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Discworld #26
Thief of Time
If you were helpless with laughter over Shanghai Noon, enjoy satirical British humor and terrible puns, or just need your Pratchett fix, grab this book. Unfamiliar with Terry Pratchett and his Discworld series? It's time to discover one of the funniest, most literate, and most thought-provoking authors writing today.
The Monks of History live in a Tibetan sort of area known as "enlightenment country." Their job: "to see that tomorrow happens at all." A mysterious Lady wants time-obsessed Jeremy Clockson to build a totally accurate glass clock. It will trap time and stop it, eliminating humanity's irritating unpredictability. This would make the Auditors, who observe the universe and enforce the rules governing it, very happy. It would also put Death out of a job, which the Grim Reaper isn't happy about. Fortunately, the History Monks have encountered this situation before; in fact, Lu Tze, the Sweeper, has personally dealt with it before. Even better, he has a new, gifted apprentice, Lobsang Ludd, the "thief of time." This time, they'll stop trouble before it can start! To add chaos to the mix, there's the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse--the one who quit before they became famous.
Although there are 25 other Discworld novels and many of the characters appeared first in previous books, you don't need to have read even one to enjoy The Thief of Time. (If you're the sort of reader who hates to miss any references, you might want to track down a copy of The Discworld Companion.) As a bonus, this book is a painless introduction to what quantum physics says about the nature of time. --Nona Vero
251 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2001
1626 people are currently reading
27047 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
681 books46.2k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,561 reviews
November 8, 2020
The Auditors didn´t think about the true potential of seemingly wacky teachings, although their manifestations have never been that sexy.
Master and apprentice, the wise old man using very unconventional and seemingly strange teaching methods, concepts, and even finally achieved abilities, are driven to show what they really got by the good old auditors. That many ideologies and especially religious teachings are always to be taken with a truckload of salt is well known, but towards the end of the novel, the somewhat uselessness of real world applications turns out to be overwhelmed by the meta, psi, metaphysical options that come with true enlightenment. One could see it as a metaphor for the evanescence and ridiculousness of the short, physical life motivations in contrast to the big endlessness of immortal souls.
Again, as always when they appear, I have to ask myself; and you, ha, fourth wall breaking, you didn´t see that coming, did you; about the background of the motivations of The auditors. What are they, Lovecraftian big one cosmic horror entities, bureaucracy going metaphysical and almighty before having been pedantic aliens before or, and I am mostly going with that, a satire of a philosophical concept I don´t know or don´t recognize with criticism about government in general.
There are so many different innuendos to specific topics and pop culture themes included in this one, even more than normal in Pratchett´s works, that it made me consider checking the connotation list before rereading to be aware of watching out for the satires, because without knowing, one could miss a pun and that would be a shame.
As if this wasn´t already great enough, there´s DEATH, his granddaughter, the relativity of time and time perception, reinterpretations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse with trivial real life and motivation problems, quantum physics, and martial arts gangsta pimp style.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
Master and apprentice, the wise old man using very unconventional and seemingly strange teaching methods, concepts, and even finally achieved abilities, are driven to show what they really got by the good old auditors. That many ideologies and especially religious teachings are always to be taken with a truckload of salt is well known, but towards the end of the novel, the somewhat uselessness of real world applications turns out to be overwhelmed by the meta, psi, metaphysical options that come with true enlightenment. One could see it as a metaphor for the evanescence and ridiculousness of the short, physical life motivations in contrast to the big endlessness of immortal souls.
Again, as always when they appear, I have to ask myself; and you, ha, fourth wall breaking, you didn´t see that coming, did you; about the background of the motivations of The auditors. What are they, Lovecraftian big one cosmic horror entities, bureaucracy going metaphysical and almighty before having been pedantic aliens before or, and I am mostly going with that, a satire of a philosophical concept I don´t know or don´t recognize with criticism about government in general.
There are so many different innuendos to specific topics and pop culture themes included in this one, even more than normal in Pratchett´s works, that it made me consider checking the connotation list before rereading to be aware of watching out for the satires, because without knowing, one could miss a pun and that would be a shame.
As if this wasn´t already great enough, there´s DEATH, his granddaughter, the relativity of time and time perception, reinterpretations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse with trivial real life and motivation problems, quantum physics, and martial arts gangsta pimp style.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
June 6, 2009
I could repeat what all the other reviews have said about this book, but I'm not.
You should read it for a total of five reasons.
1. Susan (one of the best characters ever)
2. Pratchett's character of Death rules.
3. The wonderful use of chocolate in the novel.
4. Mrs. War
5. One of the best descriptions of a school room ever.
You should read it for a total of five reasons.
1. Susan (one of the best characters ever)
2. Pratchett's character of Death rules.
3. The wonderful use of chocolate in the novel.
4. Mrs. War
5. One of the best descriptions of a school room ever.
January 3, 2026
*** 2026 reread -
In another review of Joseph Conrad I opined that if a survey was taken of the books the author had written by fans, how big a slice of pizza would go to which favorite. There would be large groups getting behind Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness (I’m an HOD guy) and some other honorable mentions, most notable for me would be Victory. I think I did this with Vonnegut too: a solid crowd going with Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five while I would be a little different and go with Breakfast of Champions.
Here wet come to Terry Pratchett and his inimical Discworld books. Having the same kind of discussion, I would venture that Guards! Guards! or Night Watch (my favorite) or any of the Granny Weatherwax books, or Small Gods would have large populations of fan favs. Just as Conrad and KV have dark house candidates, I would submit to the Court of Goodreads that Thief of Time is one of my quiet favorites. For many reasons, this is one of his best and I always enjoy returning to the Valley to hang out with Lu Tze the sweeper.
I have also compared Pratchett’s work with Piers Anthony’s Xanth novels with the playful satire and fun fantasy mixed in with droll word play and puns, similes and metaphors. Both writers use a mastery of the language and of their craft to create something rare and wonderful.
Here Pratchett finds some common ground with Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality. He did also somewhat with Small Gods and Hogfather, but adding in the time travel aspects and Lu Tze and the history monks, this is always fun as hell.
The introduction of Nanny Ogg is a classic. And spending some more time with Susan was fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This is a Discworld book that I liked when I first read it seven years ago, but I didn’t love it.
But!
I also thought about it frequently and knew that I would someday come back and read it again. Actually, I intend to read all of the Discworld books again and again.
Rereading allowed me to take more time to enjoy Pratchett’s wonderful writing and his cacophony of double entrendres, metaphors, symbolism and cultural references.
And of course he’s funny as hell.
On another Discworld review I talked about the Pratchett smile-o-meter, how while reading I frequently smiled at a turn of a phrase or playfully, but devilishly witty satirical aside. I just very much enjoy his writing and this was no different.
Lu-Tze is up there with Granny Weatherwax and Commander Vines as great Discworld characters and Pratchett’s description of the History Monks was inspired.
“The thing is, I mean, there’s times when you look at the universe and you think, “What about me?” and you can just hear the universe replying, “Well, what about you?” ”
***
Kwai Chang Caine and Master Kan sit meditating, sipping tea and discussing Terry Pratchett’s 2001 Discworld novel Thief of Time.
Master Kan: Please tell me, young Caine, what was your favorite part of Sir Pratchett’s book.
Caine: I liked it all, master, but I suppose I most liked the character Lobsang Ludd.
Master Kan: Why is that grasshopper?
Caine: Master, he was an apprentice to the great Lu-Tze, who was only a sweeper, and yet he was so much more, he traded his deserved greatness for a lowly position amongst the History Monks.
Master Kan: And why, young student, does this interest you?
Caine: His humility and cleverness stood in contrast to his Lobsang’s talents. Lobsang was much more than he appeared as well.
Master Kan: Indeed, young one. And what of the recurring Discworld character of Death, what did you think of Pratchett’s portrayal of death in this his 26th novel of the series?
Caine: He is a wise and powerful anthropomorphic personification of Death. He is also one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse – and Sir Terry introduced us to a fifth horseman!
Master Kan: Indeed he did. Did this presentation give you enjoyment?
Caine: Oh yes, master, I smiled frequently throughout my reading and laughed out loud several times.
Master Kan: Time, this is a major element of the book as well. Tell me, young Caine, how did you like this aspect of Pratchett’s work.
Caine: I liked it, master. It was not as confusing as many time travel books, and it was not really like a time travel book, but more about time itself and how time affects the Discworld.
Master Kan: Well said young one, and what of Susan, Death’s granddaughter?
Caine: Yes, master, she was in the book as well, and I think that I would like to read more Discworld books featuring her, she is a remarkable person.
