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Guards! Guards!
(Discworld #8)
by
This is where the dragons went. They lie ... not dead, not asleep, but ... dormant. And although the space they occupy isn't like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly. They could put you in mind of a can of sardines, if you thought sardines were huge and scaly. And presumably, somewhere, there's a key...
GUARDS! GUARDS! is the eighth Discworld novel - and a ...more
GUARDS! GUARDS! is the eighth Discworld novel - and a ...more
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Mass Market Paperback, 376 pages
Published
August 2001
by HarperTorch
(first published August 1989)
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Start your review of Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch #1)
I've been re-reading some of the older Pratchett novels. Partly because I simply enjoy them. Partly because they help keep me sane in an increasingly infuriating world. And partly because they are comfortable to me. The literary equivalent of a security blanket.
But I'll be honest, I'm also reading them so I can postpone reading the final Pratchett novel that came out a little while ago. It will be hard for me to read that, knowing that afterwards, there will be no more new Pratchett to read. Ev ...more
But I'll be honest, I'm also reading them so I can postpone reading the final Pratchett novel that came out a little while ago. It will be hard for me to read that, knowing that afterwards, there will be no more new Pratchett to read. Ev ...more
How To Read Terry Pratchett's Discworld Novels
1. Skip the first two books in the series. This is crucial. If you read these first, you will be rightly annoyed by their just-barely-okayness, and spend the rest of your life muttering about how overrated he is.
Terry Pratchett wrote these two books. Then all of a sudden he started writing really, really well. I don't know what happened. Maybe he sold his soul. My own theory is that his long-suffering wife waited as patiently as she could for him to ...more
1. Skip the first two books in the series. This is crucial. If you read these first, you will be rightly annoyed by their just-barely-okayness, and spend the rest of your life muttering about how overrated he is.
Terry Pratchett wrote these two books. Then all of a sudden he started writing really, really well. I don't know what happened. Maybe he sold his soul. My own theory is that his long-suffering wife waited as patiently as she could for him to ...more
What I love most about Pratchett's books is that under a thin layer of funny footnotes-peppered pun-heavy parody lies the core of deep seriousness rooted in the quite sobering understanding of the shallow pettiness of human mundanity fueled by jealousy, bile, spite, and closemindedness.
"There was a thoughtful pause in the conversation as the assembled Brethren mentally divided the universe into the deserving and the undeserving, and put themselves on the appropriate side."In the end, the onl ...more
„Hey officer, may you please not help me! Stay away, don´t investigate, please, we´ll do traditional, good old fashioned lynch justice with far fewer victims and collateral damages. Not necessary to call reinforcement. No, stop, my insurance doesn´t cover police incompetence reinduced destruction.“
There are certain stereotypes surrounding police, military, and manly militia, all to take with a grain of rice, but in many aspects true, especially if a lack of government funding, missing selection ...more
There are certain stereotypes surrounding police, military, and manly militia, all to take with a grain of rice, but in many aspects true, especially if a lack of government funding, missing selection ...more
This is my favorite Discworld book.
I submit that the best way to rate a Discworld book is with a smile meter. As you read, imagine that there is a meter whose arrow jumps when you smile, moves further right when you chuckle and spikes into the red eleven when you laugh out loud.
Pratchett’s 1989 Discworld novel (his 8th in the series and 1st of the City Watch sub-series) made me smile all the way through the book, chuckle frequently and laugh out loud two or three times.
Set in Ankh-Morpork (inspi ...more
I submit that the best way to rate a Discworld book is with a smile meter. As you read, imagine that there is a meter whose arrow jumps when you smile, moves further right when you chuckle and spikes into the red eleven when you laugh out loud.
Pratchett’s 1989 Discworld novel (his 8th in the series and 1st of the City Watch sub-series) made me smile all the way through the book, chuckle frequently and laugh out loud two or three times.
Set in Ankh-Morpork (inspi ...more
Reading Terry Pratchett’s “Guards! Guards!” was a joy for me. I don’t know why it took me so long to read a Discworld book, I’m a bit ashamed. I am a sucker for English humor, always have been. The good news is that I now have 40 more Discworld books to read. Honest reveal - I think I resisted because people said he was better than Douglas Adams and that rubbed me the wrong way. My view after reading one book, they are clearly in the same class, and while I still like Adams better that might be
...more
At the time of writing, Terry Pratchett passed away about a week ago. Beside making me sad, the news also triggered a sudden urge to read a Discworld book which needed to be satisfied immediately. I haven't read any Terry Pratchett books for years. I have always liked them but there are just so many books in the world and you know how it is, one thing led to another and somehow they didn't lead back to Sir Terry. In the meantime, I have been reading many inferior “flavor of the month” books like
...more
First of all, my site has the videos that go with this: https://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2015/...
