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The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24)
by

Terry Pratchett

Trish's review

May 30, 2019

it was amazing

bookshelves: to-read

Read 2 times. Last read May 28, 2019 to May 30, 2019.

So much is happening in this 24th Discworld novel.

A dwarf king will be crowned in Überwald so the Patrician is sending Sam Vimes in his capacity as duke to participate in the coronation ceremony. As, no doubt, planned by the Patrician, sending Vimes ensures that justice will be done. Because there is a theft, a murder, diplomacy, a lot of very impolite werewolves, "vegetarian" vampires and plots. Oh, and then there are regular wolves, Gaspode, and some members of the Watch (Carrot, Angua, Detritus and Longbottom).

I very much liked how the spotlight shone on characters that had been explored only marginally until now. Thus, Carrot was not the unfailing hero here so Angua got to shine much more. Angua's family history was also a nice touch. Just like Longbottom's complicated status in this sometimes backwards dwarf kingdom. Most wonderful was to see Lady Sybil stepping up and taking ~~bars~~ matters into her own, very capable, hands.

And then there was this:

Yes, that is Detritus the troll with his "crossbow". *lol*
The action scenes here were not only thrilling but also hilarious in their details. Just like the conversations between the Patrician and Leonard or Fred Colon panicking because he had to take over as captain.

Sir Terry addressed a lot of themes in this volume, such as the ongoing gender identity amongst some dwarves, religion, traditions, facing political and social changes (the different meanings of "changing with the times") ... we even have organ donation. Well, body-parts donation as a theme. *lol*

As usual, this was like putting on your favourite piece of clothing. Like coming home. I was thrown off by the new audiobook narrator (Nigel Planer had quit and Stephen Briggs had taken over) a little at first and wasn't actually happy by the end either, but maybe it will get better in the future. I'm just used to the different voices of the different characters (especially Detritus). However, being with Sam Vimes and the other members of the Watch is always great, and it was still a wonderful addition to the series, very entertaining while also critically examining aspects of human nature.

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Quotes Trish Liked

“Vimes had once discussed the Ephebian idea of ‘democracy’ with Carrot, and had been rather interested in the idea that everyone had a vote until he found out that while he, Vimes, would have a vote, there was no way in the rules that anyone could prevent Nobby Nobbs from having one as well. Vimes could see the flaw there straight away.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

tags: democracy, government, vote

49 likes

“I assure you I will not kill you," said Inigo.
"I know that," said Vimes. "But will you try?”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

tags: discworld, sam-vimes, terry-pratchett

41 likes

“All he knew was that you couldn't hope to try for the big stuff, like world peace and happiness, but you might just about be able to achieve some tiny deed that'd make the world, in a small way, a better place. Like shooting someone.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

tags: life

37 likes

“Not natural, in my view, sah. Not in favor of unnatural things.'
Vetinari looked perplexed. 'You mean, you eat your meat raw and sleep in a tree?”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

29 likes

“Look down, your grace," said Skimmer. "Mhm, mhm."

Vimes realized he could feel the faintest prick of a knife blade on his stomach. "Look down further," he said.

Inigo looked down. He swallowed. Vimes had a knife, too. "You really are no gentleman, then," he said.

"Make a sudden move and neither are you," said Vimes.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

tags: discworld, humourous

21 likes

“Well, he thought, so this is diplomacy. It's lying, only for a better class of people.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

tags: diplomacy

24 likes

“He sagged to his knees. He ached all over. It wasn't just that his brain was writing cheques that his body couldn't cash. It had gone beyond that. Now his feet were borrowing money that his legs hadn't got, and his back muscles were looking for loose change under the sofa cushions.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

22 likes

“The news that they have nothing to fear is guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of innocents everywhere.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

19 likes

“I was a drunk. You have to be richer than I was to be an alcoholic.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

7 likes

“Tell me, Leonard,’ he said. ‘Has it ever occurred to you that one day wars will be fought with brains?’ Leonard picked up his coffee cup. ‘Oh dear. Won’t that be rather messy?’ he said.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

8 likes

“What would be the point of cyphering messages that very clever enemies couldn’t break? You’d end up not knowing what they thought you thought they were thinking …”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

6 likes

“... you found that what you really wanted was power and there were much politer ways of getting it. And then you realized that power was a bauble. Any thug had power. The true prize was control. Lord Vetinari knew that. When heavy weights were balanced on the scales, the trick was to know where to place your thumb.
And all control started with the self.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

0 likes

Reading Progress

April 30, 2019 – Shelved

April 30, 2019 – Shelved as: to-read

May 28, 2019 – Started Reading

May 28, 2019 –

10.0% "The first audiobook in the series not narrated by Nigel Planer but by Stephen Briggs and I don't know ... Briggs might just have needed to get used to the characters yet, but there isn't a great distinction between one voice and the next. Which is a real shame because I'm used to Detritus, Vimes, Carrot and others being so distinct! T_T"

May 29, 2019 –

25.0% "Didn't expect this to be about The Watch. But I'm glad. The narration might not be too good, but the story is solid and the characters cool as usual."

May 30, 2019 –

50.0% "Vimes as a diplomat - what could go wrong?!"

May 30, 2019 – Finished Reading

January 1, 2024 – Shelved as: to-read

December 5, 2024 – Started Reading (Audible Audio Edition)

December 5, 2024 – Shelved (Audible Audio Edition)

December 6, 2024 – Finished Reading (Audible Audio Edition)