The thing that makes me prefer Pratchett over Adams is the difference in vibe. Adams is very fatalistic, making fun of how stupid the universe is without any hope that it could ever be better. Pratchett is angry, but ultimately hopeful, because he knows that people *can* choose to do better. There are the people who do evil because they don't say no, and there are the characters who think that the whole world is evil anyway so you might as well look after yourself and throw everyone else under the bus, but the people who *do* say no and who *do* believe that taking a million-to-one chance is better than doing nothing are the ones ultimately vindicated by the narrative.
THIIIIIS. I tend to consider Pratchett to be a burned idealist. He's got these ideals that the world seems to go against which is why the characters who try are the ones who are so important. Because it's not the world that go against these ideals but those who actively act against it who turn it that way.
He was a journalist and probably jaded by that, but he really shows that the world is less than ideal and corrupt , but at theart heart people are capable of good and idiots a lot but also, earnesty is rewarded. In a british humor way that can be underhanded, but it pays off in some way. That its needed. That its the thing that makes humans human. An his characters rediculant growing as people and with their own quirky ways tomake the world a better place is, still very positive.
Speaking as a fat woman, Lady Sybil is actually one of my favourite characters in all of fiction. It takes a couple more books for him to really get into her arc, and there's never enough of it, but i love what's there. Her character is informed by her experience living in a big body in a world that doesn't make space for women to be big and that's rare coming from a writer that hasn't lived it. And yes, STP overdoes the descriptions. He just can't resist a visual gag so he always does this with characters, and there's one character particularly where it's too much. But STP was always doing his best from what he knew in the moment. If you read more you'll see he actually has a great love for humanity; it's just that his love comes from a deep understanding, the kind where you see the best and worst and all the silly stuff in between. That's what he shows us, and yeah, you've got to laugh even at the worst, cause what're you gonna do. Anyway, great video and you've reminded me that it's almost time for my yearly read of Hogfather.
For Carrot, Pratchett's own description is probably the best: "Simple." As comes out in later books, "simple" does not mean "stupid". Carrot turns out to be very smart, he just chooses not to complicate things. I love how in a book further on in the "Watch" sub-series, one of the other Watchmen observes how, in one of the few points it comes up, "a 'complicated Carrot' is terrifying." So we are all grateful that Carrot prefers to be "simple". And his occasional conversations with the Patrician are marvelous. I think the only two books of the Discworld I've only read once are Eric and Monstrous Regiment. The first I read because I was reading the series in order, wasn't available to me for a while later, and then couldn't remember enough to know if I wanted to pick up again, and the latter because at the time is seemed a little... over the top. I get what he was trying to say with it, I just don't know if it really worked for me. I may give it a go again later. Oh, yes, there is another I've only read once... his very last book, "The Shepherd's Crown". One, just because it _was_ his last book, and there is that whole "there will never be more after this" realization. And two, because he knew it as he was writing, and I think tried to push too much into it. It's a good book, the plot threads are good... but it's not as solid as his others. As for Sibyl... as a not-Valkyrie-tall-but-still-fat woman, I love her. I've heard others use the term "fat-shaming" with both her and Colon, but I disagree. Both show different and believable attitudes about a subject that others tend to shy away from. Both are quite aware of their size, and the attitudes of those around them. Colon is more comfortable with his bulk, and as shown in later books, quite capable of using the assumptions about it from others to his advantage - both for personal and Watch-related use. Lady Sibyl is perhaps more resigned than comfortable in her form, in part no doubt to the understanding that the Ramkin family deliberately bred for size (warrior types, most Ramkin men died in battle), but also conscious of the expectations of being in the "noble classes". She is aware of the need to "fit in" or "not stand out" and just as aware of the impossibility, so she straightens her shoulders and does her best to find a comfortable middle ground - even when her carefully balanced life is interrupted by a gruff little man of the Night Watch. Like all of the characters, she grows and blossoms, finding her balance. And in one of the later books, finds how to bring it all together and "quietly change the world". As a note, Sibyl's redesign in the BBC series is honestly, to me, a slap in the face of Sir Terry's work. Well, most of the character redesigns were terrible, but if I were to go down that road, I'd be here all day. But Sibyl's change from a tall, fat, don't-make-waves, complicated-but-real woman, to skinny, secret vigilante - the writer's didn't seem to want to -try- to see the point. Okay... breathe... Most of the books can be read and thoroughly enjoyed as stand alone books, but in many ways, the greatest joy comes in reading them in series, as you really do watch the characters grow. New recruits come in, and in the second book, some of the thorny nature of racism is addressed, in both serious and humorous ways. Carrot learns to navigate the complications of the city while staying his simple, cheerful self. Colon and Nobby... well, for most of the series, they don't grow as much, acting as the foil for the visible positive growth of the others (old guard versus new blood), but even they have their moments, and toward the end, even manage a bit of their own evolution as well. Okay, time to try to stop rambling and get my last few points out quickly. I have read all the Discworld books, and a few of Pratchett's other works as well. The Discworld stands as one of my all-time favorite series, hands down. I usually name Vimes and Granny as my favorite characters, but truthfully, all of them have considerable merit. Nanny Ogg is another "simple" character who shows a lot more depth as time goes on, and even with each re-read. I've touched on how much I loathed just the first episode of The Watch, but while challenging, I do think that in some respects, translation is doable. There are two animated mini-series' using the books Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music are... okay, but could have been better if western mindsets could just let go of the "make it for children" mindset. The live action versions of Going Postal and Hogfather are actually pretty good. There are some deviations from the books, but souls of the stories remain intact. And, as an aside, I don't think I would have ever looked at Charles Dance for the part of Vetinari (I'd have initially given Irons a second chance), he absolutely nailed the attitude. The Color of Magic movie... look, it was Terry's first book, and it and the second are definitely the weakest of the series, so while entertaining to a point, it's not a great example. In conclusion, if you hadn't noticed, I love this series. Even with it's bumps and hurdles, it's well worth not only a first read, but many re-readings down the line.
The Watch story arc only gets better and better. Night Watch, the sixth book in the arc, is considered one of Terry Pratchett's best works overall. Considering how many books he wrote that's saying something. I really can't recommend Terry Pratchett enough. He was a brilliant author and everything he ever wrote is just an absolute joy to read.
