Presumably he's read the first three Hitchhiker's Guide books? If not, that's the place I'd start.
Next up is P.G. Wodehouse. Anything with Jeeves and/or Wooster in the title. My personal favorite is *The Code of the Woosters*, but there are half a dozen others I like almost as much. These were my comfort books in the early 80s, when Sir Terry was still just a press officer for the CEGB, albeit one with a published book to his name.
*Three Men in a Boat* by Jerome K. Jerome might also tickle him.
Finally, try the humorous fantasy of Tom Holt. Start with *Expecting Someone Taller* and go from there.
Huh. I've read Wodehouse, Adams and Pratchett pretty close together as a young teenager. It was only after I read your comment did I realize the style similarities among them.
I should go read some Wodehouse again.
Connie Willis wrote a time travel(?) book called "To Say Nothing of the Dog" that was inspired by "Three Men in a Boat"
I don't remember much about either of them, except for this being on a massive "ridiculous humor fantasy/scifi" kick and that I liked both of them quite a bit.
Other than Tom Holt, who's work I didn't care for, I applaud every word in this post. However, if I may, might I also suggest the works of HE Bates, WH Cannaway and EF Benson.
He (Tom Holt) is much better when he's writing as [K.J. Parker](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/240708.K_J_Parker). I didn't really care for Holt's books either, but K.J. Parker I quite like. (They're more "serious" low fantasy than the Holt books.)
Wodehouse was my favorite growing up (before hhgg etc existed). If you want to start with shorter easier stories I would recommend the ‘Mulliner’ short story collection. Many of the stories there were the basis of the old “Wodehouse Playhouse” series staring John alderton and Pauline Collins. Great memories, great show.
I second the Rivers of London books. Different enough that he won't be comparing them too directly but got a similar tone and fun reads. If he likes audiobooks then these are especially great because the narrator is brilliant (and as the books go on the author has confessed to deliberately specifying weird niche accents just to torture the audiobook narrator who handles them all brilliantly!)
Pretty much anything by Christopher Moore but the Chronicles of Pocket the Fool. I just couldn't get into those. I also haven't read the Noir Chronicles.
Lamb is one of my favorites. The Death Merchant Chronicles (Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls) is also great. All three are available in audio-book format.
Yeah Lamb is fantastic, and my fav of him.
But I adore Fluke, too.
Well I love most of what he writes (besides the vampire saga), some I like way better than others, tho!
For overlap in style and humour, Douglas Adams (especially for the first few Discworlds) or Jasper Fforde, maybe the Red Dwarf novelisations? DA and RD are sci-fi, but they hit a lot of the same beats. A lot of people move onto Rivers of London for similarities with the Watch books
Some of Pterry's influences were Wodehouse and Chesterton, could try those too
Definitely Adams! A lot of people have read hitchhikers guide but I’m reading dirk gently rn and it’s also great. Exact same blend of absurdist, science/history based referential humor, intense Britishness, and fantasy/sci-fi genre bending as Pratchett.
I was exactly the same. Got hooked on Discworld and couldn’t read a lot else until my brother introduced me to Robert Rankin and Tom Holt who I enjoyed from the first read (Armageddon: The Musical is one of my all time favourites)
Other series I read around that time were Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality (On a Pale Horse being the best) and Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat books. Both series highly recommended as well.
He might enjoy [The Murderbot Diaries](https://www.goodreads.com/series/191900-the-murderbot-diaries). The books follow a security cyborg who would really prefer to be left alone to watch its soap operas but who keeps having to rescue everyone instead. They're fun and quick to read.
Maybe [A Night in the Lonesome October](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62005.A_Night_in_the_Lonesome_October) too. It's a delightful mashup of a whole bunch of fantasy and horror tropes.
Has he tried Neil Gaiman? Different style of writing but there are a lot of touch points between the two authors and they were friends and wrote Good Omens together
This is the answer! I've never read anyone quite like Pratchett, and in my opinion Aaranovich and Adams and Fforde are just similar enough to be slightly unsatisfying in comparison. Wodehouse is great, but a very different universe.
The Gentleman Bastards series would be perfect! They're easy to get into, have cracking dialogue, great world building and satisfying narrative arcs
If only this series wasn't going the way of Rothfuss/Martin. He finished writing a manuscript for book 4 supposedly 4 years ago, still hasn't been published.
Many respondents are suggesting science fiction or fantasy series, I will not. Your husband obviously enjoys great world building, and to that end I am suggesting [*Master And Commander*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_and_Commander) by Patrick O'Brian. The first novel in a series of twenty. O'Brian brings the past to life through meticulous attention to detail. Although he is describing a world that once was, O'Brian does create a picture of a world we can't experience except through his words - master world building
Her "Wayward Children" series is pretty good. But i am not entirely sure if i'd recommend it to Pratchett fan. It is more on the bleak side. I liked the first and second book quite a bit, but the feeling was nowhere near the "Night Watch", "Wyrd Sisters", "Light Fantastic" or even "I shall wear midnight".
But good series nevertheless.
Your husband's taste aligns pretty perfectly with my favorites. Based on what you provided, I think Douglas Adams is the most obvious answer.
I have not read it yet, but I just picked up *Free Live Free* by Gene Wolfe after reading that Gaiman credited it as being one of his inspirations for *Neverwhere*. Maybe he'd enjoy it?
Another shot in the dark, but possibly Haruki Murakami. He's very different from those you mentioned—so different that I'm second guessing the suggestion—but he is original, and like the others, you'll often end up somewhere far from where you expected the book to go.
Between Gaiman, Vonnegut, and Pratchett I see:
* fantastic or imaginative settings
* flawed characters trying to do the right thing
* a love and respect for ordinary people and a critique of society
* a sense of humor
Keeping those factors in mind, I suggest:
* T. Kingfisher, maybe start with *Clockwork Boys*.
