still need to make time to finish the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (at the beginning of the Two Towers)

The Last Continent alone has already shown me the extent of Prachett's satire skills, from the what the elderly do to put younger folk into an early grave, to humanisim can so easily be tied down by good old fashioned junk reasoning.

Catatonik

01-18-2006, 05:34 PM

In my opinion, the best series for socio-economic thoughts comes from the Watch books, while thw Witches focus on the deeper aspects of humanity, and the Death books are a very sharp look at how we see religion, death and philosphy.

NaRa

01-20-2006, 05:29 PM

So wait how long are these novels on average.Cus i've read everybodies comments and I think i could get into the death series and the nightwatch series you guys talk about.and if they're around 200 they would count as a requirement for school ^.^.regaurdless i'm curious to check these book out but right now i need to get these three school required reads out of the way.

Catatonik

01-20-2006, 05:42 PM

Well the Death books average between 300-400

The Watch series are a tad larger.

I cannot recommend this series more.

Intelligent, funny, constantly evolving, sarcastic, and above all, VERY hard to put down.

Sir Whirly

01-21-2006, 04:39 PM

A new Aching book is out. Its called the continuing Adventures of the wee free men. Damn its great when your mom works at a second hand store.

Catatonik

01-21-2006, 09:14 PM

I need to get that.

God damnit, this man pumps out brilliant bookks so fast.

Kimi Sama

01-23-2006, 11:34 AM

Catatonik

01-23-2006, 08:52 PM

I am already a fan of Gaiman, since his days writing for DC comics.

When I Am Old I Shall Wear Midnight is supposed to be the new Witches book, taking place after the secons Tiffany Aching book.

Kimi Sama

01-23-2006, 09:14 PM

I am already a fan of Gaiman, since his days writing for DC comics.
Awsome ^_^ Have you read any of his graphic novels? One of my girlfriend's housemates has the Sandman compilation, which I'm going to have to steal borrow next time I'm there. Thumbed through it and it looked pretty cool.
Which Gaiman books have you read?

When I Am Old I Shall Wear Midnight is supposed to be the new Witches book, taking place after the secons Tiffany Aching book.
Ah cool cool, I thought so. Should be cool, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg never fail to amuse me. And Greebo of course. I'm not too fussed about Magrat or anyone else, though.
I'm hoping for more fairy tale parodies since those work nicely with the Witches.
It'll probably be ages before it's out though... Pratchett said he's releasing one book a year now, and Thud! wasn't all that long ago:(

Catatonik

01-25-2006, 06:15 PM

Can you blame the poor man?

As for the Witches, I think Agnes is great, her and Perdita. But Granny is the mutha funkin bombz!

and yeah, I have read most of the Sandman books, excellent, excellent shit.

Sakura Kaijuu

02-08-2006, 12:58 PM

Ooh, this thread is still here!

I know his next book is called When I Am Old I Shall Where Midnight, but I don't know anything else.
I'm guessing it's almost certainly a Witches book, since the title parodies "When I Am Old I Shall Where Purple" is a story about an old lady (if i remember right). Plus it's about time for Granny to reappear.

I've not read any of the Nac-Mac-Feegle books yet, now that I think about it. Are they any good? I read Maurice a while back and I enjoyed that

Any and all Pratchett fans, I urge you to read stuff by Neil Gaiman, he's fantastic. So far I've read two books of his, Anansi Boys and Neverwhere, and I'm starting a third, Stardust.
His style is alot like Pratchett, but different in a way I can't quite put my finger on.
If his name sounds familier, it might be because you've read Good Omens, which Pratchett and Gaiman co-wrote.

Main difference with Gaiman is that while Pratchett has his Discworld to set everything in, Gaiman tends to set his stories in the modern world, and weave magic into it - Neverwhere is about a secret city under London called London Below, for example, which is like a twisted magic version of the real London.

Anyway, he's awsome. Go read his books now!

