Reading Inspired by Discworld References

[FredK]

Admittedly I am a geek and prone to tracing sources backwards, but I wonder if others of you have ever been inspired to trace books referenced by Sir Terry in Discworld works.

I came to Discworld through another of my favorite authors, Harlan Ellison. I had seen the Pratchett books in lines at Barnes and Noble for years but as I'm averse to the pablum which normally passes for Science Fiction/Fantasy at the big chains ("The Constipation of the Unicorn, Book 7 of the Gormless Saga" anyone?), I passed them by many times...until I finally cracked a cover. There was the blurb by Mr. Ellison and I had to plunge. Thank god.

So, when Sir Terry mentions books now I pay attention.

After "I Shall Wear Midnight" I tracked down a copy of "The Leaping Hare." I won't say it's the best thing I ever read, but it was a compelling and interesting read: one of those things that fills in the crooked corners of your experience with interesting details.

Now after "Dodger" I am absolutely JONESING for the 4-volume Mayhew work: "London Labour and the London Poor." I've seen a few digest versions but I'd love to have the full set.

Anyone else ever get inspired by Pratchett this way? What have YOU read? And have you seen a nice copy of the Mayhew set you can steer me towards .

 

[=Tamar]

Not so much from the novels, but I found and read a copy of the G.K.Chesterton book Sir Terry mentions in his interviews, The Napoleon of Notting Hill (I think). I was less impressed by it than he is but it was interesting to get a different perspective on his reading choices.

 

[Tonyblack]

Not so much from the novels, but I found and read a copy of the G.K.Chesterton book Sir Terry mentions in his interviews, The Napoleon of Notting Hill (I think). I was less impressed by it than he is but it was interesting to get a different perspective on his reading choices.

If you have one of those Kindle machines, you can download that book for free from Project Gutenburg.

 

[Tonyblack]

Anyone interested in the writing of Henry Mayhew (as in Dodger) who happens to be in Manchester at the end of the month, you might find this event of interest.

 

[AgProv]

Again, to blow an L-Space Wiki trumpet: over the years we have compiled an impressive list of novels evocative of Pratchett, influenced by Pratchett or possibly influential on him, referenced by Pratchett, or in the same fantasy/scifi/absurdist humour vein.

Fancy a browse?

http://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/index. ... uggestions

"There's a life beyond Pratchett, and after triple-reading every book and map this is where you start that life"

 

[Dotsie]

I daren't look!