Master Kan; We know that where there is no contention, there is neither defeat nor victory. The supple willow does not contend against the storm, yet it survives
Caine: Um … master, I do not understand how this saying is connected with a discussion of Thief of Time or of Susan.
Master Kan: Master Kan: In one lifetime a man knows many pleasures: a mother's smile in waking hours, a young woman's intimate, searing touch, and the laughter of grandchildren in the twilight years. To deny these in ourselves is to deny that which makes us one with nature.
Caine: Oooo Kay. I’m just going to go find Master Po.
Master Kan: By knowing that when we truly love it is never lost. It is only after death that the depth of the bond is truly felt and our loved one becomes more a part of us than was possible in life.
Caine: Master Po! Master Kan is stuck again!
In another review of Joseph Conrad I opined that if a survey was taken of the books the author had written by fans, how big a slice of pizza would go to which favorite. There would be large groups getting behind Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness (I’m an HOD guy) and some other honorable mentions, most notable for me would be Victory. I think I did this with Vonnegut too: a solid crowd going with Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five while I would be a little different and go with Breakfast of Champions.
Here wet come to Terry Pratchett and his inimical Discworld books. Having the same kind of discussion, I would venture that Guards! Guards! or Night Watch (my favorite) or any of the Granny Weatherwax books, or Small Gods would have large populations of fan favs. Just as Conrad and KV have dark house candidates, I would submit to the Court of Goodreads that Thief of Time is one of my quiet favorites. For many reasons, this is one of his best and I always enjoy returning to the Valley to hang out with Lu Tze the sweeper.
I have also compared Pratchett’s work with Piers Anthony’s Xanth novels with the playful satire and fun fantasy mixed in with droll word play and puns, similes and metaphors. Both writers use a mastery of the language and of their craft to create something rare and wonderful.
Here Pratchett finds some common ground with Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality. He did also somewhat with Small Gods and Hogfather, but adding in the time travel aspects and Lu Tze and the history monks, this is always fun as hell.
The introduction of Nanny Ogg is a classic. And spending some more time with Susan was fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This is a Discworld book that I liked when I first read it seven years ago, but I didn’t love it.
But!
I also thought about it frequently and knew that I would someday come back and read it again. Actually, I intend to read all of the Discworld books again and again.
Rereading allowed me to take more time to enjoy Pratchett’s wonderful writing and his cacophony of double entrendres, metaphors, symbolism and cultural references.
And of course he’s funny as hell.
On another Discworld review I talked about the Pratchett smile-o-meter, how while reading I frequently smiled at a turn of a phrase or playfully, but devilishly witty satirical aside. I just very much enjoy his writing and this was no different.
Lu-Tze is up there with Granny Weatherwax and Commander Vines as great Discworld characters and Pratchett’s description of the History Monks was inspired.
“The thing is, I mean, there’s times when you look at the universe and you think, “What about me?” and you can just hear the universe replying, “Well, what about you?” ”
***
Kwai Chang Caine and Master Kan sit meditating, sipping tea and discussing Terry Pratchett’s 2001 Discworld novel Thief of Time.
Master Kan: Please tell me, young Caine, what was your favorite part of Sir Pratchett’s book.
Caine: I liked it all, master, but I suppose I most liked the character Lobsang Ludd.
Master Kan: Why is that grasshopper?
Caine: Master, he was an apprentice to the great Lu-Tze, who was only a sweeper, and yet he was so much more, he traded his deserved greatness for a lowly position amongst the History Monks.
Master Kan: And why, young student, does this interest you?
Caine: His humility and cleverness stood in contrast to his Lobsang’s talents. Lobsang was much more than he appeared as well.
Master Kan: Indeed, young one. And what of the recurring Discworld character of Death, what did you think of Pratchett’s portrayal of death in this his 26th novel of the series?
Caine: He is a wise and powerful anthropomorphic personification of Death. He is also one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse – and Sir Terry introduced us to a fifth horseman!
Master Kan: Indeed he did. Did this presentation give you enjoyment?
Caine: Oh yes, master, I smiled frequently throughout my reading and laughed out loud several times.
Master Kan: Time, this is a major element of the book as well. Tell me, young Caine, how did you like this aspect of Pratchett’s work.
Caine: I liked it, master. It was not as confusing as many time travel books, and it was not really like a time travel book, but more about time itself and how time affects the Discworld.
Master Kan: Well said young one, and what of Susan, Death’s granddaughter?
Caine: Yes, master, she was in the book as well, and I think that I would like to read more Discworld books featuring her, she is a remarkable person.
Master Kan; We know that where there is no contention, there is neither defeat nor victory. The supple willow does not contend against the storm, yet it survives
Caine: Um … master, I do not understand how this saying is connected with a discussion of Thief of Time or of Susan.
Master Kan: Master Kan: In one lifetime a man knows many pleasures: a mother's smile in waking hours, a young woman's intimate, searing touch, and the laughter of grandchildren in the twilight years. To deny these in ourselves is to deny that which makes us one with nature.
Caine: Oooo Kay. I’m just going to go find Master Po.
Master Kan: By knowing that when we truly love it is never lost. It is only after death that the depth of the bond is truly felt and our loved one becomes more a part of us than was possible in life.
Caine: Master Po! Master Kan is stuck again!
December 14, 2025
„Изслушването беше изкуство, което усъвършенстваше с годините. Слушаш ли дълго и съсредоточено, хората ще ти кажат повече, отколкото смятат, че знаят.“
„Крадец на време“ е чудесна книга, която ми въздейства страшно силно и веднага се превърна в една от най-любимите ми творби на Тери Пратчет! Големият писател е споделил в нея своите разсъждения върху непреходната тема за същността на Времето, разказвайки една от най-шантавите и забавни истории от Света на Диска... Сюжетът е изпълнен с любопитни приключения около създаването на съвършен часовник, в които са забъркани прекрасната Сюзън, леля Ог и други вълнуващи персонажи. Ревизорите са решили да унищожат времето чрез въпросния часовник, а пък загадъчни монаси им се противопоставят...
„Ама винаги се мъча да науча още нещичко. — Тя скромно сведе поглед. — Не ми се ще да ти река, че съм най-добрата, ама правичката да си кажа, не се сещам за друга.
— Трябва веднага да тръгнете с мен.
— Трябва, значи, а? — позапъна се Леля Ог.
— Да!
Пределната вещица мисли бързо, защото пределите са твърде променливи. И свиква да познава веднага кога се заражда някой миг и как единствено правилно е да хукнеш редом до него, за да не изостанеш.“
„Госпожица Сюзън беше млада, но около нея витаеше неуловим полъх на древност.“
„— Учителю, може да стане малко еднообразно — обадил се Дръвчо.
— Казваш го, защото още не знаеш как да боравиш с времето. Но аз ще те науча да се отнасяш с него като с палто — да го носиш при нужда и да го сваляш, щом не е необходимо.“
„Сюзън беше способна да лиши от самообладание и планински ледник. Не беше нужно да прави друго, освен да седи кротко и да гледа учтиво и отзивчиво.
— Мадам, всъщност какво искахте да ми кажете? Лошото е, че оставих класа си да се занимава по алгебра, а децата започват да шумят, щом решат задачите.
— Алгебра ли? — попита мадам Фраут, по неволя вторачена в бюста си, което никой друг не бе правил досега. — Но тя е твърде трудна за седемгодишни деца!
— Вярно е, но не им казах това и те още не са го открили самостоятелно.“
„Но навремето започна да ми се струва, че според всички други до истината трябва да се извърви дълъг път. И аз реших да отида в Анкх-Морпорк. Останалите прииждаха насам и за равновесие аз пък тръгнах натам.
— Там ли си търсил просветление?!
