The Fifth Elephant: A Discworld Novel

· Discworld Book 24 · Harper Collins
4.7
136 reviews
Ebook
416
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

“Pratchett cheerfully takes readers on an exuberant tale of mystery and invention. Along the way, he skewers everything from monarchy to fascism, as well as communism and capitalism, oil wealth and ethnic identities, Russian plays, immigration, condoms, and evangelical Christianity—in short, everything worth talking about.” —Publishers Weekly

Elephants, werewolves, and ruby tights (oh my!) collide in this clever Discworld tale rich in mystery, myth, intrigue, and a dollop of diplomacy from the legendary New York Times bestselling author Terry Pratchett.

Everyone knows that the world is flat, and supported on the backs of four elephants. But weren’t there supposed to be five? Indeed there were. So where is the fifth elephant?

Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork constabulary is the man to find out. A copper through and through, he’s been “invited” to attend a royal function as a diplomat, ambassador to the mysterious, fat-rich country of Uberwald—complete with ruby tights.

Of course where cops go, crime follows. An attempted assassination and a theft soon lead to a desperate chase from the low halls of Discworld royalty to the legendary fat mines of Uberwald, where lard is found in underground seams along with tusks and teeth and other precious ivory artifacts. It’s up to the dauntless Vimes to solve the puzzle of the missing pachyderm. After all, that’s what he does.

Only there are monsters on his trail—bright, fast, toothy werewolves. And they’re catching up.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Fifth Elephant is the 5th book in the City Watch collection.

The City Watch series in order:

  • Guards! Guards!
  • Men at Arms
  • Feet of Clay
  • Jingo
  • The Fifth Elephant
  • Night Watch
  • Thud!
  • Snuff

Ratings and reviews

4.7
136 reviews
A Google user
September 30, 2011
A wonderful addition to Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, As the famous Sam Vimes, lady Sybil, and two of his closest Night Watch are sent to Uperwald in hopes of making deals for their fat mines. Faceing along the way facing thrilling and unexpected problems along the way. As Caption Carrot ventures out to find Angua and find out what's going on. This thrilling comity all centered around a dwarf coronation and fat.
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Jennifer Graziano
May 27, 2025
Origin of the alphabet; number line, computer is the same place. There isn't a calendar without a programmer; different ones in society are for companies to supply basic utilities; motor vehicles, food clothes & shelter. Computer programs give the answers to outstanding questions; humans do not. They also drive all artificial moving objects; humans do not. One program designs all the building and a different one does cars; the program includes after they are built schedules for them and us. Cameras are a derivative of computer separate from video recorder for unreal pictures and photograph obstructing justice to disappear or vanish includes video tapes & DVD's.
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Robert Bertmeyer
October 17, 2013
I really like all of Terry Pratchett's book but I can't seem to read this one I just keeps freezing up can't get through the first page.
3 people found this review helpful
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About the author

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) is the acclaimed creator of the globally revered Discworld series. In all, he authored more than fifty bestselling books, which have sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.

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