A DISCWORLD PRIMER*

*or, why should I read this thing that everyone keeps going on about?

Come on in, sit down, pull up a chair. If you have followup questions, feel free to ask me or @ankhmorporkcity.watch, we're always happy to help.

(1/a lot, idk, we'll figure this out as we go)

July 17, 2023 - 23:11 UTC

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It says Invalid Handle
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Enjoy the artwork.
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Love all stuff #Pterry - I sometimes read science and history and come across stuff I first learned about from Discworld, and think "Terry must have read about this once" - it makes me grin. ☺️
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I love that this is your pinned post.
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One of the only true regrets I ever had in my life was not discovering Pratchett until I was in my 40s. I've more than made up for lost time.
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there’s no time too late to discover pratchett, thankfully
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Amazing! Love to see folks who are as passionate about Discworld as I am! I've been feeling, for some time, that one could probably put together a whole ethics curriculum based on Sir Terry's work. This is a fantastic guide you've put together.
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I haven’t read one of these since I was a young teenager but after seeing the thriving Discworld community here have so much fun I got Color of Magic for my Kindle last week and have resolved to give it another read
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hope you enjoy! if it doesn't click try one of the other recommendations here, colour of magic is good but it's a parody of a very specific era of fantasy so sometimes people bounce off it if that doesn't work for them
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Discworld got me through some dark times. Perhaps a revisit is in order.
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Do it. Why not eh? 🙂
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Please SIGN AND SAVE USA 🇺🇸 www.change.org/p/freeze-the-trump-administration-from-further-action-with-investigation
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...I have Death of Rats tattooed on my leg.
😁
Discworld is the best place to vacation.
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S
Q
U
E
A
K
!
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Omg, do you have a pic? Haven't had a tattoo yet and why did I not consider Terry's work?
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I only started reading ‘Discworld’ recently in my mid-forties. I’m working through them in order and can’t believe the work passed me by, they are right up my street. As a Douglas Adams fan, they share a warmth, humour, and glee in punching up (never down).
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Same here! Just started them in January and there's been endless chortling in my 2024.
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Same! Started in 2020 and so disappointed that I missed out when he was alive 😥
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Just finished my annual re-watch of Hogfather. So many continuity errors but the Pratchett set pieces are for the ages and why I come back to it every year.
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A Discworld fan! My happy place!
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I've only read The Wee Free Men, so far. I just scored the first dozen books from a friend & 4 more from a used bookstore trip. SO excited to get started.

I'm reading in publishing order instead of the grouping method. Thoughts?
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I picked up Mort.
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Terry Pratchett was the only thing that kept me going through the months after 9/11, and my grandfather passing around the same time.
Read so many of his books then.
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Douglas Adams got me through that period. Now to discover TP.
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@thesmilodon.bsky.social
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I’ve read all of those books so many times. Love Terry always!
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Great series.
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I've considered starting to read them, but I get overwhelmed by lists online telling me which is the best order to read the books. They all contradict each other.
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What are you interested in?

There's a Discworld book for that, whatever your interests. That book would be a good place to start.
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so this is what I recommend - pick one of these three books to start and then just follow the chart to pick the next ones in that series if you like it

after that you can branch out, but don’t worry too much and just start with one of these
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This feed is a major selling point as I try to convince friends to come to Bluesky.
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What got me reading Terry Pratchett is when a friend said it was like if Douglas Adams wrote fantasy. And when Britain did a public survey of everyone's top 100 Favorite Novels Ever, Pratchett made the list three times.
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Ok. This analogy just put me over the edge. Now to find a book of his in France that I can afford. 🤔
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Have you heard this? Terry and Steeleye Span album.
tinyurl.com/yhb2c9k4
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Oh you may have convincedto red my collection for the third time... I do believe I have all the ones with a storyline (that is, texcept the reference books, which I don't think I need - though I may end up getting one day, for now I shall be leaving my two grandchildren one collection EACH.
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WHAT IS DISCWORLD?

Discworld is a satirical fantasy series by the late Terry Pratchett.

