said the Patrician. Vimes: Nobby? They both shared a mental picture of Corporal Nobbs. Patrician: No. Vimes: No.

I was using a Pratchett quote to describe an emotion to my analyst and we entered into a detour about Pratchett's influence on my thinking. Or, more precisely, the way Pratchett's writing makes it easier for me to understand and explain some of my thoughts. My analyst innocently asked if Pratchett had ever discussed his own favorite books to read, and - well... One can deduce a lot of source material, but did Sir Terry ever speak of favorite works that provided inspiration or joy?

I didn’t have a pork pie available

Hey so I was wondering if I might be able to get some help. I want to put together a Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler cosplay for a convention in January but I'm also trying to think what sort of clothes would Dibbler wear. This doesn't need to be book but rather just kind of an interpretation of Dibbler I suppose

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Hello! I'm currently reading "Life the universe and everything" by Douglas Adams and just read about a faux-cloaking device called Somebody Else's Problem field or SEP for short. In it's description it's mentioned that this device utilize "people natural predisposition not to see anything they don't want to, weren't expecting or can't explain". Which is strikingly similar to effect occuring on Discworld, first described in detail in Mort (I think). The only difference is lack of any actual device or spell, although I could assume it might be caused/amplified my Discworld's natural magic field. Is it possible that Terry Pratchett referencing SEP in the books?

This map came in the complete disc world Atlas book. I had a professionally mounted and framed.

Thought you folks might appreciate.

Also want to point out this is my first forray into social media, and to stumble across other fans of sir Terry's brilliant work may be incredibly happy. He is not very popular at all in the United States. No one has heard of him.

MONSTROUS REGIMENT - 2003

This book was disappointing to me when it came out. The presence of Vimes was a pleasant surprise, of course, and it was interesting to see deWorde again. This is a book that doesn’t need a discworld but could only happen on the Discworld.

Pratchett revisits themes in later books with a defter hand. Monstrous Regiment brings to mind Jingo, of course. The statements on war are similar. Jingo is much more about stereotyping cultures. Monstrous Regiment is about gender roles. It brings an incredible one-book character in Jackrum. Jackrum’s ending in this book is one of the happiest endings for any character in fiction I have read.

So, too, is this a book that visits the ideas of Small Gods, Carpe Jugulum, The Truth, The Last Hero. It revisits the trope of a young person heading out into the world and hiding part of themself. This book takes so many threads of character and theme and weaves them together into an exciting narrative.

And though it could only happen on the Discworld, there is a great deal of roundworld popping in. From folk songs to conversation. You can almost feel Pratchett bristling at his own creation at this point. This story could possibly have been told in our own past - but then we would have no Vimes, no deWorde.

Pratchett’s characters are terrific. The small band of soldiers Polly Perks falls in with is so very real and fleshed out. Even Lt. Blouse is much more than a stock weak officer. He is not quite as well-rounded as the others, but comes out well. Angua pops in, as does Buggy Swires. Otto Chriek plays a role. Again - what a great book lit up all the brighter by those before it.

There was no need for a sequel, in my opinion. The story is told quite well and there’s not much that could be added to it. There aren’t many after this to introduce a wholly new country, though. It is a special book on its own.

1. Night Watch (S)
2. Monstrous Regiment (S)
3. Carpe Jugulum (S)
4. The Fifth Elephant
5. Feet of Clay (S)
6. Hogfather (S)
7. Men at Arms (A)
8. Guards! Guards! (A)
9. The Truth (A)
10. Thief of Time (A)

Small Gods (S) Witches Abroad (A) Lords and Ladies (A) Wyrd Sisters (A) Pyramids (A) Amazing Maurice (A) Moving Pictures (B) Interesting Times (B) The Last Hero (S) The Last Continent (B) Soul Music (B) Reaper Man (B) Maskerade (B) Jingo (B) Mort (B) Sourcery (C) Equal Rites (C) The Light Fantastic © The Colour of Magic (D) Eric (F)

At this point, I’ll be doing the top ten numerically, but the rest a jumble. If I wanted to take ages, I’d re-read the top ten right after and judge away. It’s very tough! However, my personal ranking gives Night Watch the edge because I would read it again. As much as I loved Monstrous Regiment, it doesn’t stick with me the way the Vimes novels do. It is an incredible piece. It certainly feels like a novel with weight, of importance. Looking ahead, there are good books still to read. But I am not sure there are any more that will crack the top ten.

FOOTNOTES:

"As sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,

A sudden strange fancy came into her head.

Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove:

I'll 'list as a soldier and follow my love.

So early next morning she softly arose,

and dressed herself up in her dead brother's clothes,

She cut her hair close, and she stained her face brown,

And went for a soldier to fair London town."

