Sir Terry Pratchettwas a veritable British national treasure.
For decades, he charmed readers with his blisteringly smart and funny books, especially his satiricalDiscworldfantasy series.
Although always entertaining, Pratchett’s work is also frequently thoughtful, hitting on real-world issues.
Image by Federico Napoli
Here are the author’s best books, ranked by their Goodreads score.
Alongside him once again are Twoflower and his mysterious, sentient Luggage.
The Light Fantasticably avoided the sophomore slump, if anything upping the humor and whimsy of the firstDiscworldbook.
Its initial print run counted about 1000 copies, but the series would quickly become a global sales phenomenon.
As she grows, her magical abilities become apparent, challenging the male-dominated norms of wizardry.
The comedy inEqual Ritesis a little subtler than it isin mostDiscworldnovels.
It’s witty and deceptively clever, rather than in-your-face.
Most of all, though,the book succeeds thanks to the well-drawn characters.
This was the firstDiscworldbook not to center on Rincewind, but it replaces him with equally enjoyable personalities.
“Wyrd Sisterscenters on three witches: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick.
The witches' unique personalities and their practical, down-to-earth magic form the heart of the story.
11’Mort' (1987)
Rating: 4.24/5
“He’d been wrong.
There was a light at the end of the tunnel, and it was a flamethrower.”
Mort is a bumbling young man who, unable to find work, becomes Death’s apprentice.
This act of defiance leads to a series of unintended consequences that could spell serious trouble.
It’s a formidable meeting of minds.
Both have grown fond of Earth and its inhabitants and are keen to maintain the status quo.
However,the book’s appeal is the wacky humor.
It’s jam-packed with an ungodly number of gags and killer lines, likeThe OmenmeetsMonty Python.
The comedy is captured well in the TV adaptation withMichael SheenandDavid Tennant.
Both the novel and the show are well worth checking out.
The Grim Reaper is the star of the show in this one.
The author’s observations are poignant as well as witty.
Make all things yours!
Although marketed toward children, this is a crossover book that adults will also enjoy.
Not for nothing, Time magazine ranked it among the greatest fantasy books ever written.
There’s just what happens, and what we do.”
This isa coming-of-age talesteeped in witchcraft and comedy, with Pratchett smoothly adapting his style for younger readers.
6’Small Gods' (1992)
“Gods don’t like people not doing much work.
People who aren’t busy all the time might start to think.
The result is a thoughtful comic gem that also works as an engrossing fantasy story.
It’s the kind of balancing act few authors could pull off.
