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General discussion (archive)Discworld(45 posts)(45 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted October 05, 2012
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BadDecissions: Diskworld ... Diskworld
Is that a shop that sells nothing but diskettes?
Posted October 05, 2012
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Tantrix: Perfect topic.

I am about to get into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He wrote ALOT of the universe, I know, but what should I read, what should I avoid? Is there even a "Complete collection" edition?
He matured with age, so probably avoid the very early ones? Maybe start with "Guards, Guards!" (first book of the guards stories, so an easy jumping-off point), then "Reaper Man," and then I want to say Lords and Ladies, although I haven't recommended the earlier books featuring the characters that appear in that (because I don't particularly like them), and I can't remember if that would hurt the story; it's definitely self-contained. Then Small Gods, and then he's hit his stride and you have a lot of options: Men at Arms (if you liked the characters in Guards! Guards!), Soul Music, Interesting Times, and Hogfather.

Pratchett is unfortunately suffering from early-onset Alzheimer, and it's resulted in a very noticeable drop of quality in his two most recent books--don't read Unseen Academicals or Snuff. Other than those and his really early ones, I'd say that Maskerade, The Last Continent, Carpe Jugulum (but I never really liked any of the witch books, except Lords and Ladies) are his weakest ones.
Posted October 05, 2012
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Tantrix: Perfect topic.

I am about to get into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He wrote ALOT of the universe, I know, but what should I read, what should I avoid? Is there even a "Complete collection" edition?
No there is no complete collection, as to where to start depends while Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic are the first two they are by far the weakest in the series mainly because they are the first and this was before Terry discovered the wonderful world of plot.

Also while each novel is it's own stand alone tale there are some entries that revolve around certain charecters or places for example: Mort, Reaper Man, Hogfather, Soul Music, and a few others who's titles allude me right now revolve around Death and/or his granddaughter Susan while Guards! Guards!, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, Thud!, Snuff, Jingo, Feet of Clay and a few others revolve around Samuel Vimes and/or the Ankh-Morpork City Watch.

Personally I would say start with either: Mort, Gaurds! Guards!, Reaper Man, Small Gods, Pyramids or Going Postal
Posted October 05, 2012
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serpantino: 3rd is an absolute bugger due to it's DRM.
I have Noir, is the DRM really the reason it's such a pain in the arse to get working? I thought it was just crashy on modern versions of Windows.
Post edited October 05, 2012 by SirPrimalform
Posted October 05, 2012
Speaking of Discworld, I just watched that two-part made-for-TV mini movie 'The Color of Magic' last night. I didn't remember the Discworld universe being this boring before. The majority of jokes and references fell flet on their noses, probably also due to some so-so acting. Unsurprisingly, Tim Curry had all the good parts as he was making his way to become Arch Chancellor.
Posted October 05, 2012
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DCT: Personally I would say start with either: Mort, Gaurds! Guards!, Reaper Man, Small Gods, Pyramids or Going Postal
Soul Music is quite awesome, starring Death and Susan. As is the animated series of the same name.
Posted October 05, 2012
Discworld is a world created by Sir Pratchett and the games were licensed.
It means that probably all license agreement between game publisher / makers and whoever has rights to Discworld already expired.

It's very unlikely for those games to be re-released anytime.

You may forget about them. OR feel free to call them abandonware and just download them :P
Post edited October 05, 2012 by keeveek
Posted October 05, 2012
The BEST way to read Discworld is from the start to the finish like any series of books ever written.

The books themselves are complete novels start to finish so they can be read as a stand-alone book. However as the series progresses it gains a lot of in-jokes/themes/concepts. The footnotes and Terry's style of writing do a lot to help fill in new readers, but its just not the same if you missed the book and the story where the event was first coined.

As such I recommend people to start at the beginning - with the Colour of Magic and work on from there. I know many say that the early two books are, different and I do agree with that. That said the whole world of Discworld itself is one of progressive change - each book changes a little bit here or a little bit there in the world (sometimes its a big bit too!). So reading out of order you miss out on seeing the Discworld change and --- I won't say mature, mature is the wrong idea; but I will say develop and change.


