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| Picture from Google - not mine |
Finally joined the bandwagon?
Or just thinking of picking a new fantasy series?
With 40 books in the series, it can be a bit intimidating.
Worry not. Let this be your guide to Discworld.
Or just thinking of picking a new fantasy series?
With 40 books in the series, it can be a bit intimidating.
Worry not. Let this be your guide to Discworld.
Terry Pratchett is my absolute favorite author.
Having said that, I have a few DISC-laimers ;)
1) I have NOT read all the books. I have some of the books in print, and some as ebooks. As you can see, you don't need to be intimidated by the sheer volume of books.
You can still enjoy them without reading every single book.
2) I'm not the absolute expert and not the #1 fan who knows everything Discworld. Heck, I only know one Watch song and recognize one Nanny Ogg song. But I digress.
There are many things that I do not know about Discworld.
Let this guide be for someone who's just starting out or someone who's read a few books (and is thinking of giving up) OR someone who's on the same page as me.
WHAT IS DISCWORLD???
The Discworld Series (more on the word series below) is a list of books about characters living in a fictional planet.
This planet is quite unique because it is a flat disc on the back of four elephants, which, in turn, is standing on top of a mega-giant turtle (Great A'tuin).
The turtle floats in space for some unknown (explained in book #2 but won't spoil) reason.
It is a true fantasy in that it occurs in a fictional world with magic, wizards, warriors and kings.
Having said that, I have a few DISC-laimers ;)
1) I have NOT read all the books. I have some of the books in print, and some as ebooks. As you can see, you don't need to be intimidated by the sheer volume of books.
You can still enjoy them without reading every single book.
2) I'm not the absolute expert and not the #1 fan who knows everything Discworld. Heck, I only know one Watch song and recognize one Nanny Ogg song. But I digress.
There are many things that I do not know about Discworld.
Let this guide be for someone who's just starting out or someone who's read a few books (and is thinking of giving up) OR someone who's on the same page as me.
WHAT IS DISCWORLD???
The Discworld Series (more on the word series below) is a list of books about characters living in a fictional planet.
This planet is quite unique because it is a flat disc on the back of four elephants, which, in turn, is standing on top of a mega-giant turtle (Great A'tuin).
The turtle floats in space for some unknown (explained in book #2 but won't spoil) reason.
It is a true fantasy in that it occurs in a fictional world with magic, wizards, warriors and kings.
EXCEPT that it happened a few millenniums after the world settled down and people evolved.
Have you ever wondered what happened in Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) after a few thousand years? That's Discworld.
(Mind that Westeros happened in between. It is actually a few centuries after Westeros.)
Discworld is closer to Game of Thrones than LoTR.
ISSUES of FIRST: "I can't read the 30th book without reading the 1st book."
(Mind that Westeros happened in between. It is actually a few centuries after Westeros.)
Discworld is closer to Game of Thrones than LoTR.
ISSUES of FIRST: "I can't read the 30th book without reading the 1st book."
The main issue plenty of readers have with this series is that it's got 40 titles under its belt.
Readers hear this: YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ IT IN ORDER.
This is not Vampire Academy, Hunger Games or Twilight. It's not a "series" in that there's a major story line encompassing all of the books.
Readers hear this: YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ IT IN ORDER.
This is not Vampire Academy, Hunger Games or Twilight. It's not a "series" in that there's a major story line encompassing all of the books.
Look at it this way. The books follow several different sets of characters in a fictional world.
However, a lot of Discworld readers feel that the books needed to be read in order. Otherwise, you won't get the inside jokes in the later books.
Here's my suggestion:
Follow the series according to the characters you like the most.
In the Wikipedia entry for Discworld, you will find that bit on STORYLINES. Just pick a character and follow the books relating to that character.
For example, my favorite characters are the ones in the City Watch featuring Commander Sam Vimes. They are usually in Ankh-Morpork, where Lord Vetinari is usually in a chameo.