The books about the Nac Mac Feegle are awesome. I highly reccomend them. They're hilarious. And Terry Pratchett manages to capture the Scottish brogue in written words. Somehow. You can actually hear the Scottish. It's terrific.

Yay for a new witches book! Even though I want another Susan book...:laugh

Anyone who likes Neil Gaiman should read Sandman and American Gods. They are both amazing.

Ugh...I'm behind on my Terry Pratchett books. Before I started college, it was no problem, because my dad loves the Discworld books, so he buys them as soon as he can. But now I'm at school...And even though I'm only twenty minutes away, I can't drive, so I can't steal them out of the basement anymore...Dammit...

nimrod

02-16-2006, 03:31 PM

those books are too funny !I keep one under my pillow for funny dreams!
played the discworld games?dead funny!

TicoTico

02-16-2006, 03:46 PM

Discworld games? Whoa!

I haven't bought any of his books but I've borrowed all of them (well, the Discworld-series and the Mac Feegle one atleast) from the library, though it's been a long time since I've read what was then his latest book. Glad this showed up on recent posts, I've gotta go borrow Going Postal! :)

And do I even need to say what I think of the books? Terry FTW!

Bananna

02-28-2006, 06:26 PM

I love Pratchett to death. I have Thief of Time, Small Gods, and Monstrous Regiment, but I've read about 10 others... it's a shame that they're not better known. They're not even difficult to read.

Yeah, there are Discworld games - they're pretty old and it shows in the animation. One or two deal with the further adventures of Rincewind and one of them deals with a private detective.

Mattaru

12-14-2007, 05:27 PM

Latest news I heard was, Pratchett has caught some fatal disease [Look on wikipedia]
As a devout pratchettian, I'm heartbroken :(

Almost as painful as Adam's untimely death.

Voynich

12-14-2007, 05:34 PM

Just an early case of Alzheimers from what I've read. And the guy is like 60, so it really isn't that odd. But I am sad that this will prolly mean there won't be much new Discworld books anymore. I'm guessing 3/4 max.

Mattaru

12-14-2007, 05:35 PM

Ahh that's the one Voynich. :( He's releasing 2 a year on average, and that's still not filling up these huge reading gaps I have as a result of TV abstinence.
Thanks for clarifying anyway.

Voynich

12-14-2007, 05:48 PM

Okay so in the worst case (which means his brain is completely shutting down in 4 years) he'll still get maybe 6 out. But Alzheimer's usually still gives people about 10 years and there are cases known where it took 20 years. You really can't say much about it. It's sad ofcourse, but it's such a common disease.

Dream Brother

12-14-2007, 06:12 PM

Sad to hear about this -- Pratchett is awesome.

Morwain

12-14-2007, 08:40 PM

Pratchett is awesome it's so sad that he has alzheimer's

Catatonik

12-15-2007, 12:12 AM

My best wishes are with him.

Pratchett's writing has had a massive effect on my own writing style, and personality.

Tyrael

12-15-2007, 07:06 AM

TP's onset of Alzheimers is said to be an early one, so I shouldn't think that it'll be any longr than 3/4 yrs before he can no longer write, one hell of a shame, imo the best author of all time. Kind of bad that Jordan dies and TP gets diagnosed with alzheimers the same year. Oh well, he says there be at least a few more books yet (something which jordan definetly can't) so I guess there is nothing more to be said.

I heard the new book will be called Nation.

Kikyo

12-15-2007, 11:16 PM

Hogfather was on tv a couple nights ago (2 parter) it was so much fun. I'd sorta forgotten how good Pratchett was.

Click here for the news on his illness. (http://www.paulkidby.com/news/index.html)gotta admire the way he's handling it.

Tyrael

12-16-2007, 07:33 PM

PS I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think - it's too soon to tell. I know it's a very human thing to say "Is there anything I can do", but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry.

The man is fantastic. I also found the idea of people sending him plot aideas amusing.

The Joker

12-26-2007, 01:21 AM

I've only just started getting into his books since last Christmas, and hearing this news when it was announced was pretty upsetting, considering I've finally found a book series I can see myself reading straight through. It'll be sad if there are only a few more books. I guess the best thing to do is let things take their course and see what happens.

