Short Review: "Night Watch" (mild spoilers)

[jeriendhal]

Not the best book in the Watch series, but interesting to see Vimes' background. I think it would have been stronger if the time travel element had been left out, and we'd gotten the chance to see everything from Lance Corporal Sam's POV. That would have also spared us Carcer, who was less of a character than a randomly appearing plot device. As it is we don't get much of an insight into either Sam's development of his strong urge for Justice, or his descent into alcoholism, though the aftermath of the revolution is reason enough for the latter. It was however, quite readable. Though I doubt PTerry has produced a book that isn't readable in the past fifteen years.

Things I learned from Night Watch

1. Sometimes a turkey baster is just a turkey baster.

2. Beware of expanding barricades. Especially with borrowed furniture.

3. Nobby was cute when he was a kid. Still filthy, but cute.

4. Vetnari, OTOH, was always a bit of a bastard.

5. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

6. Did I ever mention that you shouldn't Fuck With Vimes?

Comments

[prodigal.livejournal.com]

A bit of a bastard? You give him too little credit. ;)

[drakemagi.livejournal.com]

While I don't recall the turkey baster, sometimes a fellow just needs a bit help with his knitting.

[ndrosen.livejournal.com]

The adolescent Vetinari may be the only adolescent in the history of the human race who isn't the least bit insecure (then again, is Vetinari a member of the human race?), but IIRC, he wasn't a bastard. We see him in Night Watch as something other than a totally cold-blooded Machiavellian Prince. Still a cool customer, though.