Across 41 novels, British writer Terry Pratchett released the critically acclaimedDiscworldbooks, but they weren’t all created equal.Beginning in 1983, the genre-spanning set of books started with the Rincewind series, launched byThe Colour of Magic. Ifreading theDiscworldbooks in chronological or publication order, readers should begin with this magical high fantasy satire. AlthoughThe Colour of Magicmay be the firstDiscworldbook, it isn’t necessarily the best. Pratchett’sDiscworldjust got better and better, eventually containing many individual subseries, each with a slightly different approach.
The sheer scope of theDiscworldreleases is a huge part of what makes them some ofthe best fantasy booksaround. WhileThe Colour of Magicand the following Rincewind books erred on the side of high fantasy, many other subseries exploited other literary genres. However, through it all,Pratchett maintained one of the most original fantasy worlds ever to be created. Supported by four giant elephants and one giant turtle, Discworld was the site of many novel stories. The true highlights ofDiscworldare the most innovative, spread across various miniseries.
10The Colour of Magic
Rincewind Series
The Colour of Magicintroduced the wizard Rincewind, earning this book a firm place as one of the bestDiscworldbooks. Though far from the bestDiscworldnovel,The Colour of Magiclaunched the entire series, as well as the Rincewind subseries. This means that it contains a lot of exposition, which is a real treat when it comes to Terry Pratchett. Pratchett proved his worldbuilding prowess inThe Colour of Magicand it stayed strong in subsequent publications.
Introducing theDiscworldseries entailed a brief overview of the world itself - a flat planetary disc balanced on giant animals - and an overview of Ankh-Morpork. This city-state is the setting of many aDiscworldnovel.InThe Colour of Magic, Ankh-Morpork was the endlessly amusing playground of Rincewindand his unfortunate charge, Twoflower. Rincewind was a failed student of wizardry at the Unseen University, beginning a bumbling career of entertaining incompetence.
9Pyramids
Standalone
One of only threeDiscworldnovels that Terry Pratchett wroteas standalones,Pyramidsis an ancient Egyptian adventure that stands out from the crowd in a sea of derivative fantasy novels. While the fantasy genre has imitated high fantasy pioneer J.R.R. Tolkien sinceThe Lord of the Ringscame out in 1954,Pratchett’s unique brand of storytelling ensured a shake-up of the genre. Always satirical, never mean-spirited, Pratchett’sPyramidsprovidedDiscworld’sversion of an ancient Egyptian society.
A Good Discworld TV Show Can’t Overlook The Most Important Part Of The Books
No adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s classic comic fantasy novel series has yet captured the heart, soul, and essence of the original books.
This 1989 novel was the firstDiscworldbook that Pratchett published as a standalone, unusual inDiscworld.Discworldcan be split into categories based on the general arc followed, with each subseries normally following one set of characters in one main location. Part ofPyramids’appeal is its refreshing diversion from any of these subseriesas it carves out its own niche, following the adventures of the Djelibeybian king, Teppic.
8Equal Rites
Witches Series
The thirdDiscworldnovel ever to be released,Equal Ritesis also one of the best. Many Pratchett fans say that Pratchett took a while to get into the swing ofDiscworld, and they may be right. For all the joys ofThe Colour of Magic,Equal Ritesoffers a new level of eloquence and simplicity, premieringDiscworld’sfirst strong female lead. Eskarina Smith traveled to the Unseen University inEqual Rites, enabling Pratchett to explore themes of inbuilt sexism.
For a fantasy writer, Pratchett was surprisingly adept at tackling feminist topics…
Inheriting great powers, Eskarina, otherwise known as Esk, sorely required tutelage, lest her abilities slipped out of her control. However,as a woman, Esk was not allowed into the Unseen Universityin the same way that Rincewind was, creating trouble and hilarity. For a fantasy writer, Pratchett was surprisingly adept at tackling feminist topics, setting himself, andEqual Rites, apart from the writing of many of Pratchett’s peers.
7Going Postal
Industrial Revolution Series
Going Postalis one of the Industrial Revolution books, offering one ofDiscworld’sbest stories, which followed a piece of emerging technology. All books in the Industrial Revolution series are tied together by the common thread of examining a technological advancement, rather than the same set of characters. This works particularly well inGoing Postal, a novel exploiting the incredible character Moist Van Lipwig.
British production company The Mob releasedTerry Pratchett’s HogfatherandTerry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic.
Moist does, in fact, go on to feature in the remaining three Industrial Revolution books. Although, he delights in appearing as different people. Moist’s distinct lack of identifiable features makes him the perfect con-man, although he thinks of himself as reformed. Pratchett used Lipwig to poke fun at metropolitan business, and the hero was suitably included in one of theTerry Pratchett adaptationsto be produced by The Mob.
