Discworld Characters

[James]

Who are your favorite characters in the Discworld? Either ongoing or one-time. Please explain what you like or dislike about them.

[LinBee]

Favorite: Granny Weatherwax - she is just tough, smart and very sure of herself. She's someone to look up to. Nanny Ogg is good times too, she is just hilarious, and the perfect best friend for Mistress Weatherwax.

2nd favorite: Rincewind - he's just hilarious. And you can't help but cheer him on as he escapes Death every time.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Everyone! Although I love the witches -- and Death & Susan -- my favorite character is Sam Vimes. All the "watch" characters have developed into well-rounded, real people who feel like family, and Sam is the most complex and fascinating of them all. I love his Boots Theory of Socioeconomics - and his flaws - and the fact that he shaves himself - and his unflinching devotion to Young Sam -- and the way he continues to appear in the latest offshoots of the "watch" books along with Moist and the gang. P'Terry has made an important contribution to literature with his Discworld books, and it's both great fun and a privilege to read them.

[James]

I must admit I have a real problem identifying a particular favorite (one of the reasons for posting the question). I find Sam Vimes the most "human" of all the favorites, but Granny Weatherwax is another. Hard-nosed and compassionate (in her own special way) she reminds me of Sam, or vice versa as she appeared first. Death is always a favorite. Should I have the ooportunity to again own a horse, his name will be "Binky". And of course I love cats.

Thanks for the responses.

[Ravenskya]

I love the luggage, Vimes, and Nanny Ogg's Cat, his name escapes me at the moment. The Guards series are my favorite, followed by the Witches.

Though I love Death and Suzan, I have a hard time getting into the books that focus on them for some reason.

[James]

Nanny Ogg's cat is Greebo. I know this because that is what we named our cat. The family that reads together...

[Ravenskya]

I remembered it just last night... my son was watching "Wyrd Sisters"

[Dan]

Lord Vetinari is probably my favorite character. I never quite catch on to what he's doing until halfway through the story. Sam Vimes and Granny Weatherwax are both close behind.

[James]

I love Vetinari's philosophy on Democracy. "One Man, One Vote". And he's the man with the vote.

[Ravenskya]

Vetinari is one of my favorites too... specifically as I move along farther in the guard's series

[Lisa]

So many great characters it’s hard to choose just one. Some of my favorites are Lord Vetinari, Commander Vimes, Captain Carrot, the Luggage and Rincewind.

[Paul]

Oh man theres just so many to choose from i have to say Sam Vimes is probably my fav character i love the city watch books i also think Vetinaris fab..hard to beleive hes actually a good guy at times though and i have to agree with lisa the luggae is awesome

[Leiko]

I love Death, because not only is he an awesome character, he is death! Vimes and all the Watch, they are like real people, unlike some book's characters. And Vetinari because of his cool headness.

[Louise]

I'm strangely attracted to the human form of Greebo, Nanny Ogg's cat. I'm sure I'm not the only one, we all love a bad boy, come on ladies own up.

[LinBee]

Louise wrote: "I'm strangely attracted to the human form of Greebo, Nanny Ogg's cat. I'm sure I'm not the only one, we all love a bad boy, come on ladies own up."

I so totally agree with that! He is delicious in a dangerous way.

[Louise]

LinBee wrote: "Louise wrote: "I'm strangely attracted to the human form of Greebo, Nanny Ogg's cat. I'm sure I'm not the only one, we all love a bad boy, come on ladies own up."

I so totally agree with that! H..."

Heheh...I knew I wouldn't be alone ;)

[Ravenskya]

You're not... there's something about the patch, and lithe figure... and the attitude

[James]

Add the fact that cats are so much more independent than other pets, we humans tend to anthropomorphize them. Pratchett does an excellent job taking this to it's ultimate level. And, from a man's point of view, Greebo is one truly bad-ass "cat".

[Barron]

I've only read two Discworld books so far (Thud! and Thief of Time), but I have found Death to be hilarious!

