Introducing Discworld by Terry Prachett - A Spoiler Free Beginner's Guide

[@MrGlandeux]

Hogfather is fantastic too. An assassination contract is put on the head of the hogfather (santa claus). The plot implicate the tooth fairy. just craaazy.

[@turtleanton6539]

Hahahaha😂😂😂

[@joerosa9017]

This video came in perfect timing for me. Just started discworld myself, reading in publication order and currently on Mort, and I’m LOVE LOVE LOVING IT! Glad I stumbled upon your channel, great insight and energy!❤

[@feldegast]

You are in for a great ride, enjoy 😃

[@Karma7711]

I’ve started with Mort myself! So happy I’ve jumped into Discworld

[@rook9860]

Im up to maskerade they only get better each book

[@commanderkruge]

Oh, and all the other adaptations apart from "The Watch" - I quite like them, including Maurice. They're all done by people who obviously actually cared for the material (the real action miniseries Hogfather, Colour of Magic and Going Postal even had Terry involved). And while none of them is what I would call "perfect", you can generally have a good time with them and get at least an idea what the books are like.

[@StuartSmithHandForgedKNives]

Hogfather and Going Postal were good adaptations. I love Discworld and have read them several times. Never get old.

[@maybelore]

I was going to start with guards guards but now that I know there's a con man I think I want to start there. I'm a sucker for that character type

[@AlexPhaedrus]

Thanks for another great video! It makes me want to pick up Discworld again (right away, if I'm honest). I read Colour of Magic when I was a kid (teenager, decades ago) and didn't really grab me (I was comparing it to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and it didn't measure up) so I didn't really get into the series at the time. Now from your video I learn that maybe I should have started with a different book (but there may not have been as many published by then -- it was the late 80s). I'm an audiobook person now, and I see that a bunch of new recordings have come out recently for Discworld with some actors and other well-known voices, so I'm even more excited to get into the series now. Where to begin .... ?

[@feldegast]

As someone who has read all 41 books I can highly recommend trying again, try Mort or Guards! Guards! Both are great sub series, once you have read a few books, go back and read The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic as these provide world building for other books....also Eric follows on from Soucery which is the 4th and 3rd Rincewind/wizard books respectively... The Witches books are also amazing 😍

[@darrenleiberman6250]

Great video mate, your love of Sir Terry's work gushes out of you, just like me when I'm asked if it's worth reading Discworld. I have one issue, what is peoples problem with Pyramids? It was the first novel I read and I found it delightful. For a start it's the only book which deals with the Assasins' Guild [The coolest of all the guilds] and has the greatest mathematician on the disc. Can you enlighten me as to the general approbrium directed to this work? Once again excellent video. 👌

[@commanderkruge]

"The Watch" did NOT have Rhianna Pratchett working on it. Basically there were two "The Watch" projects: One, before Terry did and the abomination we got after he passed away. For the original series indeed Rhianna (a successful author all by herself - she wrote for a bunch of AAA games like the Tomb Raider Reboot) was to be one of the writers, Monty Python's Terry Jones was to be involved and Terry himself would have final word on all "canon" decisions, more or less. The series was to star a group of new Watchmen, with the known characters as backround figures. Then Terry died. Then a while nothing happened with the project at all and one after another the remaining involved people started working on other projects again. Only THEN someone at BBC America dug out the old contracts and noticed that, while Terry would have had final control about the series' content, the contracts never named a replacement for the cause of his death. They found they were in the position that they basically could do whatever they wanted with the Watch books now. And - boy - did they do a great big Scheissjob! After promising fans on a Discworld convention that the series would be true to Terry's books Bloody Stupid Simon Alan (the "creator") threw away everything planned for the series originally. He then took a handful of plot elements from "Guards! Guards!" and "Nightwatch" and slapped them onto what must have been a pre-existing generic "a bunch of people hunt a bunch of McGuffins"-Script. Every last bit of original dialogue was removed and replaced with all new "jokes" - most of them falling flat on their stomach. I had the biggest chuckle in one short DELETED SCENE. Altogether I laughed two or three times during the whole show. oO Not enough with that - all the characters bear little in common with the ones from the books, apart from their names (a BIG hint that this originally wasn't even meant to be a Discworld series). Vimes is reduced to a nonstop-mugging "funny drunk", a comedy concept that's a bit oldfashioned... Sybil Ramkin is "Batgirl" - she's a vigilante who captures people and holds them in a "reeducation camp" (in chains) where she wants to "de-brainwash" them from accepting the society they live in. (written at a time when Uigurs are held in "reeducation camps" in China - but Sybil is supposed to be "the good one" here). Nobbs and Colon are completely missing. Carrot is the single one character that is actually kinda like his book counterpart. And Cheery Littlebottom... Oh my. I don't mind Cheery played by a trans actor and being not only an analogue for trans people, but an actual trans character. What I DO mind is that she is played by the biggest actor on set. And that they crapped all over "Dwarf Canon". The actor played the character in the series well, they were likeable and all, but they absolutely weren't even close to what Cheery is in the books. And did they make something out of Cheery's fight for being accepted as what she feels like? Hmmmmnope, not even that. Cheery starts out wearing a rather female wardrobe from the beginning and at one point informs the others that they are now a "she" and that's it. She doesn't have any trouble because of it or anything. Everybody just nods and that's it. GOD, it's such a shitfest - should I ever meet Blody Stupid Simon in person, I'll happily slap him one.

