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Discworld #14
袩邪薪褨 褌邪 锌邪薪芯胁械
芦袩邪薪i 褌邪 锌邪薪芯胁械禄 鈥� 褔械褌胁械褉褌懈泄 褉芯屑邪薪 褑懈泻谢褍 芦袙i写褜屑懈禄 褋械褉i褩 芦袛懈褋泻芯褋胁i褌禄 孝械褉褉i 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌邪.
孝褉懈 胁i写褜屑懈 蟹 袥邪薪泻褉褍 鈥� 斜邪斜褍薪褟 袛芯褖械胁褨褋泻, 褌褨褌褍薪褟 袨覒覒 i 袦邪覒褉邪褌 效邪褋薪懈泻 鈥� 锌芯胁械褉褌邪褞褌褜褋褟 蟹-蟹邪 泻芯褉写芯薪褍 i 写褨蟹薪邪褞褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 褍 褉i写薪芯屑褍 泻芯褉芯谢i胁褋褌胁i 薪械 胁褋械 谐邪褉邪蟹写. 袧邪 锌芯谢褟褏 蟹鈥櫻徯残谎徰幯傃屟佈� 蟹邪谐邪写泻芯胁褨 泻芯谢邪, 泄 胁褨写褜屑懈 蟹写芯谐邪写褍褞褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 胁褨写斜褍胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 蟹斜谢懈卸械薪薪褟 锌邪褉邪谢械谢褜薪懈褏 胁褋械褋胁褨褌褨胁 i 褍 袥邪薪泻褉 芯褋褜-芯褋褜 屑芯卸褍褌褜 胁褌芯褉谐薪褍褌懈褋褟 械谢褜褎懈. 袙i写褜屑懈 蟹斜械褉械谐谢懈 写邪胁薪褨 蟹薪邪薪薪褟 锌褉芯 褌械, 褖芯 械谢褜褎懈 蟹芯胁褋褨屑 薪械 褌邪泻i 褔褍写芯胁i 褌邪 褋芯薪褑械褋褟泄薪i, 褟泻 芯锌芯胁褨写邪褦褌褜褋褟 胁 泻邪蟹泻邪褏, 薪邪褋锌褉邪胁写褨 胁芯薪懈 屑芯卸褍褌褜 斜褍褌懈 写褍卸械 薪械斜械蟹锌械褔薪懈屑懈. 袥邪薪泻褉褋褜泻i泄 褌褉i泄褑i 写芯胁械写械褌褜褋褟 写芯斜褉褟褔械 锌芯锌褉邪褑褞胁邪褌懈, 褖芯斜 写邪褌懈 写芯褋褌芯泄薪褍 胁i写褋i褔 胁芯褉芯谐邪屑.
孝褉懈 胁i写褜屑懈 蟹 袥邪薪泻褉褍 鈥� 斜邪斜褍薪褟 袛芯褖械胁褨褋泻, 褌褨褌褍薪褟 袨覒覒 i 袦邪覒褉邪褌 效邪褋薪懈泻 鈥� 锌芯胁械褉褌邪褞褌褜褋褟 蟹-蟹邪 泻芯褉写芯薪褍 i 写褨蟹薪邪褞褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 褍 褉i写薪芯屑褍 泻芯褉芯谢i胁褋褌胁i 薪械 胁褋械 谐邪褉邪蟹写. 袧邪 锌芯谢褟褏 蟹鈥櫻徯残谎徰幯傃屟佈� 蟹邪谐邪写泻芯胁褨 泻芯谢邪, 泄 胁褨写褜屑懈 蟹写芯谐邪写褍褞褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 胁褨写斜褍胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 蟹斜谢懈卸械薪薪褟 锌邪褉邪谢械谢褜薪懈褏 胁褋械褋胁褨褌褨胁 i 褍 袥邪薪泻褉 芯褋褜-芯褋褜 屑芯卸褍褌褜 胁褌芯褉谐薪褍褌懈褋褟 械谢褜褎懈. 袙i写褜屑懈 蟹斜械褉械谐谢懈 写邪胁薪褨 蟹薪邪薪薪褟 锌褉芯 褌械, 褖芯 械谢褜褎懈 蟹芯胁褋褨屑 薪械 褌邪泻i 褔褍写芯胁i 褌邪 褋芯薪褑械褋褟泄薪i, 褟泻 芯锌芯胁褨写邪褦褌褜褋褟 胁 泻邪蟹泻邪褏, 薪邪褋锌褉邪胁写褨 胁芯薪懈 屑芯卸褍褌褜 斜褍褌懈 写褍卸械 薪械斜械蟹锌械褔薪懈屑懈. 袥邪薪泻褉褋褜泻i泄 褌褉i泄褑i 写芯胁械写械褌褜褋褟 写芯斜褉褟褔械 锌芯锌褉邪褑褞胁邪褌懈, 褖芯斜 写邪褌懈 写芯褋褌芯泄薪褍 胁i写褋i褔 胁芯褉芯谐邪屑.
395 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
1463 people are currently reading
24233 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
608听books45.1k听followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983鈥�2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,525 reviews
January 27, 2023
鈥淲itches can generally come to terms with what actually is, instead of insisting on what ought to be.鈥�As anyone who knows me can attest to, I tend to gush over Pratchett's books, with all his wit and wisdom and the ability to create incredibly clever and very serious humor rooted in uncomfortably deep understanding of human mind.
鈥淧ersonal鈥檚 not the same as important. People just think it is.鈥�Lords and Ladies of the Lancre Witches subcycle of the Discworld books was the first Pratchett Witches book I've read a few years ago (I tended to read them out of order, whichever one the library happened to have in stock) and the book that immediately sealed my love for Granny Weatherwax and Co.
These books are about a small coven of witches in a tiny mountainous country of Lancre, usually with a dab of William Shakespeare somewhere in the plot. As anything by Sir Terry, they of course have more layers than a Chernobyl-sized onion: the wisdom, the traditions, the heart of the land, the nooks and crannies of hearts and minds, and of course the people with all their quirks and oddities - and maybe even a bag of boiled sweets. But at the heart of every one of these is a formidable figure of Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax, an old skinny prickly witch with personality of steel, will of iron, wisdom of the land, and a sure knowledge of when NOT to use her immense scary power. She always knows who she is and why she is, and that's not something to take lightly.
鈥淥ther people would probably say: I wasn鈥檛 myself. But Granny Weatherwax didn鈥檛 have anyone else to be.鈥�Esme Weatherwax is a capital-W witch who knows that witching is far more than magic and power. She knows that the place where she lives is HERS, with all the responsibilities that stem from it. She knows that you don't need to be nice or loved or admired to be good at what you do. And she knows very well, with self-assurance that is prone to sometimes slide into a bit of arrogance, that crossing her is not something to be taken lightly. Does she have regrets about her life? Perhaps, to a point. But her core of steel, the Iron-in-her-Heart goes deep, even when she was just a young woman always a step ahead of a pursuing young man. Esme Weatherwax was always her own self, always knowing who she is.
鈥淏ut what we have here is not a nice girl, as generally understood [...] Also, there鈥檚 a certain glint in her eye generally possessed by those people who have found that they are more intelligent than most people around them but who haven鈥檛 yet learned that one of the most intelligent things they can do is prevent said people ever finding this out.鈥�
The focus of Lords and Ladies, insomuch as you can ever find a single overarching theme in a Pratchett book, is knowing the difference between what you wish things were and what they really are. Be it quiet regrets about what could have been if perhaps you had let the young man from your past catch up with you - even if it means letting go of something your core is made of, or a timid wish to steer your own life yourself even if it's already headed where you were hoping it would and not find yourself just another useless adornment in life, or being able to look past the alluring glamour and see that the easy way can indeed be much harder than the seemingly hard way.
鈥淵ou mean you weren鈥檛 Chosen?鈥�And assure that in the midst of all of it that you know exactly who and why you are.
鈥淢e? No. I chose,鈥� said Granny [...] 鈥淚 chose, Gytha Ogg. And I want that you should know this right now. Whatever happens. I ain鈥檛 never regretted anything. Never regretted one single thing. Right?鈥�
Even in the times like this, where things are not going right.
鈥淭here was a mind moving around in the kingdom, and Granny Weatherwax didn鈥檛 understand it.鈥�It's that time again where boundaries between universes - both parallel and parasite - are becoming thin and crop circles are forming everywhere, and a ring of ancient iron-loving stones is not enough to contain the titular Lords and Ladies (the Elves, decidedly not glamorously-Tolkienesque).
