Post by WhitehouseFilms on Apr 9, 2022 13:17:43 GMT
For the last two years I'd taken up the interest in reading the Discworld novels by the late great Terry Pratchett and found what a creative, funny way in which this medieval/fantasy/Edwardian like setting this really is and what cleverly developed set of characters there are.
My first novel was Raising Steam for aboious reasons but couldn't see the characters that was being described to me. So I decided to follow a sort of arch and bought books relating to the characters whom I wanted to focus on. Seeing as Raising Steam was all about the character Moist Von Lipwig, I decide his arch should be the first. The fictional origin of the postal system, paper money and the steam locomotive were quite a fun journey with some of the funny footnotes gaining a lot of laughs from myself. But it was when i decided to turn away from Moist to look at another set of well loved characters that i found my favourite series in the books. The City Watch has to be by favourite series in the books. Maybe it's because I like crime drama or such being a fan of Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, but I always found this series very intriguing. I also found it amusing how Pratchett originally wanted the character Carrot Ironfounderson to be the hero of the first Watch novel, only to have him become a secondary character when Sam Vimes is developed. Out of all the Watch novels it would have to be Thud to be my favourite mainly because of the tone, but also for a scene on which Vimes drops everything to do with the case he is focusing on and embarks on this epic race across the city of Ankmorpork, stopping all traffic to gain a clear road for him to run down. All this leading up to epic end which is for him to be home in time to read his son a bedtime story. Now this does sound bizarre but it is explained clearly why this is done the way it is leading to the readers conclusion that Vimes is certainly an epic Dad. Also the book that Vimes reads to his son, "Where's my Cow?" can also be available to buy.
The Discworld series is also available on audiobooks read by Nigel Planner, Stephen Briggs and Tony Robinson. I have mainly listened to Nigel and Stephen's narration as I find their character portrayals quite enjoyable. Stephen does a great Lord Vetinari (He literally looks like him) and Nigel does a great Foul Ol' Ron voice. I cannot read any of Ron's lines without hearing his voice. The BBC also did an abridged radio version of Guards guards! and Night Watch which I found very enjoyable to listen to. Although the visual adaption of the City Watch I found to be a complete waste of time. There are no resemblances to the characters baring Carrot that I find close to the books, the plot changes suddenly to a conclusion that I found most unfair and the characters Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobby Nobbs, the Watch's favourite duo are not even in it. From what I gathered the adaption was originally going to be a more faithful adaption, but got changed sometime after Pratchett's death and the original plot was rewritten with the character's origins being completely changed. So best avoid it if you ever see it in your TV listings. It's for the best. My best suggestion is watch the Colour of Magic, Hogfather and Going Postal as well as Cosgrove Hall's adaptions of Soul Music & Wyrd Sisters.
What are your favourite Discworld novels and your thoughts about this franchise?
My first novel was Raising Steam for aboious reasons but couldn't see the characters that was being described to me. So I decided to follow a sort of arch and bought books relating to the characters whom I wanted to focus on. Seeing as Raising Steam was all about the character Moist Von Lipwig, I decide his arch should be the first. The fictional origin of the postal system, paper money and the steam locomotive were quite a fun journey with some of the funny footnotes gaining a lot of laughs from myself. But it was when i decided to turn away from Moist to look at another set of well loved characters that i found my favourite series in the books. The City Watch has to be by favourite series in the books. Maybe it's because I like crime drama or such being a fan of Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, but I always found this series very intriguing. I also found it amusing how Pratchett originally wanted the character Carrot Ironfounderson to be the hero of the first Watch novel, only to have him become a secondary character when Sam Vimes is developed. Out of all the Watch novels it would have to be Thud to be my favourite mainly because of the tone, but also for a scene on which Vimes drops everything to do with the case he is focusing on and embarks on this epic race across the city of Ankmorpork, stopping all traffic to gain a clear road for him to run down. All this leading up to epic end which is for him to be home in time to read his son a bedtime story. Now this does sound bizarre but it is explained clearly why this is done the way it is leading to the readers conclusion that Vimes is certainly an epic Dad. Also the book that Vimes reads to his son, "Where's my Cow?" can also be available to buy.
The Discworld series is also available on audiobooks read by Nigel Planner, Stephen Briggs and Tony Robinson. I have mainly listened to Nigel and Stephen's narration as I find their character portrayals quite enjoyable. Stephen does a great Lord Vetinari (He literally looks like him) and Nigel does a great Foul Ol' Ron voice. I cannot read any of Ron's lines without hearing his voice. The BBC also did an abridged radio version of Guards guards! and Night Watch which I found very enjoyable to listen to. Although the visual adaption of the City Watch I found to be a complete waste of time. There are no resemblances to the characters baring Carrot that I find close to the books, the plot changes suddenly to a conclusion that I found most unfair and the characters Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobby Nobbs, the Watch's favourite duo are not even in it. From what I gathered the adaption was originally going to be a more faithful adaption, but got changed sometime after Pratchett's death and the original plot was rewritten with the character's origins being completely changed. So best avoid it if you ever see it in your TV listings. It's for the best. My best suggestion is watch the Colour of Magic, Hogfather and Going Postal as well as Cosgrove Hall's adaptions of Soul Music & Wyrd Sisters.
What are your favourite Discworld novels and your thoughts about this franchise?