[@superfly2449]

I watched about three minutes of that crappe-feast. Ungh!

[@destro6971]

The whole thing broke my heart, and I really TRIED to get through it. I was 100% on board with a gender flipped Vetinari (I mean, after Charles Dance where do you even go😂 Missy from Dr Who, that’s where!), accepted a shift to a more modern city, and was willing to let a ton slide because the humor is really tough to adapt to live action. But FFS, they were so focused on representation that they missed what they already had available. Sybil race swapped, great! Sybil as a hot young superhero, WHY?! Big ladies aren’t profitable I suppose. Bet your sweet blimpkin there is a gender fluid actor with dwarfism out there, but they couldn’t be bothered to think in more than 1 dimension. It’s the actors I feel the worst for, they must have been jazzed for the chance and then SPLAT. I just tell myself someone got a hold of a script as done by CMOT Dibbler and tried to resurrect Moving Pictures. 😂 then I buy a few more of the hard covers to keep building my collection

[@mikeprince6685]

Just started Discworld a couple weeks ago and I’ve read Guards Guards, Mort, Color of Magic, and I’m currently reading Wyrd Sisters. Just ordered 3 more today haha I can’t stop 😂

[@Avid_Reader]

I know it's more historical fiction, but I'd love to hear your take on the 4 books of the Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett. The Pillars of the Earth is my favorite book of all time.

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Absolutely love your intro and I’m glad KZbin recommended this video to me! I’ve read the first 2 books chronologically and cannot wait to keep on reading this series. Great video, man.

[@feldegast]

Enjoy the ride! 😃

[@bookishbooks5412]

Came over from Elliott Brooke’s shoutout to you on her channel… nice to see someone on BookTube giving Pratchett some love and a dedicated shoutout! I’ve read a handful of Discworld books, my favourite so far being Reaper Man. That book had me laughing out loud SO much.

[@dkropelnicki9819]

Love the cheesy 90's sitcom intro. Great enthusiasm, informative. I can see your channel doing well. Subbed!

[@sw3dge]

Just started with Mort because I can't resist trying to get to Hogfather by Xmas time. And we have 2 black cats!

[@donnasnowdon3459]

Great Video! I'm always here for Discworld content! Discworld re-ignited my passion for reading and I've read and re-read them many times now. I think I hit the jackpot with my first book which was Lords and Ladies and my second, Men At Arms (absolute perfection in terms of character, plot and pacing, and still my number one favourite). I bought The Shepherds Crown as soon as it was released but it took two years before I could bear to read it. That was the one and only time. I just find it too unbearably sad. But Discworld still fills me with so much comfort and joy 25 years on and I'll never tire of it.

[@cronkthebookguy]

Amazing! I was the same. Discworld got me excited about reading. And I bought Shepherds Crown YEARS before I could read it. Men At Arms is a damn-near perfect novel. It's incredible. Carrot's decisive action at the end there....lives in my head rent-free! :D

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes

[@paziis]

Gosh I watched all of your videos today, I loved your style so much! Wishing you the best of luck on youtube, I'll be waiting and watching all of your videos! Also, your cats are adorable :)

[@renatosouza9261]

My favorite Discworld novels are The Hogfather and Wyrd Sisters. Granny Weatherwax and Death are great characters!!! Sir Terry had such a genius mind, and he touched many lifes with his humours but also with his ability to understand humanity. Death speech on why humans need fantasy are even now the most incredible definition of our nature as human beings that I came across in a fantasy book.

