Night Watch: A Discworld Novel

Terry Pratchett

Oct 2009 · Discworld Book 29 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

"Night Watch turns out to be an unexpectedly moving novel about sacrifice and responsibility, its final scenes leaving one near tears. . . Terry Pratchett may still be pegged as a comic novelist, but . . . he’s a lot more.” — Washington Post Book World

Getting knocked back in time thirty years, Sam Vines, Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch experiences a day like no other in which past, present, and future collide with hilarious—and poignant—results in this rollicking Discworld adventure from Terry Pratchett.

One moment Commander of the City Watch Sam Vimes is chasing a murderer across the rooftops of Ankh-Morpork. The next, he’s lying in the street below, naked—and back in his own tough past thanks to a lightning strike and a group of meddling, time-manipulating monks.

It’s a dark Discworld that is all too familiar. Worse, the cop-killing psychopath he’d been pursuing has been transported back with him, and it’s the eve of a deadly street rebellion that took a few good (and not so good) lives. Vimes is determined to do his duty— track down the murderer and change the outcome of the rebellion. By changing history he might just save some worthwhile necks, and steer a novice watchman straight—an impressionable young copper named Sam Vimes.

But if he succeeds, Sam knows it could cost him the future—including the job and the family he loves.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Night Watch is the 6th book in the City Watch collection and the 29th Discworld book.

The City Watch series in order:

• Guards! Guards!
• Men at Arms
• Feet of Clay
• Jingo
• The Fifth Elephant
• Night Watch
• Thud!
• Snuff

Ratings and reviews

Of all of Pratchett's books this one is my favorite. I love the 1920's-new york-medievil-fantasy thrill of the City Watch series. This one captures it even more so. The jump back in time and Vimes replacing his old mentor made this a really exciting read. I really enjoyed how Vimes mentored himselft and how you get to look back into the days Vimes often referred to. As always Pratchett creates a truly hilarious and yet a gripping tale. A definate must read for any Pratchett fan.

I am a cop. I HATE cop fiction. That being said, in Night Watch, I recognize guys that I work with. My first Sgt. was Colonesque, I know Nobby Nobbs, and the rest of the Night Watch. My all time favorite Pratchett, because it captures the flavor of what it is to be a cop, especially on a dark, rainy night. Funny, sad, and touching. Sir Terry might not have met the guys I work with, be he sure did get them right in this novel.

This was my first Terry Pratchett novel. I didn't really get into it until after the first 50 pages or so, but then I was so glad I stuck with it. I've probably re-read this half a dozen times or more.

About the author

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) was the acclaimed creator of the globally revered Discworld series. In all, he authored more than fifty bestselling books, which have sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.