But here's the lite version:
My Terry Pratchett Experience ™ is remarkably similar to my Month Python Experience.™ Fun and funny, but really best done in small doses. Say, 15 minute doses if I’m watching, longer if I’m reading.
It turns out, I haven’t read Guards!Guards! before, although I thought I had. Quite possibly, it is because I had not. Quite possibly, it’s because I had and forgot, but you’d t ...more
But here's the lite version:
My Terry Pratchett Experience ™ is remarkably similar to my Month Python Experience.™ Fun and funny, but really best done in small doses. Say, 15 minute doses if I’m watching, longer if I’m reading.
It turns out, I haven’t read Guards!Guards! before, although I thought I had. Quite possibly, it is because I had not. Quite possibly, it’s because I had and forgot, but you’d t ...more
Noble dragons!
Q:
Noble dragons don't have friends. The nearest they can get to the idea is an enemy who is still alive. (c) ...more
Q:
Noble dragons don't have friends. The nearest they can get to the idea is an enemy who is still alive. (c) ...more
Dragons and kings and cross-dressing night watch. What can go wrong?
Meet Terry Pratchett, who can turn anything, and I mean, anything, on its head. :)
On this re-read, what I remember to be a less funny book than the Watch novels that came after it suddenly becomes a rich and nostalgic ride including dwarf bread, or in this case, CAKE. Decent, law-abiding folk versus the deeply corrupt populace. And don't just ask Mr. Cut Me Own Throat. He's suspicious.
I love all the tropes and the way Pratchett ...more
Meet Terry Pratchett, who can turn anything, and I mean, anything, on its head. :)
On this re-read, what I remember to be a less funny book than the Watch novels that came after it suddenly becomes a rich and nostalgic ride including dwarf bread, or in this case, CAKE. Decent, law-abiding folk versus the deeply corrupt populace. And don't just ask Mr. Cut Me Own Throat. He's suspicious.
I love all the tropes and the way Pratchett ...more
“A good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read.”
I always enjoyed Terry Pratchett's books - I have ever since I was about 13. But when this book came up, well - I gained even more respect for Mr Pratchett, accompanied by a bellyful of giggles and such a strong love for motley crew that is The Watch
Featuring Sam Vimes, the grumpiest man in all Discworld:
“It wasn't by eliminating the impossible that you got at the truth, however improbable; it was by the much harder process of ...more
I always enjoyed Terry Pratchett's books - I have ever since I was about 13. But when this book came up, well - I gained even more respect for Mr Pratchett, accompanied by a bellyful of giggles and such a strong love for motley crew that is The Watch
Featuring Sam Vimes, the grumpiest man in all Discworld:
“It wasn't by eliminating the impossible that you got at the truth, however improbable; it was by the much harder process of ...more
Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch #1), Terry Pratchett
Guards! Guards! is the eighth Discworld novel - and after this, dragons will never be the same again!
The story follows a plot by a secret brotherhood, the Unique and Supreme Lodge of the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night, to overthrow the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork and install a puppet king, under the control of the Supreme Grand Master. Using a stolen magic book, they summon a dragon to strike fear into the people of Ankh-Morpor ...more
Guards! Guards! is the eighth Discworld novel - and after this, dragons will never be the same again!
The story follows a plot by a secret brotherhood, the Unique and Supreme Lodge of the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night, to overthrow the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork and install a puppet king, under the control of the Supreme Grand Master. Using a stolen magic book, they summon a dragon to strike fear into the people of Ankh-Morpor ...more
5 outrageously funny stars ⭐️ and serious contender for my book of the month 🙄
Review to follow on the morrow !
So in my (re)view this is what you want in a Sir Terry novel, pathos, love, heroics, honesty, modesty, drunkenness, dragons (big and small), Ankh Morpork, wizards, The Librarian, CMOT Dibbler, The Shades, The Mended Drum and above all humour, lots of humour.
So this is the first book that deals with the City Watch. A (very) small bunch of misfits (initially 3), led by a man that's given u ...more
Review to follow on the morrow !
So in my (re)view this is what you want in a Sir Terry novel, pathos, love, heroics, honesty, modesty, drunkenness, dragons (big and small), Ankh Morpork, wizards, The Librarian, CMOT Dibbler, The Shades, The Mended Drum and above all humour, lots of humour.
So this is the first book that deals with the City Watch. A (very) small bunch of misfits (initially 3), led by a man that's given u ...more
Before Guards! Guards!, Discworld novels are pretty good. This book is the FIRST GREAT Discworld novel in the series.
The foundations of successful formula of Watch sub-series are already on this novel(view spoiler) ...more
The foundations of successful formula of Watch sub-series are already on this novel(view spoiler) ...more
This eighth Discworld novel was a delight!
