Feet of Clay - Book Review

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Feet of Clay is the nineteenth novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, and it was first published in 1996. Like many of the books in the series, Feet of Clay is a satire that parodies various aspects of society, in this case, the police procedural genre. The novel also explores the themes of justice, power, and the nature of humanity.

The plot of Feet of Clay revolves around the appearance of golems in the city of Ankh-Morpork. Golems are animated clay figures created by skilled craftsmen and imbued with a single purpose. In the case of the golems in Ankh-Morpork, their purpose is to serve as labourers and assistants to humans.

However, the golems begin to act strangely, and some of them are even found committing murder. This puts the city's ruler, Lord Vetinari, on high alert, and he assigns Commander Vimes and the City Watch to investigate the matter.

As Vimes and his team investigate, they uncover a conspiracy involving the city's leading families and a plot to overthrow Lord Vetinari. The golems are being used as pawns in this conspiracy, and their strange behaviour is a result of their attempts to break free from their programming.



The investigation is further complicated by the fact that the golems are not recognized as sentient beings under the law, and thus their actions cannot be considered criminal. This raises questions about the nature of humanity and whether or not beings created for a specific purpose can be considered alive.

At the same time, Vimes is also dealing with personal issues, as his wife is expecting their first child. This adds an emotional depth to the novel and highlights the importance of family and love.

Throughout the novel, Pratchett also satirizes various aspects of society, including bureaucracy, politics, and class inequality. He does this through the interactions of the various characters, who each represent different facets of society.

One of the central themes of Feet of Clay is the nature of justice. The golems, who are not recognized as sentient beings under the law, are treated as mere objects and are not subject to the same moral and legal standards as humans. This raises questions about the role of the law in defining who or what is deserving of justice and protection.

Furthermore, the investigation into the golems' strange behaviour also highlights the issue of power dynamics in society. The golems are created to serve humans, but they begin to assert their own agency and push back against their programming. This is seen as a threat by the humans who rely on the golems' labour, and they seek to suppress the golems' rebellion by any means necessary.

This is reflective of the power dynamics that exist in our own society, where those in positions of power often seek to maintain their status and control over others. The novel explores the potential consequences of this, as well as the ethical implications of treating others as mere means to an end.

In addition to these deeper themes, Feet of Clay is also a thrilling detective story that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. The twists and turns of the investigation, coupled with Pratchett's trademark humour and wit, make for an entertaining read that still manages to tackle serious issues.

One of the strengths of Feet of Clay is its characters. Commander Vimes, who is one of the most beloved characters in the Discworld series, is the epitome of the grizzled detective who is dedicated to upholding justice, even when it means going against the powerful forces that seek to undermine it. He is a character who is flawed, but ultimately heroic, and his journey throughout the novel is both engaging and emotionally resonant.

The other members of the City Watch, including the dwarfs Cheery Littlebottom and Cuddy, and the troll Detritus, also add depth and humour to the story. They each have their own quirks and motivations, and their interactions with each other and with the other characters make for some of the book's funniest and most memorable moments.

Overall, Feet of Clay is a thought-provoking and entertaining novel that explores complex themes while still maintaining the humour and wit that are hallmarks of the Discworld series. The novel's commentary on justice, power, and the nature of humanity is as relevant today as it was when the book was first published, making it a timeless classic in the fantasy genre.

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