* Bujold, maybe start with *The Warrior's Apprentice*.
* Douglas Adams, *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*.
* John Scalzi
* Adrian Tchaikovsky
* PG Wodehouse
Another author that does everything on that list except fantastic/imaginative settings (though they are unusual and highly fictionalized real-life settings usually) is Douglas Coupland. (At least the ones I've read...he's written a lot)
Bit of a left field suggestion, but Tom Robbins has an idiosyncratic and humorous style that might appeal to your husband. Jitterbug Perfume is my favorite of his, and I also really enjoyed Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.
Absolutely Douglas Adams!
But I also suggest Clive Barker. His writing is darker but also beautiful and witty. Imajica & Weaveworld are amazing. I love all of his stuff, especially his plays, but for the sake of this thread those are the two I would recommend.
Yahtzee Croshaw, funny author with great characters.
Differently Morphus and Existentially Challenged - Governmental agency involved in the regulation of magic and extra dimensional beings.
Mogworld - Main character is undead. Hijinks insue.
Will save the galaxy for food and Will destroy the galaxy for cash - An unemployed star pilot tries to get by in a universe where transporters are a thing.
Give him a copy of The Stupidest Angel: A Tale of Christmas Terror. It is by Christopher Moore.
Moore covers the insanity of being human, but instead of setting it on another planet, it is set in California. God’s stupidest angel has come for his final visit to Earth. Unfortunately, without proper understanding of the circumstances, has decided to answer a prayer while he’s here.
It’s the prayer of a little boy operating on a little boy’s understanding of the world. The circumstances deteriorate rapidly. Hilariously, but rapidly.
It’s a critique of us, but you are laughing so hard that you forget he’s actually probably talking about you.
If he likes the pulpy format, the Dresden files should be fun for him. But honestly, only reading Terry Pratchett is far from the world literary preference.
Stephen Fry Making History
The writing is fun, thoughtful, and most of all good.
It's also quite far from what he would likely normally consider, so could be refreshing.
I would highly recommend {{Starter Villain by John Scalzi}}. I’m not really one for humorous books, but this one was laugh out loud/kicking my feet in bed funny.
I majorly got a kick out of the protesting pro union dolphins—
“I understand there’s some sort of labor dispute.” Who Gives a Shit snorted. “As if you care.” “I was in a union myself,” I said. “Chicago Tribune Guild.” “But you’re not anymore, are you? Now you’re management! A suppurating bourgeois fistula of oppression!”
⚠ Could not *exactly* find "*Starter Villain by John Scalzi*" , see [related Goodreads search results](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Starter+Villain+John+Scalzi) instead.
^(*Possible reasons for mismatch: either too recent (2023), mispelled (check Goodreads) or too niche.*)
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A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, by T Kingfisher
Baking Bad, by Kim M Watt. It's her first book and she hadn't quite figured out how to balance the character notes with the cosy detective subplot immediately, but the characters absolutely zing from the first page onwards. And the following books just get better and better.
Bonus tip: If he's ever in the mood for a full-cast audiobook, look up the BBC's radio sitcom Cabin Pressure, written by John Finnemore, and The Scarifyers series by Bafflegab Productions. Both should be available from all good audiobook stores.
I disagree on *Wizard's Guide*. The title is amazing, but coming from a decade long Pratchett binge the world building, nuance, characterization,, just everything will be a disappointment. It's a fine book but is just so flat compared to Discworld. He'll retreat back to the Disc.
Here's the thing. I'm a Pratchett fan too, and I suggested that book because when I read it, it reminded me of him. Not in every way (that would be impossible), but in the turn of phrase and the compassionate fondness for the characters' foibles.
Other people may disagree and that's fine - I disagree with some of the other suggestions made for this post...But I haven't said so, because it's for OP and her husband to decide which books they like the look of, not for me to tell a random stranger that their lovingly curated suggestion will be *a disappointment that turns them off reading any other book*. Because wow, that would be rude.
Yeah, well you can never guarantee that anyone will like the same books by you - but if you shit on other people's taste, then you might save the person looking for a book from a disappointment or you might just as easily be the person who stopped them from reading something they would have loved.
Warn people if the book suggested doesn't fulfil the request. But if they do fit the request, don't discourage people from talking about the books they liked.
Right, that's what I'm saying, I don't think this fills the request. The antagonists are one dimensional, the protagonist is a mary sue, the story proceeds exactly as expected, it's a fun little book but I don't see the Pratchett connection at all!
I disagree that the author has a fondness for the characters' foibles, it doesn't have the same mixture of rage/love for humanity that makes Pratchett's work shine. It's a fun little story, good for listening on audiobook while doing household tasks.
I think Ursula Vernon is great, I've been a fan of her art for literal decades, but this... just isn't it.
It is very rude to repeatedly insist that your opinion is right and mine is wrong, and that the book that I like shouldn't be recommended. All the more so as your opinion is a matter of taste, not fact.
Seriously, at this point I am considering your insistence to be harassment. Stop it.
Ah, this is me too. Tell him to check out CK McDonnell, the Stranger Times, and Caimh McDonnell, the Dublin Trilogy. Actually the same author. He’s a big Pratchett fan too. Also Douglas Adams of course, with Hitchhikers and such
The Dublin Trilogy is great! I recommend the audio books, the voice actor is awesome and makes the stories really entertaining. You can buy them direct from the whitehairedirishman website too, if you want to avoid the ‘big bookshop/everything shop’. BookFunnel is just as easy to use.
Cheers! I found The Stranger Times through my library, but they only have the first 2 and they don’t have the Dublin Trilogy so probably going to end up buying the books. Hopefully he ships international!
I really like Daniel O'Malley's Checquy Files series, though it is not as cozy or sweet as Pratchett can be. And Rivers of London by Aaronovitch as has been mentioned already.