I hadn't known the Night Watch until now and couldn't imagine loving any character as much as Granny Weatherwax but there we are. Sam Vimes as well as his ragtag band of misfits (Sgt. Colon, Nobby Nobbs, & Carrot Ironfounderson) are hilarious when stumbling through Ankh-Morpork that is currently beset by a gigantic fire-spitting dragon.
Dragons, even on the Disc, are supposed to be extinct. Well, the reader is informed that they simply went to a different ...more
I hadn't known the Night Watch until now and couldn't imagine loving any character as much as Granny Weatherwax but there we are. Sam Vimes as well as his ragtag band of misfits (Sgt. Colon, Nobby Nobbs, & Carrot Ironfounderson) are hilarious when stumbling through Ankh-Morpork that is currently beset by a gigantic fire-spitting dragon.
Dragons, even on the Disc, are supposed to be extinct. Well, the reader is informed that they simply went to a different ...more
The first book where Captain Vimes and I met back in 2011, though I did not know then that I would take him as my literary husband later on.
I think it was around Feet of Clay, I realised he was the ONE Literary Character for me - well "Here's looking at you kid!".

Though I always imagine him like the Divine Alan (RIP).
...more
I think it was around Feet of Clay, I realised he was the ONE Literary Character for me - well "Here's looking at you kid!".

Though I always imagine him like the Divine Alan (RIP).
...more
So glad I snuck this in at the end of January. I am absolutely loving Discworld so far and both this and Mort were excellent. Guards! Guards! was yet another hilarious entry to this wacky and ridiculous world known as Discworld. Ankh Morpork was a great setting for this story and so many memorable characters were introduced in this one. From Captain Vimes, to Carrot, to the Librarian or Nobbs and Colon or even The Elucidated Brethren.
These books are seriously the perfect pallet cleanser and are ...more
These books are seriously the perfect pallet cleanser and are ...more
(4.5 stars, really.)
Perfectly structured, from beginning to end. Mean without being nasty, funny without being stupid. Insightful without being preachy. Terry Pratchett has a gift for lovingly pointing out the stupidities of the human condition.
This particular one is quite delightful. It's got dragons, a man named Carrot, and a group of three men who make up the city law enforcement, inept and lovable guardians of the backwards and corrupted joyful logic of the city called Ankh-Morpork.
Let me ...more
Perfectly structured, from beginning to end. Mean without being nasty, funny without being stupid. Insightful without being preachy. Terry Pratchett has a gift for lovingly pointing out the stupidities of the human condition.
This particular one is quite delightful. It's got dragons, a man named Carrot, and a group of three men who make up the city law enforcement, inept and lovable guardians of the backwards and corrupted joyful logic of the city called Ankh-Morpork.
Let me ...more
Dec 10, 2020
Elizabeth
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
Nataliya
Shelves:
fantasy
If you want dragons, morally ambiguous heroes, magic gone wrong, cities in need of rescue, and royal politics, Terry Pratchett happily delivers in Guards! Guards! I haven’t laughed those loud snorty laughs this much...well, since I last read this book. When humor hits your (and I mean this in the personal sense) sweet spot, you’ve struck gold. The time before was when I had finally discovered the joys of stand-up comedy, a one-hour special on Netflix that everyone else in my family abhorred. In
...more
Executive Summary: I've had numerous people tell me this is the Discworld book to start with, and now I know why. Easily my favorite so far. 4.5 stars.
Full Review
My Discworld read continues, and finally I come to infamous Guards! Guards! I know there are fancy diagrams and details on all the different ways you can read Discworld, but I prefer publish order. I've enjoyed all of the Discworld books so far, albeit some more than others. I generally seem to enjoy the Rincewind books less than I ...more
Full Review
My Discworld read continues, and finally I come to infamous Guards! Guards! I know there are fancy diagrams and details on all the different ways you can read Discworld, but I prefer publish order. I've enjoyed all of the Discworld books so far, albeit some more than others. I generally seem to enjoy the Rincewind books less than I ...more
I delighted in another visit to Discworld as an escape into the satire and silliness. But I found I had to be in the right mood, so it took me a long time to finish the book in small doses, the safest way with a dangerous recreational drug.
Our hero, Captain Vimes of the Night Watch, has less and less to do in his service to the metropolis of Anakh-Morpork. The city bureaucracy has become so efficient that all criminal sectors have become sanctioned under a set of guilds, allowing for a stable cr ...more
Our hero, Captain Vimes of the Night Watch, has less and less to do in his service to the metropolis of Anakh-Morpork. The city bureaucracy has become so efficient that all criminal sectors have become sanctioned under a set of guilds, allowing for a stable cr ...more
Continuing the Pratchett reread with the SpecFic Buddy Reads group, we move on to one of my favorite books in the whole series and the start of one of the best sub-series in the overall Discworld universe.