Night Watch is my favorite story, but the This is Not My Cow bit hits me much harder since I read it shortly after the kid was born. 😂 blubbery mess, 100%.
In the big inning of Vimes' character arch we see him as a desillusioned burned out drunk, with the watch as a very problematic force with "getting arrested for looking suspicious" and police brutality being considered the norm. But as Vimes and his merry band of misfits slowly take over... Vimes gets them proper training, teaches them that "policeman" means "man of the city" , (grudgingly) opens to a _lot_ of in-universe diversity. Arresting the patrician at one point, constantly being annoyed about privilege... Not saying his character or Pratchett's writing on this topic is perfect, but he does try.
The whole guards-series is phenomenal :) The character growth in the main cast and the social issues that are discussed will warm your heart and make you cry.
I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy my favorite book series. My favorite of the whole series is the next in The Watch series "Men at Arms" where I solidified my love for the character Detritus
I just realised you did a video on my favourite book. I read all Discworld books - several times, but I reread Guards! Guards! the most. Even wrote a term paper on it (as political satire) probably used it again in a term paper on the linguistics of the Discworld and in a study project in which we dissected how Vetinari uses hedges (in language, not gardening). These books never get boring, even after you analysed them in depth, because you will discover something new when you analyse them again from a different angle. Genius!
For me, the guards-books are two things. They are your basic police drama, solving crimes as is demonstrated with Vimes (the renegade cop), Colon ("incompetent" but still promoted cop) and Nobby (Dirty cop). But more than that they are about fitting in, finding your place and inclusion. Carrot is a dwarf in every sense apart from biology. He comes to the big city and immediately there are clashes between his dwarfish culture and the city culture. He does what he can to fit in, but never lets go of who he is. Later in the series we're introduced to other characters like Detritus, Angua, Cheery... A golem, a gargoyle, a vampire... While they all struggle with the same basic problem of fitting in, their struggle is also unique to them, they have to overcome different things. Sometimes on their own, and sometimes together with other characters. I always recommend the guards-books to people who struggle with identity, fitting in, "acting normal" or whatever. They're funny, which makes them a whole lot easier to get through than heavy, dramatic books about hate, otherness and phobias. Sir Pratchett wrote so many different characters and struggles into his books that there's bound to be one that you can identify with. Even outside of the guard there is.. Death, the wizzard, the aging veteran, the entrepreneur, the leader who does the bare minimum, the underling who goes above and beyond and no one understands... For me, Death is the guy. Pick up Reaper man as your next book. Not being or feeling like other people can suck, it can be hard and challenging.... But sometimes, when you've run out of tears to shed...
At 13:05, there is a book in the future of the series where Vimes sees the watch of another city beheaving like that and he outright admits "we were a watch like that", so yeah, this is a whole journey
If you love the characterisation in this, you must try the Witches books. Skip "Equal Rites" and start with "Wyrd Sisters". Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are truly among the great characters of English-language fiction. I think the thing about the Watch's police brutality is just the dark end of the "you gotta laugh" humour. In the 70s and 80s, "brutal" was just how the British police were assumed to operate, especially in cities. Look for the "Constable Savage" sketch from "Not the Nine O'clock News" (1980) if you can stand it. (The butt of the joke is the police Special Patrol Group - SPG - most brutal of them all.)
My favourite Discworld book is either Masquerade or Carpe Jugulum (latin for 'Seize The Throat') being entries in the Witches series within the Discworld.
Every time any players in any of my TTRPG campaigns deal with Law Enforcement, they end up dealing with variants of Sgt Frederick Colon and Nobby Nobs, setting or genre be damned. They showed up in a Star Wars campaign one time as a pair of Security Ugnaughts.
I've read all the books and also listened to them all in audiobook format (yes, on Audible *lol*) multiple times. Guards! Guards! or Mort are the books I normally recommend as a good starting point (I started with Guards! Guards! with my boys, then once they were hooked went back to start from the beginning). I love all of the books and characters, but the Watch series are definitely among my favourite and Night Watch is probably my all-time favourite. It was around then that his writing started to take on a slightly darker edge, while still maintaining it's very clever wit and commentary on contemporary societal problems.
My favorite discworld book is whichever one I'm reading at the moment :p Pratchett is the best example of an idealist who's disappointed and disgusted with the world but more importantly is angered by those who've given up on bettering it and end up worsening it. And He is the love of my life u.u
I think STP had a soft spot for Vimes, since he plays a crucial role in quite a few Discworld novels. Also, the BBC did a Radio play of Guards Guards years ago that I think was excellently done and well worth a listen. Also also, BBC did a radio play of "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents", which starred David Tennant as one of the talking Rats (It's Discworld - go with it 😉).
I've read most Discworld books and Terry Pratchett is my all time favorite author and this one of the best. I think Mort or Moving Pictures is my overall favorite book in the series, but they're all so good.
I have read them all, but I find it difficult to say which is my favorite book, there are rather certain series (guards / witches) that I particularly like. In any case, Terry’s ability to fully draw characters with just a few brushstrokes was very well observed. It is certainly also due to the fact that many characters appear again and again and thus have a similarly dense background as the heroes of the MCU. I would actually like to visit some of these characters again, but I share the time problem.
I'm in the midst of a Pratchett hyperfixation at the moment, so this lovely review made me very happy! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book too, and I agree with your observations. It's up there with my favourites that I've read so far. Another great City Watch book is Feet of Clay, and I'm also very fond of the Witch series (especially Wyrd Sisters and Lords & Ladies, both of which play with Shakespearean tropes). I've read about a quarter of the Discworld series so far (picking different subseries to go through in order) and I'm still not sick of it!
You aren't wrong about Pratchett's descriptors for Lady Sybil. He generally has a lighter touch when describing her moving forward. That said, one of the things that really rubbed me the wrong way about The Watch series that aired last year was that they cast Lady Sybil with a fairly svelte actress. Whereas, I'm pretty insistent that Vimes and Sybil should have a Kermit/Miss Piggy or Mister Miracle/Big Barda size ratio.
There are a great many things wrong with that TV series, but yes, that was definitely one of them! And you are correct, Vimes is a Short King due to childhood malnutrition and Lady Sybil is a Big Lady.
