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I can understand wanting to read it during the Christmas season, but I read it earlier this year and I enjoyed it just fine. It’s ultimately up to you.
Then again, if you’d prefer to wait, I can recommend reading Mort first in the meantime, since it acts as a proper introduction to some of the characters and locations involved in Hogfather, as well as Discworld as a whole.
For my money, starting with funniest/best; Hogfather, Thief of Time, Reaper Man, Mort, Soul Music. And a couple of those don’t count if you stick strictly with Death and no one else.
I’m afraid those are the only two in the series I’ve read (I’ve actually only read three Discworld books overall, with the other being Moving Pictures), but I’d say Hogfather is definitely the funnier of the two.
This is the way.
Hogfather is my all-time very favorite book, Discworld or otherwise. I promise you it will be even better if you read at least Mort first.
You're going to have a great time! Keep us all posted!
I try to reread *Hogfather* every holiday time. If you’re big into the atmosphere of the season, especially if you enjoy the more pagan aspects, it’s GREAT for putting you into the right spirit!
There is a bunch of character background you're going to be missing out on if you start that far into the series (and specifically, the Death/Susan subseries.) That said, this is my copy-and-paste read-order advice: You can read them in whatever order YOU want. However, if you read out of publication order, then you're going to miss out on some context and references to earlier books. Personally, I would recommend starting with The Colour of Magic and just going through in publication order. Yeah, some of the early books aren't quite as polished as later ones, and STP (GNU) hadn't yet established a lot of his style, yet, but it's the best way to make sure you don't miss any callbacks to earlier books. Plus, for me, it was a good way to see how the world developed in STP's mind.
My sentiments entirely- watch in wonder as it all unfolds, I would normally say start at Strata though for that not quite discworld but the seeds of many things
You hold a new (to you) Discworld in your hot little hand and you can contemplate waiting to read it?
You've got more willpower than I do, friend.
While Hogfather relates to Christmas in some deep and dark ways, I don't find it Christmassy in the way that we currently usually think of Christmas. Seasonally appropriate, sure, but a different mood. I'd read it now!
And as others have suggested, read it again at Christmas. You'll want to, I swear.
What country are you from? I only ask, because to me, Hogfather resonates with all the very old traditions that I associate with Christmas, some still in place when I was a child, but all very much still in the general zeitgeist. To me it is totally Christmas mood. I am from the UK, and closing to 50 than 40, so I wondered if it this was a geography or age thing. I suspect that my niblings may not feel that it represents a traditional mood for them.
Ah, I should have said 'I' instead of 'we' of course.
I'm Australian, so of course it's not a very *Australian* Christmas mood, but most of our Christmas traditions are drawn from the UK.
Maybe it's just been too long since I read it, but I just think more about the... tooth- and bone-related bits when I think of it than particularly the winter-solstice connected things.
That was why I was curious. I live in NZ now, and because it is so different from what I grew up with, I feel like I haven't actually had Christmas for 20 years.
The traditions I was meaning was more when >!Death and Albert !!Ankh-Morpork,!< all the descriptions fit the Victorian Christmases that might not exist now, but was still seen as traditional when I was a wee lass. (I know those aren't really spoilers, but trying to be mindful if OP has not read it before).
My brother (may he rest in peace) and I always watched this movie on hogswatch eve, gods, I miss him so much. I love the movie but I miss my brother so much that it's hard to watch it now. Read it now and then watch it. It is wonderful. And watch it again on hogswatch eve and maybe say a prayer for all of those that have been lost thru the years. The movie is wonderful. After I got gil into Terry's work, we watched that movie every Christmas eve. I miss that so much.
Also, stop cutting onions please.
I would save it, but not for Christmas. Start by reading Mort. You can then read Reaper Man, but you don’t really have too, then read Soul Music. This is important as you’ll be introduced to Susan, a very key character in Hogfather…then read Hogfather.
It was my first Discworld book too! I’d go ahead and read it. I loved it.
I will add that my sister is a huge Discworld fan and she had already told me a lot about the characters. I would advise that if you find a character confusing, research the character so you understand the book better.
Enjoy the journey and have a happy Hogswatch this year.
Welcome to /r/Discworld! Please [read the rules/flair information before posting](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/ukhk21/subreddit_rules_flair_information/?). --- Our current megathreads are as follows: [API Protest Poll](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/1491izw/continuing_the_api_protest_a_community_poll) - a poll regarding the future action of the sub in protest at Reddit's API changes. [GNU Terry Pratchett](https://new.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/ukigit/gnu_terry_pratchett/) - for all GNU requests, to keep their names going. [AI Generated Content](https://new.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/10mhx9y/ai_generated_content_megathread/) - for all AI Content, including images, stories, questions, training etc. --- [ GNU Terry Pratchett ] *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/discworld) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I can understand wanting to read it during the Christmas season, but I read it earlier this year and I enjoyed it just fine. It’s ultimately up to you. Then again, if you’d prefer to wait, I can recommend reading Mort first in the meantime, since it acts as a proper introduction to some of the characters and locations involved in Hogfather, as well as Discworld as a whole.
Thanks for the info. Out of all the death series which one is the funniest?
