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Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Terry Pratchett
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Quick Answer

Start Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) by Terry Pratchett with "The Colour Of Magic", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Illustrated novellas set within the Discworld universe, chronologically falling after Thief of Time.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Colour Of Magic"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The provided comments do not contain any discussion, consensus, or recommendations regarding the reading order for "Discworld (Illustrated Novellas)". The thread focuses exclusively on new releases and TBR additions by authors such as Thomas Pynchon, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Max Gladstone, and Steven Erikson (Malazan)."

Key Reddit Advice

No advice regarding the Discworld reading order can be extracted from this text.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Discworld (Illustrated Novellas). The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Colour Of Magic" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Discworld (Illustrated Novellas)" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "The Colour Of Magic"Explore all by Terry Pratchett

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order3 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

The Colour Of Magic

Pub: 2005

Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestsellers in England, where they have garnered him a revered position in the halls of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.The Color of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the now-legendary land of Discworld. This is where it all begins--with the tourist Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind.

2

The Light Fantastic

Pub: 1986

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Colour Of Magic".

The second Discworld novel follows the hapless wizard Rincewind and the naive tourist Twoflower as they journey across the Disc, confronting the looming threat of the Red Star and encountering a host of eccentric characters and magical mishaps.

3

The Science Of Discworld

Pub: 2005★ 4.36

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Light Fantastic".

Contains a story by Terry Pratchett, around which Stewart and Cohen write about the Discworld.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Discworld (Illustrated Novellas)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Colour Of Magic" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Terry Pratchett intended.

Can I read Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Discworld (Illustrated Novellas) universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.