Sam Vimes is the drunkard Captain of the nearly defunct Night Watch, down to three individuals and one raw recruit at the start of this novel. When the first proper dragon seen in centuries appears in the city of Ankh-Morpork the men (and one ape volunteer) of the Watch are all that stands agai ...more
Sam Vimes is the drunkard Captain of the nearly defunct Night Watch, down to three individuals and one raw recruit at the start of this novel. When the first proper dragon seen in centuries appears in the city of Ankh-Morpork the men (and one ape volunteer) of the Watch are all that stands agai ...more
Rating: 3* of five
The Book Description: Here there be dragons . . . and the denizens of Ankh-Morpork wish one huge firebreather would return from whence it came. Long believed extinct, a superb specimen of draco nobilis ("noble dragon" for those who don't understand italics) has appeared in Discworld's greatest city. Not only does this unwelcome visitor have a nasty habit of charbroiling everything in its path, in rather short order it is crowned King (it is a noble dragon, after all . . .).
Mean ...more
The Book Description: Here there be dragons . . . and the denizens of Ankh-Morpork wish one huge firebreather would return from whence it came. Long believed extinct, a superb specimen of draco nobilis ("noble dragon" for those who don't understand italics) has appeared in Discworld's greatest city. Not only does this unwelcome visitor have a nasty habit of charbroiling everything in its path, in rather short order it is crowned King (it is a noble dragon, after all . . .).
Mean ...more
Utterly delightful. I loved all of it. Very different in tone, but also very Discworld still. This book focuses on the difference between "right" and "good," the significance of friendship, the value of privilege, and the importance of choosing the hills we want to die on. Excellent. Can't wait to continue.
...more
There is a kind of book that is exactly the right thing to read when you got up at 5:20 AM to catch a bus to a conference, and have since, without having a nap, listened to six academic papers, and need something to read while eating and before bed.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook ...more
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook ...more
I absolutely hate DNF'ing books, but I have to call it quits. This is my 6th try reading it and the first 5 times I couldn't get past page 4 and this time I only made it to 20. I've only ever DNF'd maybe 3 books, the last one being book 4 of Wheel of Time. Nynaeve tugs her braid .
This is completely personal preference. I'm just not a fan of the humor or the writing. A lot of people love it though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. To me, the writing felt all over the place and very disjo ...more
This is completely personal preference. I'm just not a fan of the humor or the writing. A lot of people love it though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. To me, the writing felt all over the place and very disjo ...more
Nov 21, 2012
Kathleen
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
series,
humorous,
audio,
discworld,
series-opener,
faves,
dragons,
mystery-crime-police,
magic-fantasy
I've read Sir Terry Pratchett's entire City Watch Series and the related Moist Von Lipvig / Modernization series (books listed below, in order). The entire series gets 4.5 solid stars, and it all starts here, with this book, and these characters (especially Captain Vimes). Such fun! Danger, suspense, action, relationship, character-development, humor, punnery, and plenty of satire. Plus, a little mild romance. And...here be dragons.
Guards Guards is the first book in the Discworld sub-series, whe ...more
Guards Guards is the first book in the Discworld sub-series, whe ...more
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!
The debut outing of Sam Vimes, Carrot Ironfoundersson, Fred Colon, Nobby Nobbs, Sybil Ramkin, Detritus and Cutmeownthroat Dibbler,and what a barnstorming adventure it is. At this stage The Watch are a down and out bunch of losers who prefer to hide in the dark than doing any policing, led by the now legendary Sam Vimes who you'll find face down in the gutter drinking his misery away. And there are plots afoot in the city of Ankh-Morpork, plots to overthrow the Pat ...more
The debut outing of Sam Vimes, Carrot Ironfoundersson, Fred Colon, Nobby Nobbs, Sybil Ramkin, Detritus and Cutmeownthroat Dibbler,and what a barnstorming adventure it is. At this stage The Watch are a down and out bunch of losers who prefer to hide in the dark than doing any policing, led by the now legendary Sam Vimes who you'll find face down in the gutter drinking his misery away. And there are plots afoot in the city of Ankh-Morpork, plots to overthrow the Pat ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Space Wizards: The Watch TV series | 1 | 13 | Dec 17, 2019 08:25AM | |
| The Underground B...: Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett | 1 | 5 | Nov 19, 2019 11:43AM | |
| True Crime: Round #1: Guards! Guards! | 4 | 15 | Jun 30, 2019 01:42PM |
Born Terence David John Pratchett, Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe.
Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, i ...more
Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, i ...more
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