I have heard of Terry Pratchett's Discword series, but had never read them until now. In the airport Borders, I picked up Thud! and bought it purely based on the fact that my friend, Belsum, enjoyed it and the rest of the series. I didn't get to read it until I got home, but I just finished it and enjoyed it thoroughly.
The best thing about it is that even though it's a late book in the series, it's pretty much stand alone (I understand that most if not all of them are). I could enjoy the murder mystery "A" plotline and follow (slightly vicariously) the character development of the recurring characters.
The characters are the second best part. They are funny and well-rounded and, most importantly, engaging. I would love to follow the story arc of The Watch and plan to use the handy chart in the Discword wikipedia article to do so.
I could go on. There were lots of lovely bits of writing, though Prachett was occasionally heavy handed with the parody (the "accent" for the troll mobster comes to mind) and overall it was a light and easy to read murder-mystery... set in a fantasy world with dwarves and trolls and magic, etc.
Delightful and recommended.
14 comments:
A friend of mine describes the Discworld novels as potato chips. You can't eat just one. ;)
I've read Color of Magic so far and have this notion to try reading them in chronological order, even if that's not strictly necessary. Should be entertaining either way. ;)
I've read, I believe, every single one of Discworld novels chronologically up to the Monstrous Regiment - and then kinda stopped... Just a few days ago, I came across Thud! in a similar situation - at the Eurotunnel bookshop - and the pull was irresistible; I bought it (although have not had a chance to get farther than a dozen of pages yet)...
I must say that I find some of the books in the series less entertaining than others, but the Watch arc never fails to amuse...
I *love* the Discworld series.
I even own "Where's My Cow" and got it before "Thud" just because it had the OOK stamp of approval.
The Watch arc is my favorite (that makes me like everyone else I suppose) although my favorite character is the Librarian.
The Color of Magic is probably one of my least favorite Discworld books, but then I'm not a fan of Rincewind, so there is that.
I've got the chronological list of what I've read here it's missing a couple reviews, and a couple of books (I started my reviews long after I started the series, and I'm missing a couple books in random places.)
If you want one that's not in any particular story arc, read "Pyramids" which is one of my favorites. (I really like Teppic.)
Thanks for the review. I was looking for something to read this summer..and now this gives me something to look for.
I've only ever read The Color of Magic, and while I enjoyed it, I never bought more books in the series... I'm not sure why. I tend to be obsessive about series, and MUST read them all, and IN ORDER.
Which is why I'm waiting for book 5 of the Dresden books to come into the local bookstore...
Shawn,
I've got all the Dresden books except the latest (because it's hardback).
Lemme know if you want to borrow them, and I'll send 'em to you.
I also have most of the Discworld books (see previous comments) and of someone would like to borrow them, the same deal applies.
I guess I'm not OCD (although with a single arc series, like Sharpe's Rifles, I did try to read in order) because now that I've broken the order, all the ones that came before seem like fair game. AND, I can start a series and not feel compelled to finish it.
I think I'll read the books that feature The Watch and decide from there what to read next. Michelle, I'll let you know if I need to borrow one.
Okay, I take back my notion to read them in order. I went to the library today and found Thud! :) Naturally I had to check it out.
Their collection of Pratchett is pretty slim though (indeed their entire sci-fi/fantasy section is only four bookcases), so I might take up the offer from Michelle too.
Early Pratchett is nowhere near as good as late Pratchett, so reading them in order is not recommended, IMNSHO.
I prefer the Witch arc slightly over the Watch arc, especially the YA Tiffany ones. Granny Weatherwax is probably my favorite character in all of the books, if only because she is uncomfortably like my own personality.
I haven't read Thud! yet! Heh. I'm totally hooked on Discworld though. The Watch is definitely my favorite story arc so far, though I'm definitely intrigued by Death.
I need to read more Dresden.
I like Discworld a lot too, although I'm not particularly crazy about Rincewind. (Is that an arc separate from Witch or Watch?)
I think the witches are my favorite actually.
The problem with the Witch arc, is I don't get to see much of The Librarian or Detritus.
I have not read any of the Discworld series. I have tried Pratchett (must have been early) and didn't click with him.
I am getting the greatest amusement out of all of your comments. As a non-starter, reading about "Thud!", magic, Witch, Watch, Death (which Belsum seems to be intrigued with), Dresden, The Librarian, Detritus, and the arc, has me rolling in the aisles.
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