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Cover of The Truth by Terry PratchettThe Truth
Modern · Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

The Truth

by Terry Pratchett
2000 · 448 pages · Fiction
78.0Must-Read
Score Modern
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 11 hours to read · about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

William de Worde accidentally becomes editor of Ankh-Morpork's first newspaper, with reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, a band of axe-wielding dwarf printers and a recovering vampire photographer. Soon he's investigating a plot against the city's ruler, Lord Vetinari, and learning that the news is a dangerous business, especially when people would rather not know the truth.

Why it's worth reading

It's on the BBC's Big Read. It's a sharp, funny satire of journalism and the press that feels more relevant every year.

You'll love it if you liked

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Men at ArmsTerry Pratchett
Cover of Small Gods by Terry PratchettSmall Gods
Small GodsTerry Pratchett
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Night WatchTerry Pratchett

Good to know

It's a Discworld book that stands alone, a good place to start.

By the numbers

78.0Must-Read Score
  • Readers96 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller44 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

On the lists
BBC's The Big Read

Reads as

Funny, Adventurous, Uplifting

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
Fantasy booksTop 25 · 459 rankedHumor booksTop 25 · 35 rankedModern booksTop 25 · 1,573 rankedBooks of the 2000sTop 25 · 490 rankedMysteries and thrillersTop 25 · 555 rankedLiterary novelsTop 25 · 309 rankedMemoirs and biographiesTop 25 · 290 rankedScience fiction booksTop 25 · 313 ranked

Quick answers

Is The Truth worth reading?

Yes. It's on the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #536 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.0 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Truth about?

William de Worde accidentally becomes editor of Ankh-Morpork's first newspaper, with reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, a band of axe-wielding dwarf printers and a recovering vampire photographer. Soon he's investigating a plot against the city's ruler, Lord Vetinari, and learning that the news is a dangerous business, especially when people would rather not know the truth.

How long does it take to read The Truth?

About 11 hours (448 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Truth?

If you liked it, try Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett, Small Gods by Terry Pratchett or Night Watch by Terry Pratchett.