Anyways, I'm planning on starting Equal Rites soon (reading them in order) which I got today, so I'm really looking forward to that even though I'd like to get through it quickly so I can get to Mort.

I have to say though my favourite, which was read out of order, is Wintersmith. Not entirely sure why, but I really enjoyed it. Maybe because it was my first Terry Pratchett novel.

Sakura Kaijuu

12-26-2007, 01:27 AM

Yeah, it's very sad about Pratchett...but I mean...we can't really do anything except hope for the best.

I think we should all write him letters about how awesome his books are and not particularly about how he's got Alzheimer's, just that we like his books a lot. ^_^

I was shocked and amazed that Hogfather was on American television the other day. But then I rarely watch tv (I don't actually have tv at college anymore), so seeing anything I haven't seen in a while is generally a shocker. :laugh

I still really want another Susan book, but I like Tiffany a lot too. And Making Money was definitely very, very good. XD

Aldrick

12-26-2007, 08:34 AM

I really, really want to read it.

Please reccomend me the best book to start off the series for me.

Sakura Kaijuu

12-26-2007, 11:40 AM

I really, really want to read it.

Please reccomend me the best book to start off the series for me.

Well really the Discworld books are written so that almost all of them can be read as one-offs, even if they're part of one of the sub-series. I think the only real exception to that is The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, which are the very first two.

But...I guess if you want some suggestions, here's some of my favorites:

Hogfather
Thief of Time
The Fifth Elephant
Interesting Times
The Wee Free Men

That list is made up of some of my favorites, but like I said, you could pick up pretty much any Discworld book. :laugh

Kikyo

12-26-2007, 12:08 PM

heheee. I got "Hogfather" and "Wit & Wisdom of the Discworld" for Christmas. :dance must buy Hogfather DVD.... now that I know it exists.

Levi

12-30-2007, 09:10 AM

I heard about his disease. It's too bad, but come on, he's written more books than any other fantasy writer on earth. That's quite an achievement.

I got The Wee Free Men from my aunt for Christmas. I finished it within 24 hours, including sleeping. The complete book probably took a cumulative 8-9 hours. Now I'm looking to buy the complete series.

It was one of the best Christmas presents ever. :zaru

Tyrael

12-30-2007, 03:06 PM

I heard about his disease. It's too bad, but come on, he's written more books than any other fantasy writer on earth. That's quite an achievement.

True enough, but he has yet to give us any real closure on most of the characters, probably never will, but if the illness interferes it will really aggrevate the hardcore fans.

I've met him once, so I guess I'm fine, he should just do what he can.

Kimi Sama

12-30-2007, 03:12 PM

Heh, nice to see my old thread randomly revive after two years. Shame it isn't for a nicer reason than Pratchett's recently discoverd illness, though...

Alzheimer's is a terrible tragedy in any case, and even more so when it's a genius like Pratchett.

Still, he's being optimistic about it, so I will be too. Like he said, he ain't dead yet and he's got a lot more writing to do. I hope we can continue to write and live a full life for as long as possible.

Levi

01-03-2008, 07:53 AM

True enough, but he has yet to give us any real closure on most of the characters, probably never will, but if the illness interferes it will really aggrevate the hardcore fans.

I've met him once, so I guess I'm fine, he should just do what he can.

You lucky bastard. If only I could ever meet him. :(

Tyrael

01-03-2008, 07:17 PM

You lucky bastard. If only I could ever meet him. :(

I got a signed book as well, but one of my mates has a first edition hardback of the light fantastic which has never been opened...Maybe not first edition but there is something special about it I seem 2 remember.

I'll stop making you jealous now.

Catatonik

01-05-2008, 04:34 AM

I do not need closure on the characters. But I will devour everything he writes until he can write no more.

Goodfellow

01-07-2008, 10:40 AM

I'm hoping for a Alzheimer cure.
C'mooooon, we need this:arg!!

