a good place to start reading T. Pratchett for the uninitiated?

For anyone with your delightful literary bent, dubdub, it's got to be Equal Rites followed swiftly by Wyrd Sisters... yes, you'll immediately recognise elements of Shakespeare but there is more (always, with Pratchett!):

there's a bit more to it than just the Macbeth reference. 'Wyrd' is the Norse concept of destiny or fate...

http://www.ie.lspace.org/books/apf/wyrd-sisters.html


However, the real magic of the books is not just the individual charm but the complete synthesised alternate world he builds up, layer by layer... and all wickedly and wonderfully observant of the idiocies of mankind yet maintaining a warm-hearted acceptance of our possible grace.

I am particularly fond of the series which feature the Watch (police farce of the city of Anhk Morpork) - I think this is about the right order to try:

Carrott, Vimes and the rest of the Night Watch of Anhk Morpork

Guards! Guards! (Book 8) - introduces Carrot and Vimes
Men At Arms (Book 15) - a new threat invades the city
Feet of Clay (Book 17) - weaker but still funny
Jingo (Book 21) – builds on the scene
The Fifth Elephant (Book 24) - Hilarious one of my absolute favourites
Night Watch (Book 27) – I love the Watch!
Monstrous Regiment (Book 28) - A regiment of misfits are back in Uberwald with Vimes.

But then again, all those featuring the Wizards are sublime... and DEATH... and the skit on LA-LA land is a hoot... and Music with rocks in it has altered my perceptions... and The Lost Continent... oh, read them all then report back!
http://www.misrule.com.au/pratchett2.html