Displays of arms & armor are more of an invitation to fight rather than a deterrent. Several times in the story, Vimes approaches what could be an inflammatory scene with a mindset of protecting the populace rather than inciting them to riot. Deescalation versus intimidation in dealing with The People. Explored is the notion of "policeman" as derived from "polis" to mean "man of the city," versus troops who are outsiders and therefore more apt to see civilians as enemies of the state rather than neighbors and family. Conflicting loyalties set local police against federal troops. Those running the government, motivated to maintain their own authority and acting in the name of "Law & Order," commit violence against the civilians they are charged with protecting. A secret police presence, sanctioned as a greater authority than local law enforcement, is used as a tool of fear and repression. It's the man-in-the-middle, Sam Vimes, that puts flesh on the bones of those moments whose substance are usually reduced to ether by a newspaper headline. The story of political struggle will always be relevant (it was published in 2002). The novel is framed in familiar themes, and that's the whole point.
It is, however, a perfect book for our times in light of what recently happened in Portland.Ī city under stress, a populace fed up with being ill-fed, repression of the masses by a disconnected ruling class, and a brewing revolution. As #28 in the Discworld series, I'm afraid this novel might get unduly overlooked.
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