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Terry Pratchett has written rather prolifically, but is best known for his Discworld series, all taking place on a world that is a disc on top of four giant elephants standing on Great A'Tuin, the world turtle. He is the most-shoplifted author in Britain (an interesting tidbit I picked up in a random interview). His writing is intelligent, thought-provoking, and HILARIOUS.

He started out with The Color of Magic, in which he follows the adventures of a wizzard (spelled that way on purpose) who isn't really any good at magic, and who has been given the task of safely guiding the Disc's first tourist.

However, he is also on record (I was there in the auditorium) as saying he wishes no one had read his earlier stuff, and that they would start with Guards! Guards! because that's when his writing style no longer makes him cringe. I'd disagree with him on this, but my personal affection aside it is a bit true. Fortunately, that's only maybe four books into a rather long run of excellent books, so if you take him at his word, you've still got plenty of goodness available. Unfortunately, if you do that you don't get the founding character of Rincewind, who shows up in several of the other books.

What I like best about the Discworld series is that it isn't all bogged down in the same set of characters and the same issues in every book. Mr. Pratchett has several clusters of characters he likes to sort of skip around with, so that each group pops up every couple of books. It doesn't get stale, not even twenty-odd books in. Also, that way if one set of characters and themes isn't your favorite, you can skip around to just your favorites.

I can list all of the books to date if you'd like, but it would be easier to just go to your bookstore and find the couple of shelves his stuff occupies.

I'd tell you some of my favorites, but that would just be another way of listing all the books...suffice to say, he's where my avi name comes from!

Five times and counting!

I love that book, as does anyone who's a fan of British comedy (at least, that I've run across). My favorite part is when Aziraphale and Crowley decide they can't handle the prospect of Armageddon sober, so they get drunk, argue drunkenly, decide they can't handle it drunk either, and miracle themselves sober again.

Also, Aziraphale "lost" the flaming sword...you know, the one used to guard the Garden of Eden? Yeah...and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse are creepy, in a fun way.

Anathema Device is an awesome witch, too (her mom liked the sound of the word).

The only downside is that some of the humor is dated - it was written in the 80s - so if you aren't old enough, you won't understand some of the jokes. Like, about ansaphones (message machines, for those of us in the States).

I always picture Crowley and Aziraphale as Kenneth Branagh and David Hyde Pierce...they banter so beautifully.

I have read some of his books and they have shaped what I see of the science-fiction world. Mr. Pratchett has a wonderful talent of imagination and discription.
What I can't seen to remember is the one where the main character was about to die and he's a guituarist.
Enlighten me, please!

I haven't read any of his work, but I heard from my aunt, who has the same taste in books as me, that Good Omens is good, so I'll have to read that sometime.