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The Fifth Elephant

(Discworld Novel 24)

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The Fifth Elephant

By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Jon Culshaw, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy
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Over 1 million Discworld audiobooks sold – discover the extraordinary universe of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld like never before.

'Well, he thought, so this is diplomacy. It's lying, only for a better class of people.

They say that diplomacy is a gentle art. That mastering it is a lifetime's work. But you do need a certain inclination in that direction. It's not something you can just pick up on the job.

A few days ago Sam Vimes was a copper - an important copper, true - chief of police - but still, at his core, a policeman. But today he is an ambassador - to the mysterious, fat-rich country of Uberwald. Today, Sam Vimes is also a man on the run.

At some point during his ambassadorship, things went very wrong. It's snowing. It's freezing. And if Vimes can't make it through the forest, with only his wits and the gloomy trousers of Uncle Vanya (don't ask), there's going to be a terrible war.

There are monsters on his trail. They're bright. They're fast. They're werewolves - and they're catching up.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Fifth Elephant is the fifth book in the City Watch series.

'Precisely balanced . . . a cracking comic thriller' The Times

© Terry and Lyn Pratchett 1999 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

 Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Humorous Literature & Fiction Satire Fiction Comedy Thought-Provoking Funny Celebrity Werewolf Wolf Shifter
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Critic reviews

'Precisely balanced...excellent set pieces...a cracking comic thriller' (Peter Ingham)
The twenty-fourth Discworld novel
All stars
Most relevant
Another great story from Terry Pratchett with much intrigue and twisted and turns. I do like the series of books covering The Watch. Unfortunately, the narrator does not have enough range of accents and annoyingly makes Vimes sound either like Les Dawson or Sean Bean at times. Bill Nighy's talents are wasted for the few footnote readings he is engaged for. I forget Pratchett's penchant for too many of these that can actually take you out of the story and I think they would be handled better by the main narrator as if they were in brackets in line. Get Michael Sheen to do these. He would be fabalas.

Great story, lost in translation

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Amazing story as always from Pratchett; the depictions of werewolves particularly stood out
And of course, the narrator was incredible

Perhaps the most skilled narrator I’ve ever come across

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have never lifted or heard a Discworld book that had anything bad about it

the amazing humour that is the signature of Sir Terry Pratchett that I have loved for near 40 years

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I’m really enjoying the new versions of the late great Sir Terry’s books. Indra Varma is wonderful, Mathew Baynton and Richard Coyle have been amazing in the books they have read, and I was really nervous about Jon Culshaw reading these. Well, I need not have worried. Unlike another reviewer here, my reaction to Vime’s voice being a Mancunian rasp with shades of Les Dawson was that I’d not have thought of it, but once heard it is perfect. I’m thoroughly enjoying these books they have been my comfort listens through cataract surgery. Anyway … onwards to Thud!

Great new readings

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I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole of the night watch series but this one could be the best yet. Mr Culshaw has elevated the great man’s words. Sam Vimes as Sean Bean magnificent, I could picture Sharpe fighting werewolfs! Also the female characters an amazing achievement for a man to voice at least 4 different females (probably not the right definition in this case) so distinctly. Take a bow John Culshaw!

Pratchett read by Culshaw a fantastic partnership!

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