Tyrael

03-30-2008, 09:49 PM

I do not need closure on the characters. But I will devour everything he writes until he can write no more.

Agreed.

Oh and bump.

What is the best discworld series people? Watch, Death, Witches, Rincewind, etc...

Mattaru

03-30-2008, 09:56 PM

It's a close tie between Witches and the Watch.

Witches, because Watch repeats quite a few jokes and phrases.
Although Witches basically has the same plotline more or less book x.x

Tyrael

03-31-2008, 04:13 PM

It's a close tie between Witches and the Watch.

Witches, because Watch repeats quite a few jokes and phrases.
Although Witches basically has the same plotline more or less book x.x

The "same" plotline is a bit far, although there is an undeniable formula in there. I would go for Watch mysel,f although Rincewind does give them a damn good run for their money.

Tyrael

04-05-2008, 09:32 PM

Mattaru

01-11-2009, 07:07 PM

I found a cheap copy of Strata the day, didn't have any money on me, but are that and The Dark Side of the Sun good? I mean they're Pratchett, so it's heavily likely they are but I felt the question could be posed anyway.

Super bump.
I felt it lacked the Pratchett touch - his style is still there, it just wasn't as funny as his others.

Question:

Republican Bee

A species of honeybee that, rather than being ruled by the traditional queen, runs its hives as democratic republics. Republican bees "committee rather than swarm, and tend to stay in the hive a lot, voting for more honey."

:lmao

I've read and re-read all my Discworld novels. I cannot find this reference to the Republican Bee. Anyone know which novel it's from?

Tyrael

01-11-2009, 07:13 PM

Actually, I've since read Strata since then-there were holes in what he was trying to do and the comedy aspect wasn't as well honed but it was otherwise a microcosm of his work. It dealt with most of the themes he examines, has interesting and well developed characters, great sense of the world and a fantastically large end.

But for some odd reason that quote seems to say Interesting Times to me-although I remember there was stuff about bees in Lords and Ladies.

The Bloody Nine

01-11-2009, 07:53 PM

What did you lot think of Nation ?

Nice to see a Pratchett thread. The great man deserves it.

Edit- and just so you know i am definitely a man of the Watch. Though the Witch books are pretty fun. I never really liked the Rincewind books, except the gut-bustingly ( :zaru ) funny The Last Hero. Though i haven't really read any of the Death books so take that with a pinch of salt.

Tyrael

01-11-2009, 08:07 PM

Is it the way Pratchett sometimes flanderises Rincewind that puts you off, or just the general ideas and plots in that series of books?

The Bloody Nine

01-11-2009, 08:25 PM

Is it the way Pratchett sometimes flanderises Rincewind that puts you off, or just the general ideas and plots in that series of books?

I like a strong plott setting in my book - for instance the Hero has to go off here and drop of the ring and preferably live through the task.

Well not really, but i have always wanted an objective to measure the story by. Most of Rincewind's stories, that i have read, just seem like a day in the life afairs with no real purpose.

Tyrael

01-11-2009, 08:37 PM

Admittedly the first two were fairly aimless, but I would argue Sourcery had a very focused plot and Interesting Times always had a pretty clear direction. Eric, it has to be said, does seem to have a plot as a kind of after thought.

Mattaru

01-11-2009, 09:06 PM

Ahh thanks Tyrael. I'll try re-reading Interesting Times again.

:lmao and Interestiong Times and the Last Continent were Rincewind's finest.

Have you guys ever read the Discworld Comic-format books?
That was the first Discworld I ever read. Comic-book format CoM/LF. It was pretty funny and a decent effort.

It's a close tie for me between Witches/Watch being my favourite - probably the Watch, since the characters are just slightly more awesome. Nobby Nobbs :wtf

"Hi, are you the baboon we had on order?"

