Not exactly the great debate or anything, but I thought someone here might have an opinion. Here's my dilemma: I've read two Xanth novels and really enjoyed them, and I've never read a Discworld novel, though I have been told that their better. My goal is to read every single novel from both of the series, but there's almost 40 in each, and I want to chew through one before starting the other as there's a very, very good chance I'll get them mixed up at some point.

Soooo...what do you guys think? Is Pratchett better than Anthony...or the other way round? I know they're not the quintessential fantasy novels or anything like that, but I'm just looking for a funny, easy, less serious read than a lot of the behemoths of fantasy that are out there. (I've made it through the Wheel of Time series, and frankly, I need a break! )

You would have to mention like the ONLY novel series i've ever read wouldn't you?

I've personally only read the first 8 books of the Xanth series (before he switched publishers) and I enjoy it. I wish I knew which the next one in the series was to pick it up again, but it's unlikely I ever will.

If people claim that Discworld is better, i'd say start with Xanth then, because if they're right you still get to read a good series If you read Discworld first, then went back to Xanth you'd probably not enjoy it as much. Then again, it's all matter of taste.

I personally have never read any of the Xanath series (or heard of it... ), but my discworld collection is pretty massive. I find them all easy to get through, a laugh (or at least a smile) on every page, and overall awesome. I recommend discworld, but...since I've never read the other my opinion is somewhat biased

I have only read the Xanth novels. I enjoyed Anthony's writing style so much I looked into his other books and liked them even better.

The Xanth novels are funny, and frankly absolutely dirty. There are a ton of puns and a really interesting underlying story throughout all of them.

If you are looking for an easy read, Xanth definately is one. I managed to get my brother into reading books by turning him onto that series

I prefer Xanth over Discworld mostly because there is a plot I can get behind that goes throughout the entire series, interesting characters, moments of tongue and cheek seriousness to counteract the truely hysterical parts, and there is a clear order to read the books in. Pratchett is a funny writer but sometimes I feel his plots are rather pointless and I just can't get emotionally involved, not even enough to laugh.

But here's what I would suggest: get together a list of people's favorite Discworld books. Choose out a few you're interested in yourself.

Then, read the first three Xanth novels. I've been told by an expert in both series that the first three Xanth novels are really the only good ones (Castle Roogna is the third one) and the rest are cheap in comparison.

After that, read those favorite Discworld books. If one doesn't grab your taste, try another one. If you try a third and still don't like it, stop trying.

Attempt to read the fourth Xanth novel and see if you like it. If you don't, go find new books to read. Like Good Omens, co written by Pratchett. If you like it, then try some books by Niel Gaimen (the other author of Good Omens). Maybe that'll be more up your alley.

That's just my suggestion though.

So your saying there are no serious moments in Pratchett's novels? Have you read... lets say... "Night Watch"? Pretty much all of his newer works tend to have serious undertones...

I'm not saying there aren't serious moments in Pratchett's work. I simply don't care enough once they come around. In the Xanth novels I care every moment of the way whether silly or serious. It feels important to me. I never got that feeling with the Discworld series except in "Monstrous Regiment"

I have to suggest reading Hogfather. It's a Discworld book.

Yes, read it. Seriously.

I knew you guys would have opinions! XD

I've already read A Spell for Chameleon and Ogre, Ogre. I think I liked Ogre, Ogre slightly better, but I really did enjoy them both. My thing is, once I start a series (and know it's a series) it's hard for me to stop, even if I get tired of it or don't like some of the books. I really really like finishing what I've started! XD Sooooo...I'm going to be inevitably trapped within the 30-odd books they've each written for a while. I think I'm going to stick with Xanth for now, though I will read a couple of the Discworld ones when I get the chance, because I'm really curious about them. Yay for kooky fantasy novels.

First off, I'd like to say that if you made it through the whole Wheel of Time series without taking a break, you have a much stronger will than I do.

I haven't read any Xanth, but what I like about Discworld is that I can knock out a book in a couple of hours. I don't like starting and stopping again because I have a horrible memory for plot, especially if I go off to do something else, and it all kinda blurs together. With the Discworld series it's easy to pick up and read through quickly, so if that's what you're looking for, then that's where I'd start.

Another thing to think on regarding Discworld is that it's not a series, it's a collection. There are different series in the collection (The City Watch, the Rincewind Saga, The Granny Weatherwax stories) and it's up to you if you want to read them in chronological order (Color of Magic on) or if you want to read each of the individual series separately. So you could say, read all of the City Watch novels (Guards Guards through Thud!) and then go read something else before returning to another series. There are also several standalone novels (Pyramids, Mort, Reaper Man)

I haven't yet read any Discworld books, but they do seem to be more popular than the Xanth books. I have read several Xanth books (Dragon on a Pedestal; Harpy Thyme; Crewel Lye; A Spell for Chameleon; The Source of Magic; Castle Roogna; Centaur Aisle; and Ogre, Ogre, in that order) and I rather enjoyed them. Though, after reading the first three (A Spell for Chameleon through Castle Roogna, the only three originally intended), they seemed to start loosing my interest somewhat. Whether it's because they weren't as good, or because I was reading too many at once and was getting tired of it, I can't really say.

What I will say though, is Castle Roogna left me wanting to befriend a spider.

Discworld keeps getting recommended to me. Haven't read it yet, but have read Xanth, and enjoyed it quite a lot. I am currently reading Jim Hines's Gob;lin Wars which, thuogh not quite so punny, is also win.

Some day, I may actually look up the Discworld series, since I hear that it is also funny.

Discworld.

Randomly recommended titles: Reaper Man, Hogfather, Night Watch, Carpe Jugulum, Thief of Time, Sourcery.

Discworld, Xanth is far to blatantly and obnoxiously sexual for me...

also, the Discworld is more real and mature, Xanth is kind of... unpredictable and vague



Funny is an understatement

also, he has a very real understanding of the universe and humanity...

On Piers Anthony. I think he did pretty solid work with Xanth (although the whole "It's Florida" thing was a bit annoying, I never liked the bloody state as far as states go...) but otherwise they're all about the same style of read, with interesting plot twists and the like. I do enjoy most of the ongoing puns and theories and some characters do actually develop and grow. You'll also find that most characters aren't immediatly re-occuring, but any of the side characters that are run into, will likely have a book written about them later on at some point.

For some reason, "The Color of Her Panties" was a bit overboard as far as titles go though >.<

However, my favorite read for Piers was the Incarnations of Immortality. A very fun series overall! And there's another one I was thinking of... crap. I'll have to look into it.

Hmm, it's a book where death goes on vacation, or quits, or something of the sort, and it starts with the life of these long aged trees and their view on death, and then these little may flies, and then it goes on and now I can't remember the book at all. Curse and double curse... I will burn you all in a terrible fire if I can't remember...

*edit* well buh... so that whole tangent I went on was about a part of "Reaper Man"... which believe it or not is part of the Discworld series (At first I remembered it as part of the Immortal Incarnations) >.< So whatever! I never read the rest of the series, however this was a terrific book. um... so for fun enjoyable reads, I'd suggest... Xanth, Reaper Man, Immortal Incarnations, or a Douglas Adams (Dirk Gentleys are fun to read without going into insanity and brain twisting of The Guide)

nice picks! Adding "Mort" to the list...

the apprentice adept series by anthony is a fantastic read. i think there are like 6 books in that series, possibly more. i just know that each one made me want to keep reading more.

the incarnations of immortality is a fantastic series to read. bit more serious than xanth, but definately a fantastic read.