| $@%&! level: Low “Bedroom” level: Low (Just some innuendo. And the Guild of Seamstresses, of course.) Violence level: Medium Back Cover: “Here there be dragons...and the denizens of Ankh-Morpork wish one huge firebreather would return from whence it came. Long believed extinct, a superb specimen of draco nobilis (“noble dragon” for those who don't understand italics) has appeared in Discworld's greatest city. Not only does this unwelcome visitor have a nasty habit of charbroiling everything in its path, in rather short order it is crowned King (it is a noble dragon, after all...). Meanwhile, back at Unseen University, an ancient and long-forgotten volume--The Summoning of Dragons--is missing fom the Library's shelves. To the rescue come Captain Vimes, Constable Carrot, and the rest of the Night Watch who, along with other brave citizens, risk everything, including a good roasting, to dethrone the flying monarch and restore order to Ankh-Morpork (before it's burned to a crisp).” |
The brilliant thing about Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels is that you can pretty much start with any of them, and in general you won't be terribly confused. That's what happened to me, which is why this isn't the first book about the City Watch of Anhk-Morpork that I read. But it is the first that was written, so if you want the story of Sam Vimes from the beginning, this is where to start. And Sam Vimes is probably my very favorite Discworld character. (Closely followed by Death, as it happens. What can I say, the guy is funny!)
Terry Pratchett combines several of my favorite qualities in story telling. It's exciting, funny, and thought-provoking all at the same time. In this case, it's also a bit cynical about human nature, but that seems to be an occupational hazard that goes with writing about cops. In this one, it's all about kings, and why people seem to be so entranced with the whole idea of monarchy. It's also about luck, and why the million to one chance will always work (but the chances do actually have to be exactly a million to one. The math can get complex).
In many ways, the Watch novels are my favorites because of the juxtaposition of characters. You've always got Vimes, who is cynical, stubborn, borderline berzerk occasionally, and apparently angry at the gods for doing things wrong. And then he's introduced to Carrot, the six foot tall dwarf, who is honest, hopeful, positive, keen to please, preternaturally likeable, and strong enough to take on an entire bar full of barbarians and win. It's like a chemical reaction, with laughter as a byproduct.
Oh, and even if you're the sort who normally can't wait to get to the story, take the time to read the dedication. Totally worth it.