Night Watch
Score Modern
What it's about
Sir Sam Vimes, commander of the City Watch, is chasing a psychopath across the rooftops of Ankh-Morpork when a magical accident sends both of them thirty years into the past. Vimes lands in a darker version of the city he remembers, on the eve of a street rebellion that ended in needless deaths, and he has to take the place of the man who taught him to be a copper.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of the best books of the 21st century and the BBC's Big Read, and many fans call it the best of all the Discworld novels. It's funny, angry and deeply moving about duty and decency.
You'll love it if you liked
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Good Omens or The Colour of Magic
Good to know
It's part of Discworld, but you can start here. It's darker than most Pratchett and works best after one or two earlier City Watch books.
Quick answers
Is Night Watch worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of the best books of the 21st century and the BBC's Big Read, and many fans call it the best of all the Discworld novels. It ranks #173 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 84.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Night Watch about?
Sir Sam Vimes, commander of the City Watch, is chasing a psychopath across the rooftops of Ankh-Morpork when a magical accident sends both of them thirty years into the past. Vimes lands in a darker version of the city he remembers, on the eve of a street rebellion that ended in needless deaths, and he has to take the place of the man who taught him to be a copper.
How long does it take to read Night Watch?
About 10 hours (411 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Night Watch?
If you liked it, try The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett or The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett.
By the numbers
- Readers99 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics51 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller46 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
On 2 canon lists, including Guardian 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.
Where it ranks
- #2 of the 35 humor books we rank
- #23 of the 461 fantasy books we rank
- #95 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #173 of the 2,819 books we rank
On the lists
- Guardian 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
- BBC's The Big Read
Reads as
Adventurous, Funny, Uplifting
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