The Fifth Elephant

Discworld, Book 24

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Jon Culshaw, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook of The Fifth Elephant is narrated by impressionist and actor Jon Culshaw, best known for BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringers, and for the Doctor Who audiobooks and dramas. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.

'WELL, HE THOUGHT, SO THIS IS DIPLOMACY. IT'S LYING, ONLY FOR A BETTER CLASS OF PEOPLE.'

Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is a long way from home.

Sent as reluctant ambassador to Uberwald, a mysterious region inhabited by dwarfs, vampires and werewolves, Vimes must learn the art of diplomacy. Fast. But when he uncovers a mystery with ties back home, the policeman in him can't help but investigate. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, quite a lot actually. Vimes finds himself on the run through the frozen forests of Uberwald, armed with only his wits and the trousers of Uncle Vanya (don't ask). And if he doesn't make it, there's going to be a terrible war.

But there are monsters on his trail. They're smart. They're fast. They're werewolves.

And they're catching up…

The Fifth Elephant is the fifth book in the City Watch series, but you can listen to the Discworld novels in any order.

The first book in the Discworld series - The Colour of Magic - was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.

©1999 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Precisely balanced...a cracking comic thriller." (The Times)

great as always

if you like this series I highly recommend, it doesn't disappoint. excellent recording.
i wish audible had more Terry Pratchett titles. lot's of tie in references to so I wouldn't recommend you read this one first but it's good enough to stand alone

The story is fun and very engaging as always.

I love the storyline and the character development. I’m a lover of the Discworld audible books and have been very used to Stephen Briggs and Nigel Planer’s readings which I just adore. Although I enjoyed this reading I felt it made the book serious in a way I don’t relate to the Discworld books. The narration removed the whimsy that is so important. I will still reread it, but it will take some time to get used to.

Ok version

I love the older audiobooks in part because of who did the narrations. One of the worst things in this new version is the footnotes being read in the manner that they are. The other problem is how he does Igor voices. The Igor’s are 90% indecipherable for no reason.

Great Reading

I usually don’t care for new or different versions, but Penguin has done well in its casting. Characters are well voiced, and the narrator understands the intent behind Commander Vimes and company.

Love the narration

Love the Discworld Series. My favorite all time Series. The narrator was amazing. On to the next in the series

An excellent Discworld tale, but mind the Igors

I generally very much enjoyed this take on The Fifth Elephant. The story is as fun as ever, with its exploration of dwarvish gender politics (and just politics generally), and some of Pratchett's better action sequences. I loved *most* of the voiceovers - Jon's take on Vetinari puts me in mind of Alan Rickman - but there are a few sections in the middle with the Igors where his affected accent / lisp is nigh incomprehensible. He scales it back later in the reading and it becomes much easier to understand, but I wish they'd done a retake on those early segments.

So glad they recorded this again

The original recordings have a different tone, but the new voices are still wonderful to listen to.

Igor’s almost ruin the recording.

I enjoyed most of the book but the performer doesn’t know how to do a lisp. Igor was annoying to listen to and difficult to understand. It was bad enough that it greatly reduced my enjoyment of the book.

Sir Terry does it again

Another great addition to the Disc World series. Pratchett fearlessly dives into a topic that even a quarter century later, we're just beginning to understand. There's never been a better time to listen to this story.

Another incredible entry.

Another incredible story. Narration was excellent. Like coming home to old friends again and again.