@@gozerthegozarian9500 Honestly I think the show is a bit more maligned than it deserves. But the only aspect of the show that I will truly go to the mat over is the actress cast as Cheery. And her musical numbers.
I don't think I ever pictured Lady Sybil as fat, but there's a kind of British lady of the lower aristocracy who's _solidly built_ - imagine a concrete block, wrapped in tweed and smelling slightly of Eau de Farmyard.
I love every book of Terry Pratchett. The are so many good books that it's hard for me to choose but I would let you here some titles: The Colour of Magic (there's a great movie with Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Tim Curry and Jeremy Irons...), Small Gods, The Hoghfather and anything with DEATH in it, Making Money, Moving Pictures, The Truth )amazing critic and parody of journalism, Lords and Ladies and of course... Wyrd Sisters
Objectively, the best Discworld book is Night Watch. But it only works on that level if you've read at least several other Guards books going in. And there are many others that are breathtaking. I'm SO glad someone commissioned you to do Guards, Guards; it's right up there at the top. Soul Music would be one I think you'd enjoy. If you know Shakespeare, Wyrd Sisters (That's actually how I discovered Terry Pratchett. Found it right after I'd been in a school production of Macbeth.). AND it's the first real Witches novel. This time of year, a spectacular holiday book is Hogfather. Death, as Santa Claus. Many fans do an annual reread.
Terry Pratchett is a fucking genius and i'm so so so thrilled that you loved "Guards, Guards!!" The series of books that follows the colorful characters of The Watch is excellent (Angua ends up being my favorite, but Vimes is a close close close second), and really i feel that arc is only outdone by Death's. Yes, Death. Which is why it should come as no surprise that "Night Watch" and "Thief of TIme" are my favorites for those in the know hahaha. also, as a Doctor Who fan, you clearly enjoy when British people mess with Time. may i just say, Terry Pratchett messes with Time in all the best ways. i know you're strapped for time (irony??), but you're doing yourself a disservice by not at least nibbling at these novels whenever you can spare a chance. you could not possibly be disappointed.
I never read the notion of "everyone is guilty of something"/"we can figure it out later" in Pratchetts book as humerous but as cynical satire. The english history, especially before the 20th century is full of that notion and Pratchett is very aware of that. Guards Guards is a fun book, but Pratchetts books, especially those centered around Vimes and the watch get better with every book and so it is still my least favored of the Vimes books. I recomment reading them in order though, because the vimes book have decernable character and story development, that builds on each other.
Sir Terry is one of my all time favorite authors. It's tough, but if I had to pick a single favorite book, it would be The Truth, his exploration of journalism, among other things. It's set in Ankh-Morpork so the Watch plays role but it's not a Watch book
The thing that makes Pratchett so endearing to me is that he *learned.* He never settled for any prejudices or conservative thoughts he had, when someone called him out on something he educated himself and did better. Things that rub a reader the wrong way today are things he himself learned to do better on, and *did.* He never stewed in his own misery like people like Rowling or the likes. And Vimes is basically the epitome of "buried inside every cynic is a very disappointed idealist" - his backstory gets fleshed out throughout the Watch novels at the same rate he learns to hate less, do less harm and understand others.
Love this series. I'm currently reading a later Watch book in which Vimes has to be a diplomat.😂 I actually started with Monstrous Regiment, too. That was Vimes who showed up at the end, btw. The title is from John Knox's polemic, "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women." Just thought that was a cheeky touch on Pratchett's part.
Pratchett was an absolute master of finding the most absurd ideas and then making you care about them. I couldn't list enough of them to do him justice, but my favourite premise (not my favourite book) is... what if the Grim Reaper had to be Santa Claus? I've read a lot of them and I think if I even have a favourite it would have to be one of the Moist Von Lipwig trilogy -- I really like the central character and also the way it gives Vetinari a little more focus. Plus his villains tend to be so... dastardly.
If you keep reading through the City Watch books (Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Thud!, Night Watch and Snuff) you'll see a lot of character development from the characters, especially Vimes. I have read every Discworld book except the last one, The Shepherd's Crown, because every time I go to pick it up my mind rebels. I can't read it and know there will be no new Discworld books ever. Oh, lordy, I couldn't even begin to contemplate a favourite. It depends on the mood I'm in whilst I'm reading. I've read all of them multiple times. I can't even choose a favourite character - how could I choose between Sam Vimes, Granny Weatherwax, Moist Von Lipwig, Ponder Stibbons, Rincewind or William de Worde? Nope, can't do it.
"Guards! Guards!" was the book that really got me into the Discworld series. As soon as Carrot's first scene, I knew this was a series that I wanted to read more of. Weirdly enough, I found myself more interested in Sam Vimes as a character compared to Carrot in the other Watch novels, but I'm told that's quite common when reading Discworld (apparently, Terry Pratchett intended for Carrot to be the main character, but got more interested in Sam Vimes during the writing of "Guards! Guards!" and changed focus to Vimes as a result). As for favourite Discworld novel, I honestly don't know. Whittling it down to a top ten is difficult enough. Generally, I say the one I just finished reading or the one I'm currently reading. Love the video; really glad you're enjoying Discworld!
Still one of my favourites in the series. And if any author can earn free benefit of the doubt on jokes that don't age so well, it's Prachett. My top two recommendations for where to go next would either Mort or Pyramids.
You should watch some of the made for TV Movies and cartoons, The Color of Magic, Wyrd Sisters , Soul Music, Hogfather and Going Postal to name the ones I remember. I really recommend Hogfather (Michelle Dockery is in it). What more need I say?
One of the saving graces of 'The Watch' is that Lord Vetinari is played by Anna Chancellor, who is always awesome, and in spite of the gender swap, the character is still referred to by others as 'my Lord', 'Sir' and 'Sire'.
Im so glad u liked it. Terry Pratchett is my alltime favourite author and the discworld series are my favourite books. I was so happy with the way u talked about his work and that u got it. I was saying yes! To each point. If u ever get round to another book id highly recommend Mort. Introduces Death as a main character and i know you'll love them. Wonderful review 😊❤
Yesssssssss! I love Guards, Guards and I love Discworld! The best books (in my opinion) are the Death cycle and the Tiffany Aching cycle. You really, really need to try Hogfather--where an assassin gets hired to kill Santa Claus and Death goes on a mission to stop him xD It's as wild and wonderful as it sounds.
