Guards! Guards!

Image credit: thesyp.org.uk

Continuing on with my deep-dive into the Discword, I have just closed the cover of the eighth book in the series: Guards! Guards!

Captain Sam Vimes, captain of the City Watch of Ankh Morpork has drunkenly come to some harsh truths about the nature of the city. It’s a woman that drains the life out of you, it’s a place filled with the downiest of downers, it’s a metropolis of crime, ill-intentions, and general distaste. But it’s his city, dammit. So when a great Threat appears like something out of the pages of a legendary storybook, he sets down his bottle and takes up arms…

The eighth book in Pratchett’s Discworld series, Guards! Guards! explores/disassembles the high fantasy genre and brings readers a delightful story of reluctant heroes. An intriguing amalgamation of crime/mystery, high fantasy, and farce, it’s another classic.

While there is certainly a lot going on externally, the heart and soul of the book comes in the form of Captain Vimes’ character development. He’s a great protagonist, beginning the book drunk, distanced, and completely numb to the sense of right and wrong that’s buried deep, deep, deep down in his system under a flood of alcohol. The book sort of chronicles the defeated addict’s journey to clarity and that one moment of hope and ambition that (against all odds) ignites and causes them to change their mind. Vimes’ journey from lying in the gutter to receiving congratulations in the palace is a compelling one that is moving and uplifting with memorable moments of classic Pratchett comedy.

Image credit: Penguin Books Australia

Outside of Vimes’ character journey, we have a hilarious romp that features an oppressed villain, the use of magic not done by wizards, a new recruit to the City Watch, and a pub filled with blubbering dwarves. There's a very fun crime novel element in the race against the clock to find the culprit behind this great plot and plenty of recognisable genre action mixed with Pratchett's unique humour. it's another delight. 

Author: Terry Pratchett, 1989

Published: First published in Great Britan by Victor Gollancz, 1989. Corgi edition published 1990.

Guards! Guards! is the eight book in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. It follows behind The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Equal Rites, Mort, Sourcery, Wyrd Sisters & Pyramids.