Which novels work as stand alone novels?

[SwordfishTrombone]

Just curious because I'm working my way through Discworld in the order they were published, but have read that The Truth, Thief of Time and Monstrous Regiment can be read out of order.

What are the opinions of those who have read the lot?

Would I have to read all the Death novels before Thief of Time?

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

The Truth and Monstrous Regiment I would say are stand alone novels as such, but it would be better to have read the Truth first before Monstrous Regiment as there is a reference to Deworde in it, Thief of Time has Susan and Death in it quite a bit so best to have read what books Susan was in for a bit of background info, but these are just my thoughts others opinion may differ.

 

[Tonyblack]

The consensus from this thread seems to be that the books can be read in pretty much any order. I can't comment on that as I have read all the books in order and can't imagine going through the series in a random order.

For stand alone books I would have to say Pyramids, Small Gods and Monstrous Regiment stand out in my mind, with Amazing Maurice being included as well.

I think though, it's safe to say that, once you have worked out how things work on the Discworld, you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

 

[raisindot]

Thief of Time was the first DW book I read (it was the only one available at my library).

Even though I wasn't familiar with the Death series, I was totally hooked on it and it's till in my top 5 DW books, since it really does stand on its own.

The other books that I'd say also could be easily read and fully appreciated without having read earlier books are Pyramids, Small Gods, Equal Rites, Mort, Moving Pictures and possibly Monstrous Regiment, although you'll miss a lot by not knowing the back story of the very famous Ankh Morpork figures who have cameos in that story.

The Truth could be read on its own, but it's a far more enriching experience if you've already read the previous Watch books.

 

[Tonyblack]

On second thoughts, you're right about Monstrous Regiment and The Truth, Jeff. In The Truth we actually get to see Sam Vimes and the Watch from another point of view, which I always loved about that book. And knowing about William, Otto and the Watch is certainly a bonus with Monstrous Regiment I think.

 

[Teppic]

Thief of Time I'd definitely consider the last of the Death/Susan series, not a standalone.

 

[Alanz]

I am not reading my books in order :naughty: well i will as soon as i get a few, :clap: I've read Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I shall Wear Midnight in order, So what i think i will do is when i get a set is read them in order again.

 

[Penfold]

I am not reading my books in order :naughty: well i will as soon as i get a few, :clap: I've read Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I shall Wear Midnight in order, So what i think i will do is when i get a set is read them in order again.

I've found the books always worth at least a second reading since I always tend to miss several jokes, meanings, and messages the first time around (and often the second, third, fourth, fifth............, if the truth be told). He certainly seems to be able to write 'multi-layered' stories where I can discover something different each time.

 

[Alanz]

I am not reading my books in order :naughty: well i will as soon as i get a few, :clap: I've read Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I shall Wear Midnight in order, So what i think i will do is when i get a set is read them in order again.

I've found the books always worth at least a second reading since I always tend to miss several jokes, meanings, and messages the first time around (and often the second, third, fourth, fifth............, if the truth be told). He certainly seems to be able to write 'multi-layered' stories where I can discover something different each time.

My thinking exactly

 

[octarinefire]

I would say that Wyrd Sisters, Mort, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents and Equal Rites all work well as stand alones.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

I will add Eric and Sourcery to that list as well as good stand alone ones.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Yeah, Eric is a good example, as is Pyramids.

 

[Alanz]

Just ordered Eric and Pyramids from E-bay.

 

[raisindot]

Just ordered Eric and Pyramids from E-bay.

Hope you didn't pay too much.

 

[Dotsie]

Don't listen to him!

 

[Alanz]

No quite cheap really

 

[Sister Jennifer]

What does 'work' mean in the topic title?

Small Gods, Pyramids, Monstrous Regiment.

You could argue that most of the DW novels are stand alone. Aside from COM & LF, I think G! G! should be read before Men At Arms. Likewise, Witches Abroad should be read before Lords & Ladies, but that might be it. I didn't actually read these books in order first time round, just saying in hindsight.

 

[=Tamar]

For every book that someone says /must/ be read only after the previous one in the sub-sequence, there is someone else who read it as their first Pratchett book and enjoyed it. They are all standalones - except, in my opinion, COM, which should always be bound together with LF, and that's because the end of COM stopped me from reading Pratchett for four or five years. I've seen enough copies in the thrift shops to believe that I'm not the only one who had that reaction.

 

[Alanz]

Go on then Tamar, for us un enlightened or just Fick, What's COM and LF mean : :

 

[Dotsie]

Colour of Magic, and Light Fantastic