Top 11 Best Terry Pratchett Books Updated 04 /2024

This may be the first sad thing that comes to mind when you hear Terry Pratchett's name. His entire existence was devoted to creating and retelling wonderful tales. As in Middle Earth or Westeros, the Discworld books manage to make fun of practically everything while yet portraying a fully realized and unique fantasy world. Although he was known for his wit, Discworld author Terry Pratchett was also an excellent storyteller. Here are some of his books that you should read.

The Color of Magic

While the first Discworld novel may not be a dazzling example of everything fantastic about the series, it's magical to get a glimpse of the series' genius at work here.. Many other works in this genre are a little more typical of mainstream fiction, but this one's off-the-wall craziness is still worth laughing out loud about decades later.

Soul Music

Although it isn't one of his best-known works, can you really turn down Pratchett's satire of the music business? Discworld books are incomplete without Death, so you get a novel based on Death. He's a reaper, yet he's not a fan of the dark. Don't be afraid of the reaper, for he's one of the most reliable characters for chuckles in the entire universe.

Lords and Ladies

It'd be a travesty if Discworld didn't mock medieval and Renaissance literature, given the world's roughly historical setting. In the event that you're a devotee of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and the theater, this is the book for you. Discworld author Discworld's delightfully mismatched witches are depicted.

Thief of Time

Monks of History create time in Discworld, which is a fabrication of the Monks of History. As long how some upstart has it in his head, they'll allocate it as they see fit until that time comes. More philosophical questions can be asked here than in any other part of the series.

Men at Arms

? Unless you've read the City Watch novels, you can't claim to be familiar with this series. Those are the best examples of Pratchett's ability to develop characters that are both witty and complex. This is a fantastic place to start if you want to keep up with these characters over the course of the series. A good way to describe this book is to imagine your favorite cop show crossed with The Hobbit, written by the same team responsible for Parks & Recreation.

Interesting Times

Most Discworld fans have a soft spot in their hearts for the bumbling wizard Rincewind. You can't help but laugh at how his stupidity doesn't end up ruining him in the first two books of the series. Early Rincewind stories sometimes sacrificed story lines and character development in favor of humor, but this later work has all of the fun of his earlier appearances with good writing and structuring.

Guards! Guards!

? City Watch first appears in this novel, which is still one of the greatest. In order to create spoofs of fantasy for an extended period of time, Pratchett had to introduce dragons. You must have never read a Discworld novel if you don't want to see that nasty beast paired with an incompetent police force to end all moronic police forces.

Wyrd Sisters

? Despite the fact that Granny Weatherwax initially debuted in Equal Rites, many fans believe this to be the series' first truly witches novel. There is Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick, the three witches who are more like modern-day feminist New Agers than they are like the witches depicted in Macbeth. There are as many gems in these short stories as there are in the City Watch novels. With this coven, why not begin at the beginning?

Small Gods

Even though the majority of Discworld's stories revolve around multiple characters, one of the best is a stand-alone novel. Pratchett opted to skewer the most holy of sacred cows: religion, after authoring more than ten novels and establishing his parody talent.. Without being offensive, he makes a few good points while making fun of himself.

Mort

? As early in the series as possible, the most memorable Discworld novel was published. Every book has Death in it because he's the best character in the universe. Ergo, the first novel centered around him shows him at his freshest and funniest. For an internship, working for a company like Death looks like the best time of your life, thanks to Mort, Death's young apprentice.

Going Postal

A conman tries to save the Ankh-Morpork post office in Pratchett's novel Going Postal, which is one of our favorites (a place where stamps are not yet a thing). The book is hysterically funny and can be read as a stand-alone for those new to the series. After reading a story about the post office, it's evident that Pratchett's writing is both amusing and heartfelt.

Good Omens

When it comes to books set outside of the flat disc, there are numerous by Pratchett, including this one with Neil Gaiman. His best-known book, it's a comedy about the birth of Satan's son and the impending apocalypse, with humor and wisdom only Pratchett and colleague champion fantasy author Gaiman could deliver.

Hogfather 

"The Hogfather" is the name of the Discworld version of Santa Claus, who rides in an eight-horse-drawn sleigh and gives gifts to children all over the world in order to keep the sun shining. How would Death handle things if the fat man is no longer around to take over

Reaper Man

In a world where Death has become too entwined with people, what can be expected? In this book, Death has retired, and the plot centers on the blossoming romance between Miss Flitworth and Bill Door.

Night Watch

The second-place finish in the Locus poll for best fantasy novel spawned a five-part radio adaptation. Commander Sam Vimes appears in this novel, and it is described as a turning point in the series by author Terry Pratchett, himself.

Equal Rites 

The Discworld series can be started with this book. An interesting and eye-opening look at the history of misogyny in children's literature, this book introduces us to Granny Weatherwax, a fictional witch.

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