Favorite Pratchett novel other than Good Omens?

[Orrex]

Anyone who's read just one Pratchett book has read Good Omens, so for purposes of this thread let's set that one aside.

I first got into the Discworld in 1990, thanks to a good friend who was already a fan. I started with The Colour of Magic and grabbed every new installment as soon as it hit the stands.

IMO, the series started to go sour once every single book started to be about The Watch. I understand the temptation of selling to an all-but-guaranteed audience, as well as the satisfaction of exploring beloved characters, but enough is enough. Let someone else on the Disc have a turn, for pity's sake!

My all time favorite is probably Mort, though strictly speaking I'm not sure why. I'm also quite fond of Guards! Guards! and Small Gods.

For that matter, I found Strata to be surprisingly entertaining, though a bit lacking in certain regards. Still, it's sufficiently imaginative to be satisfying to a fan, especially for a the reader who's already read most of the Discworld tales before learning of Strata.

Do you have a favorite?

[semillama]

1. I really liked Mort, too

I haven't read any in a while, but the early ones were my favorites. Equal Rites was great, so was Small Gods and Jingo. He's coming up on FORTY titles in the series, which is one reason I haven't read any for a while!

List of titles here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld

[blueraven95]

2. how do you choose just one (or two, or thee) discworld novels

as your favorite?

I always recommend people start with Hogfather - it just seems like a good beginning.

I think his books are getting better. I really liked Going Postal, Thief of Time, any of the Sam Vimes books. But there are so many others - these are just off the top of my head.

I just ordered Making Money last night so I'll be reading that soon.

The Johnny books are good, too - but for a younger audience. Only You Can Save Mankind is great for the middle school crowd.

[shenmue]

3. I liked the first few Discworld novels

I still read most of them, but they're too fast for me. Give me the days when all I needed was some walking luggage and a simian librarian...

[JPettus]

4. The Three Tiffany Aching books

They are officially listed for young readers, but they are so funny that adults love them too, and see the metaphor in what he's writing.

The Wee Free Men - Nine-year-old Tiffany Aching, a potential witch, takes off into Fairyland to get her little brother back, who was taken by the Queen of the Fairies. She is armed only with a frying pan and assisted by the Nac Mac Feagles, who are fairy folk and can get into and out of just about everything, "except for pubs, which we have a hard time getting out of for some reason."

A Hatful of Sky - Eleven year old Tiffany is getting a chance to apprentice with a real witch and commune with other witches and apprentice witches. Unknown to her, she's being followed by an invisible entity that is intent on attacking her and stealing her body. Since it has no physical body of it's own, the Wee Free Men are unable to fight it for her. Tiffany must face this ancient evil alone.

Wintersmith - Thirteen year old Tiffany witnesses the ancient dance where the Wintersmith meets Spring and heralds the end of winter. Unable to keep her feet still, Tiffany dances out into the circle and is seen by the Wintersmith. Now the elemental is taken with her, leading to endless winter and snowflakes that all look very much like Tiffany.

[Lisa]

5. I like all the Nightwatch ones ... but as far as social relevance ...

... if I meet someone who's politically aware and hasn't read Pratchett yet, I tend to recommend either Small Gods or Feet of Clay (depending on whether religious fanaticism or labor issues have come up in the conversation!).

[MrCoffee]

8. I definately prefer the Watch books in the series

:thumbsup:

[pecwae]

6. Any featuring The Witches

is my preferred. Lords & Ladies and Witches Abroad are hard for me to choose between. I got used to the Nightwatch dominated titles, but longed for more Witches so I emailed Pratchett's PR person who replied that more would be forthcoming. That reply came before the release of Going Postal and the rise of Moist von Lipwig. I was a bit disappointed, but I can't stop reading TP. It's become an addiction.

[JPettus]

7. Have you read Wee Free Men?

and the two follow-on's, "A Hatful of Sky" and "Wintersmith?" The witches make a short appearance in the first and are prominent in the last two.