The thing that particularly struck me about Guards Guards is one of the entire point of the Brotherhood and then the reaction of the people in the city to the dragon is how so many evils and suffering in the world, in the end, are not the result of the schemes and actions of the ones who are extremely cruel, and evil, and cunning, in other words who are the Great Evil, the villain of the situation; but, so much is caused by the small-minded, the mediocre, the greedy and the coward. At the same time though, people who are not champions of Good, and can be even small-minded, mediocre, not very clever (Vimes, Colon, Nobby), if they retain enough of humanity CAN fight Evil. Also, I would trade Lord Vetinari for any of our Prime Ministers or President's any day.
Pratchett did adress a lot of issues with the police in later books and what a cop should be. As for Lady Sibyl, she not the only fat woman in Discworld, and as a fat woman myself it’s very rare to have good characters I can identify with. I always read her description as a way to emphase her « prestance » (is this a word in english??) her being imposing in a good way, she has a natural authority just by the way she looks and behave.
If you read further Watch books, they address most of the issues you might have from this one with respect to the behaviour of the Watch. Partly because Guards! Guards! is slightly different in tone to the rest.
My favourite Discworld book? * inhales deeply * My favourite books about the Watch are Feet of Clay*+ and The Fifth Elephant*+, my favourite books about the Lancre Witches are Lords and Ladies, Witches Abroad and Equal Rites*+, my favourite book about Death is Hogfather, my favourites books from the Industrial Revolution lot the are The Truth, Monstrous Regiment*+ and Going Postal, my favourite Tiffany Aching books are The Wee Free Men and I shall Wear Midnight * exhales deeply * The ones I've marked with *+ all prominently feature queer/trans/gender-bendy themes . If your kid is into witch-centric fantasy books other than HP (grrrrr...), the Tiffany Aching series follows the young witch of that very name from age 9 to her late teens and is written for younger readers and Equal Rites is about a young girl Eskarina "Esk" Smith learning magic and the problems she encounters because her magic is not witch magic, but wizard magic.
I've only read the Discworld book until Equal Rites, so my favorite so far is The Colour of Magic, the very first one. I've been told repeatedly that the later books are way superior and that makes excited, but it's been years so I may have to re-read all of them very soon
Sam Vimes' attitude to law enforcement is Sir Terry's commentary on the authoritarian nature of police. Also, Sir Terry, unfortunately, does fat jokes with other characters in other books earlier and later than Guards! Guards! Lady Ramkin's description is something else.
I never thought of Sybil as far but to use an old fashioned word Stout she is built in a large scale and may be carrying a few pounds more than she should but not fat. I can't recommend the Audible Discworld audio books as last time I checked they were all abridged versions. Hunt around there are un-abridged version available. The night watch in this book is broken they are lead by a drunk Colon is just counting off the days to retirement and Nobby is lazy, fairly cowardly, Ill educated and bent in a lazy way. Carrot changes all this. Carrot in the later books you realise that he possess a terrifying mind he is a good man and believes that there is good in everyone else combined with a mind as sharp and straight forward as a headsman's axe all backed up by a powerful presence and personality that bends the world around him. what makes him scary is best summed up by a quote from a later book " hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word.”. The watch TV show the guy who plays Vimes I think dies a good job the rest is unmitigated shite Ankh-Morpork is some almost post apocalyptic cyber punk / Steam punk city as apposed to one part medieval two parts Victorian London from the books. The writers need to be thrown headfirst into the river Ankh.
The city watch sub-theme of the Discworld does become a more thorough interrogation of police culture and tactics but it happens in later books once the Watch is larger than two idiots and drunk largely incapable of introspection
I was actually happy with the police brutality jokes and the like. I stopped consuming media that glorifies the police a few years ago, which made me apprehensive to read this book, but I gave it a go because it's fantasy. Those jokes assured me that Pratchett didn't just see the police as an unquestioned good, but in fact acknowledged many of their systemic problems all the way back in 1989. Maybe a bit more callously than we'd like today, but still way exceeding my expectations.
They proably turned up, most discworld movies have some city watch art least as cameo. Carrot! And he part dwarf. Also th principle of legalize anything to regulate it, is interesting. Th watch gets incrdible diverse organically somehow. An how th watch changes and its characters. Pratchet wa a journalist, thats why he saw a looot! and is cynical. But not pessimistic per se, he just has seen a lot. The tv sries seems , heard a criticism its a good show but why do you have to nam it the watch, because its a terrible adoption. With clearly being something else that is notthe watch at all.
I have read all of the night watch arch. It's fantastic. I would love to see you react to feet of clay. Or anything in the Death group of stories. But the best character in all of Discworld is still Susan. Susan rules. Also best book,Hogfather. Best Christmas 🎄 story, ever.
![Guards! Guards! By Terry Pratchett [SPOILER] Discussion | Discworld](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jWM85jSkIKg/mqdefault.jpg)
The thing that makes me prefer Pratchett over Adams is the difference in vibe. Adams is very fatalistic, making fun of how stupid the universe is without any hope that it could ever be better. Pratchett is angry, but ultimately hopeful, because he knows that people *can* choose to do better. There are the people who do evil because they don't say no, and there are the characters who think that the whole world is evil anyway so you might as well look after yourself and throw everyone else under the bus, but the people who *do* say no and who *do* believe that taking a million-to-one chance is better than doing nothing are the ones ultimately vindicated by the narrative.
THIIIIIS.
I tend to consider Pratchett to be a burned idealist. He's got these ideals that the world seems to go against which is why the characters who try are the ones who are so important. Because it's not the world that go against these ideals but those who actively act against it who turn it that way.
He was a journalist and probably jaded by that, but he really shows that the world is less than ideal and corrupt , but at theart heart people are capable of good and idiots a lot but also, earnesty is rewarded. In a british humor way that can be underhanded, but it pays off in some way. That its needed. That its the thing that makes humans human.
An his characters rediculant growing as people and with their own quirky ways tomake the world a better place is, still very positive.
Carrot Ironfounderson is the funniest take on "The Chosen One" ever. I will not debate this!
