I'm 18 books into the Discworld series, and I'm really loving it. I'm taking a short break from the series, but I keep finding myself annoyed with every book I pick up. It feels like every author I've tried reading is trying too hard.
Maybe Pratchett's singular writing has just ruined me…I've started and abandoned four books in a row, and I'm getting discouraged.
Any genre is fine, but I'm not looking for anything too heavy. Memorable characters, a bit of adventure (or misadventure), a little romance is fine (but not required)…but mostly just some quality writing and an ending that makes me smile.
…I can only handle so much mediocre alliteration and forced thesaurus usage before going cross-eyed. Please help.
by LeChuck5000
4 Comments
It’s a different type of comedy to Pratchett’s, but I suggest you look into Jack Vance – perhaps his novels The Eyes of the Overworld, or Showboat World.
i found the clockwork boys duology from kingfisher reminded me of pratchett’s discworld, similar in the way that all medieval fantasy worlds are similar to an extent, but also quite different!
I’ve just noticed that you’re not bothered by genre……… You must read PG Wodehouse. No other author has ever come close to him, in the *seeming* effortlessness of their writing.
I feel your pain, friend. Once Pratchett happens, you just can’t go back.
I’ve been a Discworld devotee for twenty years now, and here are some writers and series I think stand out.
Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series;
Spider Robinson’s Callahan’s Place series;
People have probably recommended the Hitchhiker’s Guide series by Douglas Adams, but just in case they haven’t, here I am doing it.
The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer
I could probably think of more, but I hope these help!