For those of you who have not read any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of books, I suggest that you close down your internet browser, get in your car (or on your bike), and go to the library or bookstore and pick one up. Any of them will be fine for your first (although I would suggest starting with something like Going Postal or Guards, Guards), but the important thing is that you start reading the series.
For today's post, rather than going on and on about the whole series, I figured I would give you my 5 favorite Discworld characters. To be honest they aren't really in any order (aside from my #1), because I love them all so much (even more than my own unborn children).
#5. Death - The greatest character to ever talk in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, Death is a constant source of hilarity throughout the series. Every time I'm reading and I happen to glance at an upcoming page and see those caps, I start to get really excited. Partially because someone is about to die, which would advance the plot and provide some mystery, but mostly because the newly dead person's conversation with Death nearly always gives me the giggles. Death is not only good as a bit part throughout the series, but when he becomes the focus of an entire novel, you know there is something to look forward to (see Hogfather).
#4 Lord Vetinari - This former member of the Guild of Assassins (who never wore black, but really just a dark grey) is now the Patrician of Discworld's largest city Ankh Morpork. As such, he has transformed the place from a cesspool into an arguably thriving hub of culture and economy. While some may consider him to be a tyrant ruler, he has consistently been at the forefront of ensuring things in the city run right. None of these are really what make him such a good character though (although the tyrant thing is definitely a good bit). Instead, it's how incredibly cool and calculated Vetinari is. Whenever anyone in the books (or the readers) thinks that he's gone off his rocker by saying this or doing that, by the end of the story you always realize what a smart man he is... also, he's a great smartass.
#3 Moist von Lipwig - Moist is a con artist who is charged by Lord Vetinari to transform the postal service (and later the banks) into something that actually works. To say that Going Postal is the funniest book in the Discworld library would not be a stretch. It is one of the few Discworld books that I have read multiple times (I've read it three times, and listened to the audiobook once) and every single time it makes me laugh out loud. The ideas that Moist comes up with in order to get the office running are so brilliantly odd that it makes the book so much fun to follow. The only real reason that Moist isn't my favorite Discworld character is because he's only been in two books so far, and therefore hasn't had much time to develop.
#2 Rincewind - Rincewind is the first main character of the Discworld novels, and some will stand by him as the best. I agree that he's wonderfully funny, especially in his own brand of heroism, but for some reason I never really get too into his books. The fact that he ramains in my top 5 characters is a testament to how well written he is and how incredibly funny the circumstances that he finds himself in. I don't mean to be down on Rincewind (I want to name my first child after him... well him and the #1), but as much as I love his character, for some reason the stories around him just aren't my favorite.
#1 Samuel Vimes - Sam Vimes is the ultimate. I love every story concerning the Night Watch of Ankh Morpork and since Sam is the leader, it goes without saying that he is my favorite. Tracing him back to Guards, Guards where he's nothing but a stupid drunk all the way to Thud! when we begin to see him becoming a family man with Sam Vimes Jr., Sam Vimes is such a well-developed character that I absolutely love delving into his stories to see what will happen next. I mentioned a long time ago that Night Watch was my second favorite book of all time, and that still remains. Read Guards, Guards first then go to Men at Arms at least before you do Night Watch, but I will stand by my statement that it is a book that must be read... and not just for fantasy people.
There you have it. I know I had to skip over some awesome people like Captain Carrot, Sgt. Angua, and Twoflower, but I think I made a good list here. What about those of you who've read some Discworld? Who are your favorites?
For today's post, rather than going on and on about the whole series, I figured I would give you my 5 favorite Discworld characters. To be honest they aren't really in any order (aside from my #1), because I love them all so much (even more than my own unborn children).
#5. Death - The greatest character to ever talk in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, Death is a constant source of hilarity throughout the series. Every time I'm reading and I happen to glance at an upcoming page and see those caps, I start to get really excited. Partially because someone is about to die, which would advance the plot and provide some mystery, but mostly because the newly dead person's conversation with Death nearly always gives me the giggles. Death is not only good as a bit part throughout the series, but when he becomes the focus of an entire novel, you know there is something to look forward to (see Hogfather).
#4 Lord Vetinari - This former member of the Guild of Assassins (who never wore black, but really just a dark grey) is now the Patrician of Discworld's largest city Ankh Morpork. As such, he has transformed the place from a cesspool into an arguably thriving hub of culture and economy. While some may consider him to be a tyrant ruler, he has consistently been at the forefront of ensuring things in the city run right. None of these are really what make him such a good character though (although the tyrant thing is definitely a good bit). Instead, it's how incredibly cool and calculated Vetinari is. Whenever anyone in the books (or the readers) thinks that he's gone off his rocker by saying this or doing that, by the end of the story you always realize what a smart man he is... also, he's a great smartass.
#3 Moist von Lipwig - Moist is a con artist who is charged by Lord Vetinari to transform the postal service (and later the banks) into something that actually works. To say that Going Postal is the funniest book in the Discworld library would not be a stretch. It is one of the few Discworld books that I have read multiple times (I've read it three times, and listened to the audiobook once) and every single time it makes me laugh out loud. The ideas that Moist comes up with in order to get the office running are so brilliantly odd that it makes the book so much fun to follow. The only real reason that Moist isn't my favorite Discworld character is because he's only been in two books so far, and therefore hasn't had much time to develop.
#2 Rincewind - Rincewind is the first main character of the Discworld novels, and some will stand by him as the best. I agree that he's wonderfully funny, especially in his own brand of heroism, but for some reason I never really get too into his books. The fact that he ramains in my top 5 characters is a testament to how well written he is and how incredibly funny the circumstances that he finds himself in. I don't mean to be down on Rincewind (I want to name my first child after him... well him and the #1), but as much as I love his character, for some reason the stories around him just aren't my favorite.
#1 Samuel Vimes - Sam Vimes is the ultimate. I love every story concerning the Night Watch of Ankh Morpork and since Sam is the leader, it goes without saying that he is my favorite. Tracing him back to Guards, Guards where he's nothing but a stupid drunk all the way to Thud! when we begin to see him becoming a family man with Sam Vimes Jr., Sam Vimes is such a well-developed character that I absolutely love delving into his stories to see what will happen next. I mentioned a long time ago that Night Watch was my second favorite book of all time, and that still remains. Read Guards, Guards first then go to Men at Arms at least before you do Night Watch, but I will stand by my statement that it is a book that must be read... and not just for fantasy people.
There you have it. I know I had to skip over some awesome people like Captain Carrot, Sgt. Angua, and Twoflower, but I think I made a good list here. What about those of you who've read some Discworld? Who are your favorites?
4 comments:
I loved this post- but not as much as I love our unborn children.
I wasn't as enthralled with Going Postal as you were, but Death character sounds intriguing. Maybe I'll pick up another book when I get a break from MA reading.
Granny Weatherwax FTW!!!!! I'veonly read four books so far though. Teh colour of magic, the light fantastic, equal rites, and wyrd sisters(JUST finished last night). Mort is next on my list.
You introduced me to these books and I LOVE them. I have read four of them and own a few that I haven't yet read. I forgot how funny they are, so thank you for reminding me (again)!
I'm going to go start reading (unless my Robert Jordan book arrives in the mail today...)
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