— Не. Мъдрият човек не търси просветление, а чака то да го споходи. Докато чаках, надявах се търсенето на недоумение да бъде по-забавно — обясни Лу Цзе. — В края на краищата просветлението започва там, където свършва недоумението.“
„Помни ми думата — ако някой махне запушалката от дъното на Вселената, верижката ѝ ще ни отведе право в Анкх-Морпорк и ще чуем от загубеняка: „Ама аз само исках да видя какво ще стане“. Всички пътища водят към Анкх-Морпорк.“
„Резултатът би надминал и най-необузданите им съновидения, стига Ревизорите да сънуваха. Вече имаха своя агент за внедряване, своя надежден човек и нищо не можеше да им се опре. Учеха се бързо или поне трупаха данни, което според тях беше все същото.“
„С тази дарба бе свързано и умението на всичко да се придава нормален вид. Светът се обръщаше с главата надолу, а след броени дни хората смятаха, че така и трябва да бъде. С изумителна сила те отхвърляха и забравяха онова, което не се вписваше в картинката. Разказваха си смешни историйки, за да замажат с обяснения необяснимото, да покажат, че всичко е наред.“
„Художествените галерии я омайваха. Нямаше съмнение, че някои хора притежават дарбата да представят действителността така, че да изглежда още по-истинска, да говори със зрителя, да опари съзнанието…“
„Ревизорите се бяха постарали да проумеят религията, защото в нейно име се извършваха купища безсмислици. Освен това тя май служеше като оправдание за всевъзможни особняци. Например за любителите на масовите убийства. В сравнение с религията да откажеш убедително чаша чай не беше никакъв проблем.“
„Някои хора се сливат с околния фон. Госпожица Сюзън се сливаше с предния план. Тя се набиваше на очи. Пред каквото и да застанеше, то на свой ред се превръщаше във фон.“
„Има различни правила. От простите възникват сложните, а от сложните — друга простота. Хаосът е маска на реда…“
„Крадец на време“ е чудесна книга, която ми въздейства страшно силно и веднага се превърна в една от най-любимите ми творби на Тери Пратчет! Големият писател е споделил в нея своите разсъждения върху непреходната тема за същността на Времето, разказвайки една от най-шантавите и забавни истории от Света на Диска... Сюжетът е изпълнен с любопитни приключения около създаването на съвършен часовник, в които са забъркани прекрасната Сюзън, леля Ог и други вълнуващи персонажи. Ревизорите са решили да унищожат времето чрез въпросния часовник, а пък загадъчни монаси им се противопоставят...
„Ама винаги се мъча да науча още нещичко. — Тя скромно сведе поглед. — Не ми се ще да ти река, че съм най-добрата, ама правичката да си кажа, не се сещам за друга.
— Трябва веднага да тръгнете с мен.
— Трябва, значи, а? — позапъна се Леля Ог.
— Да!
Пределната вещица мисли бързо, защото пределите са твърде променливи. И свиква да познава веднага кога се заражда някой миг и как единствено правилно е да хукнеш редом до него, за да не изостанеш.“
„Госпожица Сюзън беше млада, но около нея витаеше неуловим полъх на древност.“
„— Учителю, може да стане малко еднообразно — обадил се Дръвчо.
— Казваш го, защото още не знаеш как да боравиш с времето. Но аз ще те науча да се отнасяш с него като с палто — да го носиш при нужда и да го сваляш, щом не е необходимо.“
„Сюзън беше способна да лиши от самообладание и планински ледник. Не беше нужно да прави друго, освен да седи кротко и да гледа учтиво и отзивчиво.
— Мадам, всъщност какво искахте да ми кажете? Лошото е, че оставих класа си да се занимава по алгебра, а децата започват да шумят, щом решат задачите.
— Алгебра ли? — попита мадам Фраут, по неволя вторачена в бюста си, което никой друг не бе правил досега. — Но тя е твърде трудна за седемгодишни деца!
— Вярно е, но не им казах това и те още не са го открили самостоятелно.“
„Но навремето започна да ми се струва, че според всички други до истината трябва да се извърви дълъг път. И аз реших да отида в Анкх-Морпорк. Останалите прииждаха насам и за равновесие аз пък тръгнах натам.
— Там ли си търсил просветление?!
— Не. Мъдрият човек не търси просветление, а чака то да го споходи. Докато чаках, надявах се търсенето на недоумение да бъде по-забавно — обясни Лу Цзе. — В края на краищата просветлението започва там, където свършва недоумението.“
„Помни ми думата — ако някой махне запушалката от дъното на Вселената, верижката ѝ ще ни отведе право в Анкх-Морпорк и ще чуем от загубеняка: „Ама аз само исках да видя какво ще стане“. Всички пътища водят към Анкх-Морпорк.“
„Резултатът би надминал и най-необузданите им съновидения, стига Ревизорите да сънуваха. Вече имаха своя агент за внедряване, своя надежден човек и нищо не можеше да им се опре. Учеха се бързо или поне трупаха данни, което според тях беше все същото.“
„С тази дарба бе свързано и умението на всичко да се придава нормален вид. Светът се обръщаше с главата надолу, а след броени дни хората смятаха, че така и трябва да бъде. С изумителна сила те отхвърляха и забравяха онова, което не се вписваше в картинката. Разказваха си смешни историйки, за да замажат с обяснения необяснимото, да покажат, че всичко е наред.“
„Художествените галерии я омайваха. Нямаше съмнение, че някои хора притежават дарбата да представят действителността така, че да изглежда още по-истинска, да говори със зрителя, да опари съзнанието…“
„Ревизорите се бяха постарали да проумеят религията, защото в нейно име се извършваха купища безсмислици. Освен това тя май служеше като оправдание за всевъзможни особняци. Например за любителите на масовите убийства. В сравнение с религията да откажеш убедително чаша чай не беше никакъв проблем.“
„Някои хора се сливат с околния фон. Госпожица Сюзън се сливаше с предния план. Тя се набиваше на очи. Пред каквото и да застанеше, то на свой ред се превръщаше във фон.“
„Има различни правила. От простите възникват сложните, а от сложните — друга простота. Хаосът е маска на реда…“
February 5, 2025
2025 reread.
Discworld books are my warm, fluffy, comforting blanket.
I always find a story that makes me think, laugh and feel.
I especially love the treatment of the Auditors, even if they make me think about work ☺️
Discworld books are my warm, fluffy, comforting blanket.
I always find a story that makes me think, laugh and feel.
I especially love the treatment of the Auditors, even if they make me think about work ☺️
April 21, 2014
Well, I did not love Lu-Tze, or the History Monks, or the Glass Clock plot...BUT, this being a Pratchett book, it was easy to find plenty of other things to go gaga over.
- This exchange between Susan and her grandfather:
"They're going to do something to time? I thought they weren't allowed to do things like that."
NO. BUT HUMANS CAN. IT HAS BEEN DONE ONCE BEFORE.
"No one would be that stu---"
Susan stopped. Of course someone would be that stupid. Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying "End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH," the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.
- The monks' visit to Qu to see the "new toys" - exploding mandalas and prayer drum garottes.
- Death's hilarious attempts to rally the other Horsemen for the Apocalypse.
- Susan's unusual teaching techniques:
"What precisely was it you wanted, Madam?" she said. "It's only that I've left the class doing algebra, and they get restless when they've finished."
"Algebra?" said Madam Frout, perforce staring at her own bosom, which no one else had ever done. "But that's far too difficult for seven-year-olds!"
"Yes, but I didn't tell them that and so far they haven't found out," said Susan.
- There was a raven named Quoth.
That's one good thing about the Discworld series - even if you don't like the book as a whole, parts of it are sure to make you smile.
- This exchange between Susan and her grandfather:
"They're going to do something to time? I thought they weren't allowed to do things like that."
NO. BUT HUMANS CAN. IT HAS BEEN DONE ONCE BEFORE.
"No one would be that stu---"
Susan stopped. Of course someone would be that stupid. Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying "End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH," the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.
- The monks' visit to Qu to see the "new toys" - exploding mandalas and prayer drum garottes.
- Death's hilarious attempts to rally the other Horsemen for the Apocalypse.
- Susan's unusual teaching techniques:
"What precisely was it you wanted, Madam?" she said. "It's only that I've left the class doing algebra, and they get restless when they've finished."
"Algebra?" said Madam Frout, perforce staring at her own bosom, which no one else had ever done. "But that's far too difficult for seven-year-olds!"
"Yes, but I didn't tell them that and so far they haven't found out," said Susan.
- There was a raven named Quoth.
That's one good thing about the Discworld series - even if you don't like the book as a whole, parts of it are sure to make you smile.
January 30, 2025
Re-read: 1/29/25
Strangely enough, even after multiple readings, I find myself loving this novel more and more and more. Or is that more divided by two but the squared by 72, for the number of average heartbeats per minute?
Ah, never mind, I'm just gonna stand here and spin little flowers of time until somebody puts a broom back in my hand.
Truly, this one just one gets better with age. Or if not, age, because I'm stuck in an endless now, at least a function of one moment of age.
And with that, I eat a piece of chocolate. And not only a piece, but an endless panorama of Ankh Morporkian chocolates, of which I can absolutely taste through the page. And yes, a hint of the future Foul Old Ron, I believe, but so faint as to not drive away all my future readings.
Fully recommend, even for any new readers, especially if you want mysterious monks, personifications of high concepts, a little apocalypse, and a broom.
