(Moving on from
this thread, as per Raisindot's request).
Well, I can see that a lot has been discussed about TFE here already (as I expected).
Regarding Carrot's motivation for running after Angua - I can see that Mixa's reaction is idealistic (i.e. Carrot runs off out of true love for Angua, wishing to protect her etc.) Raisindot, on the other hand, views Carrot's actions negatively (e.g. he neglects A-M and his duty, causes problems for Angua and Vimes, treats Gaspode abominably, and tells lies to Nobby, among other things).
I am... uncertain. When I was reading TFE for the first time, I was initially cheering for Carrot because I was thinking along the lines of, "Well, here we are again - Carrot and Gaspode, a man and his dog, out on an adventure" etc. It seemed reminiscent of MAA (among others) but in the countryside instead of A-M, and I was looking forward to Carrot's idealism contrasted by Gaspode's world-weary sarcasm.
As the book went on, however, I found Carrot to be... unsettling. As a streetwise cop in an unfamiliar environment, he seemed like a square peg in a round hole. He was doing his best to catch up to Angua and to protect her (which was admirable in a Superman/Lois Lane sort of way) - but it became clear that she didn't need his protection, and even found it irksome. She was obviously fond of Carrot, but as equals (i.e. professionally) and not as boyfriend/girlfriend.
This was a book where DW, for me, "grew up" in a way - it became darker, edgier, even nastier (with Wolf's character and his followers). The Wolf-Vimes chase scenes are some of my favourite "dark" scenes from this book, and also some of the funniest (especially Terry's take on
The Cherry Orchard).
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
All the same, I also appreciated the jump-backs to A-M and seeing how the Watch was coping under Captain Colon... sheesh. Now
there is one man that was never meant to be an officer.
All in all, it's difficult to know what to think of TFE in terms of Carrot. G!G! is one of my favourite DW books, period (particularly because of its philosophy) - as is FoC (mostly because, being Jewish myself, I'm well aware of the golem mythology - and it was clear that Terry was having loads of fun with it). I liked MAA, but not as much as G!G!, FoC, or - for that matter - Jingo (which I think is a little under-appreciated here - but that's another story).
If we take Carrot out of the equation, then yes - clearly TFE sets up the later books (e.g. Snuff, Going Postal, Monstrous Regiment etc.). It does so by introducing Uberwald in much greater detail, as well as introducing the Clacks, much greater detail on Dwarf society, and Lady Margolotta - one of my favourite characters, and the Uberwaldian counterweight to Vetinari. (I'm sure I've forgotten some things, but eh).
Hmm... I've just realised - from TFE onwards, I don't think we see Gaspode anymore (except in
The Truth). 'Tis a pity, but Gaspode is reminiscent of the 'lighter' years of DW - perhaps there was no room for him in Pterry's 'darker' era? *shrug*
Well, I've been rambling on for a while, so I'll stop. What's
your view, eh?
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)