Comments on: In Honor of Terry Pratchett http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:09:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Daylight Atheism > The Value of Autonomy http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-66615 Daylight Atheism > The Value of Autonomy Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:07:40 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-66615 [...] take Terry Pratchett, who's been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's itself doesn't kill, but [...] [...] take Terry Pratchett, who's been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's itself doesn't kill, but [...]

]]> By: Lurch http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-51526 Lurch Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:10:13 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-51526 Just a brief comment, re Mr Pratchett. Don't just read his Discworld books. For instance, one of - if not actually his first - was Good Omens.. the book which introduced the author to my library. So far, in 50+ years, Mr Pratchett is the ONLY author who can regularly make me laugh out loud as I read. (oh - the chart is not up to date. At the very least, it lacks "Making Money", a direct sequel to "Going Postal") Just a brief comment, re Mr Pratchett.

Don't just read his Discworld books. For instance, one of - if not actually his first - was Good Omens.. the book which introduced the author to my library.

So far, in 50+ years, Mr Pratchett is the ONLY author who can regularly make me laugh out loud as I read.

(oh - the chart is not up to date. At the very least, it lacks "Making Money", a direct sequel to "Going Postal")

]]> By: Carnivale! — The Gaytheists http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-51525 Carnivale! — The Gaytheists Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:41:00 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-51525 [...] favourites come from VJack’s “Coming Out Atheist: Is Losing Your Relationship Worth It?” and “In Honour of Terry Pratchett” from Ebonmuse (Daylight Atheism).  Excellent reads, both of them.  Enjoy, and let me know what you [...] [...] favourites come from VJack’s “Coming Out Atheist: Is Losing Your Relationship Worth It?” and “In Honour of Terry Pratchett” from Ebonmuse (Daylight Atheism).  Excellent reads, both of them.  Enjoy, and let me know what you [...]

]]> By: Demonhype http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-51090 Demonhype Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:56:04 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-51090 Yahzi-- I'll check that out and get back to you (saved your website on my favorites)! >;) Thank you for calling it a first-class rant though (I'm assuming that was a compliment)--that's actually only a small sample. I've been told I should go into the critic business more than once! :D Sorry I didn't get in here sooner, but I've had a lot going on and didn't have time for any potential back-and-forth regarding Salvatore. I've read the positive fan comments on Amazon, and I suspect it would be as distracting, tiring and ultimately futile as arguing with a fundementalist! Yahzi--

I'll check that out and get back to you (saved your website on my favorites)! >;) Thank you for calling it a first-class rant though (I'm assuming that was a compliment)--that's actually only a small sample. I've been told I should go into the critic business more than once! :D

Sorry I didn't get in here sooner, but I've had a lot going on and didn't have time for any potential back-and-forth regarding Salvatore. I've read the positive fan comments on Amazon, and I suspect it would be as distracting, tiring and ultimately futile as arguing with a fundementalist!

]]> By: Chris Swanson http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-51021 Chris Swanson Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:30:02 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-51021 Pratchett is, hands down, my favorite author. I wasn't able to make it to the North American Discworld Convention held here in Phoenix last month, but I was at least able to see him during a speaking engagement later. He's a great writer and a hell of a guy! Pratchett is, hands down, my favorite author. I wasn't able to make it to the North American Discworld Convention held here in Phoenix last month, but I was at least able to see him during a speaking engagement later. He's a great writer and a hell of a guy!

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50981 Ebonmuse Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:23:51 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50981 That chart is accurate, as far as I know (I blush to admit, I haven't read some of the things on it!), although it hasn't been updated for the last few books. If you want to read the Discworld books in a strict chronology, that chart is a good guide, although I think it makes the series look much more monolithic and intimidating than it is. Really, the key point is that Discworld is actually several different sub-series, each of which focuses on a different recurring character or set of recurring characters (the Rincewind books, the Death books, the City Watch books, and the Granny Weatherwax books, mainly, although the latest ones have started introducing other new characters). Reading the books in the order of publication is the best way to get into the series, but I don't think it's essential - I wouldn't say there's any Discworld book that's so dense with backstory that you can't start off with it. Most of the books stand fairly well on their own, in terms of plot; reading the earlier books is more of a way to get insight into who the characters are and how they behave. That chart is accurate, as far as I know (I blush to admit, I haven't read some of the things on it!), although it hasn't been updated for the last few books.

If you want to read the Discworld books in a strict chronology, that chart is a good guide, although I think it makes the series look much more monolithic and intimidating than it is. Really, the key point is that Discworld is actually several different sub-series, each of which focuses on a different recurring character or set of recurring characters (the Rincewind books, the Death books, the City Watch books, and the Granny Weatherwax books, mainly, although the latest ones have started introducing other new characters).

Reading the books in the order of publication is the best way to get into the series, but I don't think it's essential - I wouldn't say there's any Discworld book that's so dense with backstory that you can't start off with it. Most of the books stand fairly well on their own, in terms of plot; reading the earlier books is more of a way to get insight into who the characters are and how they behave.

