Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Novels: A Guide To The Proper Reading Order (Image)
By Waerloga69
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Monday, April 28th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Maybe you are a newcomer to the wondrous writings of Terry Pratchett. Or maybe you’ve been reading Discworld novels since the 1980s, like yours truly. Either way, at some point you have probably wondered which book is next in the great timeline of all things Terry, or maybe you’re curious how they all tie in together. Well, friends, have I got a treat for you!
The Discworld Reading Order Guide 2.21 is newly updated and features virtually every book in an easy to understand chart. Krzysztof Kietzman is credited with creating the chart, though it seems that others have contributed to it as well.
Check out the chart here below!
Placing the books in chronological order, this chart shows each of the branches of the Discworld series as they occurred in relation to each other. While many purists feel you should read the books in the order in which they were released, others feel you will benefit more from a tidier list that keeps the reader firmly focused on the timeline. Whichever way you choose, know that you are in for one heck of a ride. The series consists of forty books (with more to come) and literally hundreds of unique (and parodied) characters to enjoy!
Personally, I’m a big fan of the Rincewind stories, not for the character himself but rather for his magical sidekick, The Luggage. Loyal and deadly, this trunk follows its owner everywhere, all the while managing to hold a near-infinite about of stuff inside. Possibly existing on many planes at once, it’s like a big ass Bag of Holding from D&D…only way cooler.
But I’m not going to give you an account of every character and entity in the series, you’re just going to have to read them for yourself if you haven’t already. Pratchett’s novels are so great that he was the best-selling author in England for many years and even received a knighthood for his contributions to literature. You can find his books everywhere, so there’s no excuse to not read them (they are available in 37 languages, too). Check out the chart and then check out the books, too. No, literally…you can find them at pretty much any library. Now go. Read.
Discworld Reading Order Chart [Click image for larger view.]
Google each individual title and it will tell you the anthology in which each one resides. I’d check Amazon for them since comps usually go out of print fairly quickly.
I’m nitpicking, but Moving Pictures should be between the events of Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms, because it features Detritus, prior to his career in the Watch (which is kicks off in Men At Arms).
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never heard of the short stories, where can I get ’em? In the US.
Comment by Bagel13 — May 1, 2014 @ 3:35 pm
Google each individual title and it will tell you the anthology in which each one resides. I’d check Amazon for them since comps usually go out of print fairly quickly.
Comment by Waerloga69 — May 3, 2014 @ 5:16 pm
I’m nitpicking, but Moving Pictures should be between the events of Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms, because it features Detritus, prior to his career in the Watch (which is kicks off in Men At Arms).
Comment by Kifre — January 17, 2016 @ 5:57 pm