Thief of Time
Young Adult Fantasy Science Fantasy Humorous Fiction Satire Comic Fantasy Time Travel Metaphysical Fantasy
Terry Pratchett’s Thief of Time—the 26th Discworld novel and a dazzling first-edition hardback from 2001—delivers the author’s trademark blend of comic fantasy and razor-sharp satire while tackling nothing less than the end of time itself. When the restless Auditor-spirits hire a brilliant yet obsessive young clockmaker to build the perfect glass clock, they set off a chain reaction that threatens to freeze Discworld in an eternal moment. Enter Susan Sto Helit, Death’s granddaughter and reluctant governess, and the enigmatic Lu-Tze, a time-bending sweeper-monk who knows that history is just another thing that needs a good dusting. The result is a fast-moving, mind-bending romp that lampoons everything from martial-arts clichés to quantum physics, yet still lands heartfelt truths about humanity’s gift for messing things up—and fixing them again.
First editions are the crown jewels for Discworld collectors, and this Doubleday issue is the earliest English-language printing, complete with its original dust jacket and all 316 pages bound in sturdy hardcover. Light age-foxing on the closed page edges and a tiny bump are the only gentle reminders that the book has waited twenty-plus years to find its next reader; the text block remains tight and bright, perfect for devouring or displaying. Because Pratchett’s UK publisher switched to paperbacks for later impressions, high-grade first-edition hardbacks have become increasingly scarce, especially in unrestored condition.
Owning this copy means holding a cornerstone of modern comic fantasy: the novel where Pratchett perfects his juggling act of big ideas, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and genuine emotional stakes. Whether you’re completing a Discworld shelf, hunting a gift for a YA or adult reader who loves Douglas Adams or Neil Gaiman, or simply want to revisit the Monks of History and their chocolate-loving saviour, this Thief of Time offers both nostalgic pleasure and long-term collectible value.
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