鈥淓lves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvelous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.鈥�
There is a royal wedding on a midsummer night's eve, and elves are loose in the world once again, and a unicorn is on a prowl while an ancient king is waiting for the iron in the hearts to be gone while a present-day king because of poor spelling gets a book on martial and very much not marital arts, and the Archancellor of the Unseen University may have had a past with the most formidable witch in perhaps the entire Discworld, and Magrat Garlick tries to come to terms with no longer being a witch but instead hopes to not fall into the useless queenly obscurity, and Nanny Ogg has caught an eye of the second-best lover in the universe. And it will take a village - spearheaded by the witches - to teach the invaders a lesson.
鈥淲hen he鈥檇 gone, Nanny climbed up on the same table.I love this book. I love how Pratchett's writing never ceases to amaze me. I love how no matter how tired, exhausted or deeply stressed I am all I need to feel better is to curl up with a book like this and have Granny Weatherwax sort the world out into what she knows it's supposed to be.
鈥淲ell,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 like this. If you go out there you may have to face elves. But if you stops here, you definitely have to face me. Now, elves is worse than me, I鈥檒l admit. But I鈥檓 persistent.鈥�
鈥淕ranny, her voice still quite calm and level. 鈥淏ut this is a real world, madam. That鈥檚 what I had to learn. And real people in it. You got no right to 鈥檈m. People鈥檝e got enough to cope with just being people. They don鈥檛 need you swanking around with your shiny hair and shiny eyes and shiny gold, going sideways through life, always young, always singing, never learning.鈥�
鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 always think like this.鈥�
鈥淭hat was a long time ago. And, my lady, old I may be, and hag I may be, but stupid I ain鈥檛. You鈥檙e no kind of goddess. I ain鈥檛 against gods and goddesses, in their place. But they鈥檝e got to be the ones we make ourselves. Then we can take 鈥檈m to bits for the parts when we don鈥檛 need 鈥檈m anymore, see? And elves far away in fairyland, well, maybe that鈥檚 something people need to get 鈥檈mselves through the iron times. But I ain鈥檛 having elves here. You make us want what we can鈥檛 have and what you give us is worth nothing and what you take is everything and all there is left for us is the cold hillside, and emptiness, and the laughter of the elves.鈥�
She took a deep breath. 鈥淪o bugger off.鈥�
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
My ever-expanding collection of Pratchett鈥檚 Discworld reviews:
- Guards! Guards!
- Men at Arms
- Thud!
- Lords and Ladies
- The Wee Free Men
- Hogfather
- Monstrous Regiment
- Night Watch
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌斺€斺€�
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August 9, 2020
Ritual magic is gone mad, even more lunatic than the lucky fool, in a Shakespearean mythology overload.
The idea of the special, magic days inspired by natural phenomenon, astrology, and seasons is as old as humanity, but in this case, it goes a bit hawire and crop circles are just the beginning.
Unsuspected, unknown elements that go against the stereotypical description of anything magic or real, are a splendid comedy trope, as they question the whole logic of expectations regarding anything, easily leading to prejudices and problems. Elves one may have hardly ever seen in fantasy come to play with this premise and show what way a life of wealth and without problems can do with one's personality.
The reason for the rare use of such modifications might lie in the problem with the suspension of disbelief, it simply doesn麓t fit if certain groups of fictional nations, groups, magic fractions, etc. don麓t act as suspected. It麓s a grey area too, because going whole 180 degrees might be a bit too much exagerration, but in the far, far land of between good and bad, light and dark, football or soccer,鈥� there are many interesting thinks to philosophize about, such as
In each extreme, from super good, to 眉ber evil, there are nuances and naughty little butterfly effects that can suddenly lead to the hero going evil or, hopefully not because it spoils the thrill and is boring, the evil going bad. Please stay a sadistic badass, thanks. Not sure why it麓s easier to believe that a good one turns bad than an evil one good, maybe it has something to do with retributive justice or that we prefer good people, because we are of course nice too, becoming evil for whatever more or less logical reasons.
Because I haven麓t read A Midsummer Night麓s Dream, I might miss many of the gags, the same problem as with the other Pratchett novels in which the classics are satirized, but I guess it won麓t definitively be worth it just to get behind the laughs. There are sadly no parallel universes, no different attitudes of wizards and witches, and in general far too less to really laugh about in classics that one tends to ask: Why so serious? So better keep reading the satires inspired by world literature.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
The idea of the special, magic days inspired by natural phenomenon, astrology, and seasons is as old as humanity, but in this case, it goes a bit hawire and crop circles are just the beginning.
Unsuspected, unknown elements that go against the stereotypical description of anything magic or real, are a splendid comedy trope, as they question the whole logic of expectations regarding anything, easily leading to prejudices and problems. Elves one may have hardly ever seen in fantasy come to play with this premise and show what way a life of wealth and without problems can do with one's personality.
The reason for the rare use of such modifications might lie in the problem with the suspension of disbelief, it simply doesn麓t fit if certain groups of fictional nations, groups, magic fractions, etc. don麓t act as suspected. It麓s a grey area too, because going whole 180 degrees might be a bit too much exagerration, but in the far, far land of between good and bad, light and dark, football or soccer,鈥� there are many interesting thinks to philosophize about, such as
In each extreme, from super good, to 眉ber evil, there are nuances and naughty little butterfly effects that can suddenly lead to the hero going evil or, hopefully not because it spoils the thrill and is boring, the evil going bad. Please stay a sadistic badass, thanks. Not sure why it麓s easier to believe that a good one turns bad than an evil one good, maybe it has something to do with retributive justice or that we prefer good people, because we are of course nice too, becoming evil for whatever more or less logical reasons.
Because I haven麓t read A Midsummer Night麓s Dream, I might miss many of the gags, the same problem as with the other Pratchett novels in which the classics are satirized, but I guess it won麓t definitively be worth it just to get behind the laughs. There are sadly no parallel universes, no different attitudes of wizards and witches, and in general far too less to really laugh about in classics that one tends to ask: Why so serious? So better keep reading the satires inspired by world literature.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
December 12, 2024
Elves on the Discworld.
In Guillermo del Toro鈥檚 2008 film Hellboy 2, the Elvin character Prince Nuada makes a point about humans remembering why they fear the dark. These elves are dark creatures, thoroughly unfaeirie like and even un-Tolkien like.
Terry Pratchett鈥檚 1992 Discworld novel (the 14th) Lords and Ladies describes a similarly negative vision of elves. I could not help wondering if del Toro gained some inspiration from Pratchett鈥檚 dark elves.
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og and Magrat are just getting back to Lancre from their travels in Pratchett鈥檚 1991 and Magrat is getting married to King Verence and some precocious and misguided local girls are tempting fate by messing around with some local Druidic circles of vast power. Turns out this is a portal to the elves dimension.
What was especially attractive about this concept to me was Pratchett鈥檚 use of the elves as an alternate to a more heroic model. These elves are malevolent, arrogant and cruel 鈥� and also largely forgotten in the annals of time; so much so that ancient legends of them have focused more on the glamorous and magical than the more accurate description as evil aristocrats.
This kind of ironic twist is a ubiquitous element in much of Pratchett鈥檚 work and his fans will be pleasantly amused with his droll wordplay and inventive storylines.
All this and a subtle retelling of makes this one of Pratchett鈥檚 best. Highly recommended.
*** 2021 reread -
My Pratchettapalooza 2021 reading festival continues with this tasty elvish treat. All good fun with our favorite three witches and we also spend more time with the Librarian - OOOOK! - Ridcully, Jason and Sean Og, and the Kingdom of Lancre.
More time with the witches is always fun and there is also some time with younger, prospective witches, one as precocious as a certain Esmerelda Weatherwax when she was a girl.
Also, there is a fun scene with Granny and a unicorn.
*** 2024 reread -
Elves are bad.
Next to Light Fantastic, this may be the most sequel of any of his books as this begins immediately after the events of Witches Abroad. We follow our three favorite witches as they deal with a return of Pratchett's evil dark elves.
I noticed in the 13th novel, Small Gods, that not only had his writing improved, but he was taking on more serious, darker tones. Don't get me wrong, this is still funny, but also horrific and Pratchett's satire is honed to a rapier point.
The playful parody of Midsummer Night's Dream was fun and this time I payed more attention to Pratchett's further development of the witches, especially Magrat and Nanny.
In Guillermo del Toro鈥檚 2008 film Hellboy 2, the Elvin character Prince Nuada makes a point about humans remembering why they fear the dark. These elves are dark creatures, thoroughly unfaeirie like and even un-Tolkien like.
Terry Pratchett鈥檚 1992 Discworld novel (the 14th) Lords and Ladies describes a similarly negative vision of elves. I could not help wondering if del Toro gained some inspiration from Pratchett鈥檚 dark elves.