The books for the City Watch are:
Guards! Guards!
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
... and so on...
I haven't actually read Feet of Clay and Jingo. But I can still enjoy Vimes and Vetinari.
ISSUES of SECOND: "I just came off Twiling/Hunger Games/(insert teen fiction title here). Which book do I start with?"
Here's my suggestion:
Follow the series according to the characters you like the most.
In the Wikipedia entry for Discworld, you will find that bit on STORYLINES. Just pick a character and follow the books relating to that character.
For example, my favorite characters are the ones in the City Watch featuring Commander Sam Vimes. They are usually in Ankh-Morpork, where Lord Vetinari is usually in a chameo.
The books for the City Watch are:
Guards! Guards!
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
... and so on...
I haven't actually read Feet of Clay and Jingo. But I can still enjoy Vimes and Vetinari.
ISSUES of SECOND: "I just came off Twiling/Hunger Games/(insert teen fiction title here). Which book do I start with?"
This is a classic answer. Start with THE AMAZING MAURICE and HIS EDUCATED RODENTS.
This is a re-telling of the Pied Piper story through the POV of the rats... and a cat.
Not only was this award winning book written for the teen audience, it also offers a lot more wonderful things that you will continue to see in the Discworld Series.
Mind that I read this book in my mid-twenties and the magic was not lost on me. In fact, I completely ate it up and moved on the Discworld series.
What Terry Pratchett does the best, and is lost on the more unseasoned readers, is that he takes what's happening in front of you, takes it part, puts them back together piece by piece while explaining why it is the way it is.
It explains how the world works and why it does so. The endings are usually happy but the happiness is a form of justice.
If Cinderella happened in Discworld, she wouldn't be the bride of the Prince. She probably would have mounted a revolt and took the kingdom from the distracted Prince (read Magrat the Witch's storyline).
Pratchett also writes from history. That's right. OUR real world history.
Everything in his books, even the magic bits, are based on real life.
I will argue that it's more than a parody because nothing he writes is of malice. It comes off as an observation. The opinions you glean from it is all yours.
In THE AMAZING MAURICE, Pratchett takes anthropology and put it in a way that kids will understand. How is society started? How are people different from animals?
ISSUES of THIRD: "I don't get the funny. Where's the funny?"
Everything in his books, even the magic bits, are based on real life.
I will argue that it's more than a parody because nothing he writes is of malice. It comes off as an observation. The opinions you glean from it is all yours.
In THE AMAZING MAURICE, Pratchett takes anthropology and put it in a way that kids will understand. How is society started? How are people different from animals?
ISSUES of THIRD: "I don't get the funny. Where's the funny?"
The humor is very dry. Yet, if you are an informed reader, it is hilarious.
I take weeks to read one book because I gobble up every single word.
If you aren't laughing at every other sentence then you are missing something.
It's not just funny. It also teaches you about things.
One of the great teacher-characters is DEATH. There's a lot of book with DEATH as the main character.
He's perfect for the parody part as he did in Hogfather (take on Christmas). He questions why humans act the way they do because he is a curious being.
There was even that bit where DEATH left being DEATH.
Pratchett teaches you that life is not always what it seems.
That's the funny bit right there!
If you aren't afraid to poke fun at the world and how it works, then this is the series for you.
ISSUES of FOURTH: "I want a really good plot. But the Discworld novels are far too simple."
That's the funny bit right there!
If you aren't afraid to poke fun at the world and how it works, then this is the series for you.
ISSUES of FOURTH: "I want a really good plot. But the Discworld novels are far too simple."
If you are all about things happening to your character, then please pick up a Gaiman.
Discworld books are known for their simple plots. The beauty of the book is in how it is written and not in how wonderful the plot is because you had no idea that was going to happen there.
Gaiman is extremely good with that. He's besties with Terry so full support from me!
Discworld won't give you page-turning plots. For me, it's not meant to be a one day read.