[Libby]

Death is hysterical! I'd recommend Hogfather or Reaper Man next

[[deleted user]]

I'm currently reading the Death Novels and look forward to the other Pratchett series. Right now my favorite characters are Death and his granddaughter Susan. I would love to have her physical strength and ability to command attention! She's great. Death in the Hogfather was too funny.

[Andrew]

My favorite book has been theif of time and I love the character of Lut Ze. One of the best characters in the entire series.

[Bart]

I ofcourse love all the characters mentioned here. But one important name I think at least deserves a mention here is CMOT Dibbler, I just love his stubborn devotion to selling crap. Also loved Brutha in Small Gods and can you say... Ook?

[Santinix]

Granny Weatherwax is outstanding, though personally I have much more in common with that "disgusting old baggage" Nanny Ogg.

I love Sam Vimes - if you look up "decent" in the dictionary, you probably find a photo of Sam in there.

However, there is someone to love in nearly every discworld book. Two of my favourites are Casanunda, who became a guardsman by lying about his height, and Titus Oates who discovers a truer and wiser faith during the long dark journey in Carpe Jugulum.

[[deleted user]]

Reading about other people's favorite characters is making me even more eager to start Pratchett's other series. Once I'm finished with the Death series, I think I'll start the Witch Series. So many people like Granny Weatherwax.

I'm sure I'll find that I agree with Santinix and love a character from every book.

[A.C]

Death and Susan, because he is all to human and he is touching trying to understand "us" and Susan well she is just cool!

Vimes... I do not know that name - I read dutch translations - but I have the feeling he is Douwe Flincks, the captain of the Nightwatch. And sure he is absolutely fantastic

[James]

Yes, he is one and the same.

[Lilith]

Well I just love Nanny Ogg...I have a dear friend who I don't see near enough who IS Nanny (and she's proud of it!)

I also love Death (especially in HOGFATHER) He's curious about humanity but sometimes understands us better that we understand ourselves.

L

[Willa]

I love all the witches- they are so very much like the witches I know in real life!

[[deleted user]]

I have now read four of the Witch series and I also love all the witches. I have enjoyed the character development of all three: Nanny, Granny & Magrat. I'm looking forward to the next in the series: Maskerade.

Totally agree with Lilith; I adore Death in the Hogfather.
Jane

[Ashley]

I gotta say Rincewind is my favorite. I kinda like the underdogs and reluctant heros. :)

[James]

I discovered what a Discworld" family we are when I received not one but FOUR Discworld DVD's for Christmas; "Hogfather", "The Colour of Magic", "Wyrd Sisters" and "Soul Music". These are all BBC productions so they are pretty faithful to the books, and have some marvelous actors. Haven't had a chance to watch all as the run about 3 hours each, but I look forward to a relaxing (and humorous) afternoon with each.


But read the books first!

[Rich]

I love the Nac Mac Feegles, and although they are relatively new the the Discworld cannon, I always get a sense of accomplishment then joy when I'm able to decipher exactly what it is they are saying. Once I figure it out, the laughter comes shortly after.

Cohen is another favorite. He and his Silver Horde are brilliant. They have a way of stealing any scene they are in.

[Bjoern]

I like Mustrum Ridcully, Samuel Vimes and both the new entrepreneurs of Ankh-Morpok William de Worde and Moist von Lipwig a lot. DEATH also has a lot of appeal and Lord Vetinari of course also.

Seems that i like the sane characters the most that are subject to a world spilling over from all the fools inside of it...

[Felicity]

death, the grim squeaker,rincewind, bursar and my absolute faverot is ridcully i just love in soul music when he shoots the organ with the crossbow and says the noise is worse than students

[Felicity]

has anyone read unseen acidemicals HO The Megapode :)
rincewind hahahaha

[Mari]

Sam Vimes. I love the whole arc of his life, you meet him in the gutter, and he is "forced" to take on the role of a gentlemen (thank god Sybil understands her man), which he hates.

[Sheila]

My favorites are:
Sam Vimes: a guy who literally has his job in his mind all the time
Moist Von Ligwig: an honest criminal? how is that even possible? plus...he's MOIST! hee
Lord Vetinari: Expressive eyebrows without devolving into sneering
Tiffany Aching: oh, to be a 13 year old girl who has little blue men protecting you...wait, what?