The series also has a few running character groups - the Witches, the Wizards, the Guards and DEATH. In most of the books one of those primary groups forms the core of the story that the events are happening around whilst the others normally put in an appearance. There are one or two which don't use those base characters as the core starting group, but they still work within the same world and frame.
Posted October 05, 2012
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jthwilliams: I wish GOG would get ahold of the Discworld games. I would love to play those.
I want DISCWORLD games on GOG too. ^^
Post edited October 05, 2012 by retro_gamer
Posted October 05, 2012
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mistermumbles: Speaking of Discworld, I just watched that two-part made-for-TV mini movie 'The Color of Magic' last night. I didn't remember the Discworld universe being this boring before. The majority of jokes and references fell flet on their noses, probably also due to some so-so acting. Unsurprisingly, Tim Curry had all the good parts as he was making his way to become Arch Chancellor.
Aye, David Jason was incredibly miscast as Rincewind and also much too old for the part (72 now so in his late 60s when it was made).
Posted October 05, 2012
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Tantrix: Perfect topic.

I am about to get into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He wrote ALOT of the universe, I know, but what should I read, what should I avoid? Is there even a "Complete collection" edition?
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BadDecissions: He matured with age, so probably avoid the very early ones? Maybe start with "Guards, Guards!" (first book of the guards stories, so an easy jumping-off point), then "Reaper Man," and then I want to say Lords and Ladies, although I haven't recommended the earlier books featuring the characters that appear in that (because I don't particularly like them), and I can't remember if that would hurt the story; it's definitely self-contained. Then Small Gods, and then he's hit his stride and you have a lot of options: Men at Arms (if you liked the characters in Guards! Guards!), Soul Music, Interesting Times, and Hogfather.

Pratchett is unfortunately suffering from early-onset Alzheimer, and it's resulted in a very noticeable drop of quality in his two most recent books--don't read Unseen Academicals or Snuff. Other than those and his really early ones, I'd say that Maskerade, The Last Continent, Carpe Jugulum (but I never really liked any of the witch books, except Lords and Ladies) are his weakest ones.
I thought Unseen Academicals was pretty good, but Snuff was definitely one of his weaker ones. Alzheimers is pretty terrible in general, but especially in a profession that entirely relies on the creative thinking.

My personal favorite Discworld book is probably Mort. Soul Music and Hogfather also good, I quite like the Death-related ones.
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mistermumbles: Speaking of Discworld, I just watched that two-part made-for-TV mini movie 'The Color of Magic' last night. I didn't remember the Discworld universe being this boring before. The majority of jokes and references fell flet on their noses, probably also due to some so-so acting. Unsurprisingly, Tim Curry had all the good parts as he was making his way to become Arch Chancellor.
Ugh yeah, I couldn't make it through. The Hogfather movie was good, though. If long because it was originally broadcast in two parts.
Post edited October 05, 2012 by Gazoinks
Posted October 05, 2012
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mistermumbles: Speaking of Discworld, I just watched that two-part made-for-TV mini movie 'The Color of Magic' last night. I didn't remember the Discworld universe being this boring before. The majority of jokes and references fell flet on their noses, probably also due to some so-so acting. Unsurprisingly, Tim Curry had all the good parts as he was making his way to become Arch Chancellor.
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Gazoinks: Ugh yeah, I couldn't make it through. The Hogfather movie was good, though. If long because it was originally broadcast in two parts.
Maybe it's worth checking out, since that is available on Netflix as well, but I may wait a little while after yesterday's yawn-fest. Good thing I was bored enough. Heh.
Posted October 05, 2012
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Tantrix: Perfect topic.

I am about to get into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He wrote ALOT of the universe, I know, but what should I read, what should I avoid? Is there even a "Complete collection" edition?
avatar
BadDecissions: He matured with age, so probably avoid the very early ones? Maybe start with "Guards, Guards!" (first book of the guards stories, so an easy jumping-off point), then "Reaper Man," and then I want to say Lords and Ladies, although I haven't recommended the earlier books featuring the characters that appear in that (because I don't particularly like them), and I can't remember if that would hurt the story; it's definitely self-contained. Then Small Gods, and then he's hit his stride and you have a lot of options: Men at Arms (if you liked the characters in Guards! Guards!), Soul Music, Interesting Times, and Hogfather.