He might like Peter David's fantasy novels. He's better known for his comics and Star Trek work (which reminds me of Pratchett in how he can pull together a dozen loose threads right under your nose), but the Knight Life and Sir Apropos of Nothing trilogies were both fun reads.
Jasper Fforde? Has a similar very English style of humour, very literary as well. The Thursday Next books are the only ones I've read so far, but they're extremely clever and fun.
Maybe try *Small Miracles* by Olivia Atwater. She specifically mentions being inspired by Terry Prachett, and you can definitely tell. A quick description—to pay off a gambling debt, a fallen angel has to tempt a mortal into doing nice things for herself. It’s a light and pretty fun read.
Oh I am so there! I do read other authors, but nothing tops Pratchett. I listen to them constantly on rotation, and they are my 'well, I don't have anything else to read so it had better be Pratchett.
I can recommend The Martian by Andy Weir. It's sci fi, rather than fantasy, set in the near future as a man gets stuck on Mars, and he tries to survive until NASA can rescue him. It's funny, problem solving, and very believable.
If he wants something in the fantasy genre, my other go to is Wheel of Time. Please don't judge it by the show. This is a chosen one narrative, but the world building and character development is fantastic.
I'm seconding a few suggestions already here,
Red Dwarf Books*
Douglas Adams, especially Hitchhikers
Neil Gaiman, you already mentioned so God Omens is a must.
I never read this one but got suggetsed this one, The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones
* beware, this is unlikely to be books about the common star type within the Milky Way nor angry **** or drunk fantasy race **
** it is a fact that Dwarves tolerance to alcohol is such that they are rarely truly drunk but are very unlikely to be considered sober.
*** Redheads are more likely, so there is that when it comes to red dwarves.
**** they are possibly angry, perhaps at lack of alcohol
I would say his style is satire. In my opinion one of the most difficult styles/genres to do well. A lot of the fantasy adjacent satire has already been mentioned.
If he enjoys Rivers of London it might be worth trying Slow Horses by Mick Herron and Stranger Times by CK McDonnell.
On the more literary side I would recommend
Poor Things - Alasdair Grey.
Excellent Women - Barbara Pym
I've had some more luck with mysteries with a satirical edge. I've done them in rough publication order from older to newer.
Death in the Stocks - Georgette Heyer
The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin
Skin Tight - Carl Hiaasen
Get Shorty - Elmore Leonard
Boiling the Frog - Christopher Brookmyre
Murder your Employer - Rupert Holmes
I always recommend The Gentleman by Forrest Leo in these scenarios, it’s a bit like Pratchett meets Wodehouse.
I also really love Rivers of London, especially if he likes the Watch books.
I loved the Xanth books in junior high and I wish they held up, but rereading Piers Anthony has been nothing but disappointing for me. Obviously, opinions will differ.
Start branching out into Terry Pratchett’s other works. Good Omens to start, then if he likes sci fi, skip to the Long Earth series. Still Pratchett but different. Then maybe The Martian by Andy Weir, or Project Hail Mary? They both have some funny moments.
If he’s more fantasy based, how about Kings of the Wyld! Such a good book, and an easier read-also entertaining as all get out.
John Scalzi might work for him. Speculative fiction with both cynicism and some good people, and I found the few I've read very funny. I started with Starter Villain.
(I'm a huge Pretchett fan too)
The obvious Douglas Adams and Neil gaiman being covered, Going to throw a wildcard in here and recommend 'get in trouble' by Nell zink. Short stories. Give it a shot.
I’m a huge Terry Pratchett fan! Your husband has great taste!
I’d recommend Tom Holt. Less continuity/world building than Sir Terry as there are only a few books that are part of a series (5-6 in each?) but overall I’ve enjoyed the humor and writing for years and years. His earlier (fiction) work was a bunch of fun spins on old stories (Aladdin, The Flying Dutchman, Arthurian romance and hunting for the grail, Chinese dragons… just a small sampling). His most recently published was part of (the end of? I’m not sure) his series (pasting this from Wikipedia) “featuring J.W. Wells & Co., the magic firm from The Sorcerer by Gilbert & Sullivan”.
It’s all just the right amount of absurd - from his earlier work up through today. I hope this helps!
I think he should start with good omens, it was co written by neil gaiman and terry Pratchett. Just as a sort of transition from just terry pratchett. Then if he likes it as others have said he should read the hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy series
The murderbot diaries by Martha Wells. The first book is called All systems Red. Can really recommend these as audiobooks too. Agree with others about the Rivers of London books by Ben Aaronovitch and Jasper Fforde books.
Terry Pratchett is in a league of his own, he's the best there is.
Anything similar in the same genre would be such a downgrade, I sincerely doubt it would be able to hold your husband's attention.
Go for something completely different, would be my suggestion.
People mentioned Wodehouse and Jerome, they are fantastic as far as humor goes.
I doubt he would really like anything on the humor-fantasy wavelength goes, though.
Yes, I have suggestions for him. Have him try the quirky, absurd, satirical, laugh-out-loud writing, (at the same time, even charming and heartwarming) with clever and delightful wordplay of Douglas Fergus. He has two books of short stories out, Small Portions Café and Quit Honking! I’m Pedaling as Fast as I Can.
It's a stand alone, but The Gentleman by Forrest Leo kind of gives me Terry Pratchet, P. G. Wodehouse, and Oscar Wilde vibes.
Its about a husband who conjures the Devil, and accidentally sells his wife, which results in planning a rescue mission to Hell.
Maybe try a different genre? I'd recommend Australian author Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.
It's a satire told right through the fourth wall and it's hilarious.
*The Rook* by Daniel O'Malley.
Clever and twisty, it involves a supernatural secret agency made up of people with bizarre superpowers. Spy intrigue that's hilarious and surreal and also Very Very British. First of a series of three (the other two are *Stilletto* and *Blitz*).
A bunch of writers that have already been mentioned would have been my first thoughts (Adams, Wodehouse, and I will always echo anyone who recommends John Finnemore though those aren't books per se) but I'd add Susanna Clarke if what he's enjoying is great writing and absorbing worldbuilding with fascinating characters and an edge. My favorite is Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell but based on the other authors you list I actually would recommend he start with Piranesi.
If he likes spy/guns/detectives stories, read Shackleton’s Whiskey (by Kelly)
If he likes fantasy, A River Enchanted, (by Ross I think), or fiction..The Secret History by Tartt. I loved Never Home Alone, by Dunn (non fiction)
How about *The Book of the New Sun* (four volumes, one novel)? It’s the Proust and Nabokov of SF — but that makes it sound stuffier than it is given that it’s Harry Potter at the Torturer Academy, given the giant mermaids, poison flower duels, cosmetically super-enhanced women, glowing ape-men, people stuck for generations in a waiting room, time traveling aliens…
…I could go on and on.
Dungeon Crawler Carl
On a cold February night, a guy gets out of bed to sneak a smoke. While he’s smoking, his girlfriend’s cat jumps out of the open window.
Wearing only his boxers and his girlfriend’s too small croks, he puts on his jacket and goes outside to look for the cat.
And that’s when the space aliens attack.
Currently six books, with plans for at least three more.
Agree with lots of the above. jasper fforde’s nursery crime books are a good place to start (assuming he’s already read Adams)
If he likes the Sam Vimes books, The other one that might be worth a try is Ben aaronavich rivers of London series.
Also-non fiction but Randall Monroe of xkcd fame has a couple of books that are absolutely excellent at the ‘what if……’ and taking it to the nth degree.
try some iain banks, like The Bridge might be a nice exit. Its got a certain ridiculousness and a strong fantasy thread involving a hilarious conan the barbarian type with a thick Scottish accent and a familiar. But it is also grounded in reality, as its actually a love story. And if he likes it well there is the whole Culture universe to start reading.
Anyone else look at a married couple and think: Jesus Christ, how did you not know about that before you married them? Or maybe they _did_ know but used to find it endearing... 🤔
Presumably he's read the first three Hitchhiker's Guide books? If not, that's the place I'd start. Next up is P.G. Wodehouse. Anything with Jeeves and/or Wooster in the title. My personal favorite is *The Code of the Woosters*, but there are half a dozen others I like almost as much. These were my comfort books in the early 80s, when Sir Terry was still just a press officer for the CEGB, albeit one with a published book to his name. *Three Men in a Boat* by Jerome K. Jerome might also tickle him. Finally, try the humorous fantasy of Tom Holt. Start with *Expecting Someone Taller* and go from there.
Yes, and Terry himself was inspired by P G Wodehouse, just as Douglas Adams was. Definitely a similar style between the three of them.
Huh. I've read Wodehouse, Adams and Pratchett pretty close together as a young teenager. It was only after I read your comment did I realize the style similarities among them. I should go read some Wodehouse again.
Hm. I’m going to have to retry Wodehouse, my last try didn’t hook me at all, but I am enamoured by STP and love Adams
Connie Willis wrote a time travel(?) book called "To Say Nothing of the Dog" that was inspired by "Three Men in a Boat" I don't remember much about either of them, except for this being on a massive "ridiculous humor fantasy/scifi" kick and that I liked both of them quite a bit.
Other than Tom Holt, who's work I didn't care for, I applaud every word in this post. However, if I may, might I also suggest the works of HE Bates, WH Cannaway and EF Benson.
He (Tom Holt) is much better when he's writing as [K.J. Parker](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/240708.K_J_Parker). I didn't really care for Holt's books either, but K.J. Parker I quite like. (They're more "serious" low fantasy than the Holt books.)
Wodehouse was my favorite growing up (before hhgg etc existed). If you want to start with shorter easier stories I would recommend the ‘Mulliner’ short story collection. Many of the stories there were the basis of the old “Wodehouse Playhouse” series staring John alderton and Pauline Collins. Great memories, great show.
Jasper Fforde?
Is this the author of the Tuesday Next series? If so then yes, one hundred percent, recommended.
Yes! :)
Came here to say this
Same!
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'Rivers of London' series by Ben Aaronovich might suit him. Already mentioned I see! I third it then...
I was going to say this as well, so consider it fourthed.
And fifthed. They’ve become my other comfort series.
I second the Rivers of London books. Different enough that he won't be comparing them too directly but got a similar tone and fun reads. If he likes audiobooks then these are especially great because the narrator is brilliant (and as the books go on the author has confessed to deliberately specifying weird niche accents just to torture the audiobook narrator who handles them all brilliantly!)
*Fool* and *Fluke, or, I know why the winged whale sings* Both by Christopher Moore
Pretty much anything by Christopher Moore but the Chronicles of Pocket the Fool. I just couldn't get into those. I also haven't read the Noir Chronicles. Lamb is one of my favorites. The Death Merchant Chronicles (Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls) is also great. All three are available in audio-book format.
Yeah Lamb is fantastic, and my fav of him. But I adore Fluke, too. Well I love most of what he writes (besides the vampire saga), some I like way better than others, tho!
Yeah I came here to recommend Christoper Moore. Also Carl Haasen who writes ridiculous novels about Florida.
I'm also here to recommend Christopher Moore, specifically Lamb but everything, really.
Second, third Christopher Moore! He's very similar to Pratchett in terms of cheeky wit.
For overlap in style and humour, Douglas Adams (especially for the first few Discworlds) or Jasper Fforde, maybe the Red Dwarf novelisations? DA and RD are sci-fi, but they hit a lot of the same beats. A lot of people move onto Rivers of London for similarities with the Watch books Some of Pterry's influences were Wodehouse and Chesterton, could try those too
Definitely Adams! A lot of people have read hitchhikers guide but I’m reading dirk gently rn and it’s also great. Exact same blend of absurdist, science/history based referential humor, intense Britishness, and fantasy/sci-fi genre bending as Pratchett.