6Night Watch
City Watch Series
2002’s fantasticNight Watchis one of the best novels in what may be Terry Pratchett’s most popularDiscworldsubseries.Night Watchfollows Sam Vimes, Commander of the City Watch, as he travels through time and space to arrest the notorious criminal, Carcer. Toward the end of the City Watch series,this novel presented a fully developed Sam Grimes, even more grizzled than he was inGuards! Guards!, and perhaps even more brilliant.
The Watchwas developed by BBC Studios for BBC America and was released in 2021.
Elements ofNight Watchand the other City Watch books were notably included inthe controversialThe WatchPratchett adaptation. AlthoughThe Watchconsiderably sold this miniseries short,Night Watchitself is a rollicking adventure through Ankh-Morpork.The novel is one ofDiscworld’sbest demonstrations of Ankh-Morpork’s corruption, targeting real-world politics with Pratchett’s classic cynicism.
5Men At Arms
Another epic entry to the City Watch series,Men at Armsmay just be the best in the subseries, but it is rivaled by some of Pratchett’s best work.Men at Armsintroduces the excellent Captain Delphine Angua von Überwald.Angua’s awkward romance with Carrot is a huge highlight, showing Pratchett at his most human. All the while, the novel embodies Pratchett’s cutting sense of humor and light-hearted satire.
Men at Armshas breathtaking action, whichThe Watchtook advantage of. Adapting Sybil Ramkin, the production also noted her developing understanding with Sam Vimes. However, the touching moments inThe WatchTV show were dwarfed by the power of its source material.The Watchis a far cry fromMen at Arms’dark humor, which is classic Pratchett, although it may occasionally diverge into some niche territory, compared to the superbGuards! Guards!.
4Guards! Guards!
Out of all the City Watch books,Guards! Guards!is the best, which is saying something. In an amazing series, which succeeds in showing the dark underbelly of Ankh-Morpork,Guards! Guards!offersa unique brand of fun and juvenile humor. This comical genius shines bright in the context ofDiscworldas a whole.Guards! Guards!starts off the City Watch books with a bang, leading many to swear by this series as the finest ofDiscworld.
Some even proclaimGuards! Guards!as the bestDiscworldbook overall, speaking to its widespread popularity and accessibility. While some may prefer to startDiscworldchronologically,Guards! Guards!may be a suitable entry point toDiscworldfor many.This crime thriller brings a whole new dimension to fantasy, engaging with noir elements and the distinctly Pratchettian tone of voice that really started developing at this point.
3Wyrd Sisters
Witch Series
1988’sWyrd Sistersis amongDiscworld’searlier publications and may be considered as written during Pratchett’s peak. Between 1987 and 1989, Terry Pratchett developed some of the best work he would ever release. This was far from a signifier of a downward trend, as Pratchett peaked at different points in different ways during his career. Nonetheless,Wyrd Sisters is a feminist masterpieceand may be Granny Weatherwax’s finest moment.
The sage wisdom of Granny Weatherwax is one of the most memorable facets ofDiscworld. This weathered character providesDiscworldwith one of its most quotable characters, embodying the strongly principled core of the books.A wizened older woman in a fantasy leading role is a breath of fresh airin a literary culture that often prioritizes men or young women.
2Mort
Death Series
Mortis Terry Pratchett’s best Death book, and it may be his best book ever. Published in 1987 as the first of theDeathsubseries,Mortis the firstDiscworldbook to focus on the character Death. This hugely successful parody of the Grim Reaper offers an existentially beautiful take on what it means to be the harbinger of doom. Although introduced as a supporting character,Death proved that he was lead material inMort.
Terry Pratchett Abandoning Discworld’s Original Premise Saved The Fantasy Saga
The long-running and beloved Discworld series by Terry Pratchett might not have been such a success if the author hadn’t made this key change.
Mort gets taken on as Death’s apprentice inMort, a hilarious satirizing of corporate existence that somehow manages to ruminate philosophically on the meaning of life. This is perhapsone of the most pointed examples of Pratchett attacking the modern worldand all its absurdities, offering as many deeply touching moments as comedic ones. Although the novel spends far more time on Mort, its real gold comes in the personification of Death himself.
1Small Gods
Terry Pratchett’s influentialSmall Godsmay be the best possible way to startDiscworld. A standalone novel with no real follow-ups or prequels of any description,this exemplary fantasy comedy exhibits everything that Pratchett is best at. An angry, petty God in the body of a tortoise is the perfect vessel for Pratchett to mock organized religion. Meanwhile, the novice Brutha maintains a sincere and innocent tone throughout, keeping the novel from being overly heavy.
Taking aim at the Spanish Inquisition and the Catholic Church, Pratchett doesn’t pull any punches in his sardonic narrative.
Brutha’s character development is among the best inDiscworld, offering a character just as easy to respect as he is to laugh at - eventually. Taking aim at the Spanish Inquisition and the Catholic Church, Pratchett doesn’t pull any punches in his sardonic narrative. Uncompromising and kind at the same time,Small Godsis a profoundly human enterprisethat sympathizes greatly with those oppressed by huge institutions. All things considered,Small Godsmay just be the bestDiscworldnovel.
