Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5)

Title: Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 2001

Date read: 15th December 2009

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Thief of Time," published in 2001, is the 26th novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and a key instalment focusing on the mysterious Auditors of Reality and the very nature of time itself. It brings together several fan-favourite characters, including the Auditors, the Monks of History, Death, and Susan Sto Helit.

The story opens with the creation of the world's first truly accurate clock by a young clockmaker's apprentice named Jeremy Clockson. Unbeknownst to him, this perfect clock is a dangerous device, as its very accuracy could cause time itself to grind to a halt. Its creation is, in fact, orchestrated by the Auditors of Reality, the cosmic beings who abhor chaos, life, and anything messy, which includes time and free will. They seek to bring the universe to a perfect, static order.

The threat of time stopping brings in the Monks of History, whose job it is to record and maintain the flow of time. Their leader, the eternally calm and wise Lobsang Ludd (the adopted son of Death's adopted daughter, Susan), senses the grave danger. He is accompanied by his eccentric junior monk, Lu-Tze, a diminutive martial arts master who specializes in "sweat-based enlightenment" and unexpected violence, always with a broom.

Meanwhile, Death himself becomes aware of the Auditors' plans, as they are a threat to life itself. His granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, now a governess struggling with her inherited supernatural abilities and her desire for a normal life, finds herself reluctantly drawn into the conflict. Her unique perspective, being part human and part Death, makes her vital.

The Auditors, now taking on physical forms (pure white cloaked figures), aim to trigger the ultimate clock's mechanism, which will freeze time and bring about a "perfect" universe of utter silence and stillness. They have also dispatched an assassin known as the Lady Myria LeJean, a seemingly human woman who possesses deadly precision and a profound lack of emotion, tasked with eliminating anyone who might interfere with their plans.

The narrative follows the desperate race to prevent the Auditors from achieving their goal. Lobsang and Lu-Tze try to fix the temporal anomalies created by the clock, while Susan, accompanied by Death (and his trusty horse, Binky), must confront the Auditors directly. The story explores the philosophical implications of free will versus deterministic order, the beauty of imperfection, and the essential messiness of life.

The climax involves a dramatic confrontation between the forces trying to stop time and those fighting to preserve its chaotic, beautiful flow. The characters must use their unique abilities, their understanding of humanity, and sheer determination to outwit the emotionless Auditors and ensure that the universe continues to move, change, and exist as it should. "Thief of Time" is a clever and thought-provoking Discworld novel that tackles grand metaphysical concepts with characteristic humour and heart.

Comments:
It has all come flooding back to me know. This is a wonderful book and I have just had a very pleasant few moments going through it all and reminiscing about it.

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)