There are 41 books in the series, which is set on the Discworld, a flat planet balanced on the back of four elephants, which in turn stand on the great turtle A'Tuin as it swims through space.
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I have heard of Discworld before, upon being told that my character naming for various projects resembles it.

I'm bookmarking this for future examination, when I seek out a library for these.
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On a clear day, you can see straight from the Hub to the edge of the disc, except for that weird brown patch, that's Ankh-Morpork, you are never seeing through that patch
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I'm out.
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I remember buttonholing someone in a nightclub for a good fifteen minutes while I explained that Pratchett's analyses of the human condition were on the same scale as Dickens and Shakespeare. They wandered away looking suitably chastened.
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It is split into subseries (each focused on specific characters) as well as numerous standalone novels.

Recurring characters include:

* Rincewind, the world's most incompetent and cowardly wiz(z)ard.

* Death, a seven foot tall skeleton who TALKS LIKE THIS, and his granddaughter Susan
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Ha
Just got farther down the thread. Nvrmd
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Sír Terry's passing was the first time I truly mourned a person I had never met.
I hadn't realised just how much of an impact Discworld had had on me until that day. GNU Sir pTerry
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Small gods is a Jewel, Terry P. Is/was a Giant, Mort is sick
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Say, there is a Posters’ Guild?
And you are deputy chairman?

Because I would like to join...

(Do not have many posts & not many of them good. Have one post that was partially quoted by Terry Pratchett)
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So how reasonable is it to just pick up one and read it? Is it like a superhero comic book where it doesnt really matter because all the important bits are explained, or are there very explicit continuations youll need context for? My local (spanish) library has a pretty limited selection so...
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I think Watch novels benefit particularly from “read them in order” to get the full effect of how the characters grow, but you won’t be seriously confused if you just pick one at random. Mort and Guards! Guards! are great early starters if The Color of Magic doesn’t float your boat.
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if you can, I’d start with one of the ones linked downthread, but a lot of people (myself included) have started with a random one

you may miss some context but you’ll usually be able to figure it out

happy to suggest from available titles if you give me a list of what’s available
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My first book was Carpe Jugulum, which is the last in the “Witches” series. Didn’t feel like I was missing anything (even though I was missing a lot of back story). I didn’t start the “Death” or “Night Watch” series at the beginning either
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I feel compelled to mention that the first 2 may not be recommended starting points but they are fundamental world builders - they also make a lot more sense if you've read Fritz Lieber's (superb) Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories - the first 2 are also bloody good, but different.
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Seconded. If you haven't read the Lankhmar stories you're going to miss quite a bit. But read them anyway, they're brilliant!
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Which Ring World book should I read first?
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I stumbled upon Hogfather at the library. It isn't the worst place to start
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I usually recommend Small Gods as a starting point. He had really hit his stride by then, and as a standalone you can just jump in
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Thrilled that the algo brought you into my feed. 😊
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I've finally found a law enforcement account I want to follow!
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Thanks so much for this thread! You know I’ve been a devoted fan for many years, but the thread has introduced me to some other Discworld folk here, and I appreciate it!❤️
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If you can get a hold of it, the Discworld Noir PC game from 1999 is also an absolute gem.
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I've been meaning to find a copy of this online or smth bc it looks really neat
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I generally read them in the order they were published The Color of Magic is the start.
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Good Omens led me to Discworld. Started with 2 City Watch books and moved on to the beginning to Colour of Magic, followed by the whole Mort side
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The City Watch books got me into it as well.
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I too, am a bit enamoured of Mr Pratchett and have been for well over 30 years. Dwarves on the other hand...
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I do have this one question I would ask you about computer programming since you write code all the time I wonder if you can write a code for social media to make a completely better platform than all the rest of them out there just kind of wondering if you could
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I've read, I think, the first 26 Discworld novels published, not counting the ones written for kids. Haven't gotten around to buying _Going Postal_, yet, which is part of the plan for reading it, since I'm out of the habit of visiting local libraries.
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Can recommend. It's a lot of fun. As ever, there are parallels to current affairs which are v prescient 🙂
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Has the eternal question ever been solved: Is the turtle coming or going? (I read the Night Watch books years ago and always meant to keep going).
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Either way, The Turtle Moves
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Post The Light Fantastic, the turtle is going, I believe.
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the turtle abides
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Replying here in hopes of finding some people who played the old Discworld MUD back in the day. Great primer! I'm still grateful for my former bf for getting me a signed copy as well as a Gaspode figurine.
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Hey @theogordon.bsky.social , in case we want to read discworld (was on the flowchart we were perusing, sci-fi, funny, you already like good omens)
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Plus the little sprinkles of wisdom sprinkled in... I often remind myself of the chase scene at the beginning of Thud!, Vimes *must* get home to read Where's My Cow? to his little kid at precisely the right time every day. "Once you open the door to good excuses, you open the door to bad excuses."
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Oh my god... when he's in danger on the river in Snuff and he stops to remember that there's a little boy he has to get home to read to.... MY HEART! 💔
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is there a like 'gimme all you got' option for discworld so i can just like have it? ive read like, a half dozen or so but i dont like being sprawled across a bunch of editions and formats if i can avoid it
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I'd go over here for that! www.discworldemporium.com/product-category/books/
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I started with Mort and then discovered what came before. For me the Witches are the best, closely followed by the Watch, with soft spots for Small Gods and Pyramids (Ptraci being one of his most inspired gags ever. The Tiffany Aching books are a beautiful end to an incredible series.
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📌 Pratchett books
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I'd literally just been looking into starting this series after hearing for ages how great it is, and you've sold me. Thanks!
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Thanks!