Re-read: 7/29/19
Cheese and Chaos, time and death, the grand auditors of the universe, and every kung-fu movie ever made.
Does this sum up this novel?
Yep, pretty much. :)
Some parts in the middle dragged a bit, but getting all the horsemen together and Ronnie sped it up a great deal. And is it just me, or do Ronnie and Gaspode need their own novels? An epic team-up, perhaps? Maybe it's just me. And, oh, the end this novel actually brought a tear to my eye. :)
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.
Arctunn.com
Strangely enough, even after multiple readings, I find myself loving this novel more and more and more. Or is that more divided by two but the squared by 72, for the number of average heartbeats per minute?
Ah, never mind, I'm just gonna stand here and spin little flowers of time until somebody puts a broom back in my hand.
Truly, this one just one gets better with age. Or if not, age, because I'm stuck in an endless now, at least a function of one moment of age.
And with that, I eat a piece of chocolate. And not only a piece, but an endless panorama of Ankh Morporkian chocolates, of which I can absolutely taste through the page. And yes, a hint of the future Foul Old Ron, I believe, but so faint as to not drive away all my future readings.
Fully recommend, even for any new readers, especially if you want mysterious monks, personifications of high concepts, a little apocalypse, and a broom.
Re-read: 7/29/19
Cheese and Chaos, time and death, the grand auditors of the universe, and every kung-fu movie ever made.
Does this sum up this novel?
Yep, pretty much. :)
Some parts in the middle dragged a bit, but getting all the horsemen together and Ronnie sped it up a great deal. And is it just me, or do Ronnie and Gaspode need their own novels? An epic team-up, perhaps? Maybe it's just me. And, oh, the end this novel actually brought a tear to my eye. :)
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.
Arctunn.com
September 1, 2008
This was my first exposure to the work of Terry Pratchett. As a long-time Douglas Adams fan, I had heard Pratchett's name many times, but never took the time to actually read one of his books. I grabbed this one because the plot sounded interesting, and when I read the jacket at home, I noticed it was part of the "Discworld" series. Curious about how to properly start the series, a lump formed in my throat as I discovered that there are thirty-two Discworld novels, and that's not counting four young adult novels, several graphic novels, multiple short stories, and a few science novels! In fact, there's even a flowchart displaying the proper reading order for eight different sub-plots within the Discworld series! Though this book is near the end of a reading order, I noticed that it was only "loosely" connected to the other books, so I went ahead and started reading. I could tell that I'd be reading more Pratchett (and more Discworld) books in the future shortly after I started. The Discworld is a mythology very similar to what you find in Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, but much more irreverent. A very fun read — so much so that I decided to start at the beginning of this sub-plot reading order ("Death Novels") and read more Pratchett.
May 2, 2022
This book comes alive (hehe) when Susan Sto Helit, her grandfather Death, and Ronnie Soak are involved more in the story. The part with the monks heading to Ankh Morpork does drag a little bit.
The development of The Auditors' behaviour is hilarious, even though it's a depressing comment on humanity.
This is another imaginative story that's funny, sad, and poignant too. I have only given it 3 stars within my Terry Pratchett ratings scale. For any other author, it would have been 4.5/5
The development of The Auditors' behaviour is hilarious, even though it's a depressing comment on humanity.
This is another imaginative story that's funny, sad, and poignant too. I have only given it 3 stars within my Terry Pratchett ratings scale. For any other author, it would have been 4.5/5
May 2, 2025
Kto by pomyślał, że podróże w czasie z mnichami, będą tak zabawne. Skomplikowane, ale zabawne.
Recenzja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUuDv...
Recenzja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUuDv...
August 28, 2023
The auditors of reality are at it again. They hate life. Not because they’re evil but because life is messy and unpredictable, which makes them fall behind on their paperwork. They now have another cunning plan to make their lives a little easier. They ask a clockmaker to build a special clock, one that will stop time for good. Death can smell something’s up but can’t directly act against the auditors, so he contacts his granddaughter Susan Sto Helit. Meanwhile, a legendary history monk and his apprentice hear about a special clock being built and head for Ankh-Morpork.
“Procrastination is the thief of time” is the saying the title is based on and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Everybody’s wasting time in this novel, trying to put off the inevitable.
As the clockmaker’s assistant Igor points out, the clockmaker could have finished his clock much faster but he’s reluctant to actually finish it.
You could say Lu-Tze wastes time by sweeping the floor of the monastery every day in the beginning of the story, instead of tackling more important issues. But even en route to Ankh Morpork he’s still arguably wasting time. Like when he stops to save a yeti from a group of hunters or tries to educate his apprentice Lobsang, while there are more important things at hand.
Death is stalling, going round to his fellow horseman of the apocalypse because they are supposed to ride out together. But nobody’s really feeling up to it.
Nanny Ogg wastes a bit of time here because she’s so reluctant to tell Susan about the special kind of birth she helped with, in her work as a midwife.
In Susan’s case it starts with Susan clearly thinking a lot of teachers are basically wasting their students’ time. It’s some very sharp and to the point criticism on our modern education which is still very relevant to this day. And it ends with Susan and Lobsang where she clearly states they have all the time in the world, so they shouldn’t go too fast.
Even the auditors of reality are wasting time here, as they transform to human form. They’re experimenting and basically learning step by step what it means to be human. Which is also a bit of a sad truth about humanity in general.
While the Death books feature the most dense and at times poetic prose in the Discworld series, it’s definitely not on the same level as Reaper Man or The Hogfather. The prose is much more accessible here. The concept is a little bit out there but the execution is absolutely brilliant. This story is quite complex though, because of the many plot threads and references.
Overall, a strong installment in the Discworld series as all the separate plot threads neatly come crashing together in the end. It’s a good swansong for Susan’s character in particular, though she gets a bit lost in the shuffle in the middle of the story. And the story is just a little too overly complicated for its own good.
“Procrastination is the thief of time” is the saying the title is based on and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Everybody’s wasting time in this novel, trying to put off the inevitable.
As the clockmaker’s assistant Igor points out, the clockmaker could have finished his clock much faster but he’s reluctant to actually finish it.
You could say Lu-Tze wastes time by sweeping the floor of the monastery every day in the beginning of the story, instead of tackling more important issues. But even en route to Ankh Morpork he’s still arguably wasting time. Like when he stops to save a yeti from a group of hunters or tries to educate his apprentice Lobsang, while there are more important things at hand.
Death is stalling, going round to his fellow horseman of the apocalypse because they are supposed to ride out together. But nobody’s really feeling up to it.
Nanny Ogg wastes a bit of time here because she’s so reluctant to tell Susan about the special kind of birth she helped with, in her work as a midwife.
In Susan’s case it starts with Susan clearly thinking a lot of teachers are basically wasting their students’ time. It’s some very sharp and to the point criticism on our modern education which is still very relevant to this day. And it ends with Susan and Lobsang where she clearly states they have all the time in the world, so they shouldn’t go too fast.
Even the auditors of reality are wasting time here, as they transform to human form. They’re experimenting and basically learning step by step what it means to be human. Which is also a bit of a sad truth about humanity in general.
While the Death books feature the most dense and at times poetic prose in the Discworld series, it’s definitely not on the same level as Reaper Man or The Hogfather. The prose is much more accessible here. The concept is a little bit out there but the execution is absolutely brilliant. This story is quite complex though, because of the many plot threads and references.
Overall, a strong installment in the Discworld series as all the separate plot threads neatly come crashing together in the end. It’s a good swansong for Susan’s character in particular, though she gets a bit lost in the shuffle in the middle of the story. And the story is just a little too overly complicated for its own good.
January 9, 2024
A masterpiece from Sir Terry.
January 31, 2025
The 26th in my re-read of the entire Discworld series - the books are flying by ... kinda like time ... though this book taught me that that is better than time stopping!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this 26th book (in chronological order) are:
Death's granddaughter, Susan, is at the helm again. She's reluctant to leave her teaching position no matter how ludicrous the education system, but the Auditors are back and - as usual - want to eradicate everyone and everything because we're apparently too ... chaotic? Thankfully, we do have a champion once again in: Death. *lol* Yep. Our hour glass hasn't run out yet so he and Death-of-Rats (and his friend, the raven Matthew) will be damned before they let the Auditors win. However, they do need Susan's help. And that of Nanny Ogg. And that of the Venerable Monks of History. For, you see, these monks make sure time flows healthily and steadily and that is exactly what the Auditors plan on changing by employing a very ... erm, passionate ... watchmaker.
