thatsthatthisthis: Hello O Mysterious and Powerful Failbetter Games, I have a question! I have always wanted to read Terry Pratchett due to his prolific volume of work and his unique prose; and since I recently learned he was an inspiration for the Neathverse, that only heightened my interest with him. If you know of any, do you have any recommendations on where to begin with his works? Thanks for your time!
YOU ASKED THE RIGHT PERSON
I used to be a bookseller and frequently got into lengthy discussions with people about the Discworld books in our shop. I’m fairly sure most of them were very constructive and led to a lifelong enjoyment of this series. Like at least half.
And it’s true that there’s a lot of common fabric between Fallen London and Discworld. I think the majority of Failbetter writers past and present would say he’s on their list of favourite authors. Rather than a direct reference, there’s something in the Fallen London air which is common to the air in Ankh Morpork, I’d say.
For me, I’d start with Guards! Guards! because it’s a great introduction to Ankh-Morpork, the city which features in many of the books, and to Terry’s philosophical/cultural ideas. It’s also the first of the books about the City Watch, which is my favourite of the sequences.
If you finish the Watch books, I’d go for Equal Rites and then read the Witches sequence. If I could be anyone else, I’d be Granny Weatherwax (though in this universe at least I’m much more of a Nanny Ogg, and totally fine with that).
After that, I’d feel suitably conversant in the world, and ready to try the first books: The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, in which the cadence of the series hasn’t quite established itself, but wherein you meet Rincewind (a wizzard, it says so on his hat), and begin the wonderful Wizards sequence.
(Also, Rhi Pratchett, his daughter, says she recommends Mort as a first title to try, and that’s also excellent.)