Speaking as a fat woman, Lady Sybil is actually one of my favourite characters in all of fiction. It takes a couple more books for him to really get into her arc, and there's never enough of it, but i love what's there. Her character is informed by her experience living in a big body in a world that doesn't make space for women to be big and that's rare coming from a writer that hasn't lived it. And yes, STP overdoes the descriptions. He just can't resist a visual gag so he always does this with characters, and there's one character particularly where it's too much. But STP was always doing his best from what he knew in the moment. If you read more you'll see he actually has a great love for humanity; it's just that his love comes from a deep understanding, the kind where you see the best and worst and all the silly stuff in between. That's what he shows us, and yeah, you've got to laugh even at the worst, cause what're you gonna do.
Anyway, great video and you've reminded me that it's almost time for my yearly read of Hogfather.
For Carrot, Pratchett's own description is probably the best: "Simple." As comes out in later books, "simple" does not mean "stupid". Carrot turns out to be very smart, he just chooses not to complicate things. I love how in a book further on in the "Watch" sub-series, one of the other Watchmen observes how, in one of the few points it comes up, "a 'complicated Carrot' is terrifying."
So we are all grateful that Carrot prefers to be "simple". And his occasional conversations with the Patrician are marvelous.
I think the only two books of the Discworld I've only read once are Eric and Monstrous Regiment. The first I read because I was reading the series in order, wasn't available to me for a while later, and then couldn't remember enough to know if I wanted to pick up again, and the latter because at the time is seemed a little... over the top. I get what he was trying to say with it, I just don't know if it really worked for me. I may give it a go again later.
Oh, yes, there is another I've only read once... his very last book, "The Shepherd's Crown". One, just because it _was_ his last book, and there is that whole "there will never be more after this" realization. And two, because he knew it as he was writing, and I think tried to push too much into it. It's a good book, the plot threads are good... but it's not as solid as his others.
As for Sibyl... as a not-Valkyrie-tall-but-still-fat woman, I love her. I've heard others use the term "fat-shaming" with both her and Colon, but I disagree. Both show different and believable attitudes about a subject that others tend to shy away from. Both are quite aware of their size, and the attitudes of those around them. Colon is more comfortable with his bulk, and as shown in later books, quite capable of using the assumptions about it from others to his advantage - both for personal and Watch-related use. Lady Sibyl is perhaps more resigned than comfortable in her form, in part no doubt to the understanding that the Ramkin family deliberately bred for size (warrior types, most Ramkin men died in battle), but also conscious of the expectations of being in the "noble classes". She is aware of the need to "fit in" or "not stand out" and just as aware of the impossibility, so she straightens her shoulders and does her best to find a comfortable middle ground - even when her carefully balanced life is interrupted by a gruff little man of the Night Watch. Like all of the characters, she grows and blossoms, finding her balance. And in one of the later books, finds how to bring it all together and "quietly change the world".
As a note, Sibyl's redesign in the BBC series is honestly, to me, a slap in the face of Sir Terry's work. Well, most of the character redesigns were terrible, but if I were to go down that road, I'd be here all day. But Sibyl's change from a tall, fat, don't-make-waves, complicated-but-real woman, to skinny, secret vigilante - the writer's didn't seem to want to -try- to see the point.
Okay... breathe...
Most of the books can be read and thoroughly enjoyed as stand alone books, but in many ways, the greatest joy comes in reading them in series, as you really do watch the characters grow. New recruits come in, and in the second book, some of the thorny nature of racism is addressed, in both serious and humorous ways. Carrot learns to navigate the complications of the city while staying his simple, cheerful self. Colon and Nobby... well, for most of the series, they don't grow as much, acting as the foil for the visible positive growth of the others (old guard versus new blood), but even they have their moments, and toward the end, even manage a bit of their own evolution as well.
Okay, time to try to stop rambling and get my last few points out quickly. I have read all the Discworld books, and a few of Pratchett's other works as well. The Discworld stands as one of my all-time favorite series, hands down. I usually name Vimes and Granny as my favorite characters, but truthfully, all of them have considerable merit. Nanny Ogg is another "simple" character who shows a lot more depth as time goes on, and even with each re-read.
I've touched on how much I loathed just the first episode of The Watch, but while challenging, I do think that in some respects, translation is doable. There are two animated mini-series' using the books Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music are... okay, but could have been better if western mindsets could just let go of the "make it for children" mindset. The live action versions of Going Postal and Hogfather are actually pretty good. There are some deviations from the books, but souls of the stories remain intact. And, as an aside, I don't think I would have ever looked at Charles Dance for the part of Vetinari (I'd have initially given Irons a second chance), he absolutely nailed the attitude. The Color of Magic movie... look, it was Terry's first book, and it and the second are definitely the weakest of the series, so while entertaining to a point, it's not a great example.
In conclusion, if you hadn't noticed, I love this series. Even with it's bumps and hurdles, it's well worth not only a first read, but many re-readings down the line.
The Watch story arc only gets better and better. Night Watch, the sixth book in the arc, is considered one of Terry Pratchett's best works overall. Considering how many books he wrote that's saying something. I really can't recommend Terry Pratchett enough. He was a brilliant author and everything he ever wrote is just an absolute joy to read.
the duo of Thief of Time and Night Watch is undoubtable the peak of Sir Terry's writing, and its not like the other stuff isnt also awesome
I cannot read Night Watch, Thud or Snuff without being reduced to tears by the end at this point in my life
I feel the same. Night watch is my overall favorite of Discworld
Night Watch is my favorite story, but the This is Not My Cow bit hits me much harder since I read it shortly after the kid was born. 😂 blubbery mess, 100%.
In the big inning of Vimes' character arch we see him as a desillusioned burned out drunk, with the watch as a very problematic force with "getting arrested for looking suspicious" and police brutality being considered the norm.
But as Vimes and his merry band of misfits slowly take over... Vimes gets them proper training, teaches them that "policeman" means "man of the city" , (grudgingly) opens to a _lot_ of in-universe diversity. Arresting the patrician at one point, constantly being annoyed about privilege... Not saying his character or Pratchett's writing on this topic is perfect, but he does try.
I think that a very big part of why Pratchett's characters are so great is because they AREN'T perfect. They all have their flaws.
Oh, you just wait until you get to meet Angua Delphine von Überwald and Cheery Littlebottom! You'll love them!
The whole guards-series is phenomenal :) The character growth in the main cast and the social issues that are discussed will warm your heart and make you cry.
