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

Title: Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 2002

Date read: 1st June 2010

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Night Watch" by Terry Pratchett is the 29th Discworld novel, published in 2002, and arguably the darkest and most critically acclaimed of the City Watch series. It's a gripping time-travel mystery that delves into the origins of Ankh-Morpork's police force and the psyche of its most iconic copper, Sam Vimes.

The story begins in the present day with Commander Sam Vimes investigating the murder of a seemingly ordinary watchman, John Keel. During the pursuit of the killer, a magically charged thunderstorm hits, and Vimes finds himself thrown back in time 30 years to a volatile Ankh-Morpork in the year 1982 (Ankh-Morpork Reckoning).

Disguised as the now-dead John Keel, Vimes must navigate a city on the brink of revolution. The tyrannical Lord Snapcase rules with an iron fist, and the Watch is corrupt and ineffectual. Vimes, now a young constable in a past he barely recognizes, is forced to train a rookie version of himself (the younger Sam Vimes) and subtly influence events to ensure history unfolds "correctly," particularly the events leading up to the Glorious Revolution of the 25th of May.

He finds himself leading a small, dedicated group of "good coppers" from the past, trying to maintain order, investigate crimes, and protect the innocent against both criminals and the oppressive regime. He teaches them the true meaning of "policing," shaping the very foundations of the City Watch he commands in his own time.

The novel is a profound exploration of Vimes's character, his deep sense of justice, and his internal struggle against his own inherent "darkness." It's filled with Pratchett's sharp wit, but also deals with serious themes of revolution, justice, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of history. The climax sees Vimes playing a pivotal role in the uprising, facing down his own past and ensuring that the future (his present) comes to pass, all while trying not to change too much. "Night Watch" is a powerful and moving tribute to policing and the enduring fight for what's right.

Comments:
This is the most "realistic" of the Watch stories, you get very close to the characters in this truly dark look at the City and its Watch.

Books that we've read by Terry Pratchett (39):
The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) (1983), The Light Fantastic (Discworld, #2; Rincewind, #2) (1986), Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) (1987), Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) (1987), Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3) (1988), Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2) (1988), Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) (1989), Pyramids (Discworld, #7) (1989), Eric (Discworld, #9; Rincewind, #4) (1990), Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10; Industrial Revolution, #1) (1990), Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12; Witches, #3) (1991), Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) (1991), Small Gods (Discworld, #13) (1992), Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4) (1992), Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2) (1993), Soul Music (Discworld, #16; Death, #3) (1994), Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind, #5) (1994), Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches, #5) (1995), Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) (1996), Hogfather (Discworld, #20; Death, #4) (1996), Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) (1997), Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23; Witches, #6) (1998), The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6) (1998), The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24; City Watch, #5) (1999), The Truth (Discworld, #25) (2000), The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7) (2001), Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5) (2001), Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) (2002), The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30; Tiffany Aching, #1) (2003), Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3) (2003), A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2) (2004), Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) (2004), Thud! (Discworld, #34; City Watch, #7) (2005), Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3) (2006), Making Money (Discworld, #36; Moist Von Lipwig, #2) (2007), Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8) (2009), I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4) (2010), Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch, #8) (2011), Raising Steam (Discworld, #40; Moist von Lipwig, #3) (2013)