I'm mortally afraid of skipping lines/words because I might miss the funny.
This is just not that kind of book. It's like a self-help book or a history book. It is a learning module. You learn by reading each line slowly and carefully, absorbing every word.
Do not read this too fast. If you think you've missed something, Google it! You'll be glad you did.
In fact, it takes a connoisseur to be able to get every single joke in a book. There's a guide on the net that'd help you. I sometimes refer to this on my second reading.
ISSUES of FIFTH: "There's too many characters!"
In fact, it takes a connoisseur to be able to get every single joke in a book. There's a guide on the net that'd help you. I sometimes refer to this on my second reading.
ISSUES of FIFTH: "There's too many characters!"
Not really. There's a handful and you don't really encounter them every book.
You don't need to know them by heart, which house they belong to, who they're allied with etc.
You can concentrate on which character sets you like the most.
The more you read the books the better your grasp would be.
CHARACTER SET LIST:
The CITY WATCH - nearly always with Ankh-Morpork. There's the featured character, Sam Vimes, and his Watch. He is one of my most favorite Discworld characters. He's awesome.
The WIZARDS - This is tricky because even I can't keep track of the characters. The Wizards are quite organized and had been kept safely busy from destroying each other and world via the wonderful world of ACADEMICS.
As part of the academic world, I sincerely enjoy this. So much of what is written about the academe is so true. Including, the best bit, either kill the person on top of you or wait for them to die. Classic!
The academe is a world of politeness, intrigue and lots of feasts/parties/drinking. Seriously. If you don't partake, you die. And the Wizards of Unseen University does it so well.
The Wizard stories feature Rincewind who is the main character in the first book. He's a failed wizard of sorts. Honestly, he isn't my favorite character but he's still quite fun.
The WITCHES - While the Wizards are happily scheming against each other in UU, the Witches prefer to be loners. Each Witch presides in a village specifically assigned to her. However, there are special witches who have a different job, like looking for potential witches. The Witches usually do not reside in the city. They prefer to be in the outskirts (like Lancre). Most Witches stories are in Lancre featuring Esme Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and a third witch (because three is a good number). It happened some time ago that the third witch was replaced as this witch moved on to something else (not spoiling).
The Wizard stories feature Rincewind who is the main character in the first book. He's a failed wizard of sorts. Honestly, he isn't my favorite character but he's still quite fun.
The WITCHES - While the Wizards are happily scheming against each other in UU, the Witches prefer to be loners. Each Witch presides in a village specifically assigned to her. However, there are special witches who have a different job, like looking for potential witches. The Witches usually do not reside in the city. They prefer to be in the outskirts (like Lancre). Most Witches stories are in Lancre featuring Esme Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and a third witch (because three is a good number). It happened some time ago that the third witch was replaced as this witch moved on to something else (not spoiling).
DEATH - His stories can occur everywhere. He is literally DEATH. Well, he is the personification of death. He has a daughter and a butler. Also, an apprentice named Mort. Then, a grand-daughter.
Anything I say after this is a spoiler.
I love him though.
BTW, he has a side-kick called Death of Rat. I've said too much.
MOIST von LIPWIG - He's considered a character set because he comes with GOLEMS and the lovely, Adora Belle Dearheart. Plus, he brings in the finance part of the world. There's no other character who deals with bureaucracy and commerce as he does (except for William de Worde in The Truth).
He is a recent character set and has been creating such a big buzz.
ISSUES of LAST: "What's your favorite character? What book would you recommend?"
My favorite is the Tiffany Aching series which is like Twilight on no vampires and lost of intelligence, independence and an actual strong independent woman who also really family loving.
TIffany is Discworld's answer to teen fiction. We follow her journey from recruitment to full witch-hood.
It is best to read her books in the order they are published. Do not skip.
As every character set book list is a journey, this one is more important than others.
Anything I say after this is a spoiler.
I love him though.