I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy my favorite book series. My favorite of the whole series is the next in The Watch series "Men at Arms" where I solidified my love for the character Detritus
I just realised you did a video on my favourite book.
I read all Discworld books - several times, but I reread Guards! Guards! the most. Even wrote a term paper on it (as political satire) probably used it again in a term paper on the linguistics of the Discworld and in a study project in which we dissected how Vetinari uses hedges (in language, not gardening). These books never get boring, even after you analysed them in depth, because you will discover something new when you analyse them again from a different angle. Genius!
For me, the guards-books are two things. They are your basic police drama, solving crimes as is demonstrated with Vimes (the renegade cop), Colon ("incompetent" but still promoted cop) and Nobby (Dirty cop). But more than that they are about fitting in, finding your place and inclusion. Carrot is a dwarf in every sense apart from biology. He comes to the big city and immediately there are clashes between his dwarfish culture and the city culture. He does what he can to fit in, but never lets go of who he is. Later in the series we're introduced to other characters like Detritus, Angua, Cheery... A golem, a gargoyle, a vampire... While they all struggle with the same basic problem of fitting in, their struggle is also unique to them, they have to overcome different things. Sometimes on their own, and sometimes together with other characters. I always recommend the guards-books to people who struggle with identity, fitting in, "acting normal" or whatever. They're funny, which makes them a whole lot easier to get through than heavy, dramatic books about hate, otherness and phobias. Sir Pratchett wrote so many different characters and struggles into his books that there's bound to be one that you can identify with. Even outside of the guard there is.. Death, the wizzard, the aging veteran, the entrepreneur, the leader who does the bare minimum, the underling who goes above and beyond and no one understands...
For me, Death is the guy. Pick up Reaper man as your next book.
Not being or feeling like other people can suck, it can be hard and challenging.... But sometimes, when you've run out of tears to shed...
At 13:05, there is a book in the future of the series where Vimes sees the watch of another city beheaving like that and he outright admits "we were a watch like that", so yeah, this is a whole journey
If you love the characterisation in this, you must try the Witches books. Skip "Equal Rites" and start with "Wyrd Sisters". Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are truly among the great characters of English-language fiction.
I think the thing about the Watch's police brutality is just the dark end of the "you gotta laugh" humour. In the 70s and 80s, "brutal" was just how the British police were assumed to operate, especially in cities. Look for the "Constable Savage" sketch from "Not the Nine O'clock News" (1980) if you can stand it. (The butt of the joke is the police Special Patrol Group - SPG - most brutal of them all.)
I've re-read Equal Rites recently and it's much better than I remember, I wouldn't skip it.
My favourite Discworld book is either Masquerade or Carpe Jugulum (latin for 'Seize The Throat') being entries in the Witches series within the Discworld.
For anyone interested in the book, Overly Sarcastic Productions has a reading of Guards! Guards! on their channel!
Carrot!
Every time any players in any of my TTRPG campaigns deal with Law Enforcement, they end up dealing with variants of Sgt Frederick Colon and Nobby Nobs, setting or genre be damned. They showed up in a Star Wars campaign one time as a pair of Security Ugnaughts.
“What are the chances we could get together?”
“I’d say one in a million”
“So you’re telling me there’s still a 9/10 chance!”
"Because a million to one chances crop up nine times out of ten!" (It came up in several books and I use it often.)
I've read all the books and also listened to them all in audiobook format (yes, on Audible *lol*) multiple times. Guards! Guards! or Mort are the books I normally recommend as a good starting point (I started with Guards! Guards! with my boys, then once they were hooked went back to start from the beginning).
I love all of the books and characters, but the Watch series are definitely among my favourite and Night Watch is probably my all-time favourite. It was around then that his writing started to take on a slightly darker edge, while still maintaining it's very clever wit and commentary on contemporary societal problems.
My favorite discworld book is whichever one I'm reading at the moment :p
Pratchett is the best example of an idealist who's disappointed and disgusted with the world but more importantly is angered by those who've given up on bettering it and end up worsening it.
And He is the love of my life u.u
☝ This right here! That Dylan Thomas poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" ? That pretty much describes who Sir Terry was.
I think STP had a soft spot for Vimes, since he plays a crucial role in quite a few Discworld novels.
Also, the BBC did a Radio play of Guards Guards years ago that I think was excellently done and well worth a listen.
Also also, BBC did a radio play of "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents", which starred David Tennant as one of the talking Rats (It's Discworld - go with it 😉).
I've read most Discworld books and Terry Pratchett is my all time favorite author and this one of the best. I think Mort or Moving Pictures is my overall favorite book in the series, but they're all so good.
I have read them all, but I find it difficult to say which is my favorite book, there are rather certain series (guards / witches) that I particularly like. In any case, Terry’s ability to fully draw characters with just a few brushstrokes was very well observed. It is certainly also due to the fact that many characters appear again and again and thus have a similarly dense background as the heroes of the MCU. I would actually like to visit some of these characters again, but I share the time problem.
I'm in the midst of a Pratchett hyperfixation at the moment, so this lovely review made me very happy! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book too, and I agree with your observations. It's up there with my favourites that I've read so far. Another great City Watch book is Feet of Clay, and I'm also very fond of the Witch series (especially Wyrd Sisters and Lords & Ladies, both of which play with Shakespearean tropes). I've read about a quarter of the Discworld series so far (picking different subseries to go through in order) and I'm still not sick of it!
You aren't wrong about Pratchett's descriptors for Lady Sybil. He generally has a lighter touch when describing her moving forward. That said, one of the things that really rubbed me the wrong way about The Watch series that aired last year was that they cast Lady Sybil with a fairly svelte actress. Whereas, I'm pretty insistent that Vimes and Sybil should have a Kermit/Miss Piggy or Mister Miracle/Big Barda size ratio.
There are a great many things wrong with that TV series, but yes, that was definitely one of them! And you are correct, Vimes is a Short King due to childhood malnutrition and Lady Sybil is a Big Lady.
@@gozerthegozarian9500 Honestly I think the show is a bit more maligned than it deserves. But the only aspect of the show that I will truly go to the mat over is the actress cast as Cheery. And her musical numbers.
I don't think I ever pictured Lady Sybil as fat, but there's a kind of British lady of the lower aristocracy who's _solidly built_ - imagine a concrete block, wrapped in tweed and smelling slightly of Eau de Farmyard.
