'Feet of Clay' - Book Review

Feet of Clay is the 19th Discworld novel, which introduces golems. We see the City Watch (including characters we already know, including Vimes, Carrot, Angua, Detritus, Nobby, and Colon, plus a new dwarf named "Cheery Littlebottom"). Golems are made of clay, and must have a master - for whom they will work tirelessly 24 hours a day. They're nearly indestructible, and when one apparently goes on a rampage, the watch has some very tricky detective work to do. At the same time, Lord Vetinari is also being poisoned, causing further problems.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one much - I suppose I keep expecting the Discworld books to fall off in quality as they progress, in large part because I know I don't like 2003's The Wee Free Men. But, while they've been uneven, there hasn't been the slow downward trend I keep looking for. I enjoyed this one a fair bit, and thought he managed to pull of one of his best interchanges ever towards the end of the book.

SPOILER ALERT: what follows is a spoiler, not because of what's said, but because of who says it. So stop reading this review now if you're planning to read the book.

Another priest said, "Is it true you’ve said you'll believe in any god whose existence can be proved by logical debate?"

"Yes."

Vimes had a feeling about the immediate future and took a few steps away from Dorfl.

"But the gods plainly do exist," said a priest.

"It Is Not Evident."

A bolt of lightning lanced through the clouds and hit Dorfl's helmet. There was a sheet of flame and then a trickling noise. Dorfl's molten armor formed puddles around his white-hot feet.

"I Don't Call That Much Of An Argument," said Dorfl calmly, from somewhere in the clouds of smoke.

"It's tended to carry the audience," said Vimes. "Up until now."

The jokes about religion and authority are very good for most of the book, but this is a favourite.