Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett. Many of you may know him as the co-writer of Good Omens, the one who wrote all the best parts (no offence to Gaiman, anyway, I bet he would agree with me).
The first Terry Pratchett book I read was Maskerade, a send up of opera and the Phantom of the Opera that is more hilarious the more you know about both subjects (I know a lot about both subjects). I am ashamed to say I had avoided checking it out from the library for a few visits because I did not really like the cover (now that I think of it, the same thing goes for Howl’s Moving Castle). So I guess I learned two things that day.
A lot of my Terry Pratchett readings and re-readings happened on trains, busses and subways during my long commute to university. The only issue was my tendency to burst out laughing while reading. And it was always those embarrassing sounding laughs, the little chokes that burst out like a messy sneeze, spraying your humour into the swaying silence of a crowded commuter train.
I will never forget the day I was riding home, reading one of the witch novels (a good guess is Maskerade, but it could have been Wyrd Sisters) and someone two seats down let out a choking laugh that he quickly tried to smother. He was reading Mort.
What is it about Terry Pratchett that makes him so great?
It’s like watching a troupe of jugglers and seeing flaming torches, wrenches, coloured balls, a small dog and tea set all whirling through the air – you’re so busy being entertained you don’t even wonder why it’s happening. Then everything drops out of the air to land neatly in a bucket of water beside a perfectly laid tea table with a biscuit for the dog and you can’t believe it, but you realize it was heading here all along.
Terry Pratchett passed on in 2015 and I waited almost an entire year to read his final, published Discworld book because the thought of it made me tear up. It still does. I cried three times just writing this blog.
Over 40 novels in one series alone! Where do I start?
The Discworld Novels do not really need to be read in order, although if you like them I do recommend starting in somewhat of an order, or at least by theme. My personal favourite is always whichever one I am currently reading, so I can’t help you there. The characters frequently overlap, so if someone catches you attention, they probably have their very own set within the series. But I like to think there is a little something for everyone in these books. Here are a few of the topics that Pratchett satirizes and homages through his writing. Maybe something will snag your interest.
Gritty victorian Police Mystery and rag-tag crew – The Watch novels with Commander Vimes
Grumpy old ladies, messy royalty, fairly tales and Shakespeare – the witches with Granny Weatherwax
Public service development, an urbane tyrant and fast-talking conman turned politician (unless those are just the same thing?) – Moist Von-Lipwig and The Patrician
Wizards and extreme monty python-level silliness – Rincewind and the wizards, although Ridcully slowly takes up the spotlight
The Grim Reaper and his daughter who just wants to live a normal life as a governess (HO HO HO) – Death, Susan and the death of rats. Ok, Hogfather with Death taking over for Santa Clause might be one of my favourites. I mean, just read it.