What is time, really? What do we do with the time we have? How CAN we use it wisely? How the hell have some managed to make so much money off time while also convincing everyone else to give it away so cheap?
I liked how time even had meaning to Death, in a way. That whole business with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse (regardless of how many there are) and nostalgia, for example, was simply brilliant.
Then again, basically everything about this installment was absolutely fantastic. I would have been sceptical if anyone had listed all the topics presented in this book and told me it would all come together nicely in one setting - but Terry Pratchett pulled it off and then some.
Sure, I wished Susan weren't quite so reluctant and got over herself because her attitude has lost its charm some time ago (excuse the bad pun), but she was aided (and opposed) by such an endearing cast of characters that one hardly noticed anyway. Oh, and I still adore how we get to see Granny (at different stages of her life, even) kicking ass since we usually rarely see her without Granny (and Granny always steals the show, of course).
Sian Clifford's wonderful narration didn't hurt either. We really are getting spoilt with these high-quality audiobook productions.
I can still say with conviction that this is one of my favorite volumes in the series. Yes, there are indeed many of those *lol* but what can I say? Pratchett was absolutely masterful!
Eyeballs, anyone?
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this 26th book (in chronological order) are:
Death's granddaughter, Susan, is at the helm again. She's reluctant to leave her teaching position no matter how ludicrous the education system, but the Auditors are back and - as usual - want to eradicate everyone and everything because we're apparently too ... chaotic? Thankfully, we do have a champion once again in: Death. *lol* Yep. Our hour glass hasn't run out yet so he and Death-of-Rats (and his friend, the raven Matthew) will be damned before they let the Auditors win. However, they do need Susan's help. And that of Nanny Ogg. And that of the Venerable Monks of History. For, you see, these monks make sure time flows healthily and steadily and that is exactly what the Auditors plan on changing by employing a very ... erm, passionate ... watchmaker.
What is time, really? What do we do with the time we have? How CAN we use it wisely? How the hell have some managed to make so much money off time while also convincing everyone else to give it away so cheap?
I liked how time even had meaning to Death, in a way. That whole business with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse (regardless of how many there are) and nostalgia, for example, was simply brilliant.
Then again, basically everything about this installment was absolutely fantastic. I would have been sceptical if anyone had listed all the topics presented in this book and told me it would all come together nicely in one setting - but Terry Pratchett pulled it off and then some.
Sure, I wished Susan weren't quite so reluctant and got over herself because her attitude has lost its charm some time ago (excuse the bad pun), but she was aided (and opposed) by such an endearing cast of characters that one hardly noticed anyway. Oh, and I still adore how we get to see Granny (at different stages of her life, even) kicking ass since we usually rarely see her without Granny (and Granny always steals the show, of course).
Sian Clifford's wonderful narration didn't hurt either. We really are getting spoilt with these high-quality audiobook productions.
I can still say with conviction that this is one of my favorite volumes in the series. Yes, there are indeed many of those *lol* but what can I say? Pratchett was absolutely masterful!
Eyeballs, anyone?
December 25, 2020
3/26/2004
6/27/2014
I don't know why I didn't review this one before. Death is featured, but once again, more play is given to granddaughter Susan, who, in the ongoing move to Discworld modernity, is now an elementary school teacher. There is an impending apocalypse caused by the Auditors again. We also get a few new characters: one a very talented clockmaker, another a novice under Lo Tze the time monk. Marvelous fun along the way as Pratchett explores what time means to humans. Such fun. There's a yeti.
I should note that reading the Death novels in order has really made me love them. At the moment Susan is my favorite character, although that could change as I read the other sequences.
7/20/2016
Veronica could not be swayed by my suggestion that she read Pratchett, but a reputable someone at Summer Ventures recommended one. Now she believes.
Library copy.
6/27/2014
I don't know why I didn't review this one before. Death is featured, but once again, more play is given to granddaughter Susan, who, in the ongoing move to Discworld modernity, is now an elementary school teacher. There is an impending apocalypse caused by the Auditors again. We also get a few new characters: one a very talented clockmaker, another a novice under Lo Tze the time monk. Marvelous fun along the way as Pratchett explores what time means to humans. Such fun. There's a yeti.
I should note that reading the Death novels in order has really made me love them. At the moment Susan is my favorite character, although that could change as I read the other sequences.
7/20/2016
Veronica could not be swayed by my suggestion that she read Pratchett, but a reputable someone at Summer Ventures recommended one. Now she believes.
Library copy.
June 5, 2018
Desgraciadamente me aburrió HORRORES todo el tema de los monjes y la historia de Lu-Tze, que ocupa buena parte de la novela, pero es que todo lo demás me encantó. Especialmente los divertidísimos Auditores, la siempre genial Susan y su inimitable abuelo, y por supuesto la aparición estelar de una de mis brujas preferidas.
Así que no sé muy bien que pensar de este libro, cosas muy guays y otras no tanto.
Así que no sé muy bien que pensar de este libro, cosas muy guays y otras no tanto.
June 26, 2025
2023 - Currently listening with my husband and daughter during the Christmas Holidays. This is #5 in the Death sub series of Discworld.
2025 - Re-reading with Simon.
Quotes that caught my ears this time around:
"'In my experience, Susan, within their heads too many humans spend a lot of time in the middle of wars that happened centuries ago [...] You must not confuse the content with the container,' Death sighed."
"In life, as in breakfast cereal, take time to read the instructions on the box."
2025 - Re-reading with Simon.
Quotes that caught my ears this time around:
"'In my experience, Susan, within their heads too many humans spend a lot of time in the middle of wars that happened centuries ago [...] You must not confuse the content with the container,' Death sighed."
"In life, as in breakfast cereal, take time to read the instructions on the box."
November 10, 2021
Honk if you like Time Yetis.
This continues the trend of top-notch Discworld novels published around the turn of the twenty-first century, when Sir Terry was at the peak of his game. Every book during this period shows outstanding pacing, characters, humour, and analysis of human nature.
Thief of Time could potentially be read as a standalone book for the Disc-curious, but I think this one will go down best with at least a little bit of prior Discworld experience first, but one needs not read every preceding Death subseries novel (most of which were not the best).
This book features:
-the best performance to date by an Igor, providing some excellent read-aloud dialogue;
-the only good appearance to date of the Auditors;
-lovely ties to Small Gods;
-a perfect cameo appearance by Nanny Ogg;
-re-use of the name 'Lobsang', clearly Pratchett's go-to nomenclature for monk-type figures. There was an Abbot Lobsang briefly in Mort, and he uses the name again in his non-Discworld The Long Earth series.
This continues the trend of top-notch Discworld novels published around the turn of the twenty-first century, when Sir Terry was at the peak of his game. Every book during this period shows outstanding pacing, characters, humour, and analysis of human nature.
Thief of Time could potentially be read as a standalone book for the Disc-curious, but I think this one will go down best with at least a little bit of prior Discworld experience first, but one needs not read every preceding Death subseries novel (most of which were not the best).
This book features:
-the best performance to date by an Igor, providing some excellent read-aloud dialogue;
-the only good appearance to date of the Auditors;
-lovely ties to Small Gods;
-a perfect cameo appearance by Nanny Ogg;
-re-use of the name 'Lobsang', clearly Pratchett's go-to nomenclature for monk-type figures. There was an Abbot Lobsang briefly in Mort, and he uses the name again in his non-Discworld The Long Earth series.
July 30, 2019
Welcome to Discworld. As we all know, things work a little different on Discworld (though Susan does not approve).
This goes for Time as well. Thus, only the experts can manage time - thes eexperts are called the Venerable Monks of History and they store it and pump it from where it's wasted (like underwater - how much time does a codfish really need after all?) to places like cities where people lament "Oh, where does the time go?".
After discovering a remarkable thief in Ankh-Morpork's Guild of Thieves, the monks take in young Lobsang and he is trained by the legendary Lu-Tze. At the same time, young Jeremy, member of the Guild of Watchmakers, is tasked with building a very special clock indeed, one known only from the "Book of Grim Tales". This, it would seem, is a very bad idea, however. Why? Well, because the Auditors are back again with a new plan to end humanity as we are more chaos than they can stomach.
Since this means the end of the world, we also get a certain number of Horsemen of the Apocalypse. That is, if they can be persuaded to ride once more.
The assortment of characters in this was truly fantastic: from the newbies Jeremy, Lobsang and Lu-Tze (as well as all the other monks), to the familiar ones like Nanny Ogg, Death, Susan and an Igor. They were a wonderful mix that tried to figure out what was going on and how to stop it. Or they were just there for the eyeballs. ;)
Time. People's perception of and what we do with it, every trope from every martial arts movie ever made (incl. The Matrix), myths about Tibet and tropes from Wushu (Chinese stories of chivalry) and Zen, even robotics/logic and quantum mechanics. Since this is about stolen time, it's also a nod to a German children's book classic called Momo which I find really cool.