[@Wouter_K]

What a beautiful review of the discworld. I love it. I've read a lot of the years ago and have started again from the last hero on and just purchased night watch as well. I actually loved the first two books, but it might've helped that I already played the video games back in the day, before I accidentally picked them up on an airport. Also thank you for being incredibly wholesome in all your videos. I discovered your channel through Johanna's why read, and am binging big time. As much for the vibes as for the content.

[@MancFlowerDragon]

I was fortunate enough to play Granny Weatherwax in Wyrd Sisters. One of my best memories ever! I loved it. I’ve read a few of the Discworld series but not all. This video has come at time. I’m involved in writing a production about 4 old crones so I can’t fail to be inspired.

[@ColonelSandersLite]

Oh hey, that's cool. I really liked that movie. You did good a good job.

[@jmund175]

Loving your energy in your videos so far, please keep making videos! Also, the intro slaps

[@m00nwalka]

Fantastic video, all the information I need to know about the series. Thank you

[@adventurerkate]

This was very helpful. I’ve only read two from the series so far: Equal Rites and Eric. ER was all right, but I really hated Eric. This video gives me hope that there will be books in the series that I will like.

[@destro6971]

Those are 2 that are rough for me as well. Equal Rites has a strong base, but Granny real evolves in the rest of the Witches books and her character is amazing. Rincewind is my least favorite character by a large margin though 😂

[@timothyburbage]

I read a fair few of these as a teenager, but they werent in any order and I genuinely can't tell you what happened in most of them. Will def look to read on the future

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

This was a fantastic video and Bob's your Uncle!! I've only read two atm but Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms were exceptional reads. Your intro cracked me up and I love the enthusiasm man. Can't wait to see this channel grow. I'll be tuning in my man.

[@superfly2449]

Very good introduction, or re-introduction, to Discworld. If anyone is interested in the audiobook versions, I have to mention Nigel Planer. This actor (The Young Ones, etc.) inhabits all the characters, and will have you believing he IS Nanny Ogg or Sam Vimes, or any one of the dozens of characters. It’s really an amazing performance.

[@ozowen]

Nightwatch. Thief of Time. Carpe Jugulum. Wee Free Men. and then it's a toss up between Jingo, Thud, Snuff, A Hat Full of Sky, and Lords and Ladies. Probably Jingo....

[@leweryn]

Last Continent, that character progresion of Rincewind, cynism... beautiful ....no worries, eh?

[@macglam17]

As a newish reader wanting to read some more classic fantasy series/authors thank you for these videos! I was looking for an in depth robin hobb beginner guide and your video is so so helpful :)

[@nickl3377]

Ive read Mort, Small Gods, Color of Magic, and now reading Equal Rites. In that order. I wanna finish the Death series first, then the Wizards series. But who knows, Equal Rites might end up my favorite, im only on page 5. (I dont have a favorite but I will always appreciate the first three I read.)

[@NICKREADSFANTASY]

You’re going to fly to the top of BookTube fast. Incredibly talented breakdown.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes

[@paulqueripel3493]

Oook.

[@destro6971]

🍌🍌🍌

[@ozowen]

What about the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant? Or on a lighter level- the Belgariad?

[@229axb7]

Thank you so much! The good reads for this series had me VERY confused and most sites put it in chronological order so I didn't realize there was sub series!! Best comprehensive look at the series I've found! So happy

[@cronkthebookguy]

YES! So happy to hear that! Yeah chronological order doesn't work for most readers. You gotta pick your favourite sub series and go from there. Enjoy!

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes😊😊😊

[@kimibumblebee]

Hey, my boyfriend told me to read this books for years but never convinced me. But after your video, i am going to give it a try :D Greetings from Germany :)

[@MancFlowerDragon]

I had the great opportunity to play Granny Weatherwax in Wyrd Sisters. We played for a week. It was a fabulous experience. I treasure the memories. 🤓🌻

[@lord0jackostar]

The thing with Discworld is, even if it isn’t your vibe as a whole, there’s almost certainly a book in the series somewhere that will absolutely hit the spot for you. It’s just that varied as a series.

[@lord0jackostar]

The thing with Discworld is, even if it isn’t your vibe as a whole, there’s almost certainly a book in the series somewhere that will absolutely hit the spot for you. It’s just that varied as a series.

[@cluasa]

I am fortunate to have started with C.O.M. Because that was the choices (Strata and Dark Side excepted). After Mort I read everything in (borrowed) 1st edition hardback. Discworld and I grew up together. #1 = Carpe Jugulum. Starting point, I'd say chronologically from Mort. Read 1-3 as backfill later!

[@gordondell8691]

Angua is my favorite character and so The Fifth Elephant - which dives into her family dynamic and backstory - is my favorite book.

