Buy from Amazon:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thief of Time - Discworld Book 26
Synopsis
History itself is threatened by a mysterious clockmaker and his device to stop time. Death, along with his granddaughter Susan and the Monks of History, race to save reality.
Book Overview
In Thief of Time, Discworld faces its most abstract and existential threat yet—the potential end of time itself. When a talented young clockmaker unwittingly constructs a device capable of halting time permanently, Discworld’s fragile reality hangs in the balance. Death, accompanied by his granddaughter Susan Sto Helit and the enigmatic Monks of History, races to prevent disaster, navigating profound philosophical questions about existence, perception, and reality.
Susan, now older and increasingly self-assured, grapples with balancing rational skepticism against a universe defined by illogic and paradox. She confronts beings who perceive time and existence fundamentally differently, challenging her understanding of reality and identity. The novel humorously yet insightfully explores human perceptions of time, mortality, and the desire to control or escape inevitable consequences.
Thematically, Thief of Time deeply meditates on the nature of existence, time, free will, and responsibility. Pratchett cleverly examines humanity’s obsession with controlling their environment, emphasizing the importance of accepting life’s uncertainty and mortality. The story’s surreal narrative questions objective reality itself, suggesting perception and consciousness fundamentally shape personal reality.
As part of Discworld’s Death-focused narrative arc, Thief of Time significantly deepens the characterization of Susan and Death, expanding philosophical and existential themes introduced in earlier novels like Mort, Reaper Man, and Hogfather. Its exploration of time and human consciousness places it among the most philosophically ambitious and thoughtful entries in Discworld, reinforcing Pratchett’s ongoing interest in humanity’s complicated relationship with existence, perception, and morality.
Principal Characters
Lobsang Ludd
Lobsang Ludd is a unique and pivotal character in the Discworld universe, embodying the duality of human and divine nature. As the son of Time and a human clockmaker, he possesses extraordinary abilities to manipulate time, making him central to the events in 'Thief of Time.' Lobsang's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to balance his human emotions with his god-like powers, ultimately playing a crucial role in maintaining the fabric of reality.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Jeremy Clockson
Jeremy Clockson is a meticulous and obsessive clockmaker, whose life revolves around precision and the pursuit of perfect timekeeping. His role in 'Thief of Time' is pivotal as he is tasked with creating the perfect glass clock, a device capable of stopping time itself. Jeremy's significance lies in his embodiment of the fine line between genius and madness, as his quest for perfection leads to unintended consequences that threaten the fabric of reality.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Susan Sto Helit
Death's granddaughter who inherited some of his abilities, such as walking through walls and stopping time. Practical, logical, and no-nonsense, she reluctantly steps in when supernatural duties call, despite preferring a normal life as a governess or teacher.
Appears in 3 booksView Details
Lu-Tze
An unassuming sweeper at the Monastery of Oi Dong who is actually one of the most powerful History Monks. He follows "The Way of Mrs. Cosmopilite" and is known for his wisdom and exceptional martial arts abilities despite his humble appearance and demeanor.
Appears in 2 booksView Details
Lady Lejean
Lady Lejean, also known as Myria LeJean, is a unique character in the Discworld universe, originally an Auditor of Reality who takes on human form. Her journey from a cold, logical being to one experiencing human emotions and individuality is central to her role in 'Thief of Time.' Her significance lies in her exploration of what it means to be human, providing a humorous yet profound commentary on identity and existence.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Ronnie Soak
Ronnie Soak, an anagram of "Kaos," is the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse who left before they became famous. In "Thief of Time," he is revealed to be the embodiment of Chaos, running a dairy business in Ankh-Morpork. His role is pivotal in the cosmic balance, representing the unpredictable and often humorous nature of chaos in the Discworld universe.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Auxiliary Characters
Death
The anthropomorphic personification of death on Discworld, who speaks in ALL CAPITALS and has a fondness for cats, curry, and humanity. Despite his intimidating appearance as a skeleton in a black robe, he's generally fair, philosophical, and tries to understand humans.
Appears in 7 booksView Details