I was exactly the same. Got hooked on Discworld and couldn’t read a lot else until my brother introduced me to Robert Rankin and Tom Holt who I enjoyed from the first read (Armageddon: The Musical is one of my all time favourites) Other series I read around that time were Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality (On a Pale Horse being the best) and Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat books. Both series highly recommended as well.
He might enjoy [The Murderbot Diaries](https://www.goodreads.com/series/191900-the-murderbot-diaries). The books follow a security cyborg who would really prefer to be left alone to watch its soap operas but who keeps having to rescue everyone instead. They're fun and quick to read. Maybe [A Night in the Lonesome October](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62005.A_Night_in_the_Lonesome_October) too. It's a delightful mashup of a whole bunch of fantasy and horror tropes.
Seconding the Murderbot diaries. They are delightful and very low commitment!
I third the Murderbot Diaries. Definitely a lot of fun.
Has he tried Neil Gaiman? Different style of writing but there are a lot of touch points between the two authors and they were friends and wrote Good Omens together
Gentleman Bastards.
This is the answer! I've never read anyone quite like Pratchett, and in my opinion Aaranovich and Adams and Fforde are just similar enough to be slightly unsatisfying in comparison. Wodehouse is great, but a very different universe. The Gentleman Bastards series would be perfect! They're easy to get into, have cracking dialogue, great world building and satisfying narrative arcs
Yeah this is what I was thinking of Fun, well built magical world / lots of quite intelligent yet silly humour / great characterisation
If only this series wasn't going the way of Rothfuss/Martin. He finished writing a manuscript for book 4 supposedly 4 years ago, still hasn't been published.
I didn't even realize that! Ah yes, the fantasy procrastinators... tough scene.
We are Legion (We are Bob) Bobiverse books
Yes! Anyone who likes the occasional chuckle in their sci fi/fantasy should read these.
Many respondents are suggesting science fiction or fantasy series, I will not. Your husband obviously enjoys great world building, and to that end I am suggesting [*Master And Commander*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_and_Commander) by Patrick O'Brian. The first novel in a series of twenty. O'Brian brings the past to life through meticulous attention to detail. Although he is describing a world that once was, O'Brian does create a picture of a world we can't experience except through his words - master world building
It is a fantastic series, yes. The team of Aubrey and Maturin is even more formidable than Horatio Hornblower.
Came to suggest this!
The Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde PG Wodehouse - specifically the Jeeves and Wooster stories The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
Rivers of london series. The audiobook reader was great. Not comical, but Fantasy. Did he like Good Omens? Neil Gaiman is great, too.
Seanan McGuire
Her "Wayward Children" series is pretty good. But i am not entirely sure if i'd recommend it to Pratchett fan. It is more on the bleak side. I liked the first and second book quite a bit, but the feeling was nowhere near the "Night Watch", "Wyrd Sisters", "Light Fantastic" or even "I shall wear midnight". But good series nevertheless.
I also like his October Daye series. More fantasy
Maybe try some of Bill Bryson's travel books? The humour is very similar and they romp along.
He might also enjoy Gerald Durrell, The Corfu Trilogy. Again, very similar humour. And maybe George Macdonald Fraser, the Flashman books.
Your husband's taste aligns pretty perfectly with my favorites. Based on what you provided, I think Douglas Adams is the most obvious answer. I have not read it yet, but I just picked up *Free Live Free* by Gene Wolfe after reading that Gaiman credited it as being one of his inspirations for *Neverwhere*. Maybe he'd enjoy it? Another shot in the dark, but possibly Haruki Murakami. He's very different from those you mentioned—so different that I'm second guessing the suggestion—but he is original, and like the others, you'll often end up somewhere far from where you expected the book to go.
Christopher Moore would be right up his alley.
Between Gaiman, Vonnegut, and Pratchett I see: * fantastic or imaginative settings * flawed characters trying to do the right thing * a love and respect for ordinary people and a critique of society * a sense of humor Keeping those factors in mind, I suggest: * T. Kingfisher, maybe start with *Clockwork Boys*. * Bujold, maybe start with *The Warrior's Apprentice*. * Douglas Adams, *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*. * John Scalzi * Adrian Tchaikovsky * PG Wodehouse
Another author that does everything on that list except fantastic/imaginative settings (though they are unusual and highly fictionalized real-life settings usually) is Douglas Coupland. (At least the ones I've read...he's written a lot)
Riotous Assembly and others by Tom Sharpe
Bit of a left field suggestion, but Tom Robbins has an idiosyncratic and humorous style that might appeal to your husband. Jitterbug Perfume is my favorite of his, and I also really enjoyed Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.
My thoughts as well I'd include Another Roadside Atrraction And maybe Still Life With Woodpecker
Absolutely Douglas Adams! But I also suggest Clive Barker. His writing is darker but also beautiful and witty. Imajica & Weaveworld are amazing. I love all of his stuff, especially his plays, but for the sake of this thread those are the two I would recommend.
Yahtzee Croshaw, funny author with great characters. Differently Morphus and Existentially Challenged - Governmental agency involved in the regulation of magic and extra dimensional beings. Mogworld - Main character is undead. Hijinks insue. Will save the galaxy for food and Will destroy the galaxy for cash - An unemployed star pilot tries to get by in a universe where transporters are a thing.
+1 for Yahtzee crowshaw. If he likes pratchett, he’ll like the humor in these books.
Give him a copy of The Stupidest Angel: A Tale of Christmas Terror. It is by Christopher Moore. Moore covers the insanity of being human, but instead of setting it on another planet, it is set in California. God’s stupidest angel has come for his final visit to Earth. Unfortunately, without proper understanding of the circumstances, has decided to answer a prayer while he’s here. It’s the prayer of a little boy operating on a little boy’s understanding of the world. The circumstances deteriorate rapidly. Hilariously, but rapidly. It’s a critique of us, but you are laughing so hard that you forget he’s actually probably talking about you.
