Terry Pratchett: Thief of Time

Hi everyone

Thief of Time is Terry Pratchett’s 26th Discworld novel. I’ve owned the series for years and before that, I borrowed my father’s copies, so Pratchett’s world has been a constant companion for most of my life. This might have been my third time reading Thief of Time, and it was just as delightful as ever.

“Time is a resource.
Everyone knows it has to be managed.
And on Discworld that is the job of the Monks of History, who store it and pump it from the places where it's wasted (like underwater -- how much time does a codfish need?) to places like cities, where there's never enough time.
But the construction of the world's first truly accurate clock starts a race against, well, time, for Lu Tze and his apprentice Lobsang Ludd. Because it will stop time. And that will only be the start of everyone's problems.
Thief of Time comes complete with a full supporting cast of heroes and villains, yetis, martial artists and Ronnie, the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse (who left before they became famous).” 

Thief of Time is classic Pratchett: witty, clever, and brimming with heart. The concept of time as a resource, managed by the Monks of History, is so brilliantly Pratchett. Only he could turn time itself into a bureaucratic nightmare and make it hilarious.
The characters are a joy, as always. Lu Tze, the sweeper-turned-hero, and his apprentice Lobsang Ludd are a perfect duo and their dynamic is one of the highlights of the book. And then there’s Ronnie, the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who was an absolutely brilliant addition to the cast of characters.
The story is funny, clever, and surprisingly poignant, all at once.

What I love most about re-reading Pratchett is discovering new layers each time. The older I get, the more life experience I have, the more I’m able to see and interpret the story in different ways. 
If you’re new to Discworld, Thief of Time is a great place to jump in; it’s a standalone story but still rich with the magic that makes the whole series so special. 

Have you read Thief of Time? Did it make you laugh, think, or both? Do you have a favorite Discworld novel? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena