On page 2 in the thread, I said Guards Guards was my favourite. It's now my second favourite. The cell scene is still one of the greatest Discworld moments, but Night Watch surpasses it because of the suspense, the drama, Vimes as a character, and the real epic and indeed moral feeling you get when you read the book. It's one of my favourite Discworld books actually, simply because it's so perfectly orchestrated.

[quote:282be0d3ee="discaimer"] T5E is weakened by it's rewrite, Thud. [/quote:282be0d3ee]
Interesting opinion. Why do you think so? I would have thought that a strong book is a strong book - you can't retroactively weaken it.

[quote:8ba76ae0c9="Buzzfloyd"][quote:8ba76ae0c9="discaimer"] T5E is weakened by it's rewrite, Thud. [/quote:8ba76ae0c9]
Interesting opinion. Why do you think so? I would have thought that a strong book is a strong book - you can't retroactively weaken it.[/quote:8ba76ae0c9]Well, it's like anything. When you experience the update/sequel/successor, sometimes the original seems of less quality. It's like games (I use games as the most obvious example). GTA: Sean Andreas is an immense game, and because of its existence, GTA1 is weakened, because there is simply something better out.

It's less obvious with books, I suppose, but the comparisons can still definitely be made.

I thought you meant that Thud! was a weaker book, and that made T5E also seem weak. I have to go out now, but I'll come back later and give my arguments for why T5E is the stronger book. Thanks for an interesting discussion!

[quote:3bbf96bf5e="Buzzfloyd"]I thought you meant that Thud! was a weaker book, and that made T5E also seem weak. I have to go out now, but I'll come back later and give my arguments for why T5E is the stronger book. Thanks for an interesting discussion![/quote:3bbf96bf5e]That's not me who said that. That was discaimer. I was not putting forth an explanation. Sorry, I do that [s:3bbf96bf5e]sometimes[/s:3bbf96bf5e] all the time..

Doh! Sorry! That'll teach me to read more carefully.

[size=12:a9c51b5926][/size:a9c51b5926]I am torn between Men At Arms and Guards! Guards! and anyway any book that has Sam Vimes in it gets my vote.

I'd have to say Night Watch. They're all fantastically wonderful in my opinion, but there's just something amazing about Night Watch.

Anyways, I really liked the 5th Elephant. More so then Thud, actually. Maybe this isn't a common thought or maybe it is. I don't really know. Just felt I'd let it be known to the general public

Got to be Night Watch. The whole book is a tour-de force, essentially a one-man POV novel with practically none of the usual supporting cast of characters, and it's a tribute to the writing strength of TP that it hangs together so well.

Hmmm although I still enjoyed Thud! I think Pratchett needs to give Vimes a rest for a little bit.

I voted for Fifth Elephant, can't remember why. I couldn't decide between it and Night Watch, I also can't explain why I love Night Watch so much. :cry:

I said Thud! but i really can't decide. Men at arms was my first Watch book and the second Discworld i actually understood. The only thing I know for certain is that its not T5E or FOC. T5E was the first watch book i read that had a lot of boring bits (obviously excepting the werewolf chase and anywhere where detritus has the Piecemaker. Carrot was halarious in GG especially whenever he goes into a bar dwarf or otherwise.

I didn't think T5E was boring at all. I didn't stop reading it until 3.30 in the morning, then had to get up for work the next day.

I didn't feel that Thud! was a rewrite of T5E, but I haven't read T5E in a while.
I must reread it and compare them. . .

But from what I can recall, I don't see any huge similarities. . .
If anyone who does feel they are the same could say why, I'd appreciate it!

Well, I read them both quite close together, and I can see the similarities... Vimes trying to resolve an enigmatic crime, racial tension, dwarves, etc. but still, I wouldn't say it was a rewrite...

Nah, it definitely wasn't. No more so than Feet of Clay being a rewrite of Men at Arms.