Mini Review – Men At Arms

From Goodreads:

‘Be a MAN in the City Watch! The City Watch needs MEN!’

But what it’s got includes Corporal Carrot (technically a dwarf), Lance-constable Cuddy (really a dwarf), Lance-constable Detritus (a troll), Lance-constable Angua (a woman … most of the time) and Corporal Nobbs (disqualified from the human race for shoving).

And they need all the help they can get. Because they’ve only got 24 hours to clean up the town and this is Ankh-Morpork we’re talking about…

This might have just became my favourite of the Discworld books, knocking Hogfather off the top spot. I have recently set about properly reading the Discworld. I have dabbled, dipped a toe in and out but haven’t committed to following them through but as I have recently started to collect the Gollancz Collectors library editions I thought I should make a more concerted effort.

Oh this book had me laughing from start to finish. From fantastically witty and, sadly still relevant, social commentary/satire to some of the best puns I was constantly pausing to re-read and giggle some more, read passages out loud to Euan (husband) so he would laugh with me, and I think half the book is tabbed and highlighted. On example I will return to is ..

Fingers-Mazda, the first thief in the world, stole fire from the Gods. But he was unable to fence it. It was too hot. He got burned on that deal.

And that comic gold was a footnote! We are also treated to the Vimes "Boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness" which tackles the subject of class distinctions while also covering sexism, racisim, political correctness, governmental inaction, sadly all topics just as relevant to life as when Prachett penned them. He tackles them with such wit and ease. The characters are also fantastic, from the buddy cop style interactions of Cuddy and Detritus, Carrot coming into his own, Vimes internally wrestlings and Angua finding her feet the "you know what" of the group their various Arcs all played very well with each-other creating an exciting and fun narrative that left me with such a smile on my face.