Should You Skip The Colour of Magic?

Let's address the elephant—or perhaps the turtle—in the room. You want to start reading Discworld. You've looked up the publication order. The Colour of Magic (1983) is book one. But everywhere you look online, fans are telling you to skip it.

"Start with Guards! Guards!" they say. "Try Mort instead!" they insist. "Whatever you do, don't start with The Colour of Magic!"

So what's going on here? Is the first Discworld book really that bad? Should you skip it? And if everyone recommends skipping it, why does it still matter?

Here's the honest answer you're looking for.

The Case Against Starting with The Colour of Magic

It's Not Really a Novel

The Colour of Magic isn't a traditional novel—it's four loosely connected episodes featuring Rincewind, a failed wizard, and Twoflower, Discworld's first tourist. The book literally ends on a cliffhanger (quite literally—they fall off the edge of the Disc), requiring you to immediately read The Light Fantastic to find out what happens.

This episodic structure feels jarring compared to Pratchett's later, more cohesive narratives. If you're expecting the tight plotting of Guards! Guards! or the emotional depth of Small Gods, you'll be disappointed.

The Humor Has Aged

Early Discworld is essentially a parody of 1970s and 80s fantasy. Pratchett lampoons Conan the Barbarian, Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, H.P. Lovecraft, and Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.

If you haven't read these works, half the jokes fly over your head. It's like watching a Scary Movie parody without having seen any horror films—you might chuckle, but you're missing the point.

Pratchett Hadn't Found His Voice Yet

Terry Pratchett himself admitted he was "learning to write novels in public" with his early books. Compare The Colour of Magic to something like Night Watch (2002), and it's almost like they're written by different authors. The early book is clever but shallow; the later work is profound while still being funny.

The Pratchett everyone loves—the one who makes you laugh while secretly teaching you about humanity—isn't fully present yet.

It Might Put You Off the Series

This is the real danger. Starting with a weaker book might convince you that Discworld "isn't for you" when actually, you just started in the wrong place. It's like judging a TV series by its pilot episode when it doesn't really get good until season 2.

The Case FOR Reading The Colour of Magic

You Get to Watch a Master Develop

There's something magical about watching Pratchett evolve as a writer across 41 books. Starting from the beginning lets you appreciate how the Discworld grows from a simple parody into one of the richest fantasy settings ever created. You witness Ankh-Morpork transform from a generic fantasy city into a living, breathing metropolis.

Some Jokes Land Better

While you don't need The Colour of Magic to understand later books, certain callbacks and running gags hit differently when you've been there from the start. When Death appears in book 30 and says "I COULD MURDER A CURRY," it's funnier if you remember his first experimental attempts with human food.

It's Still Pretty Good

Let's be clear: The Colour of Magic isn't a bad book. It won the British Science Fiction Award. It launched one of fantasy's most beloved series. It's witty, inventive, and introduces iconic concepts like the Luggage (a homicidal chest made from sapient pearwood) and the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork.

By normal fantasy standards, it's above average. It's only "weak" compared to Pratchett's later masterpieces.

You're a Completionist

Some readers need to experience everything in order. If skipping book one will gnaw at you, if you'll constantly wonder what you missed, then just read it. Peace of mind is worth more than optimal reading order.

The Honest Verdict

Should you skip The Colour of Magic?

Yes, if:

• You have limited time and want Pratchett at his best immediately
• You're not familiar with 1980s fantasy and don't care about parody
• You tend to abandon series if the first book doesn't grab you
• You want character depth and emotional resonance right away

No, if:

• You're a completionist who needs to read everything in order
• You love fantasy parody and get the references
• You want to watch Pratchett and Discworld evolve
• You're already committed to reading multiple Discworld books regardless

The Compromise Solution

Here's what many fans actually do: Start with Guards! Guards! or Mort to fall in love with Discworld. Once you're hooked and you've read 5-10 books, go back and read The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic.

By then, you'll have enough investment in the world to push through the weaker elements, and you'll appreciate all the seeds Pratchett planted that bloom in later books. You'll laugh at early-installment weirdness (like wizards being able to marry) and see the DNA of greater stories to come.

What You're Actually Missing If You Skip It

If you never read The Colour of Magic, you'll miss:

• Rincewind's origin story (though he's better in later books anyway)
• The introduction of the Luggage
• Some worldbuilding about Great A'Tuin and the structure of Discworld
• Several memorable set pieces (the Temple of Bel-Shamharoth, the Wyrmberg)
• The phrase "The Colour of Magic" itself, which describes the eighth color visible only to wizards

But here's the thing: none of this is essential. Pratchett was brilliant at making each book accessible to new readers. You could start with book 38 and not feel lost.

The Final Word

The Colour of Magic is like the pilot episode of a TV show that becomes legendary by season 2. Some people insist you need to watch the pilot for "context." Others say skip to the good stuff. Both are right.

If you're unsure, flip a coin. Heads: start with Guards! Guards!. Tails: read The Colour of Magic. Either way, you're beginning one of the greatest journeys in fantasy literature. The turtle moves, regardless of where you climb on.

Just remember: if you start with The Colour of Magic and don't love it, try one more book before giving up. Pratchett himself would probably tell you to skip ahead to the good bits.

After all, he was never one to stand on ceremony when there were better stories to tell.

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Still deciding? Read our guide on Where to Start with Discworld for personalized recommendations, or jump straight to our detailed guides for Guards! Guards! or Mort.