Terry Pratchett is so good at character development, that it's hard to keep the list down and this post short

[Bill]

Wow, I'm having a hard time just choosing which group of characters I like best - witches, wizards, guards, etc. I'll go with my favorite of the moment - Igor(s).

Yeth Thir!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

hi all - newly addicted Discworld ADDICK here!
just read Wyrd Sisters and LOVED Granny Weatherwax and the souse Nanny Ogg- ordered 25 other Discworld booksbecause I know that I will need to be reading one all the time- even when reading another book -switching off. Love admire that though Granny Weatherwax is incapable of aquiring the skill of appologizing- she is still able to appreciate it in others!! The Fool in the book is a great character to "N'uncle"

[Diana]

Rich wrote: "I love the Nac Mac Feegles, and although they are relatively new the the Discworld cannon, I always get a sense of accomplishment then joy when I'm able to decipher exactly what it is they are sayi..."

Finally, someone like me in here. I love anything with the Feegles in, which basically means I'm a fan of the Tiffany Aching stories. The next book, "I shall wear midnight" can't come soon enough!

[Mariana]

Diana wrote: "Rich wrote: "I love the Nac Mac Feegles, and although they are relatively new the the Discworld cannon, I always get a sense of accomplishment then joy when I'm able to decipher exactly what it is ..."

Ooh, yes, I love them too! I went to a book signing once and was over the moon when TP wrote "Crivens!" on the inside of my book.

[David]

I think it has to be Sam Vimes.
His pent up anger and sheer righteousness makes me happy, aswell as how far he came from being a drunk of though that was probably down to Carrot more than him.
Which seemed odd, because in the night watch young Vimes didn't seem like he was heading that way, and would have carried on being a good copper, I wonder if it was just life that brought him down or if he was actualy brought low by a woman.
But it's heavily implied that he was brought low by the city rather than a woman, so I guess that never really happened.
But I think his life from Nightwatch to Guards Guards would be a good book.

Also, I quite like Mr. Nutt the Orc.

[Bjoern]

Well how would YOU feel being the one TRUELY dedicated copper in a city of outright thieves wearing the badge like Nobby Nobbs or of conformists like Fred Colon that will close both eyes as long as it promises to make their lives more easy and comfortable...

Sam Vimes HAD to loose it, until somebody with real leadership genes like Carrot showed up and could push up the morales even of those half-criminal coppers quite a bit.

Nigthwatch does not help with this in as far as it seems to just have him given the wrong idea that as long as you strive to do your job and to do it right the rest won't matter. But in ankh-Morpork that's far to less to change things even a bit.

[David]

Haha, Fred and Nobby end up making a bit of an effort in later books though, to their credit. Though, come to think of it was probably for the wrong reasons and still not a very good one.
It's understanble why Vimes lost it, but still it's only speculation on what actualy caused him to.

[K Fox]

I'm very much a Vimes fan and have read the watch books multiple times. I love how he's just a normal, down to earth guy that gets thrown into such absurd situations and how he responds as a normal person would instead of acting like some outrageous hero out of nowhere.

[Lani]

Initially, my favorites were the witches, but when I read the Watch novels, I got hooked with Vimes's characters. He is the most human out of all the characters there, and "Night Watch" and "Thud" cemented him as my favorite. Those two books made me tear up because of how Vimes handled the situation. Other characters I like are Death, Vetinari, the Luggage, Carrot, Ridcully, the Librarian, the Wee Free Men, and Om as a turtle.

[Annabeth]

oh jeeze, i like alot of them too! the witches are pretty good, but yes, i also like death, susan, and rincewind. i mean, what's not to like?

[[deleted user]]

I love Rincewind and Mustrum Ridcully!

[Fembat]

I have a few favourite characters. Lord Vetinari I particularly enjoy was his unique view of democracy - one man, one vote, him being the man with the vote.

Sam Vimes and Moist Von Lipwig are also firm favourites and so it is no secret my favourite books from the series tend to centre around these three characters.

Finally Death who has an interesting view on life and humankind :p