Why you should read Pratchett

[Dr.Bedlam]

In one of the Discworld books, Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the Watch of Ankh-Morpork, has made a vow to himself: Every single day, at eight PM, he will read his beloved baby son a bedtime story and then tuck him in. Every day. No matter what. Because his own father was a neglectful, worthless tosser.

 

Vimes's iron determination is established early in the book when he is late. He will NOT be late. And every Watchman in the CITY falls into an established routine, one commandeering a horse and wagon and others stopping traffic, arranging incidents to clear his way, and otherwise arranging for there to be a clear, empty path between Vimes and his home. The citizens don't mind. They know why Sir Samuel Vimes is furiously ripping through downtown like a cheetah with its tail on fire. And it's not every DAY, after all. No more than once a week.

And when he arrives home, Little Sam picks a book. It is almost always "Where's My Cow?" in which the Farmer looks for his cow and says things like "Is that my cow? It is pink. It says "oink." That is Biggie the Pig! That is not my cow. Where's my cow?"

Sir Sam doesn't mind. He loves his son. Although, occasionally, he'll sneak a line in like, "Is that my cow? It is not brown like a cow. It smells awful. It says "Millenium hand and shrimp!" That is not my cow! That is Foul Ole Ron! Where's my cow?" His wife frowns on this, but Little Sam thinks it's hilarious. Sir Sam has read this book so many times now, that he could easily recite it by heart.

 

Later in the same book, Vimes learns that assassins have been sent after his family. He tears home like a cheetah with its tail on fire. His family has been rescued, but HE doesn't know that. Furthermore, he's had the crap beat out of him and hasn't slept in a while, and is not quite completely unhinged.

Which leads to a horrifying and hilarious scene where Vimes comes crashing through the front window of his own home, sword and dagger in hand, facing assassins, screaming, "WHERE's my COW!?!?" 

 

 

[Pingo]

There are many wonderful reasons to read Terry Pratchett. This is one of them.

 

We have a copy of the UK edition (better cover than the US edition) of "Thud," the book this comes from and *two* copies of "Where's My Cow?"

 

I got my husband Pratchett's latest, a collection of nonfiction essays called "A Slip of the Keyboard," as a Christmas gift. He's warned me not to read it because the essays about euthanasia will break my heart. And they will, I know this.

[Darsc Zacal]

Even though I've been buying his books as they've come out, I've purposely held back from reading several of the latest for the day when I know that no more will be coming...

[Pingo]

He's been winding down plot threads. It's heartbreaking.

[ShadowRaven]

heartbreaking yes, But all good things must come to an end, and Sir Terry seems bound and determined to make certain that end is what he wants it to be.

[Evilhalfling]

And he is a knight, with a turtle named after him. 

You have to be a special kind of author to get someone to name a species after you. 

 

my fav. quote is still from the (rocky) first pair of books. 

 

"And the sunlight poured over the mountains like a wave of molten gold* 

 

*only people did not end up suddenly very rich and then very dead.  so really not much like molten gold."
 

[Loim]

Nanny Ogg's Cookbook and The Last Hero are two must reads. 

[Talae]

Never read any Terry Pratchett. Where should I start?

 

I have a 1 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old, should I incorporate them or wait?

[ShadowRaven]

Start with Good Omens. It's not a Discworld book, but it does give a good glimpse into the sense of humor 

[tiniest rhombus]

Never read any Terry Pratchett. Where should I start?

 

I have a 1 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old, should I incorporate them or wait?

For you, Good Omens (written with Neil Gaiman) or Start at the 1st Discworld book. 

 

For you and the kiddies, I'd start with the Bromeliad Trilogy. They are children's books. Very well written and awesome.

[Darsc Zacal]

 

 

Never read any Terry Pratchett. Where should I start?

 

I have a 1 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old, should I incorporate them or wait?

 

For you, Good Omens (written with Neil Gaiman) or Start at the 1st Discworld book. 

 

For you and the kiddies, I'd start with the Bromeliad Trilogy. They are children's books. Very well written and awesome.

[Aard_Rinn]

Good Omens. Good Omens.

 

God, I ship those two angels so much. They're basically the perfect couple. And Crowley.

 

Crowley.

 

As far as the Discworld books go, tho, start with the Watch books. They're the best - my love of cop shows notwithstanding - along with the inventor ones (what was his name? The one with the clacks?) But those really need a better understanding of the world to make good sense. Vimes is basically everything ever, tho, so you don't need as much context for him.

 

Also, Discworld has some of the finest fanfiction I've ever encountered, and I've read more fanfiction than most English majors have read actual books.

[Nocturne]

Vimes is my personal favourite Discworld character amongst a sea of great characters.

[kay13]

I do love Vimes.... but I also love Death... and Carrots and Nobby and lot and lots of others.....

[MissMelons]

Never read Terry Prachett. I've read Good kind. I'll give it a looksie.

 

One writer that I have a strong distaste for....over fifteen years and I'm still mad about: Piers Anthony's Race Against Time. It was the most pro racial purity garbage I ever read and I was ten at that time. I had never been so mad at a book til I read Oliver Twist. (I had gotten upset at my mother because I didn't know how sad the beginning was...I was sensative back then!)

 

But yes, Terry Prachett. Since Repairman Jack ended I haven't read a single book. Maybe Prachett can be a new addiction.

 

Edit: What's a good one to start with?

Edited January 16, 2015 by MissMelons