[@TheStormblooper-100]

I agree with everything apart from _all_ of the books being self contained. The 1st and 2nd books are directly related since "A Light Fantastic" is the direct sequel to "A Colour of Magic" and picks up right where the previous one left off. So unless you're happy with reading only one half of the entire tale then you really need to read them both to get the complete story. In fact you can get the first two novels as a single omnibus edition. Other than that though, I agree that any of the other books can be read as standalones.

[@tabarkali9410]

I’d love to see a review about anything by brandon sanderson🙏🏻 i was thinking about getting into his books but I honestly don’t know where to start!

[@fionakierton1231]

My favourite Terry Pratchett book is Moving Pictures

[@fionakierton1231]

Other trilogy Truckers, Diggers and Wings. Based on Gnomes that used to live in a store (but escaped on a lorry)

[@juliusagh9038]

Just discovered your channel and I really like what I've seen so far. I'm giving Discworld a go.Thinking about jumping in with Men at Arms. I'll have to let you know what I think. Thanks for the content, sir.

[@commanderkruge]

YES! YES! YES! I always compared Death to Data or Spock in his role as "the commenting outsider". :D

[@najelambutthemstandsformessy]

Man ive just realized your channel is particularly new and wow!! I love it already. From the funny opening to the tone, its all lovely. One thing ill say is the audio is kinda wonky? It'd be nicer if you could get a better mic for better audio. All in all, ill be looking forward to more of this series, cronk! :D

[@cronkthebookguy]

Thanks heaps, mate! That's a lovely comment and some very kindly worded feedback. You're 100% right. I love books, but know nothing about making videos! :D Still getting the hang of it. I have purchased a much better mic for the next video. Already sounding loads better!

[@mickdarcy3063]

Night Watch. I have re-read that book more than Wyrd Sisters or Hogfather or Going Postal, I love them all!

[@jezlawrence720]

Ok if pyramids, the first discworld book I read, is widely considered the "worst" of the discworld books, then as someone who now owns and has read everything since 1995 when they came out... I think it's entirely true and very important to say: there are no bad discworld books. Not one. Pyramids was *hilarious*. Pteppic is one of my favourite characters.

[@Ronnoco_Den]

The adaptation of Going Postal was not terrible. I watched it before I read the book though, and it’s clearly not as great, but I liked it. Charles Dance a Vetinari was pretty perfect.

[@SaduranYT]

Apart from "Color of magic", there's algo a Hogfather and a Going Postal TV movies

[@faeagenda7995]

How you gonna do my girl Ptraci like this justice for Pyramids 😢😂

[@30110CKs]

I've read all of them, numerous times. You're completely wrong saying that there aren't longer term character arcs, there absolutely are. Not only for many of the characters but for Ankh Morpork itself.

[@lenkachaloupkova1114]

I love Discworld, my favourite serie is Watch, then with Mages and Death. I like standalone like that with pyramids or newspaper. I really dislike witches series. I must say, here we have brilliant translation, so is hard to catch characters in English😅. Also i think that city of Ankh Morpork is strong character itself.

[@soffmusic9655]

I just started this amazing journey this month with Guards! Guards! in audiobook. It's amazing. Can't wait to keep going. I plan to read some physically but right now I'm really enjoying the narrator's voices.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes😂😂

[@butwhytho6522]

I started with book one, because the others hadn't been written yet.

[@meredithmonti264]

Your videos are so wonderful!! Thanks for all the work that goes into them!

[@TheMrsarahanne90]

I can't pick a favorite! I grew up with these books and the whole series has always been so close to my heart. I would always have the audio cassettes checked out from the library. When I was a little kid my FAVORITE was Interesting Times. When I was a little older it was Soul Music, Mort, Carpe Jugulum (I LOVED this one). These books got me through middle school lol As an adult my favorites are all the Sam Vimes books (especially guards guards) as well as the witches, Witches Abroad and Lords and Ladies. The older I got the more I identified with Sam and Death lol

[@Kaloo1968]

Thank you for this video. I've heard of the Discworld series, but it was never something that piqued my interest... until now. It's good to know that all of the book are episodic. Everything that you've discussed had been very helpful, so thank you!

[@5kastubh5]

I have read 40... reading 41st feels like saying goodbye. I have re read 40 couple times but still not ready for 41st. GNU TERRY.

[@cronkthebookguy]

I did the same! I put off the Shepherds Crown for months, and ugly cried when I read it. Pretty sure I even shouted, 'Oh waily waily waily!' I do hope you can get there one day. It's a beautiful final book. GNU TERRY.💔

[@paolabuffa7043]

Great video! Love Discworld and you really help me understand some characters and plots. From Uruguay🎉

[@destro6971]

CRIVENS!!!