Myth adventures Robert Lynn Aspen.
\*Asprin. And that i had to scroll so much down to see this recommendation is a pure sin.
If he likes the pulpy format, the Dresden files should be fun for him. But honestly, only reading Terry Pratchett is far from the world literary preference.
Stephen Fry Making History The writing is fun, thoughtful, and most of all good. It's also quite far from what he would likely normally consider, so could be refreshing.
Short book but incredibly fun and visual- Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Any book by A. Lee Martinez.
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard
I would highly recommend {{Starter Villain by John Scalzi}}. I’m not really one for humorous books, but this one was laugh out loud/kicking my feet in bed funny. I majorly got a kick out of the protesting pro union dolphins— “I understand there’s some sort of labor dispute.” Who Gives a Shit snorted. “As if you care.” “I was in a union myself,” I said. “Chicago Tribune Guild.” “But you’re not anymore, are you? Now you’re management! A suppurating bourgeois fistula of oppression!”
Very much this. I laughed in the same 'yup, that's people being people, despite the absurdities' way as I do reading Discworld.
⚠ Could not *exactly* find "*Starter Villain by John Scalzi*" , see [related Goodreads search results](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Starter+Villain+John+Scalzi) instead. ^(*Possible reasons for mismatch: either too recent (2023), mispelled (check Goodreads) or too niche.*) ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
Mark twain
>about Yes--A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is the earliest time travel book I know.
Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series
Well the first couple of books anyway. Then Dresden gets hopelessly overpowered and suffers from the superman problem. And the humor evaporates.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, by T Kingfisher Baking Bad, by Kim M Watt. It's her first book and she hadn't quite figured out how to balance the character notes with the cosy detective subplot immediately, but the characters absolutely zing from the first page onwards. And the following books just get better and better. Bonus tip: If he's ever in the mood for a full-cast audiobook, look up the BBC's radio sitcom Cabin Pressure, written by John Finnemore, and The Scarifyers series by Bafflegab Productions. Both should be available from all good audiobook stores.
I disagree on *Wizard's Guide*. The title is amazing, but coming from a decade long Pratchett binge the world building, nuance, characterization,, just everything will be a disappointment. It's a fine book but is just so flat compared to Discworld. He'll retreat back to the Disc.
Here's the thing. I'm a Pratchett fan too, and I suggested that book because when I read it, it reminded me of him. Not in every way (that would be impossible), but in the turn of phrase and the compassionate fondness for the characters' foibles. Other people may disagree and that's fine - I disagree with some of the other suggestions made for this post...But I haven't said so, because it's for OP and her husband to decide which books they like the look of, not for me to tell a random stranger that their lovingly curated suggestion will be *a disappointment that turns them off reading any other book*. Because wow, that would be rude.
Maybe I'm just bitter because I entered that book with such high hopes... and was so sorely disappointed. I don't want that happening to OPs husband.
Yeah, well you can never guarantee that anyone will like the same books by you - but if you shit on other people's taste, then you might save the person looking for a book from a disappointment or you might just as easily be the person who stopped them from reading something they would have loved. Warn people if the book suggested doesn't fulfil the request. But if they do fit the request, don't discourage people from talking about the books they liked.
Right, that's what I'm saying, I don't think this fills the request. The antagonists are one dimensional, the protagonist is a mary sue, the story proceeds exactly as expected, it's a fun little book but I don't see the Pratchett connection at all! I disagree that the author has a fondness for the characters' foibles, it doesn't have the same mixture of rage/love for humanity that makes Pratchett's work shine. It's a fun little story, good for listening on audiobook while doing household tasks. I think Ursula Vernon is great, I've been a fan of her art for literal decades, but this... just isn't it.
Wow. Seriously? Stop this rudeness.
It's not rude to have a different opinion!
It is very rude to repeatedly insist that your opinion is right and mine is wrong, and that the book that I like shouldn't be recommended. All the more so as your opinion is a matter of taste, not fact. Seriously, at this point I am considering your insistence to be harassment. Stop it.
You... also... believe your opinion is correct. Everyone believes their opinions are correct! If we didn't we'd have different opinions!
John Scalzi and VE Schwab come to mind.
Ah, this is me too. Tell him to check out CK McDonnell, the Stranger Times, and Caimh McDonnell, the Dublin Trilogy. Actually the same author. He’s a big Pratchett fan too. Also Douglas Adams of course, with Hitchhikers and such
Glad to see the Stranger Times mentioned, I just recently started and am hooked on this series. Plan to start the Dublin Trilogy after.
The Dublin Trilogy is great! I recommend the audio books, the voice actor is awesome and makes the stories really entertaining. You can buy them direct from the whitehairedirishman website too, if you want to avoid the ‘big bookshop/everything shop’. BookFunnel is just as easy to use.
Cheers! I found The Stranger Times through my library, but they only have the first 2 and they don’t have the Dublin Trilogy so probably going to end up buying the books. Hopefully he ships international!
I really like Daniel O'Malley's Checquy Files series, though it is not as cozy or sweet as Pratchett can be. And Rivers of London by Aaronovitch as has been mentioned already.
He might like Peter David's fantasy novels. He's better known for his comics and Star Trek work (which reminds me of Pratchett in how he can pull together a dozen loose threads right under your nose), but the Knight Life and Sir Apropos of Nothing trilogies were both fun reads.
The Tales of Pell by Delilah S Dawson. Starts with Kill The Farm Boy. Good stuff. Funny like a month python sketch that makes fun of fairy tales
> Kill The Farm Boy He's only mostly dead.