— Sweet Polly Oliver (English folk song, 19th century or earlier)*

The source of Polly’s names.

Maladicta’s coffee addiction is funny.

I have accidentally read this out of order. The Wee Free Men precedes it. I don’t think that will be much trouble, but I will read that next.

My son (8) and I just finished Wee Free Men. He loved it, and while I’m planning on reading the other tiffany aching books and amazing Maurice with him, I’d love to give him more Pratchett while he’s aging into the rest of dis world.

How is the bromeliad trilogy? Carpet people? The witch’s carpet? Dragons at crumbling castle?

Made a special addition for our Christmas, er, Hogswatch Tree topper, I'm really pleased how it came out. Debating if it needs a staff for next year...

Hi all, my boyfriend and I get each other ornaments each year for Christmas. This year he’s been really into the Terry Pratchett books. I found an ornament that relayed to the unseen university, which I think is part of discworld? I haven’t read the books so I am wondering does the UU feature enough across the series that if he hasn’t read them all yet would he still get the reference? I’m not sure if this is just in one of the books or multiple. Thank you! Not sure I used a right tag here sorry!

Just finished this bookmark today, I don't need to tell you who inspired it 🥰

Pyrography on sycamore wood

Ook

Every time STP describes how rancid this river is, I laugh out loud. And there are many, I can't remember them all. Whats your favourite description.

"The only river, where one can draw the outline of a corpse on the surface." i remember.

Last week I was in Finland on holiday, in Rovaniemi to be exact, and crossing the Arctic Circle I was able to go and see Santa Claus at his house and at his post office I had a stamp and postmark put on my copy of Hogfather. I thought it would be an original ExLibris.

Rereading Soul Music, and stumbled upon this little gem. I know the book is choke-full of puns, but I hadn’t spotted this one before. They are selecting a band name:

“Glod and the Glodettes?”

“Oh, yes? How about Cliff and the Cliffettes?”

“Oook ook Oook-ook?”

“No. We need a different type of name. Like the music.”

“How about Gold? Good dwarf name.”

“No. Something different from that.”

“Silver, then.”

“Ook!”

“I don’t think we should name ourselves after any kind of heavy metal, Glod.”

(I swear she picked this out by herself)

In the Albert Camus book, The Myth Of Sisyphus, we learn about different aspects and outlooks of personal experience, the absurdity of life, etc.

We finish with a brief description of the character, between attempts and whilst there appears to be no escape from the endless task, there is a kind of satisfaction of sorts in the monotony of it all (I am simplifying here).

We are left with the open questioning statement, Consider Sisyphus Happy.

I am currently re-reading Eric and noticed that whilst Eric and Rincewind are in the DW version of Hell, the parallel character in the pit appeared to have a sort of contentment in his task with the demon in charge of home, offering advice and encouragement, which indicates to me that STP had taken Camus as inspiration for this short, almost throw away interaction.

No question, just an observation for the day.

BTW, do not read The Myth Of Sisyphus if you are after a light read on a Greek story, it is all about mid 20th century, French philosophy and only uses the myth to illustrate the point of personal perspective.

I recently realized I’ve never cared to read / listen to any of the Rincewind books more than once (unless you count Unseen Academicals as a Rincewind book because it’s a UU book). The books are funny, yes, but somehow never drew me back to peel off their layers with a second / third / nth reading, and they’re my least favorite Discworld books. I can’t explain why really.

So, a two part question: (i) which is your least favorite Discworld series and why? And (ii) those of you who love the Rincewind books, what brings you back to them?

ETA: a clarification, since this has come up in more than one response. I’m aware that Discworld itself is the series. I’m using series in the sense that the flairs define them.

Edit 2: I appreciate the passion that critics and downvoters of this post have brought to this question, and everyone who actually contributed to the discussion without criticizing me for asking what I did. It has reminded me how reading is a subjective experience, as is taste. I’ve left this post up to remind myself and others that it’s fine to engage with materials in whatever way suits them. There are no “mistakes” in having preferences or viewing texts in ways that are meaningful to oneself - it’s a different journey for each reader. Thank you all for being part of this community, which is richer for having all the different perspectives.

The Guild library was one of the largest in the city. In certain specialized areas it was the largest. These areas mainly had to do with the regrettable brevity of human life and the means of bringing it about.

- Men at Arms

Why would the Assassins Guild have books about the means of bringing about human life. Shouldn't that be the means of ending it?
To be clear, I know what it's supposed to mean, it just doesn't really parse quite right.
^(Sorry, I'm a born editor. No, I can't help it. No, no, I'm a programmer. Listen, I'm sorry! I didn't even call you the m-word! They weren't your books! I'll stop! I'll stop! Just... could you stop bouncing me up and down by my ankles? Please?)