I wasn't expecting half as much from this book as from other volumes in the series and so, naturally, got one of the best books in the series, of course. *lol* Death's uncanny look at humanity that his granddaughter makes even more poignant, the Auditors and how the whole mess teaches us so much about ourselves as humans, Lu-Tze's "teachings" that aren't quite as ridiculous as they seem at first glance, the look at children's education thanks to Susan and her workplace, Nanny's take on ... well, everything ... there is almost no end to topics this master storyteller interwove perfectly here.
The Disc is my home but some books shine more than others and this is one of those underrated books in my opinion. Terry Pratchett had a way of making you suspect nothing, only to jump out from behind you and whack you over the head with profound observations and just a pinch of advice.
A brilliant entry in an even more brilliant series that made me enjoy every second of my time spent (the puns you can use after reading this book are innumerable). ;)
This goes for Time as well. Thus, only the experts can manage time - thes eexperts are called the Venerable Monks of History and they store it and pump it from where it's wasted (like underwater - how much time does a codfish really need after all?) to places like cities where people lament "Oh, where does the time go?".
After discovering a remarkable thief in Ankh-Morpork's Guild of Thieves, the monks take in young Lobsang and he is trained by the legendary Lu-Tze. At the same time, young Jeremy, member of the Guild of Watchmakers, is tasked with building a very special clock indeed, one known only from the "Book of Grim Tales". This, it would seem, is a very bad idea, however. Why? Well, because the Auditors are back again with a new plan to end humanity as we are more chaos than they can stomach.
Since this means the end of the world, we also get a certain number of Horsemen of the Apocalypse. That is, if they can be persuaded to ride once more.
The assortment of characters in this was truly fantastic: from the newbies Jeremy, Lobsang and Lu-Tze (as well as all the other monks), to the familiar ones like Nanny Ogg, Death, Susan and an Igor. They were a wonderful mix that tried to figure out what was going on and how to stop it. Or they were just there for the eyeballs. ;)
Time. People's perception of and what we do with it, every trope from every martial arts movie ever made (incl. The Matrix), myths about Tibet and tropes from Wushu (Chinese stories of chivalry) and Zen, even robotics/logic and quantum mechanics. Since this is about stolen time, it's also a nod to a German children's book classic called Momo which I find really cool.
I wasn't expecting half as much from this book as from other volumes in the series and so, naturally, got one of the best books in the series, of course. *lol* Death's uncanny look at humanity that his granddaughter makes even more poignant, the Auditors and how the whole mess teaches us so much about ourselves as humans, Lu-Tze's "teachings" that aren't quite as ridiculous as they seem at first glance, the look at children's education thanks to Susan and her workplace, Nanny's take on ... well, everything ... there is almost no end to topics this master storyteller interwove perfectly here.
The Disc is my home but some books shine more than others and this is one of those underrated books in my opinion. Terry Pratchett had a way of making you suspect nothing, only to jump out from behind you and whack you over the head with profound observations and just a pinch of advice.
A brilliant entry in an even more brilliant series that made me enjoy every second of my time spent (the puns you can use after reading this book are innumerable). ;)
August 7, 2022
The Assessors are at it again. Those mysterious, anal retentive entities have hatched a new plot. Fanatically dedicated to an orderly Universe, haters of the messiness of living beings, their nefarious plan will cleanse the world of the contagion of life.
This time, their plot involves the building of the ultimate clock; a device made all of crystal and so in tune with the heartbeat of Universe that it can capture and imprison Time herself (yes, on Discworld, Time is a she). To accomplish this, they require the help of Jeremy Clockson, a clockmaker whose brilliance at his trade is only rivaled by the unsettling instability of his personality. More remarkably, they find it necessary for some of their number to actually assume human form and risk the horror of personality to accomplish their goal.
Opposing their diabolical plan are the History Monks (a super secret order who work behind the scenes to preserve the integrity of history), and Death, who once again marshals his forces and rides to the rescue of life. As with many of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, this plot is of little importance in itself, but serves mostly as the loose framework upon which he can hang his amazing characters and an excuse to display his highly evolved and hilarious sense of satire and parody.
Discworld fans will recognize many old friends in the present cast. Death takes the lead, with his usual sympathy for those living creatures that are his responsibility to terminate. His companions, Death of Rats and Quoath the raven (the Laurel and Hardy of grim reaping), along with his ever resourceful granddaughter, the stern and perpetually ticked off Miss Susan do most of the footwork, while he rides off to marshal the rest of the Four Horsemen to ride as the world's quiet Apocalypse approaches. Even Granny Ogg, the most colorful of the three Lancre witches has a significant cameo, adding nicely to her legend. Stealing center stage is Lu-Tze, the humble sweeper and mythic hero of the History Monks. He expounds upon his Way, a body of wisdom learned from an old lady seamstress and consisting entirely of stale clichés treated as deep, sacred wisdom.
Pratchett's satire is sharp as ever, as he tackles everything from the apparent absurdity of mystical philosophy (and the fact that it sometimes works in spite of this) to the wild realm of Chaos Theory. Along the way he interjects priceless parodies. Qu is the History Monk's device expert (a la 007), who creates such items as exploding begging bowls with spring loaded blades. Then there’s the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who split with the other four early on because of creative differences and went on to pursue a career in dairy products. And then, of course, there is death by chocolate.
This time, their plot involves the building of the ultimate clock; a device made all of crystal and so in tune with the heartbeat of Universe that it can capture and imprison Time herself (yes, on Discworld, Time is a she). To accomplish this, they require the help of Jeremy Clockson, a clockmaker whose brilliance at his trade is only rivaled by the unsettling instability of his personality. More remarkably, they find it necessary for some of their number to actually assume human form and risk the horror of personality to accomplish their goal.
Opposing their diabolical plan are the History Monks (a super secret order who work behind the scenes to preserve the integrity of history), and Death, who once again marshals his forces and rides to the rescue of life. As with many of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, this plot is of little importance in itself, but serves mostly as the loose framework upon which he can hang his amazing characters and an excuse to display his highly evolved and hilarious sense of satire and parody.
Discworld fans will recognize many old friends in the present cast. Death takes the lead, with his usual sympathy for those living creatures that are his responsibility to terminate. His companions, Death of Rats and Quoath the raven (the Laurel and Hardy of grim reaping), along with his ever resourceful granddaughter, the stern and perpetually ticked off Miss Susan do most of the footwork, while he rides off to marshal the rest of the Four Horsemen to ride as the world's quiet Apocalypse approaches. Even Granny Ogg, the most colorful of the three Lancre witches has a significant cameo, adding nicely to her legend. Stealing center stage is Lu-Tze, the humble sweeper and mythic hero of the History Monks. He expounds upon his Way, a body of wisdom learned from an old lady seamstress and consisting entirely of stale clichés treated as deep, sacred wisdom.
Pratchett's satire is sharp as ever, as he tackles everything from the apparent absurdity of mystical philosophy (and the fact that it sometimes works in spite of this) to the wild realm of Chaos Theory. Along the way he interjects priceless parodies. Qu is the History Monk's device expert (a la 007), who creates such items as exploding begging bowls with spring loaded blades. Then there’s the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who split with the other four early on because of creative differences and went on to pursue a career in dairy products. And then, of course, there is death by chocolate.
January 16, 2020
It's not easy to pick a favorite out of all the Discworld books, every single one of them being great in their own way... but if you were to twist my arm and force me to pick one, I'd have to go with Thief of Time.
This isn't one of those books carried by its heroes, though. Neither Lobsang Ludd nor Jeremy Clockson were all too memorable to me, and Susan Sto Helit was never a favorite of mine either. No, this book has stuck into my mind entirely because of its villains: occasionally scary, often entertainingly insane, full of amusing shenanigans and with a plainly hilarious way of doing them in.
These villains are the Auditors of Reality, once again up to no good in trying to clean up the horrible chaotic mess that is humanity. To that end they've recruided a prodigious clockmaker, Jeremy, to build them a clock that is absolutely hundred-percent accurate of time. Which is of course impossible. The History Monks take interest, and the best monk of all time, Lu-Tze, gets involved along with his student, Lobsang Ludd, who is more involved with Jeremy Clockson than either of them realize. Meanwhile, Death has to put the band back together for one final apocalypse.