Oh that made me so angry. They aged her down too, which was also stupid.
I love every book of Terry Pratchett. The are so many good books that it's hard for me to choose but I would let you here some titles: The Colour of Magic (there's a great movie with Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Tim Curry and Jeremy Irons...), Small Gods, The Hoghfather and anything with DEATH in it, Making Money, Moving Pictures, The Truth )amazing critic and parody of journalism, Lords and Ladies and of course... Wyrd Sisters
Objectively, the best Discworld book is Night Watch. But it only works on that level if you've read at least several other Guards books going in. And there are many others that are breathtaking. I'm SO glad someone commissioned you to do Guards, Guards; it's right up there at the top. Soul Music would be one I think you'd enjoy. If you know Shakespeare, Wyrd Sisters (That's actually how I discovered Terry Pratchett. Found it right after I'd been in a school production of Macbeth.). AND it's the first real Witches novel. This time of year, a spectacular holiday book is Hogfather. Death, as Santa Claus. Many fans do an annual reread.
13:19 - 'So what am I to do
To keep a sky so blue?
There must be someone who will buuuuyyyyyyyyyyyyyy'
Terry Pratchett is a fucking genius and i'm so so so thrilled that you loved "Guards, Guards!!" The series of books that follows the colorful characters of The Watch is excellent (Angua ends up being my favorite, but Vimes is a close close close second), and really i feel that arc is only outdone by Death's. Yes, Death. Which is why it should come as no surprise that "Night Watch" and "Thief of TIme" are my favorites for those in the know hahaha.
also, as a Doctor Who fan, you clearly enjoy when British people mess with Time. may i just say, Terry Pratchett messes with Time in all the best ways. i know you're strapped for time (irony??), but you're doing yourself a disservice by not at least nibbling at these novels whenever you can spare a chance. you could not possibly be disappointed.
I never read the notion of "everyone is guilty of something"/"we can figure it out later" in Pratchetts book as humerous but as cynical satire. The english history, especially before the 20th century is full of that notion and Pratchett is very aware of that.
Guards Guards is a fun book, but Pratchetts books, especially those centered around Vimes and the watch get better with every book and so it is still my least favored of the Vimes books. I recomment reading them in order though, because the vimes book have decernable character and story development, that builds on each other.
Sir Terry is one of my all time favorite authors. It's tough, but if I had to pick a single favorite book, it would be The Truth, his exploration of journalism, among other things. It's set in Ankh-Morpork so the Watch plays role but it's not a Watch book
The thing that makes Pratchett so endearing to me is that he *learned.* He never settled for any prejudices or conservative thoughts he had, when someone called him out on something he educated himself and did better. Things that rub a reader the wrong way today are things he himself learned to do better on, and *did.* He never stewed in his own misery like people like Rowling or the likes. And Vimes is basically the epitome of "buried inside every cynic is a very disappointed idealist" - his backstory gets fleshed out throughout the Watch novels at the same rate he learns to hate less, do less harm and understand others.
Love this series. I'm currently reading a later Watch book in which Vimes has to be a diplomat.😂 I actually started with Monstrous Regiment, too. That was Vimes who showed up at the end, btw. The title is from John Knox's polemic, "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women." Just thought that was a cheeky touch on Pratchett's part.
Pratchett was an absolute master of finding the most absurd ideas and then making you care about them.
I couldn't list enough of them to do him justice, but my favourite premise (not my favourite book) is... what if the Grim Reaper had to be Santa Claus?
I've read a lot of them and I think if I even have a favourite it would have to be one of the Moist Von Lipwig trilogy -- I really like the central character and also the way it gives Vetinari a little more focus. Plus his villains tend to be so... dastardly.
The Watch subseries is my favorite in the Discworld series. The Death subseries comes in at a very close second.
If you keep reading through the City Watch books (Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Thud!, Night Watch and Snuff) you'll see a lot of character development from the characters, especially Vimes. I have read every Discworld book except the last one, The Shepherd's Crown, because every time I go to pick it up my mind rebels. I can't read it and know there will be no new Discworld books ever. Oh, lordy, I couldn't even begin to contemplate a favourite. It depends on the mood I'm in whilst I'm reading. I've read all of them multiple times. I can't even choose a favourite character - how could I choose between Sam Vimes, Granny Weatherwax, Moist Von Lipwig, Ponder Stibbons, Rincewind or William de Worde? Nope, can't do it.
I haven't been able to bring myself to read it either...had it sat next to my bed since it came out and haven't managed to open it yet
I like his City Watch books, but I think my favorites are probably The Truth and Going Postal.
Drawing a connection from Shakespeare to Pratchett while referencing Douglas Adams along the way? Oooh, Vera! * fans self *That is sooo hot!
"Guards! Guards!" was the book that really got me into the Discworld series. As soon as Carrot's first scene, I knew this was a series that I wanted to read more of. Weirdly enough, I found myself more interested in Sam Vimes as a character compared to Carrot in the other Watch novels, but I'm told that's quite common when reading Discworld (apparently, Terry Pratchett intended for Carrot to be the main character, but got more interested in Sam Vimes during the writing of "Guards! Guards!" and changed focus to Vimes as a result).
As for favourite Discworld novel, I honestly don't know. Whittling it down to a top ten is difficult enough. Generally, I say the one I just finished reading or the one I'm currently reading.
Love the video; really glad you're enjoying Discworld!
I try sum up my love of Pratchett's work as best I can: (clears throat) Ook!
Vimes would be a noir-style detective if he could sober up long enough to get the monologues out.
My favourite is night watch. It does talk about (secret) police butrality in a negative way and has a interestingly cynical view on revolution
Still one of my favourites in the series. And if any author can earn free benefit of the doubt on jokes that don't age so well, it's Prachett.
My top two recommendations for where to go next would either Mort or Pyramids.
You should watch some of the made for TV Movies and cartoons, The Color of Magic, Wyrd Sisters , Soul Music, Hogfather and Going Postal to name the ones I remember. I really recommend Hogfather (Michelle Dockery is in it). What more need I say?
I have seen Hogfather.
One of the saving graces of 'The Watch' is that Lord Vetinari is played by Anna Chancellor, who is always awesome, and in spite of the gender swap, the character is still referred to by others as 'my Lord', 'Sir' and 'Sire'.