]]> By: Nes http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50966 Nes Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:18:41 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50966 With notice that I have only read the first three (<i>The Color of Magic</i>, <i>The Light Fantastic</i>, and <i>Equal Rites</i>) and the ones labeled here as Young Adult, <a href="http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-guide-1-5.jpg" rel="nofollow">this chart</a> might be a good starting point. Anyone more familiar with them care to comment on that chart? Regardless, I intend to read them in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld_reading_order#Bibliography" rel="nofollow">publication order</a>. (Not counting the young adult ones, obviously. That was a bit of a fluke; I got them as a gift.) With notice that I have only read the first three (The Color of Magic, The Light Fantastic, and Equal Rites) and the ones labeled here as Young Adult, this chart might be a good starting point. Anyone more familiar with them care to comment on that chart?

Regardless, I intend to read them in publication order. (Not counting the young adult ones, obviously. That was a bit of a fluke; I got them as a gift.)

]]> By: Snoof http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50963 Snoof Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:56:32 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50963 Danikajaye: <i>Mort</i> is an excellent place to start. <i>Small Gods</i> is good too, as it doesn't rely heavily on other novels. <i>Hogfather</i>... it helps to have read <i>Mort</i> and <i>Soul Music</i>. <i>Pyramids</i> also works; once again it's light on continuity and is pretty funny. Starting at the first books in the various subseries can help, too - that's <i>Guards, Guards</i> for the Watch series, <i>Wyrd Sisters</i> for the Witches[1] and <i>The Colour of Magic</i> for Rincewind, and once again, <i>Mort</i> for the Death series. If you're into movies, especially the golden age of cinema, <i>Moving Pictures</i> might be worth a look, too. [1] Yes, I realise Granny Weatherwax makes her first appearance in <i>Equal Rites</i>. However, the series really starts (IMO) in <i>Wyrd Sisters</i>, and it's a great book, too. Danikajaye: Mort is an excellent place to start. Small Gods is good too, as it doesn't rely heavily on other novels. Hogfather... it helps to have read Mort and Soul Music. Pyramids also works; once again it's light on continuity and is pretty funny. Starting at the first books in the various subseries can help, too - that's Guards, Guards for the Watch series, Wyrd Sisters for the Witches[1] and The Colour of Magic for Rincewind, and once again, Mort for the Death series. If you're into movies, especially the golden age of cinema, Moving Pictures might be worth a look, too.

[1] Yes, I realise Granny Weatherwax makes her first appearance in Equal Rites. However, the series really starts (IMO) in Wyrd Sisters, and it's a great book, too.

]]> By: Danikajaye http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50962 Danikajaye Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:07:26 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50962 Can anybody suggest the best place to start with a Terry Pratchett book? I note above that some people don't think the earlier books are the best. Is it advisable to start from the beginning or is it easy to pick up the thread anywhere along the line? Do the books follow on from one another? I quite like the look of Small Gods and Hogfather. Can anybody suggest the best place to start with a Terry Pratchett book? I note above that some people don't think the earlier books are the best. Is it advisable to start from the beginning or is it easy to pick up the thread anywhere along the line? Do the books follow on from one another? I quite like the look of Small Gods and Hogfather.

]]> By: Sarah Braasch http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50960 Sarah Braasch Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:04 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50960 Wow. I'm really inspired. I haven't read any of his stuff, but now I can't wait. Thanks for introducing me to him. Wow. I'm really inspired. I haven't read any of his stuff, but now I can't wait. Thanks for introducing me to him.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50959 Elizabeth Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:41:41 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50959 I attended the first North American Discworld convention this past September, and he did briefly mention the way he wants to go, and everyone cheered. He's still so sharp and funny I was privileged to be in his presence! He is saying that the symptoms he is currently experiencing are more spacial than verbal / memory at the moment. I have to admit reading The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic isn't really the way to introduce someone to his books. They did start out as straight parody but the world and storylines have become so rich and complex that it's almost like those first few books don't belong to it anymore. I attended the first North American Discworld convention this past September, and he did briefly mention the way he wants to go, and everyone cheered. He's still so sharp and funny I was privileged to be in his presence!
He is saying that the symptoms he is currently experiencing are more spacial than verbal / memory at the moment.
I have to admit reading The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic isn't really the way to introduce someone to his books. They did start out as straight parody but the world and storylines have become so rich and complex that it's almost like those first few books don't belong to it anymore.

]]> By: Thumpalumpacus http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/10/in-honor-of-terry-pratchett.html#comment-50955 Thumpalumpacus Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:02:30 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1164#comment-50955 Yahzi, I always saw Gandalf as a Christ figure. Not just because of the resurrection, either. Yahzi, I always saw Gandalf as a Christ figure. Not just because of the resurrection, either.

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