Your enthusiasm for Discworld persuaded me to dip a toe in the water; Pratchett’s genius persuaded me to go full baptism.

I’m halfway through now, reading chronologically and getting to know the characters as one rich, charming, chaotic community.

This post is super helpful. 😊
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Someone recommended Good Omens and The Colour of Magic to me 20odd years ago and I fell in love. Note my handle…
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I love words and didn’t know this for many years—primer in this usage is pronounced “primmer” not “prImer” with a hard “I”, which is reserved mostly for the painting stuff. I had a pedantic classmate in HS make this point and we roasted him, but he was right
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Whaat? Citation please
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Ok but what about...
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In English English they are pronounced the same.
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Pleased to meetcha
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I'm pretty sure we could make a religion from Discworld thar would be really great, but it would also pass off Sir PTerry something fierce.
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Omh!
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Also if you’re a chaos gremlin and don’t mind picking up context as you read, you can also take my approach and just say “I haven’t read this one yet” read the dust jacket and then read it regardless of what it says
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In fact I’m going to take a potentially controversial stance and say the only wrong way to read Discworld is to not do it
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ah yes, the Library route!
what book they got on the shelf today? yeah ok
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Well, so long as the big guy who speaks in ALL CAPS and is a marvel at harvesting wheat doesn't drop by, sure!
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Oh, but how that guy can dance!
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1) "Unseen Academicals" is the only book about sports that made me cry.

2) "Hogfather" is THE holiday movie. And Terry's in it.

3) The end of "The Last Hero" had me snot-crying.

4) Last part of "Maskerade" stunned me. Oh, and Greebo.

5) "Lords and Ladies" ARE the Fae.

6) I still miss him.
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Greebo made me seriously LOL in "Witches Abroad" with the "fuzzy ball" observation.
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Greebo is the great anti-hero.
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My first introduction to Pratchett was a short story called Turntables of the Night. Not Discworld, but features a very recognisable Death. Then I found Mort in the school library and thought "I know this guy..."
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So, this is the pinned post on the Discworld feed, and I have a feed and I can't work out how to pin a post to it? Any pointers gratefully recieved and thankyou for your consideration
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My fave series of all time and just so so so much better than that novel "Harry Potter and the far right nutbag author".... or whatever it's called 😏.

Vimes and the city watch is definitely my go to series within a series.