[@Ulmo90]

Small Gods, Guards Guards! and Wyrd Sisters have been my favorites so far

[@fanfic8464]

Great video and right on time for me!

[@devshah2939]

The fact that pyramids is considered the worst book of the series is such a good thing! Cuz I read it first and I LOVED it. So excited for the other books!

[@brooke2129]

can you make more Robin Hobb videos?

[@cronkthebookguy]

Excellent idea.

[@Blitzyduder]

Ive read the first 40 discworld books at least 10 times. Chronologically in series, as audiobooks, love it all. They form the base for my humor and outlook on life and I can't recommend Terry Pratchett enough. Ive started the Shepard's Crown like 5 times but I never seem to be able to finish it. Its so sad and knowing it's the last book that I don't know in and out word for word is just too hard a realization. I never want Discworld to end. It would be really cool to see a Wee free men movie adaptation and turn it into a cool coming of age series . If well done it could be as successful as the likes of Harry Potter I think.

[@turtleanton6539]

Try hitchhikkers guide 😊

[@hypnoticpage3605]

I love love love STP . I spotted your discworld books on your shelf in the robin hobb vid and had to find this video. My favourite DW character is granny weatherwax, but my favourite of all the STP characters has to be Death. As he turns up in all of STP work discworld or not. Can you do a vid on STP none DW works like good omens and nation? New to your channel and loving your work 😊

[@cronkthebookguy]

Ooooh that's an excellent idea! I haven't read much STP outside of discworld, but I really should. Great suggestion, my friend! Yes how great is Granny Weatherwax and Death! I love their interactions especially.

[@hypnoticpage3605]

@@cronkthebookguy I think you'll love the bromeliad trilogy

[@chrism7395]

Rhianna Pratchett cut all ties with The Watch; the studio and showrunners did an Ursula Le Guin on the Discworld IP. When it comes to reading Nightwatch, I'd recommend reading the other Watch books first as the impact of meeting certain characters from the earlier books when they're younger is so much more significant. The audio books are also excellent.

[@michellehawkins2865]

I've Read SNUFF and I am Starting to Read Moving Pictures. I've Seen The Movie Wyrd Sisters. I Have Great Enjoyment of This Book Series. It's All SO Cool !!! ❤❤❤ 👍 👍

[@DJTheTrainmanWalker]

The best adaptation remains Troll Bridge... And... That scene in the Shepherd's Crown...... made me cry for an hour.

[@Namorat]

And once again, just thinking of STP makes me cry... The only celebrity death that can do that to me :(

[@brooke2129]

we are going to need an explanation for the Sarah J Maas books on your shelf

[@cronkthebookguy]

I'm married to a woman. :D

[@cronkthebookguy]

Legit though, I am working on a video introducing Throne of Glass. It's far from my favourite book series, but I want people to read what they like! Not just what I recommend, you know? Besides, the series is hugely popular for a few reasons.

[@brooke2129]

@@cronkthebookguy i’m just joking with ya I’ve read a couple from throne of glass and ACOTAR. They weren’t for me really but still entertaining! Would be cool to have your wife on for those. just subbed! really enjoying your content!

[@pollyg2106]

Thank you, I loved the video!

[@PokeJoshNY]

God, you make me wanna love Discworld so much, but I just can't seem to get into it. I've read both Small Gods and Mort, and neither hit the mark for me. I have a few more I'm planning on reading, but I fear that Discworld may just not be for me.

[@distantsails]

Same here! I'm about 80% through Mort, I did enjoy it, and reading it you can easily tell what an absolutely brilliant guy Pratchett was, but so far I just can't say I feel a drive to read another 40 books in its style. Am considering trying out a piece of Guards Guards afterwards, just in case. I dunno why either, it sounds phenomenal and like something I should love on paper. I think maybe I can't get very immersed in the world and characters because they feel just a little bit too whimsical and unbelievable. Mort is really clever and sharply written, entertaining, but I feel like it tries to make me laugh at every single page turn, it's perpetually self aware and never takes itself particularly seriously, and maybe that makes it kind of hard to get emotionally invested for me.

[@mysteriousoul]

Start with Mort. This is the way.

[@vilstef6988]

Opus the Penguin said Gilda Radner is not supposed to end. What a sad thing we've reached the end of Terry Pratchett, but he lives on with us as long as we remember.

[@SPierre-dm4wo]

A man's not dead while his name's still spoken