Is it just me...

[The Ace]

There seems to be a bit of confusion here.

Reading the Discworld in order isn't as straightforward as it sounds;

MP, Pyramids, The Truth and MR were written to stand alone.

COM, LF, Sourcery, Eric and IT are an arc.(Rincewind).

ER,WS, WA, LL, etc form a second arc, to get the best from them, these should also be read in order.(the Witches

Mort, RM, SM, Hogfather and TT form yet another story arc.(Death)

GG, MAA, FC, Jingo, FE,NW and Thud, comprise yet another series (the Watch)

Although probably not intended to originally, the Discworld has grown into a number of series, each dependant on its predecessors within its own arc. Thus, reading 'The fifth Elephant,' or 'Jingo,' before 'Guards, Guards,' would detract from these a bit.

[Allegra]

Originally Posted by Shamu

I don't think Adams and Pratchett's books can be compared. Sure they fall under the umbrella term of "Fantasy" but they're very different in the way they tell their stories and likewise their humour is different as a result.

I agree. I like them both. I think Adams is much more of Monty Python type and he really has a way with words! TP's humour is subtler and the plots are meatier. Adams is hilarious but the plot can be thin at times.

[Urlik]

Originally Posted by The Ace

There seems to be a bit of confusion here.

Reading the Discworld in order isn't as straightforward as it sounds;

MP, Pyramids, The Truth and MR were written to stand alone.

COM, LF, Sourcery, Eric and IT are an arc.(Rincewind).

ER,WS, WA, LL, etc form a second arc, to get the best from them, these should also be read in order.(the Witches

Mort, RM, SM, Hogfather and TT form yet another story arc.(Death)

GG, MAA, FC, Jingo, FE,NW and Thud, comprise yet another series (the Watch)

Although probably not intended to originally, the Discworld has grown into a number of series, each dependant on its predecessors within its own arc. Thus, reading 'The fifth Elephant,' or 'Jingo,' before 'Guards, Guards,' would detract from these a bit.

I would add The Truth to the Watch series as Vimes and the Patrician play a significant role although not as the main protagonists.
it could be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend at least reading in order up to Feet of Clay before reading The Truth (or Monstrous Regiment, for that matter, just so you have a fuller picture of Vimes' character for his appearances in that book as well)

[scalem X]

Mmm I must say that it depends. I find Pratchett to be very tyring to read. If you read fast and skim over words, it's impossible to read. Well in my opinion at least.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by scalem X

Mmm I must say that it depends. I find Pratchett to be very tyring to read. If you read fast and skim over words, it's impossible to read. Well in my opinion at least.

Hmm...true for most books, I'd have thought - and it's not a race, you know. Reading fast and skimming may lead to a lot of missed jokes and allusions...

[paranoid marvin]

Originally Posted by pyan

Hmm...true for most books, I'd have thought - and it's not a race, you know. Reading fast and skimming may lead to a lot of missed jokes and allusions...

sorry , what was that again?