A review by tyrant_flycatcher
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The City Watch Discworld books get better and better with each entry. Pratchett's Feet of Clay is more than any previous City Watch novel about how bigotry can come from those in power striking against those without it and also between oppressed groups. It showcases how even generally well-meaning people can turn into oppressors when those within their own community challenge gender norms.

This attitude manifests in Carrot's first reaction to Cheri breaking away from gender norms, Angua's outright hatred for automatons and Cheri's absolute fear for lycanthropes.

Pratchett is careful here, explaining the origin of these attitudes and showcasing their effects.

However, the story seldom shows a complete reversal of bigoted mindsets.

By the end, neither Carrot nor Angua displays outright acceptance, ending merely in tolerance for the first and ambiguously for the latter.

  This might be on purpose, most people take time to improve their point of view, and the story only spans several days.

Only Cheri and Vimes show a complete reversal. Cheri completely changes her views after inadvertently hurting her only friend in the city with the armour she carried around due to her misconceptions (the visual metaphor here is excellent). Having shared Angua's sentiments towards Golems (although at a much lower intensity), Vimes accepts the first free Golem into the Guard and even willingly reverses his ban on undead members (although selectively and partially out of spite).

 

Vimes remains a fantastic lead character: flawed in his many prejudices and often an outright asshole, but with a great capacity to put himself in the shoes of others and with a deep understanding of how often the combination of authority and biases is what enables abuse. More than any other character in the book, Vimes shows how "goodness" is a process, not a state of being.

Reading an openly progressive book where cops are a force of good feels strange nowadays, with police officers acting as a force of suppression rather than uplifting in many parts of the world. In many ways, it gives me hope in how diversity and inclusivity can be a force of good once they take effect in institutions. Here is hoping that they do not stay just in fiction.