Im so glad u liked it.
Terry Pratchett is my alltime favourite author and the discworld series are my favourite books.
I was so happy with the way u talked about his work and that u got it.
I was saying yes! To each point.
If u ever get round to another book id highly recommend Mort.
Introduces Death as a main character and i know you'll love them.
Wonderful review 😊❤
Yesssssssss! I love Guards, Guards and I love Discworld! The best books (in my opinion) are the Death cycle and the Tiffany Aching cycle. You really, really need to try Hogfather--where an assassin gets hired to kill Santa Claus and Death goes on a mission to stop him xD It's as wild and wonderful as it sounds.
Ooh Discworld!
The thing that particularly struck me about Guards Guards is one of the entire point of the Brotherhood and then the reaction of the people in the city to the dragon is how so many evils and suffering in the world, in the end, are not the result of the schemes and actions of the ones who are extremely cruel, and evil, and cunning, in other words who are the Great Evil, the villain of the situation; but, so much is caused by the small-minded, the mediocre, the greedy and the coward. At the same time though, people who are not champions of Good, and can be even small-minded, mediocre, not very clever (Vimes, Colon, Nobby), if they retain enough of humanity CAN fight Evil. Also, I would trade Lord Vetinari for any of our Prime Ministers or President's any day.
Pratchett did adress a lot of issues with the police in later books and what a cop should be.
As for Lady Sibyl, she not the only fat woman in Discworld, and as a fat woman myself it’s very rare to have good characters I can identify with. I always read her description as a way to emphase her « prestance » (is this a word in english??) her being imposing in a good way, she has a natural authority just by the way she looks and behave.
One of my favourite Pratchett lines is "Lady Sybil's bosom rose and fell like an empire."
@@Eruvadhril yep, I was revving myself up to leave this exact quote. 😂 Sam and Sybil are relationship goals on par with Gomez and Morticia
If you read further Watch books, they address most of the issues you might have from this one with respect to the behaviour of the Watch. Partly because Guards! Guards! is slightly different in tone to the rest.
My favourite Discworld book? * inhales deeply * My favourite books about the Watch are Feet of Clay*+ and The Fifth Elephant*+, my favourite books about the Lancre Witches are Lords and Ladies, Witches Abroad and Equal Rites*+, my favourite book about Death is Hogfather, my favourites books from the Industrial Revolution lot the are The Truth, Monstrous Regiment*+ and Going Postal, my favourite Tiffany Aching books are The Wee Free Men and I shall Wear Midnight * exhales deeply * The ones I've marked with *+ all prominently feature queer/trans/gender-bendy themes . If your kid is into witch-centric fantasy books other than HP (grrrrr...), the Tiffany Aching series follows the young witch of that very name from age 9 to her late teens and is written for younger readers and Equal Rites is about a young girl Eskarina "Esk" Smith learning magic and the problems she encounters because her magic is not witch magic, but wizard magic.
I really really love the Tiffany aching books and the hogfather as well!
Aw, I was expecting footnotes from all those asterisks.
@@Seal0626 LOL! Any footnoted I could come up with would never be as wonderful as Sir Terry's...
My favourite Discworld book is definitely ‘Going Postal’, then I’m also partial to the Tiffany Aching series starting with ‘The Wee Free Men’
🦧Oook!
Hog father is my favourite and I would recommend that for the Holidays 👍
Great video- re the sponsoring I do recommend it, the bits Vera did for me I really liked, thought they fitted in well.
I've only read the Discworld book until Equal Rites, so my favorite so far is The Colour of Magic, the very first one. I've been told repeatedly that the later books are way superior and that makes excited, but it's been years so I may have to re-read all of them very soon
Pratchett was a philosopher for everyone.
Sam Vimes' attitude to law enforcement is Sir Terry's commentary on the authoritarian nature of police.
Also, Sir Terry, unfortunately, does fat jokes with other characters in other books earlier and later than Guards! Guards! Lady Ramkin's description is something else.
I never thought of Sybil as far but to use an old fashioned word Stout she is built in a large scale and may be carrying a few pounds more than she should but not fat.
I can't recommend the Audible Discworld audio books as last time I checked they were all abridged versions. Hunt around there are un-abridged version available.
The night watch in this book is broken they are lead by a drunk Colon is just counting off the days to retirement and Nobby is lazy, fairly cowardly, Ill educated and bent in a lazy way. Carrot changes all this.
Carrot in the later books you realise that he possess a terrifying mind he is a good man and believes that there is good in everyone else combined with a mind as sharp and straight forward as a headsman's axe all backed up by a powerful presence and personality that bends the world around him. what makes him scary is best summed up by a quote from a later book " hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word.”.
The watch TV show the guy who plays Vimes I think dies a good job the rest is unmitigated shite Ankh-Morpork is some almost post apocalyptic cyber punk / Steam punk city as apposed to one part medieval two parts Victorian London from the books. The writers need to be thrown headfirst into the river Ankh.
The city watch sub-theme of the Discworld does become a more thorough interrogation of police culture and tactics but it happens in later books once the Watch is larger than two idiots and drunk largely incapable of introspection
I was actually happy with the police brutality jokes and the like. I stopped consuming media that glorifies the police a few years ago, which made me apprehensive to read this book, but I gave it a go because it's fantasy. Those jokes assured me that Pratchett didn't just see the police as an unquestioned good, but in fact acknowledged many of their systemic problems all the way back in 1989. Maybe a bit more callously than we'd like today, but still way exceeding my expectations.
Read the rest of the Watch books, I think you will identify.
They proably turned up, most discworld movies have some city watch art least as cameo.
Carrot! And he part dwarf. Also th principle of legalize anything to regulate it, is interesting.
Th watch gets incrdible diverse organically somehow. An how th watch changes and its characters.
Pratchet wa a journalist, thats why he saw a looot! and is cynical. But not pessimistic per se, he just has seen a lot.
The tv sries seems , heard a criticism its a good show but why do you have to nam it the watch, because its a terrible adoption. With clearly being something else that is notthe watch at all.
I have read all of the night watch arch. It's fantastic. I would love to see you react to feet of clay. Or anything in the Death group of stories. But the best character in all of Discworld is still Susan. Susan rules. Also best book,Hogfather. Best Christmas 🎄 story, ever.