Thief of Time

2001

This is partly set in the great city of Ankh-Morpork, and partly in the Hubward Mountains.

In the city, the watchmaker Jeremy Clockson knew that he was unmatched in the ability to assemble accurate clocks. So did the Guild and they were assiduous in keeping an eye on this son of the Guild.

Up in the mountains was the monastery of the History Monks. In the monastery was another foundling going by the rather unlikely name of Lobsang Ludd, another foundling from the streets of Ankh-Morpork (this time a member of the Thief's Guild). Here he is supposed to learn the secrets of the Monks as revealed to their founder, Wen, but his teachers despair - not because he was unwilling to learn, but because he always seemed to know the lessons better than the monks teaching him. Things came a head soon and it was decided to give him over to Lu Tze, the nearly mythical… Sweeper? Lu Tze had a vast reputation and Lobsang was hoping to learn his ancient secrets. But all he learnt was how to hold a broom.

Meanwhile in Ankh-Morpork, a strange woman who wanted him to build the perfect clock approaches Jeremy. Unable to refuse this appeal to his vanity, Jeremy accepted the commission and is given a book of fairy tales as a blue print. He realised that he needed to stop taking the medicine provided by the Guild if he were to become sane enough to complete the commission.

Meanwhile, a strange looking rat with an even stranger request approaches a young schoolteacher. At first, Susan is unwilling to get caught up with her grandfather's request, but he is soon able to engage her sense of curiosity.

What will the consequences be of Jeremy's strange looking clock? What is the purpose of the strange lady who had asked for it? Why is Death taking such an interest in Humanity? What sort of relationship do Lobsang and Jeremy have with each other?

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