Roy Adams reviewed Thud!: A Discworld Novel by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 34)
Great story
5 stars
"That is not my cow!" brings back good memories of reading books to the kids. Nice touch that Sam always makes it home to read each day.
Hardcover, 373 pages
English language
Published April 17, 2005 by HarperCollins.
Commander Sam Vimes must solve the murder of one dwarf or see the Battle of Koom Valley reenacted right outside his office.
"That is not my cow!" brings back good memories of reading books to the kids. Nice touch that Sam always makes it home to read each day.
Not a fan of the "higher powers" acting behind the scenes, but it's fine.
Loved the Knobby Knobbs investigation storyline!
For a decent overview, see bookwyrm.social/user/pezmico/review/664175/s/review-of-thud-on-goodreads#anchor-664175
Every book from Pratchett I read is better than the last one, but this must be the peak. It is dark and clever and reflects heavily on hatred, anger, darkness and racism.
But it is also sweet and full of heart. Loved it.
I found this book on my shelf, and I couldn't remember reading it. It's one of the later Watch books, Vimes is no longer the poor copper with the cheap boots that made him so endearing at the beginning of the series. But the remaining cast of characters are as good as ever. Story is a bit hit and miss, with a mystical entity that Indidnt care too much about, and dwarf politics.
[b:Night Watch|47989|Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6)|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320518310s/47989.jpg|1712283] was a tough act to follow; it’s OK for Thud! to fall short. Which it does: the pace is awkward, the characters flat, even Vimes, well, doesn’t feel like Vimes. It’s still worth reading, just, if you start it, commit to finishing: the last fifth is by far the best part.
Every time I reach the end of a Discworld novel; I think to myself that this is my favorite. With that said, I think this one might really be my favorite one of them all. All due to what His Grace, Commander Vimes finds really important.
This is the second Discworld novel I've read. These books are fun and good! I really like the characters, the detail, and the humor. Commander Vimes is an especially enjoyable personality.
I am always a fan of Terry Pratchett's books, and Thud is one of his best. Sam Vimes and the Watch cover incredible physical, legal, and philosophical territory in this book, and it is a must-read for any Discworld fans.
Commander Sam Vimes is the emotional core of the Discworld series. Other story threads (the witches, Rincewind, etc.) are just as entertaining, but the City Watch stories are the ones that tug at the heart and have the most profound messages. The most recent Watch books - Night Watch and Thud! - are easily some of the best books I have read in recent years. Terry Pratchett just gets better and better the more he writes.