Still, even if I like it the best, I wouldn't necessarily call it the best Discworld book made. None of the main heroes can really carry the torch to some of Pratchett's best - Rincewind, Weatherwax, Vimes, Brutha, and others - with the sole exception almost counting into the camp of the villains, and I already said I love the villains. Lu-Tze and Death are great of course, but take largely a supporting role to the main events this time. The writing's great as it always is with Pratchett, but both the funniest scenes and the most gripping events are in other books, though there's hardly anything to complain about them in here either.
It's the villains that carry this book - in my case, enough to make it highly enjoyable even with the tiny flaws it also has to deal with. You'll probably like it too.
This isn't one of those books carried by its heroes, though. Neither Lobsang Ludd nor Jeremy Clockson were all too memorable to me, and Susan Sto Helit was never a favorite of mine either. No, this book has stuck into my mind entirely because of its villains: occasionally scary, often entertainingly insane, full of amusing shenanigans and with a plainly hilarious way of doing them in.
These villains are the Auditors of Reality, once again up to no good in trying to clean up the horrible chaotic mess that is humanity. To that end they've recruided a prodigious clockmaker, Jeremy, to build them a clock that is absolutely hundred-percent accurate of time. Which is of course impossible. The History Monks take interest, and the best monk of all time, Lu-Tze, gets involved along with his student, Lobsang Ludd, who is more involved with Jeremy Clockson than either of them realize. Meanwhile, Death has to put the band back together for one final apocalypse.
Still, even if I like it the best, I wouldn't necessarily call it the best Discworld book made. None of the main heroes can really carry the torch to some of Pratchett's best - Rincewind, Weatherwax, Vimes, Brutha, and others - with the sole exception almost counting into the camp of the villains, and I already said I love the villains. Lu-Tze and Death are great of course, but take largely a supporting role to the main events this time. The writing's great as it always is with Pratchett, but both the funniest scenes and the most gripping events are in other books, though there's hardly anything to complain about them in here either.
It's the villains that carry this book - in my case, enough to make it highly enjoyable even with the tiny flaws it also has to deal with. You'll probably like it too.
January 9, 2024
“He had never been interested in stories at any age, and had never quite understood the basic concept. He'd never read a work of fiction all the way through. He did remember, as a small boy, being really annoyed at the depiction of Hickory Dickory Dock in a rag book of nursery rhymes because the clock in the drawing was completely wrong for the period.”
Terry Pratchett always makes me laugh, and this one was no exception. I always find my mind spinning as I wonder how he came up with all this, kept track of everything that intersected, while creating so many different views of life on Discworld. The further into the series I get, the more I admire what he created.
“Susan was sensible. It was, she knew, a major character flaw.”
Terry Pratchett always makes me laugh, and this one was no exception. I always find my mind spinning as I wonder how he came up with all this, kept track of everything that intersected, while creating so many different views of life on Discworld. The further into the series I get, the more I admire what he created.
“Susan was sensible. It was, she knew, a major character flaw.”
January 16, 2022
Що буде якщо змішати - внучку Смерті, Смерть, Час, історичних ченців, всадників апокаліпсису і аудиторів? Правильно, саме ця розповідь.
Ідеально витримані гумор, філософія і пригоди. Знову наближається апокаліпсис😅тут він часто - тому не дивуйтеся. І наші герої з різних боків намагаються його розгадати і уникнути.
Сподобалося більш детальне розкриття аудиторів - в деяких попередніх творах вони тільки побіжно згадані. Також, тема Ігорів розкрита😎Дуже сподобався цей персонаж.
Рекомендую усім - але після ознайомлення з попередніми книгами циклу - бо багато персонажів і відсилок🙃 Хороший настрій забезпечено😌
Ідеально витримані гумор, філософія і пригоди. Знову наближається апокаліпсис😅тут він часто - тому не дивуйтеся. І наші герої з різних боків намагаються його розгадати і уникнути.
Сподобалося більш детальне розкриття аудиторів - в деяких попередніх творах вони тільки побіжно згадані. Також, тема Ігорів розкрита😎Дуже сподобався цей персонаж.
Рекомендую усім - але після ознайомлення з попередніми книгами циклу - бо багато персонажів і відсилок🙃 Хороший настрій забезпечено😌
March 4, 2017
Thief of Time is the fifth and final(!) book in the Death subseries of Discworld. I’ve always been a little iffy on this subseries, but I think this was my favorite of the five books. The general story is that an Auditor has commissioned a clockmaker, Jeremy, to make a special clock. What the Auditor doesn’t tell Jeremy is that this clock will supposedly have the power to stop time, bringing an end, or at least a permanent pause, to the Discworld.
Death didn’t actually get that much page time in this book. Maybe that’s partly why I enjoyed it. I like Death in small doses, when he’s being funny or clever or profound, but he starts to grate on my nerves in larger doses. This was especially true in the first three books where he essentially shirked his responsibilities and let other people take up the slack for him. Meanwhile, he went off and had what would be considered a mid-life crisis if he were a human. Happily, Death has seemed better-grounded in these last two books, so I’ve started enjoying his character more.
In this book, we finally get a chance to learn more about the Auditors. Unsurprisingly, Susan shows up again. I enjoyed most of her sections, especially the ones at the beginning. I also really liked the characters of Lu-Tze and Lobsang who take up a large portion of the story. They’re mostly just your stereotypical well-respected and mysterious monk with his exceptionally clever but impatient apprentice, at least at first, but they were fun characters. The master/apprentice portrayal is a common plot device in fantasy, but it’s one that I tend to enjoy.
I expected this book to earn 4 stars up until maybe the last 25% or so, at which point I started to lose interest in the story. Somehow the climatic events were the most boring parts to me, I think because it went too far into “random chaos” territory at times. In the end, I decided on a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.
Death didn’t actually get that much page time in this book. Maybe that’s partly why I enjoyed it. I like Death in small doses, when he’s being funny or clever or profound, but he starts to grate on my nerves in larger doses. This was especially true in the first three books where he essentially shirked his responsibilities and let other people take up the slack for him. Meanwhile, he went off and had what would be considered a mid-life crisis if he were a human. Happily, Death has seemed better-grounded in these last two books, so I’ve started enjoying his character more.
In this book, we finally get a chance to learn more about the Auditors. Unsurprisingly, Susan shows up again. I enjoyed most of her sections, especially the ones at the beginning. I also really liked the characters of Lu-Tze and Lobsang who take up a large portion of the story. They’re mostly just your stereotypical well-respected and mysterious monk with his exceptionally clever but impatient apprentice, at least at first, but they were fun characters. The master/apprentice portrayal is a common plot device in fantasy, but it’s one that I tend to enjoy.
I expected this book to earn 4 stars up until maybe the last 25% or so, at which point I started to lose interest in the story. Somehow the climatic events were the most boring parts to me, I think because it went too far into “random chaos” territory at times. In the end, I decided on a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.
February 28, 2025
Truly astonishing.
For the first 100 or so pages, I was sure this would be one of my least favorite Discworld novels.
Then Pratchett flipped a switch or something and now…this genuinely might be my favorite of the ENTIRE series.
I mean this quote alone makes the book Top 5 Discworld for me:
“…the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.'
Pratchett was a treasure.
For the first 100 or so pages, I was sure this would be one of my least favorite Discworld novels.
Then Pratchett flipped a switch or something and now…this genuinely might be my favorite of the ENTIRE series.
I mean this quote alone makes the book Top 5 Discworld for me:
“…the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.'
Pratchett was a treasure.
January 26, 2024
A very complex and rewarding entry in the popular Discworld series.
The initial simple premise of the Auditors hiring (the wonderful pun named) Jeremy Clockson to build the perfect glass clock in order to stop time and erase human unpredictability.
Despite not being the funniest and lacking in the usually enjoyable footnotes, this is still a strong entry to close the Death sub-series.
Whilst it's also great to have a cameo from another popular character in the series.
Pratchett's writing is so creative whilst many of the themes presented here are equally fascinating.
The initial simple premise of the Auditors hiring (the wonderful pun named) Jeremy Clockson to build the perfect glass clock in order to stop time and erase human unpredictability.
Despite not being the funniest and lacking in the usually enjoyable footnotes, this is still a strong entry to close the Death sub-series.
Whilst it's also great to have a cameo from another popular character in the series.
Pratchett's writing is so creative whilst many of the themes presented here are equally fascinating.
November 5, 2024
Etwas anderes als 5🌟 ist unmöglich.
September 10, 2025
Times have changed
To Be human was to change
Thank goodness, thought Death, that I am completely the same as I ever was.