Tyrael

01-11-2009, 09:13 PM

Interesting Times is worth a reread even if the quote never appears. Amongst my fave Discworld novels.

pktheworld

01-11-2009, 11:35 PM

finally some people who appreciate the comedy of dear terry pratchet.
personally i like pyramids and the last hero the best out of all of them

jingo wasnt bad but some of them, like feet of clay, i just couldnt finish :(

Mattaru

01-12-2009, 08:16 AM

Interesting Times is worth a reread even if the quote never appears. Amongst my fave Discworld novels.

:lmao Indeed. Back a few years ago when Pratchett was all I actually read Interesting Times, Last Continent and the Witches series were the ones I re-read everynight.
Greatest moment for me was: Truckle: Easy. You kill that little - there was a rustle of paper - chap behind the stall. :lmao ~ That one has me going even after the 50th time.

Pratchett said he's still going to be releasing around 2 novels every year or so right, even with alzheimer (sp)?

Kimi Sama

01-13-2009, 05:21 PM

Thanks for repping me Bloody Nine, you made me remember I still have this thread.

Again :sweat

I'll make an effort to keep it more lively so it doesnt sink into the ether for another couple of years, lol.

So, if you hadn't heard, he's Sir Terry now! He got an OBE in this year's honour's list. I was working at a paper in Wiltshire over Christmas, and him being a Wiltshire resident he was featured. I wish I'd been the one to get to talk to him.

To get in on some of the ongoing conversations;

I've had Nation for a couple of months or so, but I haven't got round to reading it yet because I first put it off since I'd bought it for my girlfriend for Christmas and didn't want her complaining at me for reading mine first, and now I'm wading through a beast of a book called Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, which is very good, but also just over 1000 pages long so a tiny bit of work.

Looking forward to it a lot though, I've heard good things. I've also not read a non-Discworld Pratchett book since Good Omens, so that should be fun. Actually, have there even been any since then?

Also for now I think I'll go with the witches as my favourite character group, largely because I recently read all three Tifany books and the latter two are crammed full of witchy goodness from Granny and Nanny as well as Tiffany.

If you've never read the Tiffany books I can't recomend them highly enough. They're for a younger audience, but although Tiffany is younger than other characters (nine in the first book, 13 in the last) and the language is a different in a way I can't put my finger on, they're still as cleverly written as ever, so he definitely hasn't dumbed it down.

Any speculation as to who else will get books for Pratchett's final few planned novels? I hear there's a fourth Tiffany book called I Shall Wear Midnight, and a third Moist book called Raising Taxes.

Yulwei

01-13-2009, 05:29 PM

There's also Unseen Academicals which takes place at the UU

The Bloody Nine

01-13-2009, 05:57 PM

Thats the interesting thing i have found about Pratchett - no two fans can agree on his top ten discworld books. Even a top five is hard.

For me it goes;

1)Good Omens (cheating i know)
2)Night Watch
3)Nation (though its very different from his other work)
4)Guards Guards.
5)Going Postal.

Tyrael

01-13-2009, 06:01 PM

Interesting Times
Lords and Ladies
Men at Arms
Night Watch
The Light Fantastic

Just don't ask me to put them in order.

Kimi Sama

01-13-2009, 06:39 PM

Hmm I've never made a list of favourites before so this will be hard.

I'll go with

Interesting Times
Thief of Time
Witches Abroad
Night Watch.
The Truth

Same as Tyrael I can't put those in an order.

Heh, I also just realised that's more or less one book per Discworld series. Rincewind, Death/Susan, the witches, the Watch and miscellaneous/Ankh Morpork.

I guess my subconcious prodded me into spreading out into a favourite from each area, lol.

There's really better choices than The Truth, but I'm a trainee journalist myself so unlike a lot of the other books I have first hand experience of Pratchett's observations, and they're all spot on

There's a ton of others I want to list too, but that would me removing some of those first, and would also make my favourites list about half the series.