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og and Magrat are just getting back to Lancre from their travels in Pratchett鈥檚 1991 and Magrat is getting married to King Verence and some precocious and misguided local girls are tempting fate by messing around with some local Druidic circles of vast power. Turns out this is a portal to the elves dimension.
What was especially attractive about this concept to me was Pratchett鈥檚 use of the elves as an alternate to a more heroic model. These elves are malevolent, arrogant and cruel 鈥� and also largely forgotten in the annals of time; so much so that ancient legends of them have focused more on the glamorous and magical than the more accurate description as evil aristocrats.
This kind of ironic twist is a ubiquitous element in much of Pratchett鈥檚 work and his fans will be pleasantly amused with his droll wordplay and inventive storylines.
All this and a subtle retelling of makes this one of Pratchett鈥檚 best. Highly recommended.
*** 2021 reread -
My Pratchettapalooza 2021 reading festival continues with this tasty elvish treat. All good fun with our favorite three witches and we also spend more time with the Librarian - OOOOK! - Ridcully, Jason and Sean Og, and the Kingdom of Lancre.
More time with the witches is always fun and there is also some time with younger, prospective witches, one as precocious as a certain Esmerelda Weatherwax when she was a girl.
Also, there is a fun scene with Granny and a unicorn.
*** 2024 reread -
Elves are bad.
Next to Light Fantastic, this may be the most sequel of any of his books as this begins immediately after the events of Witches Abroad. We follow our three favorite witches as they deal with a return of Pratchett's evil dark elves.
I noticed in the 13th novel, Small Gods, that not only had his writing improved, but he was taking on more serious, darker tones. Don't get me wrong, this is still funny, but also horrific and Pratchett's satire is honed to a rapier point.
The playful parody of Midsummer Night's Dream was fun and this time I payed more attention to Pratchett's further development of the witches, especially Magrat and Nanny.
March 1, 2020
Review to follow tomorrow, hopefully 馃槵
So another fabulous, hilarious romp through the special world, that is the Discworld. In Lancre, King Verence is getting ready for his wedding to the witch Magrat. Guests have been invited, celebrations are being prepared, plays are being practised (which may not be a good thing) and Verence has sent away for a special manual on what to do on his wedding night, except he has spelt "Marital" wrong and passes on the resultant manual to his guard to learn Kung Fu ("Martial" ?? )
In the meantime with the aid of some young foolish girls wanting to be witches, the "Lords and Ladies" are planning on escaping their prison amongst the dancing stones to create havoc on the kingdom. With Magrat off getting married, it falls to Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax to save the day and once more defeat the un-nameable people. But this time "they" are stronger than ever and with a play being performed near the "stones" the gateway to our world is even wider.
With assistance from the Bursar from Unseen University, the Librarian (Oook) and the Chancellor, and of course members of the Ogg family, not to forget Magrat herself, the chaos that ensue might just be put right but at what cost ?
Again Sir Terry has hit the proverbial nail on the head when it comes to a classic fantasy storyline with a huge dollop of humour. He will be sorely missed.
A solid 5 star read.
So another fabulous, hilarious romp through the special world, that is the Discworld. In Lancre, King Verence is getting ready for his wedding to the witch Magrat. Guests have been invited, celebrations are being prepared, plays are being practised (which may not be a good thing) and Verence has sent away for a special manual on what to do on his wedding night, except he has spelt "Marital" wrong and passes on the resultant manual to his guard to learn Kung Fu ("Martial" ?? )
In the meantime with the aid of some young foolish girls wanting to be witches, the "Lords and Ladies" are planning on escaping their prison amongst the dancing stones to create havoc on the kingdom. With Magrat off getting married, it falls to Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax to save the day and once more defeat the un-nameable people. But this time "they" are stronger than ever and with a play being performed near the "stones" the gateway to our world is even wider.
With assistance from the Bursar from Unseen University, the Librarian (Oook) and the Chancellor, and of course members of the Ogg family, not to forget Magrat herself, the chaos that ensue might just be put right but at what cost ?
Again Sir Terry has hit the proverbial nail on the head when it comes to a classic fantasy storyline with a huge dollop of humour. He will be sorely missed.
A solid 5 star read.
September 16, 2024
'I really wasn't expecting this', said Casanunda (...). ' I was looking forward to a convivial evening, just me and you.'
'It is just me and you.'
'Yes, but I hadn't assumed there'd be a broomstick involved.'
WARNING!: YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASSUME THERE'LL BE BROOMSTICKS WHEN WITCHES ARE INVOLVED!
Especially if those are from Lancre and called Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax.
In this particular book Elves also make a spectacular appearance, but with Pratchett's refreshing take on tropes, they are seemingly beautiful and fascinating, but actually are nasty, selfish parasites .
"Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.
Elves are bad."
Fortunately they meet their Waterloo or rather their Lancre on Discworld. Granny and Nanny are supported by Archchancellor Ridcully, The Librarian, Ponder Stibbons, the dwarf Giamo Casanunda (World's 2nd Greatest Lover, motto: We Never Sleep) and Lancre's soon-to-be-queen-former-witch Magrat Garlick.
What ensues is your atypical typical Discworld-Romp with exciting action, light humour, great character studies and bloody serious wisdom.
'It is just me and you.'
'Yes, but I hadn't assumed there'd be a broomstick involved.'
WARNING!: YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASSUME THERE'LL BE BROOMSTICKS WHEN WITCHES ARE INVOLVED!
Especially if those are from Lancre and called Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax.
In this particular book Elves also make a spectacular appearance, but with Pratchett's refreshing take on tropes, they are seemingly beautiful and fascinating, but actually are nasty, selfish parasites .
"Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.
Elves are bad."
Fortunately they meet their Waterloo or rather their Lancre on Discworld. Granny and Nanny are supported by Archchancellor Ridcully, The Librarian, Ponder Stibbons, the dwarf Giamo Casanunda (World's 2nd Greatest Lover, motto: We Never Sleep) and Lancre's soon-to-be-queen-former-witch Magrat Garlick.
What ensues is your atypical typical Discworld-Romp with exciting action, light humour, great character studies and bloody serious wisdom.
December 1, 2024
The witches are back home, but there鈥檚 trouble in paradise. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg realize trouble is coming from a parallel universe, and they don鈥檛 tell Magrat as she鈥檚 got some soul-searching to do.
The book starts with an author鈥檚 note saying that most books in the Discworld series can stand on their own. This is true, a lot of books in the series can actually be read as a standalone book. Though this is one of the books where it鈥檚 recommended to read the previous books in the subseries first.
This is the fourteenth book in the Discworld series and Terry Pratchett has become a master of his craft at this point. The writing is crisp and witty, pulling you effortlessly into the story from the very first page. It鈥檚 like he鈥檚 playing a tune and we鈥檙e enjoying ourselves, carelessly dancing and singing, not even realizing that he鈥檚 luring us into an enchanted forest full of darkness until we鈥檙e stuck in the middle of it.
Just as Wyrd Sisters felt inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 Macbeth, Lords and Ladies has a plot that feels a bit inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 A Midsummer Night's Dream. Though what stands out most here are the antagonists. The elves are by far the best and scariest villains in the Discworld series.
The book starts with an author鈥檚 note saying that most books in the Discworld series can stand on their own. This is true, a lot of books in the series can actually be read as a standalone book. Though this is one of the books where it鈥檚 recommended to read the previous books in the subseries first.
This is the fourteenth book in the Discworld series and Terry Pratchett has become a master of his craft at this point. The writing is crisp and witty, pulling you effortlessly into the story from the very first page. It鈥檚 like he鈥檚 playing a tune and we鈥檙e enjoying ourselves, carelessly dancing and singing, not even realizing that he鈥檚 luring us into an enchanted forest full of darkness until we鈥檙e stuck in the middle of it.
Just as Wyrd Sisters felt inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 Macbeth, Lords and Ladies has a plot that feels a bit inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 A Midsummer Night's Dream. Though what stands out most here are the antagonists. The elves are by far the best and scariest villains in the Discworld series.
December 18, 2022
Thought I'd like it more. The book has everything I enjoy in the Discworld series, but the ending was a bit annoying.
July 29, 2024
ReRead 7/28/24:
Fae and stories -- sooooooo dangerous. Loving the re-read as usual. I swear, the witches AND the wizards together are soooo charming. I'm down for any number of staring contests, too. :)
Original Review:
The great Re-Read of Discworld continues... with the witches. :) This is a pretty direct followup from Mag's romantic adventure with the king-to-be and culminating in the grand wedding between the two.
As weddings go, every grand personage of the Discworld (or so it seems) has been invited to the wedding, but of course, things don't go all that well with all those crop circles and the E***S who must not be named.
Pretty funny, all told, but it's Og and her suitor who steals the show. And Old Weatherwax. Again. Mags... well... I've never cared much for her. I just want my darling Tiff. Where oh where is she? Why can't I care all that much that Mag is NO LONGER A WITCH?
