By Terry Pratchett
Read this in late December 2023 while in Barcelona.
Thief of Time is set in his Discworld, with the theme being a clash between the cold unyielding Auditors (manifestations of physical law) and Death, here a manifestation of narrative and humanity.
I liked it! One of his most high-concept books, with the history monks and the prayer wheels which redistribute time.
Some really lovely moments, with Lu-Tze and Lobsang (who is very similar to the character of the same name in the long earth series), and Susan Sto Helit is a delight as always (especially in the stationary closet at the end with Lobsang) (although her witchiness was unusually emphasised in this one, seems like he has a few character archetypes he loves playing with) (Nanny Ogg was also so good, especially the plot point about her being asked to birth a child thrice throughout her life) but Lady LeJean, later Unity, the first auditor made human, stole the show completely, and the part at the end where she asks Death to let her die, only to find out she has to go with him afterwards because she’s become human, was a lovely touch.
He as always plays with the idea of elastic humanity, human is as human does, ranging from werewolves and vampires to goblins, golems, and now auditors.
Upon a brief reread of the first few chapters on the same trip, I also think the novel is a bit unfinished - there were a few dangling plot hooks, things left unexplained, etc. Slightly less polished than his other works.