I think the only ones I'm not that fond of are the first three, Moving Pictures, and Pyramids.
Colour of Magic and Light Fantastic are just a kind of scattergun of fantasy parodies and like some people have said earlier in the thread, they don't have the focus and the social and psychological commentary aspects that later books do. Equal Rites is much the same, and also Granny doesn't read right compared to later versions.
As for Moving Pictures and Pyramids, they just feel weaker and more inconsquential than the other books. I did still enjoy them as far as I remember, but they didn't suck me in.

Hah going on a bit now, sorry. I've only got a handful of people I can talk to about DW in any detail normally, lol.

Oh and cool, I'd forgotten about Unseen Academicals. I think I read somewhere it was going to be about studenty wizarding and also football, which should make for a good lot of commentary material since both areas are full of weird things.

Fingers crossed that he can stave off his terrible affliction and get those books and any others he's got planned out there.

Tyrael

01-13-2009, 07:07 PM

I love both Pyramids and Moving Pictures-the only one of the first three I would describe as weak would be Equal Rites, though the style is definitely immature in them.

And, damn, I forgot about Thief of Time. That would probably be in my top 5.

But I hope he gives us another Watch book. I also hope for a bit of resolution for some of the characters, though even if we never get any I'll still be happy.

Mattaru

01-14-2009, 12:54 AM

Equal Rites is much the same, and also Granny doesn't read right compared to later versions.

Agree. There's certainly disrepancies in Granny's character here, and the fact that Esk doesn't reappear anytime later is disappointing.

Moving Pictures was hilarious though :lmao Gaspode is a great character, and Dibbler making it big is always worth a watch.

Ohhh. Dibbler :gar

My 5:
1. Wyrd Sisters [Oh come on, the numerous Shakespeare parodies tickled me senseless]

Jingo
5th Elephant
Interesting Times
Lords and Ladies

Yakushi Kabuto

01-17-2009, 07:48 PM

Ooo, how nice to see this thread, just finished reading Terry Prachett's Thud! It was a fun read, I really liked Brick so I hope to see more of him. The whole troll style of speech thing really appeals to me. I like anything involving the Watch so only expected that I would enjoy this.

Dream Brother

02-04-2009, 02:19 PM

I know we have a lot of Pratchett fans here, so I thought I'd let you guys know that (if you have access to BBC2) there's a documentary on him tonight that you might be interested in. It's called Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer's, and it should be on at 9:00.

Tyrael

02-04-2009, 02:28 PM

It's not going to look at his works beyond just a cursory glance, I got the impression, but yeah, def. gonna check it out. I got a bit annoyed yesterday 'cause a member of my family told me that it was on on Monday.

Mattaru

05-10-2009, 05:26 PM

Somerset [In UK] names several streets after Terry Pratchett (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/05/terry-pratchett-discworld-somerset)

Pratchett's getting some love :ohpek

If you go down to Wincanton in Somerset today you can wander down Peach Pie Street and Treacle Mine Road, named after Sir Terry Pratchett's fantasy series Discworld.

Pratchett visited the town today to unveil the road names at a new housing estate, and was greeted by hundreds of fans – many dressed in costume.

Wincanton was twinned with the city of Ankh-Morpork from the novels in 2002, becoming the first UK town to link with a fictional place.

The builder of the Kingwell Rise development, George Wimpey, asked locals to vote for their favourite road name from a shortlist of 14 suggested by Pratchett.

Pratchett said: "I think it's a lovely idea, even though it makes my head spin to think of the books becoming a little closer to reality.

"And they are nice names, even though I say it myself.

"Personally, I'd pay good money to live somewhere called Treacle Mine Road."

Colin Winder, former mayor of Wincanton, said: "The association with Discworld works extremely well for our town, helping to boost the local economy.

"I even know of three families who moved to Wincanton because of this quirky connection.

"It is wonderful that the roads at Kingwell Rise have been named in this way and it certainly beats the dedications to local dignitaries and village worthies that we usually see."

Pratchett announced in December 2007 that he had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and has since campaigned to raise awareness of the condition.

He has sold more than 55 million books worldwide and has had his works translated into 33 languages.

