The first part of this book revolves around the idea of an "assassin's guild". This is undoubtedly the wittiest and most original part, unfortunately it is also the briefest. Pratchett is unable, or unwilling, to continue in this vein and instead tacks a great wad of stodge on to this promising introduction. Whilst this manages to pad it out to a reasonable length to be published, it also makes it profoundly wearisome. Obviously however it is this tripe, more concerned with its own twisted logic than with being amusing, which Pratchett considers to be the most important part. This is evident from the reworking he gives most of these ideas in "Small Gods", and by inflating the size of this book he manages to make the same old themes more turgid than ever before. If you value your sanity then stop at p68, progress beyond this point at your own peril.