I complain, sure, but it's not a complaint because I think the novel is bad. Far from it. I just think it's slightly uneven in my enjoyment of certain characters. Nothing more. But is it a fine story?
You bet. :) I'll even a throw in a horseshoe for you.
Fae and stories -- sooooooo dangerous. Loving the re-read as usual. I swear, the witches AND the wizards together are soooo charming. I'm down for any number of staring contests, too. :)
Original Review:
The great Re-Read of Discworld continues... with the witches. :) This is a pretty direct followup from Mag's romantic adventure with the king-to-be and culminating in the grand wedding between the two.
As weddings go, every grand personage of the Discworld (or so it seems) has been invited to the wedding, but of course, things don't go all that well with all those crop circles and the E***S who must not be named.
Pretty funny, all told, but it's Og and her suitor who steals the show. And Old Weatherwax. Again. Mags... well... I've never cared much for her. I just want my darling Tiff. Where oh where is she? Why can't I care all that much that Mag is NO LONGER A WITCH?
I complain, sure, but it's not a complaint because I think the novel is bad. Far from it. I just think it's slightly uneven in my enjoyment of certain characters. Nothing more. But is it a fine story?
You bet. :) I'll even a throw in a horseshoe for you.
July 24, 2018
Lancre, Granny's "turf". Very bad idea to invade here and challenge a certain witch. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
In this 14th volume of the Discworld series our three witches Granny Esme Weatherwax, Nanny Githa Ogg and Magrat return after their adventure in Genua to find all preparations made for a certain royal wedding. Since I never much cared for Magrat, I also didn't really mourn her no longer being a witch but a queen-to-be(e).
However, the festivities are first hindered by a pair of cold feet and then also slightly ... shall we say "amended" ... by crop circles showing up everywhere. On the Disc, crop circles mean that the barriers between worlds weaken and what is trying to get to Lancre has not only been there before, but has also not been very nice the last time, no matter what folklore says nowadays. Theywhomustnotbenamed indeed! So it is up to Granny and Nanny to save the day again - though others are helping them, too, if they want them to or not.
This wonderful installment not only has a nice ending to Magrat's participation in the coven but also elements from Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is my favourite of his.
And we get a larger cast thanks to a few wedding guests being there as well, making for a very nice and funny mix (not to mention some juicy information about Granny's younger years).
Like I said, I was never a fan of Magrat's but she was definitely at her best in this one (especially the scene so it was a worthy goodbye in my opinion.
Granny is cunning and grumpy as ever; Nanny is frivolous but caring (and, yes, talented) as ever; Greebo is eternally looking for something small and squeaky (and making the most accurate observation about Magrat). All while a certain archchancellor is trying to reconnect with a certain witch, a certain dwarf is as persistent in his wooing of a certain other witch, the Librarian is in a foul mood due to how he's being treated, a troll refuses to comment about the matter, a wonderfully bloodthirsty falcon is finally getting the food it craves, we learn almost all about bee-keeping, and ... mayhem ensues. But not without a proper unicorn, of course (and no, they aren't as fluffy as you think either).
(These are from the Discworld Imaginarium and the attention to detail is even more staggering than I had hoped (but you have to have read the books to realize it)!)
Anyway, I've been a fan of the witches ever since the first book Granny made an appearance in and that hasn't changed. Therefore, I knew this would be a winner but the fact that Pratchett managed to either keep the incredibly high level of quality or even improve on it, is fantastic.
Bees for the win!
April 28, 2025
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鈥炐⒀娦夹把傂� 薪邪 褌邪蟹懈 薪芯褖 薪械 屑芯卸械褕械 写邪 褋械 芯斜褟褋薪懈 褋邪屑芯 褋 谢懈锌褋邪褌邪 薪邪 谢褍薪邪 懈 蟹胁械蟹写懈. 孝邪泻褗胁 屑褉邪泻 褋褟泻邪褕 褋械 锌褉芯褋屑褍泻胁邪 芯褌 写褉褍谐邪写械 鈥� 褌芯谢泻芯胁邪 械 谐褗褋褌 懈 芯褋械蟹邪械屑, 褔械 褋懈谐褍褉薪芯 斜懈褏褌械 褍褋锌械谢懈 写邪 褋谐褉邪斜褔懈褌械 胁 褕械锌邪褌邪 褋懈 胁褗蟹写褍褏邪 懈 写邪 懈蟹褋褌懈褋泻邪褌械 薪芯褖褌邪 芯褌 薪械谐芯.鈥�
鈥炐捫笛€褗薪褋 II 斜械褕械 薪邪泄-褋褗褉写械褔薪懈褟褌 屑芯薪邪褉褏 胁 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 袥邪薪泻褗褉. 袩芯写邪薪懈褑懈褌械 屑褍 懈蟹锌懈褌胁邪褏邪 泻褗屑 薪械谐芯 写芯斜褉芯写褍褕薪芯褌芯 锌褉械薪械斜褉械卸械薪懈械, 泻芯械褌芯 械 芯褌褉械写械薪芯 蟹邪 褏芯褉邪褌邪, 褋褌邪褉邪械褖懈 褋械 写邪 褉邪斜芯褌褟褌 褌懈褏芯 懈 褋褗胁械褋褌薪芯 蟹邪 芯斜褖芯褌芯 斜谢邪谐芯.鈥�
鈥炐拘残敌� 屑芯卸械 写邪 懈蟹褍褔懈 褋邪屑 胁械褖械褉褋褌胁芯褌芯. 袧芯 褌芯胁邪 薪械 芯褌屑械薪懈 懈蟹懈褋泻胁邪薪械褌芯 懈 褍褔懈褌械谢褟褌, 懈 褍褔械薪懈泻褗褌 写邪 褋邪 锌芯写褏芯写褟褖懈 蟹邪 袟邪薪锟斤拷褟褌邪.鈥�
鈥炐愋盒� 薪械 褋懈 褋邪屑芯薪邪写械褟薪邪, 泻邪泻胁邪 胁械褖懈褑邪 褋懈? 小邪屑芯 写械褌芯 芯褌写邪胁薪邪 薪械 褋屑械 屑谢邪写懈. 袛邪 褋懈 薪邪 胁褗褉褏邪 胁褗胁 胁械褖械褉褋褌胁芯褌芯 械 泻邪褌芯 写邪 褋懈 薪邪械屑械薪 斜芯械褑. 小屑褟褌邪褕 褋械 蟹邪 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉, 邪屑邪 褋懈 蟹薪邪械褕, 褔械 胁褋械 薪褟泻褗写械 懈屑邪 械写懈薪 锌芯-屑谢邪写, 写械褌芯 褋械 褍锌褉邪卸薪褟胁邪 芯褌 褋褍褌褉懈薪 写芯 胁械褔械褉, 芯胁谢邪写褟胁邪 褌褗薪泻芯褋褌懈褌械.鈥�
鈥炩€� 袧械 锌芯薪邪褋褟屑 写邪 斜褗褉薪懈泻邪褌 胁 芯泻褍谢褌薪芯褌芯 鈥� 蟹邪褟胁懈 袘邪斜邪. 鈥� 袩芯褔薪械 谢懈 褋械 胁械写薪褗卸, 蟹薪邪褔懈 胁褟褉胁邪褕 胁 写褍褏芯胁械, 褌褍泄 锌褗泻 蟹薪邪褔懈, 褔械 褖械 锌芯胁褟褉胁邪褕 懈 胁 写械屑芯薪懈褌械, 邪 锌褉械写懈 写邪 褋械 芯锌芯屑薪懈褕, 胁械褔械 胁褟褉胁邪褕 懈 胁 斜芯谐芯胁械. 袠 褌芯谐邪蟹 褋懈 蟹邪谐邪蟹懈谢邪.
鈥� 效械 薪邪谢懈 胁褋懈褔泻懈 褌懈褟 褌胁邪褉懈 谐懈 懈屑邪 薪邪懈褋褌懈薪邪? 鈥� 褋锌芯写械谢懈 薪械写芯褍屑械薪懈械褌芯 褋懈 袥械谢褟.
