Hacker News Reader

Comment by nsbk | Hacker News Reader

What entry point would you recommend to a total newcomer to the series?

Wyrd Sisters (first Witches novel in which the characters have more or less settled down to what they’ll be for the rest of the series) or Guards, Guards (first Vimes novel, and first ‘normal’ Ankh Morpork novel; an Ankh Morpork shows up in earlier novels but that version is more or less entirely retconned away quite quickly.)

Both sound great, I’ll probably read both and decide which series to cover first. Thanks!

"Lords & Ladies", and then expand out in both/all directions.

Horrible elves, Granny at her best (and Nanny), Magrat the killer queen, Morris dancing, stupid wizzards and lots of other stuff - what's not to like?

Probably just because it's my fave. But you can read them and enjoy in any order.

The only reason I disagree is that L&L jumps in with some very well established characters that had been built up earlier. But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves. He put a lot of research into re-establishing the myths and lore of his little corner of the world.

(Along those lines I would also recommend Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell” which builds its own parallel history set in the early 1800s Britain, with Fairies taking the same role as elves in discworld.

I think Susannah Clarke is the only living author I can think of who would inspire the same enthusiasm from me upon news of a new book from them. Alas, she is not quite as prolific as PTerry :)

Mustn't grumble though, it's not like Jonathan Strange was a pamphlet!

> But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves.

Yeah, more or less. The “elves/fairies are nice, or at least _good_” thing is a fairly modern creation (owing a lot to Tolkien, really).

That sounds like a lot of fun indeed! Thanks for the advice

Small Gods. It is a self contained book which I think truly shows the humor and philosophy of Pratchett.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com