I miss Terry Pratchett.
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This is lovely, Micah!
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thank you! I really tried to get my love for the series across in this thread
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Hello, I am Osama Al-Qarnawi from Palestine, Gaza Strip. I am writing to you with a broken heart and a shattered soul. I need your help to save my family from death. Please share this message and post it on all your social media pages. Thank you in advance for standing by me.💔🙏🇵🇸🌹
gofund.me/9821e7b7
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Thank you for sharing the post 🙏
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Thanks, I’ll be gifting these to my son.
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well now i gotta read Discworld again
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My almost Terry Pratchett story; needing extra cash for Xmas I signed up for night guard duty in the Swindon office building where TP worked. Coming around a corner on the floor where his office was I found myself staring at a 1 mt high toy sheep with antlers, draped with fairey lights. Funny that!🐏
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I tried reading them several times decades ago and just didn't get into it.

Started listening to the audiobooks this year and finished the first four so fast I had to pay to top off my listening time.

So much fun.
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My 10 year old niece is an avid reader and also a witch (according to her parents). That made me think she might enjoy the Tiffany Aching books. I've not yet read them, do you think she's at an appropriate age?
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As an owner and reader of every single one of his books, I think she’d enjoy them a lot.
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Interested in the silver horde reoccurring theme - which book is a good starting point for that? I’m not familiar with it (haven’t gotten all of his books…YET) New to this site too so hopefully put this request in a good spot.
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so Cohen the Barbarian shows up by himself in the first couple books - the full Horde doesn’t appear except in Interesting Times and The Last Hero, so those are the ones to read for them

I don’t generally recommend starting with Interesting Times but it did work for me, so
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It is our family tradition to watch The Hog Father every year at Christmas. And many of the ornaments on our tree are from that movie
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I know you posted the 'what or read if' graph, but can't find it in this thread. Pretty please, could you repost once again?

I finally downloaded 39 Pratchett novels (it was a humble bundle) onto my reader, and have no idea where to start :-)
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Duh.

"Roland! Read the pinned thread!"
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Came across The Light Fantastic in a campus bookstore in '88. Enraptured. Hunted down Colour of Magic, and never looked back. Tend to lead toward the Witches books. Wish I was Granny. Pretend I'm Nanny. Know I'm Magrat.
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I feel this down to my soul, my friend. From one Magrat to another, I salute you.
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Seeing you constantly remind about the discworld series is why I picked up my first discworld books ever to read with my daughters, the Tiffany Aching series.

They love Tiffany and the Wee Free Men, I've read the first two and half to them so far. Tiffany is a million times HP, she's amazing.
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They really are great to read to a youngster. The only question has to be, do you do the Feegles in an attempt at a Scots accent? 😁
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Anyway, ran of characters, wanted to say THANK YOU
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So this isn’t a website about cds and vinyl? Damb
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there is a book that specifically parodies rock and roll called Soul Music, if that helps
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the "Bledlow Nobbs (no relation)" running joke in Unseen Academicals had me dying
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I’ve heard of this series but, beyond that, I’ve never read any of his books. Thanks for the break down!
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Thank you for this primer. It was helpful it inspired me to remember I have read some of these books and should read more.
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Loved it for decades, met the man himself at a signing in Cardiff in November 1997 and got him to sign a birthday card for my mum (who has never actually read any of his books 😅).
One of my Lame to Fames.
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I LOVE Discworld, considering doing a full readthrough one of these days.
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My absolute most favourite author!! Sir Terry Pratchett, may he rest in peace
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Question: how do I post on the Discworld thread? Do I have to include a hashtag, or do I have to be on a list? I enjoy reading the comments here, and I'd like to participate more. Thank you, and thanks!
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There's a whole list of words - using any of them in your post will make the feed pick it up. Sorry to butt in :) Your post did show up in the feed
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Do you think it would be worthwhile to remove "detritus" from the Discworld feed? It's become a frequently used word now, and I'm tired of reading unrelated posts on the feed.
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There's a Discworld feed?
Tell me more!
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@jakei.bsky.social I think this is probably a good call
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Heh.