鈥� 孝褍泄 薪械 械 锌褉懈褔懈薪邪 写邪 胁蟹械屑械褕, 褔械 写邪 锌芯胁褟褉胁邪褕 胁 褌褟褏. 孝褗泄 褋邪屑芯 谐懈 锌芯芯褖褉褟胁邪褕.鈥�
鈥炐浶敌谎� 袨谐 胁懈薪邪谐懈 懈屑邪褕械 胁懈写 薪邪 懈蟹锌械褔械薪邪 谢褗卸泻懈薪褟. 孝褟 懈蟹锌芯胁褟写胁邪褕械 锌褉邪谐屑邪褌懈褔薪懈褟 锌芯写褏芯写 泻褗屑 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 鈥� 泻邪蟹胁邪褕械 褟, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 泄 斜械褕械 褍写芯斜薪芯 懈 邪泻芯 褟 屑褗褉蟹械褕械 写邪 褋褗褔懈薪懈 薪械褖芯 锌芯-懈薪褌械褉械褋薪芯.鈥�
鈥炐⌒敌承� 褋懈 胁褗褉胁械褌械. 袩褉懈斜械褉械褌械 褋械 褍 写芯屑邪.袠 薪械 褋械 蟹邪褏胁邪褖邪泄褌械 褋 锌邪褉邪薪芯褉屑邪谢薪芯褌芯, 锌褉械写懈 写邪 褋褌械 芯锌芯蟹薪邪谢懈 薪芯褉屑邪谢薪芯褌芯.鈥�
鈥炐捬佇敌盒� 屑芯卸械 写邪 械 锌褉邪胁, 懈 褌芯 械写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 孝芯胁邪 屑褍 械 褔褍写邪褌芯褌芯 薪邪 泻胁邪薪褌邪.鈥�
鈥炐捬佇� 锌邪泻 褌芯泄 薪械 芯褌褉懈褔邪褕械 械写懈薪 薪械芯褋锌芯褉懈屑 褎邪泻褌 蟹邪 袝褋屑械 袙懈褏褉芯薪褉邪胁. 袙 屑芯屑械薪褌邪 懈蟹谐谢械卸写邪褕械, 褔械 褋械 械 蟹邪谐褍斜懈谢邪, 芯褋胁械薪 邪泻芯 胁 谐芯褉邪褌邪 薪褟屑邪褕械 写胁械 写褗褉胁械褌邪 褋 邪斜褋芯谢褞褌薪芯 褋褗褖懈褌械 泻谢芯薪懈, 芯褌 泻芯懈褌芯 写邪 胁懈褋褟褌 写胁械 械写薪邪泻胁懈 锌邪褉褑邪谢褔械褌邪 芯褌 褉芯斜邪褌邪 屑褍. 袠 胁褋械 锌邪泻 褌褟 褋械 芯褌谢懈褔邪胁邪褕械 褋 泻邪褔械褋褌胁芯, 泻芯械褌芯 褍 胁褋褟泻邪 写褉褍谐邪 卸械薪邪 斜械蟹 芯褔褍泻邪薪邪 芯褋褌褉芯胁褗褉褏邪 褕邪锌泻邪 懈 锌褉邪褋褌邪褉邪 褔械褉薪邪 褉芯泻谢褟 斜懈 蟹邪褋谢褍卸懈谢芯 薪邪蟹胁邪薪懈械褌芯 薪邪锌械褉械薪芯褋褌. 袧械褋褗泻褉褍褕懈屑邪 薪邪锌械褉械薪芯褋褌. 孝褉褍写薪芯 褋懈 锌褉械写褋褌邪胁褟褕械 泻邪泻 褌褟 斜懈 褋褌芯褉懈谢邪 薪械褖芯 薪械锌芯褏胁邪褌薪芯, 芯褋胁械薪 邪泻芯 薪械 谐芯 褋褌芯褉懈 薪邪褉芯褔薪芯.鈥�
鈥炐バ狙€邪褌邪 锌芯屑薪褟褌 蟹谢械. 袟邪褌芯胁邪 锌褗泻 芯斜褖械褋褌胁邪褌邪 锌芯屑薪褟褌 写芯斜褉械, 泻邪泻褌芯 褉芯械胁械褌械. 袣芯写懈褉邪褌 懈薪褎芯褉屑邪褑懈褟褌邪, 蟹邪 写邪 褟 锌褉芯斜褍褌邪褌 锌芯泻褉邪泄 褑械薪蟹褍褉邪褌邪 薪邪 褋褗蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯, 锌褉械写邪胁邪褌 褟 芯褌 斜邪斜邪 薪邪 胁薪褍褔械 胁 泻褉邪褌懈褔泻懈 斜械蟹褋屑懈褋谢懈褑懈, 泻芯懈褌芯 褌械 写芯褉懈 薪械 褋懈 锌褉邪胁褟褌 褌褉褍写邪 写邪 蟹邪斜褉邪胁褟褌. 袩芯薪褟泻芯谐邪 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 褋械 褋褗褏褉邪薪褟胁邪 褏懈褌褉芯褍屑薪芯 胁褗锌褉械泻懈 褍锌芯褉懈褌懈褌械 褍褋懈谢懈褟 薪邪 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈褌械 锌邪蟹懈褌械谢懈 薪邪 蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯.鈥�
鈥炐熜狙囇傂� 胁褋械泻懈 写褉褍谐 斜懈 蟹邪谐褗褉斜懈谢 褋谢褍褔泻邪褌邪 胁械写薪邪谐邪. 袧芯 芯泻邪褟薪邪褌邪 褍褔邪褋褌 薪邪 袩芯薪写褗褉 斜械 写邪 褌褗褉褋懈 褋屑懈褋褗谢 胁 褌芯蟹懈 褉邪胁薪芯写褍褕械薪 褋胁褟褌.鈥�
鈥炐Ｑ佇夹感残盒把傂� 薪邪 袣褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 薪械 褋械 褋褌芯锌懈, 蟹邪褌芯胁邪 锌褗泻 褋械 褋屑褉褗蟹薪邪. 小谢褍褔胁邪 褋械, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 褋屑械械褖懈褟褌 褋械 薪械 械 芯褋芯斜械薪芯 褋懈谐褍褉械薪 泻邪泻胁芯 械 褔褍谢 褌芯泻褍-褖芯 懈 薪械 蟹薪邪械 泻邪泻胁芯 写邪 泻邪卸械.
鈥� 孝懈 褋械 薪邪斜褗褉泻邪 胁 锌懈械褋邪 鈥� 锌褉芯写褗谢卸懈 袘邪斜邪. 鈥� 袛芯褋械褖邪屑 褋械, 褔械 薪械 蟹薪邪械褕 泻邪泻胁芯 薪邪锌褉邪胁懈. 袩懈械褋懈褌械 懈 泻薪懈谐懈褌械鈥� 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 谐懈 写褗褉卸懈褕 锌芯写 芯泻芯 褌懈褟 谐邪写芯褉懈泄泻懈.鈥�
鈥炐熜拘窖徯盒拘承�, 邪泻芯 薪邪懈褋褌懈薪邪 褉邪蟹谐谢械卸写邪褕 胁薪懈屑邪褌械谢薪芯 泻邪屑褗褔械褌邪褌邪, 屑芯卸械褕 写邪 薪邪褍褔懈褕 薪械褖芯 蟹邪 芯泻械邪薪邪.鈥�
鈥炐撔狙佇啃拘葱把€懈 懈 谐芯褋锌芯写邪褉泻懈鈥� 械 褔褍写械褋薪邪 懈 屑薪芯谐芯锌谢邪褋褌芯胁邪 褋邪褌懈褉邪, 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉褋泻懈 胁锌谢械褌械薪邪 胁褗胁 胁褗谢薪褍胁邪褖邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟 蟹邪 芯锌邪褋薪懈褌械 锌褉械屑械卸写懈褟 薪邪 胁械褖懈褑懈褌械 芯褌 小胁械褌邪 薪邪 写懈褋泻邪! 袣邪泻褌芯 胁懈薪邪谐懈, 袩褉邪褌褔械褌 械 褋褗褔械褌邪谢 锌芯 胁锌械褔邪褌谢褟胁邪褖 薪邪褔懈薪 懈蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢薪芯 蟹邪写褗谢斜芯褔械薪懈 褉邪蟹屑懈褋谢懈 懈 褋褌褉邪褕薪芯 蟹邪斜邪胁薪懈 褋懈褌褍邪褑懈懈. 袙 屑邪谢泻芯褌芯 泻褉邪谢褋褌胁芯 袥邪薪泻褗褉 锌褉械写褋褌芯懈 褋胁邪褌斜邪褌邪 薪邪 袦邪谐褉邪褌 懈 袙械褉褗薪褋 II. 袨斜邪褔械, 屑械卸写褍胁褉械屑械薪薪芯 褋械 蟹邪胁褉褗褖邪褌 芯褌 锌邪褉邪谢械谢薪邪 胁褋械谢械薪邪 蟹谢懈 懈 卸械褋褌芯泻懈 械谢褎懈, 泻邪褌芯 胁械褖懈褑懈褌械 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 懈屑 褋械 锌褉芯褌懈胁芯锌芯褋褌邪胁褟褌...
