If I love Harry Potter...


Will I enjoy this?


I'm 37, so I'm real immature, but Harry Potter has ruined new "universes" for me. I really can't see how anyone will ever appeal to me more that the Harry Potter one.

I'm just wondering if I liked HP, would I like The color of Magic?

reply

Well, Pratchett himself will admit that The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic (two books which really form one story) are a bit rough compared to later works. However, like later books, these are filled with great characters, laugh-out-loud humor and wry chuckles, and ideas and insights that stop you in your tracks and make you think. One of the inviting aspects of the series is that you can start up most of the books without having read earlier ones (with some exceptions). Also, different books focus on different characters. First, you have the Rincewind and Unseen University books. Rincewind is a coward and failed wizard who seems to succeed despite himself. These more so than other books parody the fantasy genre as a whole. The University characters take on a greater role in the later books, though come to the fore in The Light Fantastic. Next, you have the Witches books. The Witches are fantastic characters. Granny Weatherwax is a cranky old busybody who is smarter than everyone and has to keep proving it. She is a master of "headology," manipulating people into doing what is best, rather than resorting to magic. Granny Ogg is the fun loving old lady who everyone remembers, who will tell a dirty joke to shock people, while dancing to the wildest music. Magrat is the parody of New Age Wiccans and witches, as well as a metaphor for uncertain adolescence. I'm more fond of her than the later Agnes Nitt, though she is quite interesting with her "split personality".

My favorites are the City Watch novels, with Sam Vines. These are crime books to rival the best mystery writers; it just happens that this police force includes a troll sergeant, a female dwarf forensics expert, a female werewolf, an Igor, the apparent rightful ruler of Ankh-Morpork and 6ft plus honorary dwarf; plus, Nobby Nobbs, a species unto himself (though he does carry a document stating that he is, in fact, human). These are probably the most cynical, though Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson counterbalances that with unblinking optimism. Lord vetinari shines more in these books, though he is in great form in the Moist books.

Finally, you have the Death novels, which are great for existential discussions, as well as pondering theoretical physics. The Moist von Lipwig books have proven to be memorable (2 so far) and there are other books which are, more or less, one-shots, like Moving Pictures. They can be more of an ensemble tale, with cameos of characters from other tales.

If you really want to start with something along the lines of Potter, start with the Tiffany Aching books: The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith. Tiffany is a young girl, learning the craft of witches. She is a sensible girl with a great future. Also, the Nac Mac Feegle are the greatest bunch of Scotsmen since Sean Connery and Billy Connelly.

Discworld is fairly unique and if you enjoy a good laugh, like to ponder the nature of man, or enjoy a great character, you will find plenty to love.

reply

I'd give it a try. I enjoy both, but I like Discworld a lot more.

You may find some of the books appeal to you more than others. Like the other poster in this thread, I also liked the books about Sam Vimes and the watch best.

"Rock is dead! Long live Paper and Scissors!"

reply