Richard Goad, regional sales and marketing director for George Wimpey, said: "With Wincanton's well-established links with Ankh-Morpork it seemed fitting to name the roads at Kingwell Rise after places in Discworld."

I will drive down and take some pictures on Thursday once my final Shakespeare exam is over and I can celebrate SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER.

Tyrael

10-09-2009, 12:50 PM

http://www.prlog.org/10298257-unseen-academicals-by-terry-pratchett.jpg

It's been a while since I read any of Pratchett's stuff; too long, to be honest.

Mattaru

10-09-2009, 01:47 PM

http://www.prlog.org/10298257-unseen-academicals-by-terry-pratchett.jpg

It's been a while since I read any of Pratchett's stuff; too long, to be honest.

There's a new Pratchett out? Oh yessssssssssssssssssssss and what's this, the badass librarian gracing the cover page?
Ook (FUCK YEAH)

Love the wizards. My favourite characters. I hope the Dean features a lot in this one.

Tyrael

10-09-2009, 02:04 PM

Judging from what little I've read of it, it's his funniest in a while. Lots of the wordplay and observational humour that Pratchett excels at.

Nae'blis

10-09-2009, 02:09 PM

superb .

Rob`

10-09-2009, 03:06 PM

So I've got to ask.

Granny Weatherwax or Sam Vimes?

Can't decide personally...

Tyrael

10-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Vimes.

I mean, I love Granny, but Same Vimes is one of my favourites of Pratchett's creation.

Emperor Joker

10-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Goodness I really need to get caught up with this series. I've only read the first three.

Was anyone else underwhelmed by Equal Rites?

Tyrael

10-09-2009, 09:13 PM

Very much so. It had some great moments, but next to the first two it seemed a bit meh. The biggest crime is that Granny Weatherwax doesn't leave an impression in that book - Wyrd Sisters is what I consider her true debut.

So yeah, I highly recommend you keep going. The first books are a bit rough - Pratchett's characterisation, plot structure, depth of themes and the subtlety of his humour grow immensely as the series progresses.

Ivyn

10-11-2009, 02:25 PM

I just finished reading Making Money and thought about bumping this thread but seems like somebody did it faster. Thanks. :D

I can't wait to get Unseen Academicals, Wizards are just wonderful, especially our favourite Librarian. :iria

Granny Weatherwax or Sam Vimes?

Vimes! <3 Granny is awesome, but personally I'm not a big fan of Witches, I prefer City Watch.

However, no one is better than old good Rincewind.

LoboFTW

10-12-2009, 04:38 PM

Discworld is epic. It is by far my favourite series of books. Terry is very funny, the characters are deep and interesting, the setting is believable and the plots are just great.
My favourite series is the watch books. Vmes is awesome. A close second is the series that Going Postal is apart of.

Emperor Joker

10-12-2009, 08:21 PM

I just got done with Pyramids, and I must say it's a definite step up from Equal Rites, which was the last Discworld book i've read.

I can't wait for Mort to arrive in the mail.

Ivyn

10-13-2009, 07:29 AM

I just got done with Pyramids, and I must say it's a definite step up from Equal Rites, which was the last Discworld book i've read.

I can't wait for Mort to arrive in the mail.

In my opinion Pratchett gets better with every book, it's especially visible when you're reading his older works, like said Pyramids and Equal Rites. So you'll see how even more awesome it all becomes later. :3

Tyrael

10-13-2009, 12:48 PM

Pyramids, if I recall correctly, was a bit of a weird one. Not as strange as Reaper Man, but still not one that shied away from getting a bit metaphysical. Good book dat one.

Mattaru

10-15-2009, 12:04 PM

Hey Tyrael, did you buy the hardback of Unseen Academicals?
I'm not sure when the UK paperback comes out, and I don't want to splurge for a hardback. Not to mention, I don't have shelfspace for a hardback :lmao

:uwah. Reading Nations right now. It's so-so, but disgustingly 'young adult' in its language. I knew I shoulda avoided this based on previous experience, but half price at Waterstones was too much of a bargain to miss!