鈥炐⒀娦夹把傂� 薪邪 褌邪蟹懈 薪芯褖 薪械 屑芯卸械褕械 写邪 褋械 芯斜褟褋薪懈 褋邪屑芯 褋 谢懈锌褋邪褌邪 薪邪 谢褍薪邪 懈 蟹胁械蟹写懈. 孝邪泻褗胁 屑褉邪泻 褋褟泻邪褕 褋械 锌褉芯褋屑褍泻胁邪 芯褌 写褉褍谐邪写械 鈥� 褌芯谢泻芯胁邪 械 谐褗褋褌 懈 芯褋械蟹邪械屑, 褔械 褋懈谐褍褉薪芯 斜懈褏褌械 褍褋锌械谢懈 写邪 褋谐褉邪斜褔懈褌械 胁 褕械锌邪褌邪 褋懈 胁褗蟹写褍褏邪 懈 写邪 懈蟹褋褌懈褋泻邪褌械 薪芯褖褌邪 芯褌 薪械谐芯.鈥�
鈥炐捫笛€褗薪褋 II 斜械褕械 薪邪泄-褋褗褉写械褔薪懈褟褌 屑芯薪邪褉褏 胁 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 袥邪薪泻褗褉. 袩芯写邪薪懈褑懈褌械 屑褍 懈蟹锌懈褌胁邪褏邪 泻褗屑 薪械谐芯 写芯斜褉芯写褍褕薪芯褌芯 锌褉械薪械斜褉械卸械薪懈械, 泻芯械褌芯 械 芯褌褉械写械薪芯 蟹邪 褏芯褉邪褌邪, 褋褌邪褉邪械褖懈 褋械 写邪 褉邪斜芯褌褟褌 褌懈褏芯 懈 褋褗胁械褋褌薪芯 蟹邪 芯斜褖芯褌芯 斜谢邪谐芯.鈥�
鈥炐拘残敌� 屑芯卸械 写邪 懈蟹褍褔懈 褋邪屑 胁械褖械褉褋褌胁芯褌芯. 袧芯 褌芯胁邪 薪械 芯褌屑械薪懈 懈蟹懈褋泻胁邪薪械褌芯 懈 褍褔懈褌械谢褟褌, 懈 褍褔械薪懈泻褗褌 写邪 褋邪 锌芯写褏芯写褟褖懈 蟹邪 袟邪薪锟斤拷褟褌邪.鈥�
鈥炐愋盒� 薪械 褋懈 褋邪屑芯薪邪写械褟薪邪, 泻邪泻胁邪 胁械褖懈褑邪 褋懈? 小邪屑芯 写械褌芯 芯褌写邪胁薪邪 薪械 褋屑械 屑谢邪写懈. 袛邪 褋懈 薪邪 胁褗褉褏邪 胁褗胁 胁械褖械褉褋褌胁芯褌芯 械 泻邪褌芯 写邪 褋懈 薪邪械屑械薪 斜芯械褑. 小屑褟褌邪褕 褋械 蟹邪 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉, 邪屑邪 褋懈 蟹薪邪械褕, 褔械 胁褋械 薪褟泻褗写械 懈屑邪 械写懈薪 锌芯-屑谢邪写, 写械褌芯 褋械 褍锌褉邪卸薪褟胁邪 芯褌 褋褍褌褉懈薪 写芯 胁械褔械褉, 芯胁谢邪写褟胁邪 褌褗薪泻芯褋褌懈褌械.鈥�
鈥炩€� 袧械 锌芯薪邪褋褟屑 写邪 斜褗褉薪懈泻邪褌 胁 芯泻褍谢褌薪芯褌芯 鈥� 蟹邪褟胁懈 袘邪斜邪. 鈥� 袩芯褔薪械 谢懈 褋械 胁械写薪褗卸, 蟹薪邪褔懈 胁褟褉胁邪褕 胁 写褍褏芯胁械, 褌褍泄 锌褗泻 蟹薪邪褔懈, 褔械 褖械 锌芯胁褟褉胁邪褕 懈 胁 写械屑芯薪懈褌械, 邪 锌褉械写懈 写邪 褋械 芯锌芯屑薪懈褕, 胁械褔械 胁褟褉胁邪褕 懈 胁 斜芯谐芯胁械. 袠 褌芯谐邪蟹 褋懈 蟹邪谐邪蟹懈谢邪.
鈥� 效械 薪邪谢懈 胁褋懈褔泻懈 褌懈褟 褌胁邪褉懈 谐懈 懈屑邪 薪邪懈褋褌懈薪邪? 鈥� 褋锌芯写械谢懈 薪械写芯褍屑械薪懈械褌芯 褋懈 袥械谢褟.
鈥� 孝褍泄 薪械 械 锌褉懈褔懈薪邪 写邪 胁蟹械屑械褕, 褔械 写邪 锌芯胁褟褉胁邪褕 胁 褌褟褏. 孝褗泄 褋邪屑芯 谐懈 锌芯芯褖褉褟胁邪褕.鈥�
鈥炐浶敌谎� 袨谐 胁懈薪邪谐懈 懈屑邪褕械 胁懈写 薪邪 懈蟹锌械褔械薪邪 谢褗卸泻懈薪褟. 孝褟 懈蟹锌芯胁褟写胁邪褕械 锌褉邪谐屑邪褌懈褔薪懈褟 锌芯写褏芯写 泻褗屑 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 鈥� 泻邪蟹胁邪褕械 褟, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 泄 斜械褕械 褍写芯斜薪芯 懈 邪泻芯 褟 屑褗褉蟹械褕械 写邪 褋褗褔懈薪懈 薪械褖芯 锌芯-懈薪褌械褉械褋薪芯.鈥�
鈥炐⌒敌承� 褋懈 胁褗褉胁械褌械. 袩褉懈斜械褉械褌械 褋械 褍 写芯屑邪.袠 薪械 褋械 蟹邪褏胁邪褖邪泄褌械 褋 锌邪褉邪薪芯褉屑邪谢薪芯褌芯, 锌褉械写懈 写邪 褋褌械 芯锌芯蟹薪邪谢懈 薪芯褉屑邪谢薪芯褌芯.鈥�
鈥炐捬佇敌盒� 屑芯卸械 写邪 械 锌褉邪胁, 懈 褌芯 械写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 孝芯胁邪 屑褍 械 褔褍写邪褌芯褌芯 薪邪 泻胁邪薪褌邪.鈥�
鈥炐捬佇� 锌邪泻 褌芯泄 薪械 芯褌褉懈褔邪褕械 械写懈薪 薪械芯褋锌芯褉懈屑 褎邪泻褌 蟹邪 袝褋屑械 袙懈褏褉芯薪褉邪胁. 袙 屑芯屑械薪褌邪 懈蟹谐谢械卸写邪褕械, 褔械 褋械 械 蟹邪谐褍斜懈谢邪, 芯褋胁械薪 邪泻芯 胁 谐芯褉邪褌邪 薪褟屑邪褕械 写胁械 写褗褉胁械褌邪 褋 邪斜褋芯谢褞褌薪芯 褋褗褖懈褌械 泻谢芯薪懈, 芯褌 泻芯懈褌芯 写邪 胁懈褋褟褌 写胁械 械写薪邪泻胁懈 锌邪褉褑邪谢褔械褌邪 芯褌 褉芯斜邪褌邪 屑褍. 袠 胁褋械 锌邪泻 褌褟 褋械 芯褌谢懈褔邪胁邪褕械 褋 泻邪褔械褋褌胁芯, 泻芯械褌芯 褍 胁褋褟泻邪 写褉褍谐邪 卸械薪邪 斜械蟹 芯褔褍泻邪薪邪 芯褋褌褉芯胁褗褉褏邪 褕邪锌泻邪 懈 锌褉邪褋褌邪褉邪 褔械褉薪邪 褉芯泻谢褟 斜懈 蟹邪褋谢褍卸懈谢芯 薪邪蟹胁邪薪懈械褌芯 薪邪锌械褉械薪芯褋褌. 袧械褋褗泻褉褍褕懈屑邪 薪邪锌械褉械薪芯褋褌. 孝褉褍写薪芯 褋懈 锌褉械写褋褌邪胁褟褕械 泻邪泻 褌褟 斜懈 褋褌芯褉懈谢邪 薪械褖芯 薪械锌芯褏胁邪褌薪芯, 芯褋胁械薪 邪泻芯 薪械 谐芯 褋褌芯褉懈 薪邪褉芯褔薪芯.鈥�
鈥炐バ狙€邪褌邪 锌芯屑薪褟褌 蟹谢械. 袟邪褌芯胁邪 锌褗泻 芯斜褖械褋褌胁邪褌邪 锌芯屑薪褟褌 写芯斜褉械, 泻邪泻褌芯 褉芯械胁械褌械. 袣芯写懈褉邪褌 懈薪褎芯褉屑邪褑懈褟褌邪, 蟹邪 写邪 褟 锌褉芯斜褍褌邪褌 锌芯泻褉邪泄 褑械薪蟹褍褉邪褌邪 薪邪 褋褗蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯, 锌褉械写邪胁邪褌 褟 芯褌 斜邪斜邪 薪邪 胁薪褍褔械 胁 泻褉邪褌懈褔泻懈 斜械蟹褋屑懈褋谢懈褑懈, 泻芯懈褌芯 褌械 写芯褉懈 薪械 褋懈 锌褉邪胁褟褌 褌褉褍写邪 写邪 蟹邪斜褉邪胁褟褌. 袩芯薪褟泻芯谐邪 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 褋械 褋褗褏褉邪薪褟胁邪 褏懈褌褉芯褍屑薪芯 胁褗锌褉械泻懈 褍锌芯褉懈褌懈褌械 褍褋懈谢懈褟 薪邪 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈褌械 锌邪蟹懈褌械谢懈 薪邪 蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯.鈥�
鈥炐熜狙囇傂� 胁褋械泻懈 写褉褍谐 斜懈 蟹邪谐褗褉斜懈谢 褋谢褍褔泻邪褌邪 胁械写薪邪谐邪. 袧芯 芯泻邪褟薪邪褌邪 褍褔邪褋褌 薪邪 袩芯薪写褗褉 斜械 写邪 褌褗褉褋懈 褋屑懈褋褗谢 胁 褌芯蟹懈 褉邪胁薪芯写褍褕械薪 褋胁褟褌.鈥�
鈥炐Ｑ佇夹感残盒把傂� 薪邪 袣褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 薪械 褋械 褋褌芯锌懈, 蟹邪褌芯胁邪 锌褗泻 褋械 褋屑褉褗蟹薪邪. 小谢褍褔胁邪 褋械, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 褋屑械械褖懈褟褌 褋械 薪械 械 芯褋芯斜械薪芯 褋懈谐褍褉械薪 泻邪泻胁芯 械 褔褍谢 褌芯泻褍-褖芯 懈 薪械 蟹薪邪械 泻邪泻胁芯 写邪 泻邪卸械.