One of Sir Terry's best. The humor has so much heart, and the silly jokes are earned. Layers upon layers of allegorical fun. I love what is being done with East/West philosophies about time, mindfulness, and enlightenment. While waiting for enlightenment, the wise person seeks perplexity instead.
If the truth is anywhere, it is everywhere
There are five elements, fire, water, earth, air.... and the fifth element of Surprise! This is what Sir Terry does the best. He always surprises in the sweetest way. I can't read his books without chuckling out loud to myself and giving ghost hugs in his memory. *flicks single tear off cheek* Whenever I don't know what to read or my books are putting me in a bad mood, I can count on Sir Terry to deliver everything I ever wanted from books. One of the few authors I keep (hoard) a hard copy collection. The warmth, smiles, delight, the bright humor, and the surprises <3
To Be human was to change
Thank goodness, thought Death, that I am completely the same as I ever was.
One of Sir Terry's best. The humor has so much heart, and the silly jokes are earned. Layers upon layers of allegorical fun. I love what is being done with East/West philosophies about time, mindfulness, and enlightenment. While waiting for enlightenment, the wise person seeks perplexity instead.
If the truth is anywhere, it is everywhere
There are five elements, fire, water, earth, air.... and the fifth element of Surprise! This is what Sir Terry does the best. He always surprises in the sweetest way. I can't read his books without chuckling out loud to myself and giving ghost hugs in his memory. *flicks single tear off cheek* Whenever I don't know what to read or my books are putting me in a bad mood, I can count on Sir Terry to deliver everything I ever wanted from books. One of the few authors I keep (hoard) a hard copy collection. The warmth, smiles, delight, the bright humor, and the surprises <3
May 25, 2025
Esat kaut ko dzirdējuši par Vēstures mūku ordeni? Neesat, nav jau arī nekāds brīnums, tas ir visslepenākais Diskzemes ordenis. Viņu galvenais uzdevums ir rūpēties, lai visiem pietiktu laika. Ir skaidri zināms fakts, ka, piemēram, biržā laiks vienmēr pietrūkst, bet jūrā zivīm viņš ir bijis nebijis. Tad nu Vēstures mūki rūpējas par to, lai laiks būtu sabalansēts. To viņi nodrošina ar speciāliem rīkiem, latviski to sauktu vārpstiņa, kas tin laiku no nākotnes pagātnē un arī nedaudz uzkrāj.
Viens no galvenajiem tēliem ir Džeremijs (Jeremy), cilvēks kura mūža aicinājums ir pulksteņi, viņš zina visu par pulksteņiem un cenšas izveidot visprecīzāko pulksteni pasaulē. Šo viņa tieksmi izmanto Auditori, viņiem ir pieriebies, ka cilvēki ienes pasaulē nenoteiktību un nav iespējams visu uzskaitīt. Viņi saprot, ka ideāli precīzs pulkstenis, kas spēs izmērīt visuma tikšķēšanu, Visumu arī apstādinās.
Protams, ka pret šāda pulksteņa izveidi iebilst Nāve, kas ir spiests iejaukties, ne jau pats, bet liekot to darīt savai mazmeitai. Uz Ankh-Morpork pulksteņa apstādināšanai tiek nosūtīti arī divi Vēstures mūki Lobsang un Lu-Tze.
Grāmata ir no noveļu cikla, kas veltītas Nāvei. Šajā gan Nāve vairāk parādās kā veco tradīciju glabātājs, mēģina motivēt Apokalipses jātniekus, kuri ir pārāk pieķērušies cilvēkiem. Viņš pat ir gatavs salīgt mieru ar piekto jātnieku, kurš aizgāja pirms viņi kļuva slaveni, Ronnie Soak, bet tagad strādā piena biznesā.
Autors kā vienmēr ir humora pilns un palīdz lasītājam saprast Lu-Tze Sētnieka ceļu un to, cik svarīgs ir Pirmais likums. Grāmatu izlasīju vienā piegājienā no vāka līdz vākam. Neteiktu, ka ir labākā no Pratchetta darbiem un tādēļ lieku 8 no 10 ballēm. Ja jau lasa šo sēriju, tad ir jāizlasa obligāti, lai saprastu kas ir Laiks.
Viens no galvenajiem tēliem ir Džeremijs (Jeremy), cilvēks kura mūža aicinājums ir pulksteņi, viņš zina visu par pulksteņiem un cenšas izveidot visprecīzāko pulksteni pasaulē. Šo viņa tieksmi izmanto Auditori, viņiem ir pieriebies, ka cilvēki ienes pasaulē nenoteiktību un nav iespējams visu uzskaitīt. Viņi saprot, ka ideāli precīzs pulkstenis, kas spēs izmērīt visuma tikšķēšanu, Visumu arī apstādinās.
Protams, ka pret šāda pulksteņa izveidi iebilst Nāve, kas ir spiests iejaukties, ne jau pats, bet liekot to darīt savai mazmeitai. Uz Ankh-Morpork pulksteņa apstādināšanai tiek nosūtīti arī divi Vēstures mūki Lobsang un Lu-Tze.
Grāmata ir no noveļu cikla, kas veltītas Nāvei. Šajā gan Nāve vairāk parādās kā veco tradīciju glabātājs, mēģina motivēt Apokalipses jātniekus, kuri ir pārāk pieķērušies cilvēkiem. Viņš pat ir gatavs salīgt mieru ar piekto jātnieku, kurš aizgāja pirms viņi kļuva slaveni, Ronnie Soak, bet tagad strādā piena biznesā.
Autors kā vienmēr ir humora pilns un palīdz lasītājam saprast Lu-Tze Sētnieka ceļu un to, cik svarīgs ir Pirmais likums. Grāmatu izlasīju vienā piegājienā no vāka līdz vākam. Neteiktu, ka ir labākā no Pratchetta darbiem un tādēļ lieku 8 no 10 ballēm. Ja jau lasa šo sēriju, tad ir jāizlasa obligāti, lai saprastu kas ir Laiks.
‘Hah! Kids today, where do they get their education? The first stroke is from the ground to the air, lad. That makes a nice hole in the air for the main lightning to come down. Look for the glow. We’ve got to be giving the road plenty of sandal by the time it reaches the clouds. You holding up okay?’
August 3, 2017
This is my first time reading this particular volume of Discworld. As usual it was a fun romp with some old friends and some inventive new characters and an innovative plot. However, I don't think it's going to be one of my favourites (there are so many to choose from) as it didn't seem as cohesive (if that is a world you can apply to a Discworld novel) as others in the series. It may not have helped that I read this slowly as my bedtime read. Maybe a re-read would help :)
Having said that, there is much to love in the quirky humour and the characters:
* The History Monks who manage Time and keep it all in balance
* Lobsang Ludd, the thief of time who is sent to the Monks when the Thieves Guild can't control him
* Lu Tze, a humble sweeper who takes on Lobsang as his apprentice
* Jeremy who is building a very special glass clock
* Lady LeJean, an auditor in human form
* Susan, grand-daughter of DEATH, who is always fantastic
* DEATH himself of course, life is never dull when he makes an appearance on his horse Binky
* The FIVE horsemen of the Apocalypse - DEATH, War, Famine, Pestilence and Ronnie
* Mrs War, who has domesticated War
* Igor - don't you just love an Igor?
* Chocolate used as a weapon of mass destruction
Having said that, there is much to love in the quirky humour and the characters:
* The History Monks who manage Time and keep it all in balance
* Lobsang Ludd, the thief of time who is sent to the Monks when the Thieves Guild can't control him
* Lu Tze, a humble sweeper who takes on Lobsang as his apprentice
* Jeremy who is building a very special glass clock
* Lady LeJean, an auditor in human form
* Susan, grand-daughter of DEATH, who is always fantastic
* DEATH himself of course, life is never dull when he makes an appearance on his horse Binky
* The FIVE horsemen of the Apocalypse - DEATH, War, Famine, Pestilence and Ronnie
* Mrs War, who has domesticated War
* Igor - don't you just love an Igor?
* Chocolate used as a weapon of mass destruction
May 31, 2023
OK I'm biased - I am a big fan of Pratchett's stories. However for me this is one of the best of the later books if not the whole series (let's exclude Tiffany Aching though!). The witches are brilliant for psychology however nothing beats Death for philosophy... This works on a number of levels for me. The story is excellent anyway. However the way that this manages to work in the complexities of philosophy and time is simply wonderful. The Daoist take in this is SO good. I now aspire to be the sweeper though obviously that is a contradiction in terms anyway. Just a brilliant tale from a brilliant author.
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