The humor in this book was just brilliant, one of the few reading experiences where I actually have laughed out loud or sat in public with a freakishly wide grin on my face as I turned the pages. The banter between the bumbling members of the Watch is gold, and Pratchett delivers the comedy so well while also mirroring real-world issues beneath layers of humor and fantasy.
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At one point, I was worried about how the book would end because there was just so much going on, but the resolution was solid and I feel very satisfied with the story’s conclusion. I also want to appreciate Pratchett’s attention to detail in creating this sprawling, immersive, and fantastical world. I was able to imagine every movement, maneuver, and sequence as if it were playing out in a movie before my eyes, which is something I struggle with sometimes because of my limited understanding of the English language.
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I realize Pratchett is very well-loved and known in this sub, but I just wanted to share this because after reading this book, my heart is full and I feel content.
by thesaucygremlin
36 Comments
“Oh…
…Bugger.”
– YES.
Love the Guards books and Moist Von Lipwig’s, they’re my favourites.
I’m glad you’re enjoying them. My first Terry Pratchett book was Monstrous Regiment.
They are such a delight
The whole city watch series of the discworld books is so good. The witches are a close 2nd though.
I’ve read no Pratchett. Where to start?
I love Guards guards. My favourite bits are the police siren joke and “You can be charged with aiding and abetting or with an axe”.
I really liked “The Watch” TV series. Season one is on prime. Recommend.
The man really can worldbuild.
And you know what?
*They only get better.*
You’re going to have many more laughs out loud moments if you decide to continue the journey. The Watch books probably have the best character growth of any series I’ve ever read. They also, I think, have the most books about them.
Those just keep getting better too
I’m halfway through Going Postal, my first full Pratchett (I did Good Omens years ago). I can’t wait to inevitably read all his books now!
The best part about this moment is the rest of the Sam Vimes/City Guard books stretching out in front of you. I won’t give spoilers, but I will say you will get to watch all these characters grow and develop across the books.
If there was the option to wipe my memory of those books so I could re-read them for the first time, I would.
From one Pratchett fan to another; enjoy the journey, it’s a really special one.
Crazy. I just started this four days ago. About half way done.
Thunder rolled….
Thunder rolled a six.
I think Pratchett’s work will stand the rest of time. The depth in his books plus just the pure joy of reading them.
These books were a lifeline when I most needed it and I haven’t been able to read Shepherds Crown.
This was my first Discworld book and it sold me on the series.
Started with the Colour of Magic and almost wrote Pratchett off as just not for me. Just finished the Light Fantastic and I’m impressed how better of a read it was, looking forward to when I get to the city watch books.
Mort is the only other character who I like as much as the guards! The rest of the books are great too.
I’ve been working my way through Discworld this year interwoven with other books and I’m now partway through Guards, Guards myself, and it’s my favourite yet. Second favourite was Mort up to this point.
Think I’ll love the guards books or Vimes books as much as most. It seems like maybe the most beloved arc.
is it worth to read Pratchett if i’m not english native? I am french-canadian, and don’t know too much about England history and culture. I can read in english just fine (finished WoT, read some Guy Gabriel Kay, Sanderson, Butler, etc), but maybe with all the references it will be too hard?
Heck yeah, I feel the same great happiness whenever I read this book. The rest in the series are packed with their own charm, and are all very worthy sequels.
I loved the description of the Ankh-Morporkers having to bring Lady Ramkin to the dragon. It was hilarious.
Dude did you borrow ebook from harris county public library? Cuz it just became available for me 🙂
> I was worried about how the book would end because there was just so much going on, but the resolution was solid and I feel very satisfied with the story’s conclusion
That’s actually to me across almost all his books my only pet peave. I am not a huge fan of how abrupt after the climax he skips out on it. I would have liked a little more cuddling after. It’s almost always “like this only has X pages left, how?” and the result being “just fine”.
That and often feeling a bit alienated from the fanbase who seems to prefer that he got progressively less “jokey” over time, and I like the “funny” bits in the earlier books quite a lot.
Is it anything like this [onion article?](https://www.theonion.com/seize-him-1819583402)
Pratchett is a goto for me. No matter how rough the world is treating me, Terry’s writing brings a better mood.
The best part of reading a Pratchett book is that there are dozens more to read.
The worst part of reading a Pratchett book is that there are only dozens more to read.
This is my favorite one so far. So many good parts and good characters.
I’m going back to the Bromeliad trilogy (Truckers, Diggers, Wings) in audiobook format, after reading and loving it as a kid, and it’s bringing back some lovely memories. Such a brilliant author
You’re going to adore Men at Arms.
You haven’t even mat half the funniest Guards yet. Keep going!
I really love the discworld books, but Guards! Guards! is one of the first ones where the entire last quarter of the book I was just stopping constantly, in disbelief of what was happening, and laughing. And honestly, I was rather impressed by the sheer number of little tiny details all throughout the entire story coalesced into one giant picture at the end
I had a fantasy literature class in college and we got to choose whatever Terry Pratchett book we wanted after Mort. I chose Going Postal. I put it off for a long time and then read it in 3 or 4 days and loved all of it. It’s one of the books I remember reading the most 😁
Reaper Man is my favourite.
Is guards! Guards! The one with the one in a million chance?
I am so jealous you can read those stories for the first time
And then it arose and struck Vimes that, in her own special category, she was quite beautiful; this was the category of all the women, in his entire life, who had ever thought he was worth smiling at. She couldn’t do worse, but then, he couldn’t do better. So maybe it balanced out. She wasn’t getting any younger but then, who was? And she had style and money and common-sense and self-assurance and all the things that he didn’t, and she had opened her heart, and if you let her she could engulf you; the woman was a city.