Pratchett opinions

[Soon Lee]

If you read the books in publication sequence, you can chart his growth and development as a writer; the first two (Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic) are parodies of sword'n'sorcery fantasy. Later, the books have more plot and the laughs, while still there have an edge to them. But still very funny.

As for personal favourites, Pratchett's fans differ. I like Thief of Time and Nightwatch as his most accomplished writing of recent times. I didn't enjoy The Truth much even though I've read Neverwhere and enjoy Neil Gaiman's other writing.

[Stranger]

Well, I haven't read that much of him, but I confess to being a devotee of old Granny.
The Wyrd Sisters kept me in stitches.

[Nobby Nobbs]

Come on HOGFATHER is the best! Death as a stand in for Santa

[Soon Lee]

Thief of Time ROCKS!!

It's about an order of monks who ensure that History occurs as it should and contains my favourite rule:

Rule One: 'Do not act incautiously when confronting little bald wrinkly smiling men!'

[Pozzo]

I am avid reader of pratchett Myself, I would suggest Gaurds!Gaurds! for starters, AND it isprobably his best.
LONG LIVE PRATCHETT!!

[Rocket Sheep]

An interesting thing. A surge of Pratchettism downunder?:

Galaxy Books Top Ten w/ending 09 Oct 04

1. Monstrous Regiment (Discworld #28) by Terry Pratchett

2. Going Postal (Discworld #29) by TERRY PRATCHETT

3. SW Jedi Healer (Medstar #02) by MICHAEL REAVES

4. Fools Fate (Tawny Man #03) by ROBIN HOBB

5. FR Two Swords (Hunters Blades #03) by R A SALVATORE

6. Incubus Dreams (Anita Blake #12) by LAURELL K HAMILTON

7. Exiles Return (Conclave of Shadows #03) by Raymond E Feist

8. Iron Council (Bas Lag Universe) by China Mieville

9. FR Forsaken House (Last Mythal #01) by RICHARD BAKER

10. Discworld Almanak: Year of the Prawn by PRATCHETT, TERRY & PEARSON, BERNARD

[Angua]

I've read all of Pratchett's books so far and can safely say his sense of humour has me hooked with each one. The best, for me, are the Watch books and anything with Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Og.

[Brys]

I've only read the Colour of Magic so far, but I found it to be pretty boring - very strange for such a short book which is so easy to read.The plot and characterisation were poor, but then that isn't really what you expect with a comedy author. But when the comedy is only very mild and doesn't make you more than slightly amused, it is disappointing. If you find the right Fritz Leiber Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories, or the right parts of Steven Erikson's Malazan series, they are hilarious, unlike Pratchett. I'll probably have to read Guards!Guards! though, which appears to be his best.

[Julianag]

Although I have to agree that the first couple of books about Rincewind were not as good as his later ones, Rincewind came into his own in "Eric" and was absolutely brilliant in the "Last continent".

"Men at Arms" and "Feet of clay" were excellent but I feel that the witches in the later books were not as good as in the beginning of their series although "Nanny Ogg's cookbook" is an exception.

Wizards in Unseen University are my current favourites, especially Archancellor Ridcully and the Bursar. I especially liked them in the Science of Discworld series which is a bit heavy since it unites fiction and popular non-fiction science but well worth the time.

"Thief of Time" and the "Truth" were not that brilliant, I liked the premise and the plot just felt that Terry Pratchett was a bit heavy handed on the underlying moral of the story and not enough of the actual story.

[sarandan0n]

I disagree. Personally the Thief of Time and The Truth are my two favourite Terry Pratchett books.

[Ell]

First of all I can say that, translated, a lot of Pratchett's jokes lose strength or completely collapse. It's not that they're bad, it's not the translators are bad, it's just that some puns don't adapt very well between language I guess. Still he's hilarious.

I'm going to be kind of bland now and agree with the general opinion. His later books are definitely the better ones. The whole Vimes series is brilliant and there's not a rotten apple between it and the series about the witches. (also the best in my opinion)
The later books on Rincewind are really great, from Interesting Times and onwards, and I never liked Pyramids or Small Gods.

Monstrous Regiment, The Truth and Going Postal are the best stand-alones.