This edition of book corner will celebrate the literary works of Terry Pratchett, known for his young adult fantasy novels, on the year which would have marked his 70th Birthday. In all, he was the author of fifty bestselling books with worldwide sales of over 70 million and was awarded an OBE in 1998 and knighted for his services to literature in 2009.
Top Six Terry Pratchett Books
- The Shepherds Crown (Published 2015)
Published on August 2015, just a few months after his passing, this is the last published work of Terry Pratchett. It is the fifth instalment in the Discworld series to be based on Tiffany Aching, whose first appearance in The Wee Free man also makes our list.
- Guards! Guards! (Published 1989)
Eighth in the Discworld series, this is the reader’s first introduction to Ankh-Morpork City Watch. A plot filled with dragons and magic this novel steered towards a more serious tone for the author and was adapted into both screen and stage productions.
- The Wee Free Man (Published 2003)
30th in the Discworld series, the plot follows main character Tiffany Aching, a 9-year-old girl whose brother is kidnapped by The Queen of the Fairies and the trials and tribulations she faces to ensure his safe return. Filled with Pratchett’s usual fantasy elements the rights to this novel were bought by The Jim Henson Company (who has brought us the muppets) to adapt it into a film.
- The Colour of Magic (Published 1983)
This is the first in the Discworld series, not to be confused with his first ever published novel which was The Carpet People in 1971. This magical novel is where it all begins and follows the characters Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind through their adventures in a fantasy land.
- Night Watch (Published 2002)
Seen as one of the darker novels of the Discworld series, this is the 29th novel in the series and won Pratchett the Prometheus Award for Best Novel in 2003. For avid Pratchett fans, this novel is also part of the City Watch series a major storyline that made up eight of the Discworld series. The story begins on the anniversary of the Glorious Revolution and has the unmatchable Pratchett mix of crime, fantasy and satire.
- Mort (Published 1987)
Fourth in the Discworld series, this novel proved to be one of Pratchett’s most popular having been voted no 65 in the Nations Top 100 reads. The story follows Death and a young boy named Mort, who ends up as an apprentice to Death. Whilst sent out to capture the soul of Princess Keli, Mort chooses to take the soul of her assassin creating an alternative reality and the novel follows Mort on his quest to save Princess Keli.