Terry Pratchett Project

Discovering the Discworld

I recently started to collect the Gollancz collector’s library hardbacks, but I would also like to make sure I am reading what I purchase so I am setting up Terry Pratchett Project.

Instead of reading in chronological publication order I have decided to follow the various subseries. This means I will jump around the in chronology a little bit. I am basing my reading around this graphic which breaks down all the different series but also gives all their connections etc.

Guards! Guards!

Read June 2020

Sometimes you just need some of Prachett’s humor, there always seems to be an appropriate book for the occasion. Guards! Guards! was a great introduction to the ineptitude of the Night Watch of Ankh-Morpork, as well as dragons and magic, various secret societies. We really get a full sense of the bustling metropolis that is Ankh-Morpork and its people.

We also get a healthy does of Pratchett’s politics. I read this at the beginning of June 2020 and it was the perfect way to vent frustrations over police behaviour, lack of training and hiring process and the government distribution of funds. All of which are central themes of this book. Pratchett’s form of satire just frames these perfectly. The plot also manages to poke a lot of fun at your typical Fantasy tropes particularly those around the chosen-one, which again the mix of sharp wit and subtle shade littered throughout the text is just a joy to read…Continue Reading

Men At Arms

Read January 2021

This might have just became my favourite of the Discworld books, knocking Hogfather off the top spot. I have recently set about properly reading the Discworld. I have dabbled, dipped a toe in and out but haven’t committed to following them through but as I have recently started to collect the Gollancz Collectors library editions I thought I should make a more concerted effort.

Oh this book had me laughing from start to finish. From fantastically witty and, sadly still relevant, social commentary/satire to some of the best puns I was constantly pausing to re-read and giggle some more, read passages out loud to Euan (husband) so he would laugh with me, and I think half the book is tabbed and highlighted…. Continue Reading

Feet of Clay

Read May 2021

While not my favourite out of the Watch books so far, this book was still excellent. Pratchett has a great way to presenting social and philosophical issues, all of which are still as relevant today as they were when the books were written, in a humorous, entertaining way. Very much like the motto for the Ignoble Prize, First he makes you laugh, then he makes you think.

This book felt a lot more established. We know most of the characters fairly well, their personalities and foibles on full display. So those characters really get to stick there teeth into a classic who-done-it kind of plot which was really fun. We also got a lot better glimpse into various areas of the city, throughout their investigations. Visiting life at all levels of the class spectrum and how they survive in the city. We get everything from the political machinations of the ruling bodies, the manoeuvrings of the various merchants, wheeler dealers and the those just looking to survive. All is described so vividly but still with Prachett’s immaculate word play, and the occasional bad pun! … Continue Reading

Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
Night Watch
Thud!
Snuff

Equal Rites

Read July 2020

I will always enjoy Prachett’s dry and witty sense of humour. He has this fantastic weird and wild style to his writing filled with world play and innuendo and such great observations of human behaviour all set in a fantastic fantasy land. Granny Weatherwax was an awesome character, she is just one of those formidable old ladies that have so much punch to their character. She is both stuck in her ways and believes them to be best but she also won’t stand for any sexist nonsense…. Continue Reading

Wyrd Sisters

Read January 2021

This is Pratchett’s retelling of Macbeth combined with corruption of Fairytales of evil witches and lost princes. I really enjoyed it. I Loved the different styles that each of the three witches had, from the simplified natural magic, the matriarch who mainly just has the magic of keeping everyone going, and the overly ritualised filled with symbols and specifics of modern witchcraft. They all intermingle so well and make for some amazing descriptions of scenes that allow Pratchett to play with words in the effortless way that he does… Continue Reading

Witches Abroad
Lords and Ladies
Maskerade
Carpe Jugulum

Mort

Read August 2021

I am a huge fan of Pratchett’s character Death. I love how much he loves life. I adored the fact that for a good portion of this book he is having an existential crisis, in a journey to find a different occupation, to find out what happiness is, experiencing life, from getting drunk to being a fry cook surrounded by kittens. These parts are a delight, the are rather life affirming in their own way.

Before death can take a holiday he needs to find a replacement, and that brings us to Mort. Mort is a fantastic character, juggling teenage angst with the responsibility and pressure of his first job…Continue Reading

Reaper Man
Soul Music

Hogfather

Read Every December on the run up to Christmas!

can’t let the Festive season pass without settling down to re-read Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. It perfectly sums up the feelings of the Christmas season for me and I really love how Pratchett captures it all from the commercialism, the odd personal traditions and the food to the traditional meaning of the mid winter solstice. It really explores the nature of belief, with all the thought provoking good humour that you expect from Pratchett. He has a way of making you ponder the unexplainable aspects of the world, the deep and dark topics in a light and jovial manner…Continue Reading

Thief of Time

The Wee Free Men
A Hat Full of Sky
Wintersmith
I Shall Wear Midnight
The Shepherd’s Crown

The Colour of Magic – read but not reviewed
The Light Fantastic – read but not reviewed
Sourcery
Eric
Interesting Times
The Last Continent
Unseen Academicals