Night Watch
Posted by Skwid
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
This book is sometimes hailed as one of the turning points in the Discworld novels…a pivotal step in the evolutionary process whereby fiction that was humorous but made you think is transformed into thoughtful fiction that makes you laugh. I would certainly offer it up as being so, but Pratchett also accomplishes something in this novel that is more difficult and rare than many genre authors (and fans) might admit: a time travel story done well.
Without over-complicating the story with paradoxes, Pratchett involves a character intimately in his own history in a believable fashion, and still manages to resolve the situation with almost no loose ends. Not only does he juggle those difficulties with seemingly little effort, he still manages to invoke plot concepts both profound and accessible, addressing themes including the role of impersonal authority in law enforcement as opposed to a role of cops as individuals who are elements of the community, transparency in government, and the effectiveness of populist movements in complex societies. And he still manages to be damn funny telling this story.
The story, after a brief memorial service, launches into Vimes chasing after one Carcer, the Discworld equivalent of Hannibal Lecter (leaving any questionable dietary choices solely to Dibbler), leading to Vimes and Carcer being involved in a magical accident propelling them back in time to the corrupt and unstable city-state on the verge of revolution that Vimes first began working in as a young, rookie copper. He must, somehow, make sure his younger self and the rest of the Night Watch does what needs to be done in a world that’s been subtly changed by his and Carcer’s arrival. It’s this unique device, making sure things occur as they did in his youth with the perspective of time guiding his decisions this time as to why they must occur in that fashion, that lets Pratchett explore his deeper themes so effectively, and speaks (I think) to the potential the Fantasy genre holds to explore difficult to address themes in literature. Highly recommended, and as always with Pratchett books I recommend newcomers consult the Pratchett Reading Order Guide, although in this case I read this way out of order and still enjoyed it immensely.