BTW, he has a side-kick called Death of Rat. I've said too much.
MOIST von LIPWIG - He's considered a character set because he comes with GOLEMS and the lovely, Adora Belle Dearheart. Plus, he brings in the finance part of the world. There's no other character who deals with bureaucracy and commerce as he does (except for William de Worde in The Truth).
He is a recent character set and has been creating such a big buzz.
ISSUES of LAST: "What's your favorite character? What book would you recommend?"
My favorite is the Tiffany Aching series which is like Twilight on no vampires and lost of intelligence, independence and an actual strong independent woman who also really family loving.
TIffany is Discworld's answer to teen fiction. We follow her journey from recruitment to full witch-hood.
It is best to read her books in the order they are published. Do not skip.
As every character set book list is a journey, this one is more important than others.
If you have a younger sister or a daughter, and you want her to grow up to be an intelligent woman who will not succumb to the trappings of teen-love and other ka-babawan and will strive to text with proper spelling, the Tiffany Aching books is a must.
Start when she is ten years old with the first book. Give her the TA books in order of TA's age. The books skip years see.
TA broke my heart because I didn't have Pratchett books when I was growing up. Thus, I had unrealistic expectations of love. This book killed it and RIGHTLY SO. There's no such thing as a perfect love. Love is supposed to grow with you. It teaches girls that just because you were deeply in love with him now, doesn't mean that he's the man for you and you should defy your parents just to see him.
When you grow up, your needs change and so does your concept of true love.
The TA series is like Ramon Bautista only more polite and has great story line.
It also teaches girls how to think and control their emotions. It prepares them for the adult world.
TA broke my heart because I didn't have Pratchett books when I was growing up. Thus, I had unrealistic expectations of love. This book killed it and RIGHTLY SO. There's no such thing as a perfect love. Love is supposed to grow with you. It teaches girls that just because you were deeply in love with him now, doesn't mean that he's the man for you and you should defy your parents just to see him.
When you grow up, your needs change and so does your concept of true love.
The TA series is like Ramon Bautista only more polite and has great story line.
It also teaches girls how to think and control their emotions. It prepares them for the adult world.
THE SIGHT and THOUGHTS of TIFANNY ACHING:
The First Sight - to see what is really there (the truth)
The Second Sight - to see what you want to see is there (the truth you want)
The Second Thoughts - to think about the way you think (cognition)
The Third and Fourth Thoughts - to think about the way you think you think (higher cognition)
The sights shows you what to think about, and you must think about the way you think. That's how you should see the world.
This is the best book to make your girls intelligent. Buy them now and read it yourself with your daughter/sister/friend/etc.
I guarantee that this will change your life if read properly.
It will change you in a way that it will make you grow up some.
This is the true coming of age book because you also come of age when Tiffany does.
After the many issues, just remember that reading for fun is great.
But reading to learn things and to change the way you think is even better.
I'm not saying pick up the nearest self-help book or Tuesdays with Morrey.
In fact, I bawled more over Nation than Tuesdays.
These books changed my life.
These are books I read whenever I am feeling confused about the world or if I'm simply feeling sad.
In fact, I bawled more over Nation than Tuesdays.
These books changed my life.
These are books I read whenever I am feeling confused about the world or if I'm simply feeling sad.
Here's one of the most important lessons I learned from Discworld:
When you feel that darkness has you trapped...
when you feel surrounded by darkness...
when you feel strangled by darkness...
when you feel strangled by darkness...
... the darkness is not outside. It is already in you...
...gathering, building...
... ultimately ready to lay waste to everyone around you.
What you feel is your Guarding Dark.
"I am not here to keep darkness out.
...gathering, building...
... ultimately ready to lay waste to everyone around you.
What you feel is your Guarding Dark.
"I am not here to keep darkness out.
I'm here to keep it in.
Call me the Guarding Dark.
Imagine how strong I must be."
xo, Pau
Imagine how strong I must be."
xo, Pau
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