Welcome to the fantastically weird and humorous world of Discworld! If you’ve never heard of Terry Pratchett’s epic series before, read on and find out why it’s a must-read for all fantasy lovers. You’ll also discover the very best Discworld Reading Order – a difficult nut to crack all in itself.
The Discworld series spans over 40 books, all set in a flat world that rests on the backs of four elephants, who stand on a giant turtle. It’s a world like no other, filled with witches, wizards, Death personified, and a variety of mythical creatures. The richness of the world, combined with Pratchett’s witty writing, makes it a series that should be on everyone’s bookshelf. But with so many books to choose from, where should you start? Fear not, for I have compiled the ultimate guide on what order to read Discworld.
Order by Publication Date:
This is the most natural way to read the series as it was intended. Start with The Color of Magic, released in 1983, and continue to read in the order of publication. This way, you’ll see Pratchett’s writing style and world-building evolve over time.
Here’s your list!
2. The Light Fantastic (1986)
3. Equal Rites (1987)
4. Mort (1987)
5. Sourcery (1988)
6. Wyrd Sisters (1988)
7. Pyramids (1989)
8. Guards! Guards! (1989)
9. Eric (1990)
10. Moving Pictures (1990)
11. Reaper Man (1991)
12. Witches Abroad (1991)
13. Small Gods (1992)
14. Lords and Ladies (1992)
15. Men at Arms (1993)
16. Soul Music (1994)
17. Interesting Times (1994)
18. Maskerade (1995)
19. Feet of Clay (1996)
20. Hogfather (1996)
21. Jingo (1997)
22. The Last Continent (1998)
23. Carpe Jugulum (1998)
24. The Fifth Elephant (1999)
25. The Truth (2000)
26. Thief of Time (2001)
27. The Last Hero (2001)
28. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (2001)
29. Night Watch (2002)
30. The Wee Free Men (2003)
31. Monstrous Regiment (2003)
32. A Hat Full of Sky (2004)
33. Going Postal (2004)
34. Thud! (2005)
35. Wintersmith (2006)
36. Making Money (2007)
37. Unseen Academicals (2009)
38. I Shall Wear Midnight (2010)
39. Snuff (2011)
40. Raising Steam (2013)
41. The Shepherd’s Crown (2015)
Discworld Read Order by Character arcs
Another way to read the series is by following a specific set of characters. You can choose to follow the witchery trio, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick, or the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork, led by Captain Sam Vimes. This way of reading ensures that you’re following the narrative of a particular set of characters through their arcs. This style of reading also helps to maintain continuity across the books.
Wondering where to start reading Discworld this way? Go with Equal Rites. How good is that for a punny title.
Terry Pratchett reading order by standalone novels
If you’re not up for reading the entire series, you can choose to read the standalone Discworld novels. These stories are less involved in the overall narrative and can be read at any time. They serve as excellent entry points into the Discworld Universe. Notable standalone stories include Small Gods, Pyramids, and, my personal favorite, Going Postal.
By story arcs:
The Discworld series has several sub-series that follow specific themes and storylines. The most popular is probably the death series, which features Death, his granddaughter Susan, and the Death of Rats. This way of reading is suitable for anyone who enjoys a specific genre of fantasy, as Discworld has a vast range of fictional styles it covers. The Discworld Death Books in order are:
- Mort
- Reaper Man
- Soul Music
- Hog Father
- Thief of Time
Discworld read order by story chronology:
This way of reading the series is strictly for the hardcore Discworld fans. It has been debated whether this type of reading order even makes sense since different books occur at different times in the Discworld Universe. However, if you’re up for the challenge, then chronological order is an option. You also need an encyclopaedic memory of previous books. This style of reading ensures that the reader experiences the full timeline of the Discworld, but it requires extreme dedication. This link might help sort out this Discworld read order for you!
So, there you have it, the ultimate guide on Terry Pratchett Discworld reading order. Whichever way you choose to read the series, it doesn’t matter as long as you dive into the world of Discworld. The beauty of this series is that it can be read in any order you choose, and you’ll still enjoy it. It won’t take long for you to realize that you’re in the middle of a fantastic book and that Discworld is a place you won’t forget any time soon. It’s a world that, deep into the night, makes you laugh out loud. And, as Pratchett famously said, “If you don’t enjoy Discworld, you’re dead from the neck up.”