bsky.app/profile/pokinpotentialppl.bsky.social/post/3laonqyihqc2s
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Nicely done!
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I started rereading the series last year, and I am adoring all the Pratchett love
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I don't know, I'm not convinced
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Nigel Planer v Stephen Briggs. Discuss...
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Discworld is GOATED when bedtime story that is so whimsical you'll be carried unknowingly from wakefulness to dreamland is the vibe.
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Just this earned you a follower.
I am a Turtle believer and mentally Weatherwax
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youtu.be/JkFWwIY9TpQ?si=m1v7nW3xC_LmvP9M
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Which book should I start with?
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Reread Going Postal recently and this Reacher Gilt bit stood out, for no particular reason.
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I spent 2024 reading Discworld. I will spend all of 2025 chasing the feelings Sir Pratchett evoked with Discworld.
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I, too, was a latecomer. Covid lockdown got me into the series. Love it so much!
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I suppose you're aware that Terry also wrote some Sci-Fi and just satirical short stories. An old internet anecdote about smuggling aircrafts is actually based on one of his stories. But do you know that Discworld was referred in one of his sci-fi novels as a space station created by weird aliens?
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GNU Pterry.
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Been having a rough day because of everything and reading Men at Arms has brought a smile to my face. Thanks for introducing me to the Discworld. Really brightened my day up and helping me shuffle along on this mortal coil.
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Oh god oh fuck somewhere a podcast is being conceived
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I would listen to chinch and Micah opine about discworld together for an hour a week, ngl
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All 42 books were brilliant! It makes Death and witches and cats and rats and politics all - a journey you’ll never regret taking.
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Not to throw a cat among the pigeons, but what is Discworld club's stance on Strata, which was probably the Pratchett book I reread the most (along with Good Omens) during the period when I was trying to do adulting and be cool and other unwise things like that.
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strata is good! it's a bit like the early discworld books in that it's rough around the edges but the core of Pratchett is in there and I like it a lot
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Every book is laugh out loud funny. Every book contains several brilliant and elegant sentences. If you want it to be, every book is a study.
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The footnotes are the best
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This is how I know you're a good people.
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I'm a very hardcore military SF with ray guns and rocket ships guy. Not into fantasy at all. My Wife finally managed to convince me to try 1 Diskworld novel (Guards Guards.) By the end of that week, I had read every one we had (13). I
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Just started these and thoroughly hooked! 💗
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Thanks for the primer, I started with the first two and I've enjoyed them, but they do feel like early works. Can't wait to read the DEATH books.
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I can’t remember by first “Discworld” novel—it might have been “The Fifth Elephant” or “Hogfather.” But I remember reading and laughing out loud—literally. No book had ever had that effect on me. I’ve read books with humour before that tickled my mind, but never ones that made me outright laugh.
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But behind the humour there was a keen observation of human nature, and a sincere desire to showcase humanity’s ills and the possible (and simple) remedies. “Thief Of Time”, “Mort”, “Guards! Guards!”, “Monstrous Regiment”, “The Truth”, and “Going Postal” are some of my favourites.
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I love that you have Rincewind as your handle!
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Thank you for your hard work spreading the word.
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I'd borrow the books from the library in high-school but didn't always finish them. Got a bit more into the series when I got Thief of Time and The Truth as a holiday present. Couple years later I bought Hogfather from an English bookstore in Spain. That's when I started binging the series.
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@esmeweatherwax8.bsky.social do you follow Micah?
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this feels pretty similar to posts I used to make on reddit actually, i used to be fairly active but haven't been for several years now and ive made similar arguments in favor of pratchett
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Because all 40 some books are highly enjoyable, especially when you go forth into the world an realize how much of the stuff in the fantastical magical world that is the Disc, actually originated/happened on Round World.
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I was just talking about this on my feed a few days ago and holy heck do I genuinely need this. Thank you! 🙏🏾
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so glad it’s helpful!
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