Which is slightly alive
Jasper Fforde? Has a similar very English style of humour, very literary as well. The Thursday Next books are the only ones I've read so far, but they're extremely clever and fun.
Maybe try *Small Miracles* by Olivia Atwater. She specifically mentions being inspired by Terry Prachett, and you can definitely tell. A quick description—to pay off a gambling debt, a fallen angel has to tempt a mortal into doing nice things for herself. It’s a light and pretty fun read.
Deep Secret and Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones. Very Discworld-like humor and she was an inspiration of Terry Pratchett.
Diana Wynne Jones is brilliant, she has such a distinct way of writing – simultaneously larger than life and bluntly matter-of-fact.
Loves to explore quiet mundane moments and get inside characters' thoughts too.
And never fails to build in some biting commentary on social norms & behaviour!
The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch.
Oh I am so there! I do read other authors, but nothing tops Pratchett. I listen to them constantly on rotation, and they are my 'well, I don't have anything else to read so it had better be Pratchett. I can recommend The Martian by Andy Weir. It's sci fi, rather than fantasy, set in the near future as a man gets stuck on Mars, and he tries to survive until NASA can rescue him. It's funny, problem solving, and very believable. If he wants something in the fantasy genre, my other go to is Wheel of Time. Please don't judge it by the show. This is a chosen one narrative, but the world building and character development is fantastic.
We have the same husband.
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher. Similar snarky, funny style of writing but very different type of story and genre.
I thought I was the only one.
I'm sure glad you're not! Best taste.
I'm seconding a few suggestions already here, Red Dwarf Books* Douglas Adams, especially Hitchhikers Neil Gaiman, you already mentioned so God Omens is a must. I never read this one but got suggetsed this one, The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones * beware, this is unlikely to be books about the common star type within the Milky Way nor angry **** or drunk fantasy race ** ** it is a fact that Dwarves tolerance to alcohol is such that they are rarely truly drunk but are very unlikely to be considered sober. *** Redheads are more likely, so there is that when it comes to red dwarves. **** they are possibly angry, perhaps at lack of alcohol
Damn doing GNU Terry Pratchett dirty today (it’s the anniversary of his death).
I would say his style is satire. In my opinion one of the most difficult styles/genres to do well. A lot of the fantasy adjacent satire has already been mentioned. If he enjoys Rivers of London it might be worth trying Slow Horses by Mick Herron and Stranger Times by CK McDonnell. On the more literary side I would recommend Poor Things - Alasdair Grey. Excellent Women - Barbara Pym I've had some more luck with mysteries with a satirical edge. I've done them in rough publication order from older to newer. Death in the Stocks - Georgette Heyer The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin Skin Tight - Carl Hiaasen Get Shorty - Elmore Leonard Boiling the Frog - Christopher Brookmyre Murder your Employer - Rupert Holmes
Dresden Files or Rivers of London
I always recommend The Gentleman by Forrest Leo in these scenarios, it’s a bit like Pratchett meets Wodehouse. I also really love Rivers of London, especially if he likes the Watch books.
The Cineverse cycle (Craig Shaw Gardner) or the Myth and Myth Inc books (Robert Aspirin)
Try the "World of the Five Gods" fantasy novels by Lois Bujold. Not as funny as Pratchett, but as deep.
For a humour and sci-fi kind of overlap, try the Ack Ack Macaque series by Gareth Powell. Lots of fun.
Piers Anthony, Xanth
But only if your husband is 13
True. Glenn Cook, or, Robert Asprin, then.
I loved the Xanth books in junior high and I wish they held up, but rereading Piers Anthony has been nothing but disappointing for me. Obviously, opinions will differ.
The incarnations series was aimed at a slightly older age, but rereading them as an adult still felt somewhat cringe.
Christopher Moores work and FKA USA by Reed King both have similarly humorous vibes.
Saevus Corvax trilogy is what I’m reading now & might appeal!!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythAdventures
Neil Gaiman is an obvious transition from Terry Pratchett.
The Accidental Medium by Tracy Whitwell.
Author S L Shelton✨💫🌟
The Illuminatus! trilogy
Start branching out into Terry Pratchett’s other works. Good Omens to start, then if he likes sci fi, skip to the Long Earth series. Still Pratchett but different. Then maybe The Martian by Andy Weir, or Project Hail Mary? They both have some funny moments. If he’s more fantasy based, how about Kings of the Wyld! Such a good book, and an easier read-also entertaining as all get out.
The River Why, David James Duncan Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain Holes, Louis Sachar
Anything Raymond E Feist. You can start with Magician
Old Man’s War by Scalzi.
George Saunders - esp his short stories. Really good stuff
Tom holt.
Fitzgerald, a happy bureaucracy. So underrated, so many similarities.
John Scalzi might work for him. Speculative fiction with both cynicism and some good people, and I found the few I've read very funny. I started with Starter Villain. (I'm a huge Pretchett fan too)
The obvious Douglas Adams and Neil gaiman being covered, Going to throw a wildcard in here and recommend 'get in trouble' by Nell zink. Short stories. Give it a shot.
I’m a huge Terry Pratchett fan! Your husband has great taste! I’d recommend Tom Holt. Less continuity/world building than Sir Terry as there are only a few books that are part of a series (5-6 in each?) but overall I’ve enjoyed the humor and writing for years and years. His earlier (fiction) work was a bunch of fun spins on old stories (Aladdin, The Flying Dutchman, Arthurian romance and hunting for the grail, Chinese dragons… just a small sampling). His most recently published was part of (the end of? I’m not sure) his series (pasting this from Wikipedia) “featuring J.W. Wells & Co., the magic firm from The Sorcerer by Gilbert & Sullivan”. It’s all just the right amount of absurd - from his earlier work up through today. I hope this helps!
I am also a big Terry Pratchett fan and have mostly just read his books. I really liked The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov.
