Years ago, a friend suggested I’d like Terry Pratchett’s Guards! Guards! because I’m a fan of police procedurals. The eighth book in the Discworld series is a police procedural with the most awkward group of police you’d ever want to meet, the Night Watch. But, let’s admit it. It all starts with a missing book from the library at Unseen University. And, then there are dragons.
Over time, the Night Watch has dwindled to an ineffective trio of drunks and fools led by Captain Sam Vimes. No one would ever think to volunteer for the Night Watch, but Carrot is unusual. Carrot is 6’6″, sixteen, and was raised by dwarves. So, he doesn’t realize he’s not a dwarf. He was found in the woods as a toddler, and his father sends him to Ankh-Morpork to join the “illustrious” Night Watch. And, Carrot studies the book of laws so he’s ready to take his position. Poor innocent lad. Poor Ankh-Morpork.
But, Carrot arrives just as a dragon appears over the city. As he burns enough of the city, the Patrician, the current ruler, is thrown in the dungeon, and the dragon is installed as king. What does that have to do with a missing book from the library? What does that have to do with The Unique and Supreme Lodge of the Elucidated Brethren and its Supreme Grand Master? Who can summon a dragon to Ankh-Morpork?
Sir Terry Pratchett’s books were written over a period of years. Guards! Guards! originally came out in 1989. Unfortunately, people and politics haven’t changed at all over the years. The corruptness of Ankh-Morpork could be a reflection of today’s world. Often, Pratchett’s comments will jump out at the reader as still relevant. But, Pratchett handles all of the politics with humor and footnotes.
I’ve read various novels in Pratchett’s Discworld series. It always takes a little while to figure out what’s going on, and it takes a little while to realize characters are not quite what they seem. Under the drunken exteriors of the Night Watch team, there just might be a few men willing to save the city from a fire-breathing dragon. There might be a high-born lady who knows something about breeding innocent swamp dragons. Then, there’s my favorite character, the orangutan who is the Librarian at the library at Unseen University. When that mysterious book is stolen and dragons appear in Ankh-Morpork, “Someone out there was about to find that their worst nightmare was a maddened librarian.”
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. Harper, 2001. ISBN 9780062225757 (paperback), 403p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
I have got to read this soon. It has been on my TBR too long. Thanks for the review.
You’re welcome, Tracy! I liked this one.
My son is reading this series right now. He is really enjoying it. From your review I can see why!
Oh, I’m so glad he’s enjoying it, Gretchen. I’ve read some of the early books. Now, I’m doing the path that takes me through with the Night Watch, the police. I’m also going to do the one with Death, because he’s one of my favorite characters.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by him. I went through the entire series years ago.
Once is probably enough, Sandy.
Pratchett’s character of Vimes is terrific!
I thought so, too, Libby! I picked up the next in the Guards lineup. It looks like it features Carrot. Vimes is my favorite, but I really like Carrot.