The Discworld Series

I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely love these books. A few months ago it was announced that Terry Pratchett is sadly suffering from Alzheimer's, so in all likelihood we will only get two or possibly three more books chronicling the adventures of the people of the Discworld: one of the most well draw out fictional universes that any writer has ever created.

For me, the best Discworld novel is "Jingo". A brilliantly cutting (and extremely topical at time of release) satire on current Western-Muslim relations.
Of course, the main strength of Pratchett's writing has always been his ability to write absurdly humorous and entertaining material with a depth of feeling behind it which never threatens to override the main narrative, yet always remains in the backgorund.

I know there is one member of this site who calls himself "Vimes", a major character from the books. Does anyone else here read the Discworld books?

I have . I really like them. Your honestly sometimes never sure who he is satirizing though. But i think that adds to them.

Read lots.
Loved 'em all. Genius.

And yes, it's a damn shame he's suffering from Alzheimers.

I reckon Fifth Elephant is the best, although the Moist von Lipwig novels are nearly as good as the Vimes/City Watch ones.

Only read two of them: The Truth and The Monstrous Regiment.
Very funny, going to see if I can find another one.

Small gods is very good.

Small Gods is probably the deepest and most philosophical of the series, with the best command of theme. The Granny Weatherwax novels do the best pastiches, while the Vimes novels do character best. The Rincewind novels are mediocre, certainly when compared with the above, stretching a single joke (Rincewind the faux wizard) far too thin. I also have a soft spot for two of his earlier novels, Equal Rites and Mort, which are lighter on jokes than most but seem to be an attempt to do serious fantasy.

The greatest thing about the Rincewind novels is the Faculty of the University (especially the Dean and Ridcully).
Anything involving them is genius (especially Last Continent).

Haven't read Making Money yet, will have to get that soon.

I think I have most enjoyed, in no particular order: The Hogfather, Mort, Small Gods, Sourcery, and The Wee Free Men (Ok, it seems it is alphabetical, which is a particular order after all).
The Johnny Maxwell trilogy is quite good as well. It never gets as good as the best discworld, but never gets as bad as the worst...

Originally Posted by Ummagumma

The Johnny Maxwell trilogy is quite good as well. It never gets as good as the best discworld, but never gets as bad as the worst...

Intresting...which Discworld novels do you think are the worst?

Originally Posted by Medi Rapper

Intresting...which Discworld novels do you think are the worst?

I wasn't really on about whole books - I couldn't pick a worst (Just like my 'favourite' turned into a list - which has grown as I thought more on it since posting!). I just find certain sections, whether they be characters, particular story threads or scenes can be quite flat in comparison the what he is capable of, and in reflection to his finest work they do seem very flat, dull, uninspired or predictable. You can't expect him to be at 100% all the time though, I know my head would explode after a couple of books it he was! The Maxwell trilogy is less rollercoaster in this regard, it is more stable, more rounded, but not a patch on the best of the Discworld.

I think the favorite of mine must be pyramids in terms of serious fantasy . But.. Djelibebbi heh.
I think the most light-hearted one that i liked was the last continent. Pretty damn funny.

OMG!!! I LOVE the Discworld Novels, and yep this is me, I picked this name, apart from the fact I couldn't think of **** else to call myself, but Commander Vimes, was and still is my favourite character, which obviously also correlates to which particular books I like, my favourites have to be The Fifth Elephant and Night Watch is bloody good, I liked the satire alot in Small Gods thought that was very philosophical, but in all, the books are extremely clever,philosophical, ironic, satirical...BLOODY FANTASTIC!!!

Yeah you're right the books are not always 100% gold.

For my part I would say the latest one, Making Money, certainly does have some very flat sections. In fact I would go as far to say it is possibly the worst of the series.

I have high hopes for the next one, though. It's called "Nation". I suspect it will be about the notion of the city of Ankh-Morpork losing its independence and becoming joined with the Sto Plains as a whole. I envision much hilarity ensuing.

I liked Strata and dark side of the sun, just noted no one had mentioned them.

His first novel the carpet people is quite a concept as well.

I wasn't overly impressed with making money, moist should have been cast aside after the great "going postal"

ive only read one and it was the hogfather it was quite good.