Questions About Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6)

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I was recently given this book by someone. I see that it is Discworld #29, which I assume means it's 29 in a series. Should I not read this unless I've read #s 1-28, or can I just jump in with this one? Thanks!

Standback You absolutely don't need to read all the previous Discworld books, but Night Watch in particular is a tough one to start with.

In general, Discworld b…moreYou absolutely don't need to read all the previous Discworld books, but Night Watch in particular is a tough one to start with.

In general, Discworld books are arranged in subseries, and even within those, each book *mostly* stands alone.
But some of those books are about how the characters grow and develop, and how the world around them changes. And this very particular book is about one character "visiting" a much earlier version of himself -- one very close to the beginning of the series; in a series that's very much been about big changes.

A lot of the fun here is watching "late" Sam Vimes thrust back into the shoes and history of "early" Sam Vimes. And following that with no previous introduction means you haven't got that same sense of how far Vimes and his city have come.

So I really wouldn't recommend reading Night Watch before reading any of the previous Watch books. The resonance just won't be there.
Personally I'd suggest Guards, Guards (the first book in the series) and Feet of Clay (IMO the best book in the series), but pretty much any two previous Watch books should do the trick.

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Should I read the first City Watch books before reading Night Watch?

Anna it would absolutely help, to know these characters & the crazy journey Vimes had up to this point! Will appreciate his gut-punch reactions so much mor…moreit would absolutely help, to know these characters & the crazy journey Vimes had up to this point! Will appreciate his gut-punch reactions so much more(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Lindsay Coates, Dickins and Snouty were all alive at the time Vimes and Carcer vanished, and clearly died in the fight that continued. Vetinari fought alongsi…moreCoates, Dickins and Snouty were all alive at the time Vimes and Carcer vanished, and clearly died in the fight that continued. Vetinari fought alongside them and the others who were wearing the lilac.(less)

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