Pratchett is unfortunately suffering from early-onset Alzheimer, and it's resulted in a very noticeable drop of quality in his two most recent books--don't read Unseen Academicals or Snuff. Other than those and his really early ones, I'd say that Maskerade, The Last Continent, Carpe Jugulum (but I never really liked any of the witch books, except Lords and Ladies) are his weakest ones.
He doesn't have early onset Alzheimers since he has been dealing with it for at least the past 7 years maybe even longer I recall him saying in a interview that he first started noticing the signs while playing Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion(Terry was a avid gamer), he actually has a form of it which starts at the back of the brain and progresses forward so it began to effect his vision and his concentration first and has progressed to the point where he can no longer write for himself and instead has to dictate his work to someone else. It's sad that this is happening to him though especially since he has said that once he has progressed to the point where he can no longer write he is going to head to where ever assisted suicide is allowed and end it.


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DCT: Personally I would say start with either: Mort, Gaurds! Guards!, Reaper Man, Small Gods, Pyramids or Going Postal
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Miaghstir: Soul Music is quite awesome, starring Death and Susan. As is the animated series of the same name.
Agreed, Loved that cartoon the one done of the Wyrd Sisters was pretty good if I recalled my favorite bit was when Death shows up and plays himself in the play at the end.
Post edited October 05, 2012 by DCT
Posted October 05, 2012
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BadDecissions: He matured with age, so probably avoid the very early ones? Maybe start with "Guards, Guards!" (first book of the guards stories, so an easy jumping-off point), then "Reaper Man," and then I want to say Lords and Ladies, although I haven't recommended the earlier books featuring the characters that appear in that (because I don't particularly like them), and I can't remember if that would hurt the story; it's definitely self-contained. Then Small Gods, and then he's hit his stride and you have a lot of options: Men at Arms (if you liked the characters in Guards! Guards!), Soul Music, Interesting Times, and Hogfather.

Pratchett is unfortunately suffering from early-onset Alzheimer, and it's resulted in a very noticeable drop of quality in his two most recent books--don't read Unseen Academicals or Snuff. Other than those and his really early ones, I'd say that Maskerade, The Last Continent, Carpe Jugulum (but I never really liked any of the witch books, except Lords and Ladies) are his weakest ones.
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DCT: He doesn't have early onset Alzheimers since he has been dealing with it for at least the past 7 years maybe even longer I recall him saying in a interview that he first started noticing the signs while playing Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion(Terry was a avid gamer), he actually has a form of it which starts at the back of the brain and progresses forward so it began to effect his vision and his concentration first and has progressed to the point where he can no longer write for himself and instead has to dictate his work to someone else. It's sad that this is happening to him though especially since he has said that once he has progressed to the point where he can no longer write he is going to head to where ever assisted suicide is allowed and end it.
Yeah, he's become a very strong campaigner for assisted death in Britian. He wrote a depressing article about it. I have to say I agree with him, it's hard to imagine what it's like slowly losing your mind (and knowing it's happening but can't be stopped), especially when you rely on imaginative thinking as your whole livelihood.
Posted October 05, 2012
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DCT: He doesn't have early onset Alzheimers since he has been dealing with it for at least the past 7 years maybe even longer I recall him saying in a interview that he first started noticing the signs while playing Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion(Terry was a avid gamer), he actually has a form of it which starts at the back of the brain and progresses forward so it began to effect his vision and his concentration first and has progressed to the point where he can no longer write for himself and instead has to dictate his work to someone else. It's sad that this is happening to him though especially since he has said that once he has progressed to the point where he can no longer write he is going to head to where ever assisted suicide is allowed and end it.
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Gazoinks: Yeah, he's become a very strong campaigner for assisted death in Britian. He wrote a depressing article about it. I have to say I agree with him, it's hard to imagine what it's like slowly losing your mind (and knowing it's happening but can't be stopped), especially when you rely on imaginative thinking as your whole livelihood.
So true, plus I agree with him on that having worked in nursing homes, having a dear friend suffer through a terminal brain tumor and so on I really can justify saying that allowing someone in those kind of situations where there all they have to look forward to is pain and/or the total loss of oneself and so on a way out of that as honestly how can anyone say that the alternative is really the better choice? I mean my friend at the end was so bad it was painful and you only wished that it would end he was in pain the tumor grew to the point where he could barely speak, had little to no motor control, little to no memory and all that, so yeah.
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Discworld(45 posts)(45 posts)
(45 posts)