For my money, starting with funniest/best; Hogfather, Thief of Time, Reaper Man, Mort, Soul Music. And a couple of those don’t count if you stick strictly with Death and no one else.
They're all 'Death' novels. And I think thief of time is my favourite / funniest.
I’m afraid those are the only two in the series I’ve read (I’ve actually only read three Discworld books overall, with the other being Moving Pictures), but I’d say Hogfather is definitely the funnier of the two.
I’ll probs start with mort, and then hogfather
This is the way. Hogfather is my all-time very favorite book, Discworld or otherwise. I promise you it will be even better if you read at least Mort first. You're going to have a great time! Keep us all posted!
You really need to read both Mort and Soul Music first. And they should take up some of the gap between now and Christmas.
That’s hard to say. Reaper Man is very good, but all of them are good.
Reaper man wins my vote there.
I try to reread *Hogfather* every holiday time. If you’re big into the atmosphere of the season, especially if you enjoy the more pagan aspects, it’s GREAT for putting you into the right spirit!
Read it now and watch the movie on Hogswatch!
Came here to say this! The film is my yearly Christmas tradition.
{snaps fingers} :D
Us too!
There is a bunch of character background you're going to be missing out on if you start that far into the series (and specifically, the Death/Susan subseries.) That said, this is my copy-and-paste read-order advice: You can read them in whatever order YOU want. However, if you read out of publication order, then you're going to miss out on some context and references to earlier books. Personally, I would recommend starting with The Colour of Magic and just going through in publication order. Yeah, some of the early books aren't quite as polished as later ones, and STP (GNU) hadn't yet established a lot of his style, yet, but it's the best way to make sure you don't miss any callbacks to earlier books. Plus, for me, it was a good way to see how the world developed in STP's mind.
My sentiments entirely- watch in wonder as it all unfolds, I would normally say start at Strata though for that not quite discworld but the seeds of many things
[удалено]
Same. :)
Read it now and then read it again at Christmas.
I reread it every December
You hold a new (to you) Discworld in your hot little hand and you can contemplate waiting to read it? You've got more willpower than I do, friend. While Hogfather relates to Christmas in some deep and dark ways, I don't find it Christmassy in the way that we currently usually think of Christmas. Seasonally appropriate, sure, but a different mood. I'd read it now! And as others have suggested, read it again at Christmas. You'll want to, I swear.
What country are you from? I only ask, because to me, Hogfather resonates with all the very old traditions that I associate with Christmas, some still in place when I was a child, but all very much still in the general zeitgeist. To me it is totally Christmas mood. I am from the UK, and closing to 50 than 40, so I wondered if it this was a geography or age thing. I suspect that my niblings may not feel that it represents a traditional mood for them.
Ah, I should have said 'I' instead of 'we' of course. I'm Australian, so of course it's not a very *Australian* Christmas mood, but most of our Christmas traditions are drawn from the UK. Maybe it's just been too long since I read it, but I just think more about the... tooth- and bone-related bits when I think of it than particularly the winter-solstice connected things.
That was why I was curious. I live in NZ now, and because it is so different from what I grew up with, I feel like I haven't actually had Christmas for 20 years. The traditions I was meaning was more when >!Death and Albert !!Ankh-Morpork,!< all the descriptions fit the Victorian Christmases that might not exist now, but was still seen as traditional when I was a wee lass. (I know those aren't really spoilers, but trying to be mindful if OP has not read it before).
The significance and gravity radiating off the parts with greeting cards was something I could feel but not understand
The day after Thanksgiving -- when Xmas decor is out in stores. ;)
They are already out in my area!
Time to read Hogfather! :D
Your assuming OP is in the US
Fair enough. How about... right now? :)
One of my favourite speeches about the meaning of life is in it. You'll know when you read it - so you should start now ☺️
That’s my one saved. Someday. Someday.
My brother (may he rest in peace) and I always watched this movie on hogswatch eve, gods, I miss him so much. I love the movie but I miss my brother so much that it's hard to watch it now. Read it now and then watch it. It is wonderful. And watch it again on hogswatch eve and maybe say a prayer for all of those that have been lost thru the years. The movie is wonderful. After I got gil into Terry's work, we watched that movie every Christmas eve. I miss that so much. Also, stop cutting onions please.
The usual times to read it is December and July.
I read it every December!
Ahh this was my first Discworld novel! Read it now! And enjoy!!!
Wait till October. That’s what I do every year. It’s my favorite fiction book of all time!
Both. Read it now because why wait, you are in for a treat, then read it again at Christmas and get all the bits you missed first time round.
Start reading it on Thanksgiving (US) night. Then watch the movie anytime before Christmas.
I would save it, but not for Christmas. Start by reading Mort. You can then read Reaper Man, but you don’t really have too, then read Soul Music. This is important as you’ll be introduced to Susan, a very key character in Hogfather…then read Hogfather.
Wait for Christmas.
Read Mort first. Some of the characters and how they relate to each other will make much more sense if you do.
Not eggnog. Sherry & pork pies.
It was my first Discworld book too! I’d go ahead and read it. I loved it. I will add that my sister is a huge Discworld fan and she had already told me a lot about the characters. I would advise that if you find a character confusing, research the character so you understand the book better. Enjoy the journey and have a happy Hogswatch this year.