鈥� 孝懈 褋械 薪邪斜褗褉泻邪 胁 锌懈械褋邪 鈥� 锌褉芯写褗谢卸懈 袘邪斜邪. 鈥� 袛芯褋械褖邪屑 褋械, 褔械 薪械 蟹薪邪械褕 泻邪泻胁芯 薪邪锌褉邪胁懈. 袩懈械褋懈褌械 懈 泻薪懈谐懈褌械鈥� 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 谐懈 写褗褉卸懈褕 锌芯写 芯泻芯 褌懈褟 谐邪写芯褉懈泄泻懈.鈥�
鈥炐熜拘窖徯盒拘承�, 邪泻芯 薪邪懈褋褌懈薪邪 褉邪蟹谐谢械卸写邪褕 胁薪懈屑邪褌械谢薪芯 泻邪屑褗褔械褌邪褌邪, 屑芯卸械褕 写邪 薪邪褍褔懈褕 薪械褖芯 蟹邪 芯泻械邪薪邪.鈥�
July 30, 2007
i agree wholeheartedly, this is my FAVORITE of the Witch series. I love Granny v Lily in "Witches Abroad," but if you delighted in Mrs. Weasley gettin all Sigourney Weaver on Bellatrix L in the last Harry Potter, YOU'LL LOVE the whole last third of the book. i squirmed with glee as soon as Magrat put on that armor. the principle of a cat in a box being any of 3 various states till you open the box: alive, dead, bloody pissed off is all i know about physics, or need to know.
February 4, 2020
Another delightful tale in The Witches subsection of Prachett's amazing Discworld series, the fact that it immediately follows on from made it even more enjoyable.
I really love spending time with these characters in particular.
There's so many aspects that make this series great and this case it was the appearance of crop circles that led to parallel worlds and in turn murderous elves!
Pratchett's take on folklore is humorously horrific.
While all the various mentions to A Midsummer Night's Dream just highlighted that I've touched any Shakespeare since school.
But that is what is so magical about this series, as certainly elements will appeal to different readers.
I really love spending time with these characters in particular.
There's so many aspects that make this series great and this case it was the appearance of crop circles that led to parallel worlds and in turn murderous elves!
Pratchett's take on folklore is humorously horrific.
While all the various mentions to A Midsummer Night's Dream just highlighted that I've touched any Shakespeare since school.
But that is what is so magical about this series, as certainly elements will appeal to different readers.
February 24, 2019
My 1000th read here on GR and first 5 stars this year (not counting re-read).
September 22, 2024
The 14th in my re-read of the entire Discworld series has us back with Granny Weatherwax and the other witches again (it might only have been 2 books but I missed them already)!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this 14th book (in chronological order) are:
My favorite Shakespeare play is A Midsummer Night's Dream which pretty much is what this is about. Elves used to live on the Disc but they are gone now, thankfully. Let's just say that even on the Disc they were a force to be reckoned with and life has been better since they are gone. If only people could remember that though. Worse even, sometimes the walls between realities grow very thin and things slip through ... especially when the resident witches had to go abroad to help with a calamity and there鈥檚 a bunch of REALLY STUPID young girls.
Now, imagine having been abroad without ever wanting to leave home in the first place, only to get back and find someone has invaded your home! Would you like it? Of course not. Would you do something about it? Well, if you had Granny Weatherwax's powers, I'm sure you would. Honestly, I almost pitied the elves for having been stupid enough to make their comeback in Lancre of all places. *chuckles sardonically*
It's no secret that Granny and Nanny are my favorite witches and Magrat was always just a tagalong for me. However, she really got her moment of glory here and I liked that not just because it was really rather awesome or about time, but because it also made for a really nice farewell now that she's leaving the coven.
To think that it was Greebo, of all of them, who saw Magrat for who/what she really was, unlike anyone else ... I always said that while he might be volatile and rapey, he was also a smart kitty. *evil grin*
The additional kick in the humouristic nuts was the wizards traveling to Lancre for the royal wedding and Ridcully meeting Granny (again). Between the Arch Chancellor trying to rekindle a lost flame and Casanunda trying (and spectacularly failing) to woo Nanny, I didn鈥檛 know how I could go on without laughing myself to death.
But then there were the bees. Ye gods, that was such a brilliant story element!
Anyway, still one of my absolute favorites in the entire series (and that is saying something), this time brought to life fantastically by Indira Varma - she really was the perfect pick!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Reading this 14th book (in chronological order) are:
My favorite Shakespeare play is A Midsummer Night's Dream which pretty much is what this is about. Elves used to live on the Disc but they are gone now, thankfully. Let's just say that even on the Disc they were a force to be reckoned with and life has been better since they are gone. If only people could remember that though. Worse even, sometimes the walls between realities grow very thin and things slip through ... especially when the resident witches had to go abroad to help with a calamity and there鈥檚 a bunch of REALLY STUPID young girls.
Now, imagine having been abroad without ever wanting to leave home in the first place, only to get back and find someone has invaded your home! Would you like it? Of course not. Would you do something about it? Well, if you had Granny Weatherwax's powers, I'm sure you would. Honestly, I almost pitied the elves for having been stupid enough to make their comeback in Lancre of all places. *chuckles sardonically*
It's no secret that Granny and Nanny are my favorite witches and Magrat was always just a tagalong for me. However, she really got her moment of glory here and I liked that not just because it was really rather awesome or about time, but because it also made for a really nice farewell now that she's leaving the coven.
To think that it was Greebo, of all of them, who saw Magrat for who/what she really was, unlike anyone else ... I always said that while he might be volatile and rapey, he was also a smart kitty. *evil grin*
The additional kick in the humouristic nuts was the wizards traveling to Lancre for the royal wedding and Ridcully meeting Granny (again). Between the Arch Chancellor trying to rekindle a lost flame and Casanunda trying (and spectacularly failing) to woo Nanny, I didn鈥檛 know how I could go on without laughing myself to death.
But then there were the bees. Ye gods, that was such a brilliant story element!
Anyway, still one of my absolute favorites in the entire series (and that is saying something), this time brought to life fantastically by Indira Varma - she really was the perfect pick!
October 27, 2021
薪褨褔芯谐芯 薪械 谢褞斜谢褞 褍 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌邪 褌邪泻 褋懈谢褜薪芯 褟泻 泄芯谐芯 褨褋褌芯褉褩 锌褉芯 胁褨写褜芯屑, 邪 褌褍褌 褍谢褞斜谢械薪邪 褌褉褨泄褑褟 褨 蟹薪芯胁褍 褕械泻褋锌褨褉褨胁褖懈薪邪, 锌褉械泻褉邪褋薪邪 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟.
