After a year or two of reading quotes from Terry Pratchett over at Lance's place, I decided I'd better read one of the Discworld books. After consultation with the Pratchett discussion board over at Library Thing (did I mention it now has a Groups function?), I went looking for The Color of Magic at the local used bookstore. I found a copy, bought it, and finished it last night.
I was amused by it, but I have to admit that had I not heard so much about Pratchett's work I wouldn't consider continuing to read the Discworld series. It was a pleasant diversion, but nothing special. It seems awfully disjointed, as though originally designed to be a series of short stories that got mashed together in one book. I liked Rincewind, Twoflower and the Luggage as characters, but none of them make me want to rush right out to find out what happens to them next. I will, but it will be all in good time.
Am I wrong about the book?
Posted by Linkmeister at August 6, 2006 03:09 PM | TrackBackI just started reading The Color of Magic myself, and I think you're right about it being short stories. I've only recently started reading Pratchett, and I sort of started in reverse. I read his latest book, Thud!, first, and quite enjoyed it. It's about the Watch, and its head, Sam Vimes. I liked Vimes a lot, so since then I've been seeking out the books featuring him and the Watch, like The Night Watch which is excellent. My thoughts on both books are here.
Posted by: DXMachina at August 7, 2006 05:03 AMLink, I started the Discworld series almost randomly, picking up a copy of Thief of Time from the library mainly because that was the only Pratchett they had.
I liked it! It's a stand alone, not one of the mini-series, so it set me up for a surprise. I went from that to Night Watch, not even knowing Pratchett had mini-series at work. I liked NW but realized that I didn't get most of the jokes because I missed the beginning. That's when I went back to Guards! Guards! and began moving forward through the Watch series, and that's where I recommend you go next.
We've read G!G!, Men at Arms, and Feet of Clay so far. Jingo's next. Then the Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, and Thud.
I've read two more of the stand alones, The Truth and Going Postal. Very good, both.
Mr Shakes, a longtime Discworld fan, actually warned me away from Color of Magic and the the next few of Pratchett's first books in the series. He had recently gone back to re-read them and found them very disappointing. Pratchett has grown a lot stronger and a lot surer of his material over the years.
Posted by: Lance Mannion at August 7, 2006 08:55 AMThanks, Lance. I shouldn't be a prisoner of the chronological order, then. Good, because this one evinced a "what's the big deal here?" feeling.
Posted by: Linkmeister at August 7, 2006 09:05 AMI've never been tempted to read a Terry Pratchett book.
Posted by: Maxine Clarke at August 7, 2006 11:45 AMOh man, you are so wrong. They are great big fun - especialy at the end of a crappy day. And you don't even have to read them in order. Granted if you don't certain things have happened in one and later you'll read where they did but I think it just makes them more amusing.
That said, I do have a prediliction for British humor. I cut my teeth on Douglas Adams - actually my infatuation started long before that but I dare say my love of Paddington bear and other kids books don't count. I also watch BBC sitcoms for my tee vee humor. So it does take a certain taste but Pratchett is totaly worth it. You might check out Good Omens" by Pratchett and Gaimen.
Posted by: DuWayne at August 9, 2006 06:05 PM