I started reading Pratchett all the way back in the '80s but Small Gods is the first one that I truly loved. Since then I've read everything he ever wrote and found many more standouts. Still, this one has a special place for me. I'd forgotten the quote about philosophy but it reminds me of a line by Larry Niven: "Science fiction is the best way for a philosopher to make a living." For some more really thoughtful stuff I reccomend John Wyndham, especially his last book, Chocky.
Oh thank you for the suggestions! Pratchett is a one of a kind author. I could have included dozens more good quotes. What are your next favorite books in Discworld?
@@SpencerReadsEverything Kind of a tough call... I'd say Equal Rites is the first real stand-out even though the ending kinda fizzles (I didn't read it until years later), The Truth is really up there with its complex mixture of themes, Going Postal has wonderful character development, Reaper Man is a great in-depth character study of the Disc's compassionate Death, The Amazing Maurice is a well-deserved award-winner, Unseen Academicals is the only "wizards" book I really like though (it's not really about the wizards though, or soccer - it's about the "little people")... more than 40 of them so it's easy to just run on. And his non-discworld stuff is great too. Funny how people think of Good Omens as a Gaiman book but Neil was definately the "trainee" on that one. He contributed a lot of great flavor, but Terry was clearly in charge of that story. But Small Gods... I'm not sure whether I'd say it's the "best," I hate to rank things that way, but it definately stands out in lots of ways. Worth reading many times.
@@SpencerReadsEverything OH, almost forgot... if you're interested in more of Pratchett's take on philosophy of religion, check out Nation and Dodger. They're not Discworld, but they're just as good. Or even go back to the Bromeliad / Nomes trilogy for some science fiction / religion crossover stuff.
Do you think Small Gods is the best book in Discworld? If not which ones do you like more?
I started reading Pratchett all the way back in the '80s but Small Gods is the first one that I truly loved. Since then I've read everything he ever wrote and found many more standouts. Still, this one has a special place for me.
I'd forgotten the quote about philosophy but it reminds me of a line by Larry Niven: "Science fiction is the best way for a philosopher to make a living."
For some more really thoughtful stuff I reccomend John Wyndham, especially his last book, Chocky.
Oh thank you for the suggestions! Pratchett is a one of a kind author. I could have included dozens more good quotes. What are your next favorite books in Discworld?
@@SpencerReadsEverything Kind of a tough call... I'd say Equal Rites is the first real stand-out even though the ending kinda fizzles (I didn't read it until years later), The Truth is really up there with its complex mixture of themes, Going Postal has wonderful character development, Reaper Man is a great in-depth character study of the Disc's compassionate Death, The Amazing Maurice is a well-deserved award-winner, Unseen Academicals is the only "wizards" book I really like though (it's not really about the wizards though, or soccer - it's about the "little people")... more than 40 of them so it's easy to just run on.
And his non-discworld stuff is great too. Funny how people think of Good Omens as a Gaiman book but Neil was definately the "trainee" on that one. He contributed a lot of great flavor, but Terry was clearly in charge of that story.
But Small Gods... I'm not sure whether I'd say it's the "best," I hate to rank things that way, but it definately stands out in lots of ways. Worth reading many times.
@@SpencerReadsEverything OH, almost forgot... if you're interested in more of Pratchett's take on philosophy of religion, check out Nation and Dodger. They're not Discworld, but they're just as good. Or even go back to the Bromeliad / Nomes trilogy for some science fiction / religion crossover stuff.