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Kateřina
You can definitely read it without any prep. I can't imagine a better place to start, it's the best, stands alone, good introduction to Discworld. It has all the good elements of Pratchett's work.
Becci
Any of the Discworld novels can be read individually (does anyone else find that amazing?), though with some, it's easier to read them in order as the world does develop along the series.
Small Gods however has little or no ties (bar a few cameos/references that you'll pick up later) to the rest of the series, so it is perfectly fine to read this one on it's own... The same can be said for Pyramids.
Small Gods however has little or no ties (bar a few cameos/references that you'll pick up later) to the rest of the series, so it is perfectly fine to read this one on it's own... The same can be said for Pyramids.
Mary
As well as being a stand-alone, it has a clearer plot-line, which helps when you are just getting used to Pratchett's prose style. It is the second one I've read (the other was Soul Music) and it has definitely lead me to appreciate and want to read more of Pratchett's work.
David Cowan
This is probably one of the best books to start with - since it takes place at a different time than the rest of the series, it doesn't have a ton of references or reoccurring characters, and those things which are taken from other novels are well-integrated into the setting. Additionally, unlike most of the other recommended starter books, Small Gods is later into the series and gives a good taste of what Prachett's work reads like through the middle of the Discworld.
Otter Pop
One of my all time favorites of the DiscWorld Series. Definitely a good stand-alone story and full of humor. Was chuckling in the isles when leafing through it the first time I picked it up in the book store.
Courtenay
This one is stand alone so you would be fine to pick it up at any point.
Ryan Fohl
First one I read.
Mark
Small Gods is a standalone as far as the Discworld series goes. The story takes place approximately 100 years (turns) before most of the other character arcs (Wizards, Witches,
Here is a bit of an overview of the Discworld series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Di...
For the record, Small Gods is my favorite out of the 17 or so that I've read so far, the others being Pyramids (another standalone), Sorcery, Mort and Going Postal. My least favorite has been Masquerade out of what I've read, though others may have other opinions.
In general I've found that the first two or three books in a series (or character arc as you might call it) are good or great, but that they tend to trail off in subsequent novels. However, all of the City Watch novels seem to be good reads, but none as astounding as the five I listed first.
Here is a bit of an overview of the Discworld series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Di...
For the record, Small Gods is my favorite out of the 17 or so that I've read so far, the others being Pyramids (another standalone), Sorcery, Mort and Going Postal. My least favorite has been Masquerade out of what I've read, though others may have other opinions.
In general I've found that the first two or three books in a series (or character arc as you might call it) are good or great, but that they tend to trail off in subsequent novels. However, all of the City Watch novels seem to be good reads, but none as astounding as the five I listed first.
Judith Bienvenu
Yes, it can be read without reading the others. Many of the books stand alone that way, although reading them in order can give some degree of history. Small Gods is actually my favorite so far (I've read about 15 of them so far, and am trying to read them all).
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