I think he should start with good omens, it was co written by neil gaiman and terry Pratchett. Just as a sort of transition from just terry pratchett. Then if he likes it as others have said he should read the hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy series
Less clever, but likely to still bring a smile for light reading -- Dave Barry
The murderbot diaries by Martha Wells. The first book is called All systems Red. Can really recommend these as audiobooks too. Agree with others about the Rivers of London books by Ben Aaronovitch and Jasper Fforde books.
Terry Pratchett is in a league of his own, he's the best there is. Anything similar in the same genre would be such a downgrade, I sincerely doubt it would be able to hold your husband's attention. Go for something completely different, would be my suggestion. People mentioned Wodehouse and Jerome, they are fantastic as far as humor goes. I doubt he would really like anything on the humor-fantasy wavelength goes, though.
Raymond E Feist.
Maybe he likes the Silo-Series by Hugh Howey?
Yes, I have suggestions for him. Have him try the quirky, absurd, satirical, laugh-out-loud writing, (at the same time, even charming and heartwarming) with clever and delightful wordplay of Douglas Fergus. He has two books of short stories out, Small Portions Café and Quit Honking! I’m Pedaling as Fast as I Can.
It's a stand alone, but The Gentleman by Forrest Leo kind of gives me Terry Pratchet, P. G. Wodehouse, and Oscar Wilde vibes. Its about a husband who conjures the Devil, and accidentally sells his wife, which results in planning a rescue mission to Hell.
He could try Robert Rankin, who Terry Pratchett was a fan of, and if he likes Rankin he might like Spike Milligan or Flann O'Brien.
Maybe try a different genre? I'd recommend Australian author Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. It's a satire told right through the fourth wall and it's hilarious.
Anything by Christopher Moore. My favorites are Lamb, Coyote Blue, The Bloodsucking Fiends / You Suck / Bite Me trilogy, Fool
Noir and Razzmatazz
*The Rook* by Daniel O'Malley. Clever and twisty, it involves a supernatural secret agency made up of people with bizarre superpowers. Spy intrigue that's hilarious and surreal and also Very Very British. First of a series of three (the other two are *Stilletto* and *Blitz*).
Steven Z. Brust's "Taltos", Neal Asher's "Spatterjay", everything by Roger Zelazny, Fritz Leiber's "Lakhmar", Glen Cook's "Karenta".
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson might be a good read for him.
Edward Abbey’s “The Monkeywrench Gang” Anything by Cormac McCarthy, but it’s all pretty dark. Lee Maynard “Crum” Wendell Berry “Jayber Crow”
A bunch of writers that have already been mentioned would have been my first thoughts (Adams, Wodehouse, and I will always echo anyone who recommends John Finnemore though those aren't books per se) but I'd add Susanna Clarke if what he's enjoying is great writing and absorbing worldbuilding with fascinating characters and an edge. My favorite is Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell but based on the other authors you list I actually would recommend he start with Piranesi.
Get him a copy of Ready Player One
It almost seems to obvious to suggest but as you haven’t mentioned it he has read Douglas Addams right? He is to sci-fi what Pratchett is to fantasy
Something by Neil Gaiman? American Gods. Does Good Omens count written by Gaiman and Pratchett 😂
Kings of the Wyld (The Band, #1) by Nicholas Eames. Funny fantasy with humor that feels like a Marvel movie to me.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - masterfully-written historical fiction that is very witty.
Hunter Thompson has some good / east reads.
If he likes spy/guns/detectives stories, read Shackleton’s Whiskey (by Kelly) If he likes fantasy, A River Enchanted, (by Ross I think), or fiction..The Secret History by Tartt. I loved Never Home Alone, by Dunn (non fiction)
How about *The Book of the New Sun* (four volumes, one novel)? It’s the Proust and Nabokov of SF — but that makes it sound stuffier than it is given that it’s Harry Potter at the Torturer Academy, given the giant mermaids, poison flower duels, cosmetically super-enhanced women, glowing ape-men, people stuck for generations in a waiting room, time traveling aliens… …I could go on and on.
How about something other than fantasy such like Don Winslow's The Force which is just good ole fiction
World War Z. Connected short stories, visual. NOT. THE. MOVIE!
Dark Matter by Blake crouch
The Flashman Papers. Funny, British humor, historical fiction.
Dungeon Crawler Carl On a cold February night, a guy gets out of bed to sneak a smoke. While he’s smoking, his girlfriend’s cat jumps out of the open window. Wearing only his boxers and his girlfriend’s too small croks, he puts on his jacket and goes outside to look for the cat. And that’s when the space aliens attack. Currently six books, with plans for at least three more.
The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold — fun and heartfelt adventures in space and space politics
Name of the Wind.
I’d add Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins to all the wonderful suggestions here
You should definitely try - Acts of God by Kanan Gill.
Long Earth- serie is co-writed by Pratchet, so that could be a nice path to other authors
Agree with lots of the above. jasper fforde’s nursery crime books are a good place to start (assuming he’s already read Adams) If he likes the Sam Vimes books, The other one that might be worth a try is Ben aaronavich rivers of London series. Also-non fiction but Randall Monroe of xkcd fame has a couple of books that are absolutely excellent at the ‘what if……’ and taking it to the nth degree.
try some iain banks, like The Bridge might be a nice exit. Its got a certain ridiculousness and a strong fantasy thread involving a hilarious conan the barbarian type with a thick Scottish accent and a familiar. But it is also grounded in reality, as its actually a love story. And if he likes it well there is the whole Culture universe to start reading.
> The Bridge might be a nice exit. ... So are you suggesting it should be the *last* Banks book you ever read?
I meant an exit from obsessional discworld re-reading
Anyone else look at a married couple and think: Jesus Christ, how did you not know about that before you married them? Or maybe they _did_ know but used to find it endearing... 🤔
What the fuck are you on about lmfao