December 2, 2020
Elfler hayrete 艧ayand谋r. Hayret uyand谋r谋rlar.
Elfler harikad谋r. Harikalar yarat谋rlar.
Elfler d眉艧 gibidir. D眉艧ler 眉retirler.
Elfler muhte艧emdir. 陌hti艧am yayarlar.
Elfler b眉y眉leyicidir. B眉y眉 dokurlar.
Elfler m眉thi艧tir. Deh艧et do臒ururlar.
S枚zc眉klerin 枚zelli臒i, anlamlar谋n谋n y谋lan gibi k谋vr谋labilir olmas谋d谋r. Ve y谋lan bulmak istiyorsan谋z, anlam de臒i艧tiren s枚zc眉klerin ard谋na bakman谋z gerekir.
Kimse elflerin iyi oldu臒unu s枚ylememi艧tir.
Elfler k枚t眉d眉r.
Diskd眉nya'n谋n en e臒lenceli serilerinden olan "Cad谋lar" 谋n d枚rd眉nc眉 kitab谋. Seride ba臒谋ms谋z okuyamayaca臒谋n谋z kitaplardan biri zira n谋n devam谋 halinde ak谋yor hikaye. Hamlet'ten Macbeth'e uzanan referanslar谋nda bu sefer s谋rada "Bir Yaz Gecesi R眉yas谋" var.
San谋r谋m serinin en e臒lenceli 眉莽l眉s眉 olan Havamumu Nine, Ogg Ana ve Magrat Genua'daki "peri masal谋"n谋n ard谋ndan yeniden Lancre topraklar谋nda. Muhte艧em 眉莽l眉n眉n g眉ndeminde bu sefer b眉y眉k d眉臒眉n haz谋rl谋klar谋, cad谋l谋臒谋n ard谋ndan krali莽eli臒i 枚臒renme 莽abalar谋, ge莽mi艧in s谋rlar谋 ve tek boynuzlu atlar var. Bir de elflerin ger莽ek y眉zlerini -Tolkine'in anlatt谋臒谋 asaletten al谋nmam谋艧 nasiplerini- g枚sterme amac谋n谋 da es ge莽emeyiz elbette. Bu kitapta G枚r眉nmez 脺niversite rekt枚r眉 ve k眉t眉phanecisi de hikayenin e艧lik莽isi. Cad谋lar serisinde hala favorim Cad谋lar D谋艧ar谋da olsa da yine 莽ok e臒lenerek okudum. 脰zetle Diskd眉nya yine bildi臒imiz gibi.
Muazzam.
Elfler harikad谋r. Harikalar yarat谋rlar.
Elfler d眉艧 gibidir. D眉艧ler 眉retirler.
Elfler muhte艧emdir. 陌hti艧am yayarlar.
Elfler b眉y眉leyicidir. B眉y眉 dokurlar.
Elfler m眉thi艧tir. Deh艧et do臒ururlar.
S枚zc眉klerin 枚zelli臒i, anlamlar谋n谋n y谋lan gibi k谋vr谋labilir olmas谋d谋r. Ve y谋lan bulmak istiyorsan谋z, anlam de臒i艧tiren s枚zc眉klerin ard谋na bakman谋z gerekir.
Kimse elflerin iyi oldu臒unu s枚ylememi艧tir.
Elfler k枚t眉d眉r.
Diskd眉nya'n谋n en e臒lenceli serilerinden olan "Cad谋lar" 谋n d枚rd眉nc眉 kitab谋. Seride ba臒谋ms谋z okuyamayaca臒谋n谋z kitaplardan biri zira n谋n devam谋 halinde ak谋yor hikaye. Hamlet'ten Macbeth'e uzanan referanslar谋nda bu sefer s谋rada "Bir Yaz Gecesi R眉yas谋" var.
San谋r谋m serinin en e臒lenceli 眉莽l眉s眉 olan Havamumu Nine, Ogg Ana ve Magrat Genua'daki "peri masal谋"n谋n ard谋ndan yeniden Lancre topraklar谋nda. Muhte艧em 眉莽l眉n眉n g眉ndeminde bu sefer b眉y眉k d眉臒眉n haz谋rl谋klar谋, cad谋l谋臒谋n ard谋ndan krali莽eli臒i 枚臒renme 莽abalar谋, ge莽mi艧in s谋rlar谋 ve tek boynuzlu atlar var. Bir de elflerin ger莽ek y眉zlerini -Tolkine'in anlatt谋臒谋 asaletten al谋nmam谋艧 nasiplerini- g枚sterme amac谋n谋 da es ge莽emeyiz elbette. Bu kitapta G枚r眉nmez 脺niversite rekt枚r眉 ve k眉t眉phanecisi de hikayenin e艧lik莽isi. Cad谋lar serisinde hala favorim Cad谋lar D谋艧ar谋da olsa da yine 莽ok e臒lenerek okudum. 脰zetle Diskd眉nya yine bildi臒imiz gibi.
Muazzam.
November 22, 2008
Elves.
When you think of elves, what do you think of? The tall, fair-skinned beings of Tolkien's Middle Earth? The ebony warriors from Dungeons & Dragons? Delicious cookies?
Not on Discworld. On Discworld, the Elves are folk of legend, and dark legend at that. People there remember the elves, although not very well. They remember through old wives' tales, about leaving milk for the fairies and not going near the standing stones. Ask someone in the kingdom of Lancre, and they'll think of elves as you and I think of elves - pretty, wonderful, magical...
Ask Granny Weatherwax and she'll tell you the truth - that the Elves are not of this world, and don't belong here either. She'll tell you that when the barriers of the worlds grow thin, when the crop circles start to show up, the elves will be waiting, readying themselves to come back. For theirs is a parasite universe, a land of ice, and they desire ours for their... entertainment.
Such is the setup for Lords and Ladies, another one of Pratchett's darker Discworld books. There is still his customary humor, of course, which would be sorely missed were it absent. But it's also got a philosophical edge to it, as many of his books of this period do. It's about faith in stories, and knowing the difference between what is true and what you wish were true.
It's circle time again, where crop circles are appearing everywhere, and the parallel and parasite universes are coming into closer contact, and Granny Weatherwax knows that she is going to die.
Or is she? She can't be sure....
Esme Weatherwax is the consummate witch. Tall, thin and bony, she's the kind of woman who can wear the pointy black hat of a witch and dare you to think she's anything else. She's strong of mind, never afraid to speak the truth, the best witch in Lancre and not slow in admitting it. But many years ago, she was a headstrong young girl who was offered power by a mysterious woman in red who stood in the center of a stone circle. The woman promised power and freedom, but could not leave the circle. Rather than take the easy way to witchcraft, Granny worked, learned, and grew old. Which is always for the best.
As is the case with many Pratchett books, there are multiple plots that all center around the Elves and their newest attempt to gain the Discworld as their own world. Magrat Garlick, the third witch (because there must always be three) is going to marry Verence, the king of Lancre and a former Fool. Mustrum Ridcully, the Archchancellor of the Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork, is attending the wedding and at the same time remembering his days in Lancre chasing after the headstrong young girl who grew up to become Esme Weatherwax. And Granny herself is remembering things that happened to all possible Esme Weatherwaxes, and for someone as sure of herself as she is, is having a serious identity problem.
Something needs to be said here about the three witches of Lancre, recurring characters as they are in all of the Witches books of the series. Normally this would be done chronologically, upon reviewing the first book in which they appeared, but I want to do it now. Besides, I haven't read Equal Rites in a long time, but it's on my list.
Granny is as I have said - the unofficial chief witch of the region, who has attained the status of being almost mythical in the village of Bad Ass. She is feared and revered, but only because she is always who she is.
Nanny (Gytha) Ogg is Esme's polar opposite. She has a face like an apple left in the sun too long, her youth is filled with enough tawdry encounters to make a fraternity lose its breath, and her fondness for bawdy tunes (such as the ever-immortal Hedgehog song) has made her a figure of legend. But like any witch, Gytha is not to be underestimated. She can think faster than most anyone, and do so around corners. She's the grounding influence for Esme when Esme gets too high on herself, and while being fearsome in her own right, she is one of the more approachable witches Lancre has to offer.
And then there is Magrat Garlick, the third witch. She is the soppy one, the romantic one, the one with the collection of occult jewelry and a library in her cottage. She's the youngest, the least experienced, but not without potential. And while the other two witches may treat her like an ignorant stripling, they only do so because that's how you become a witch - by learning things, not by being told things.
But now Magrat is going to be Queen, and there are only the two witches. And the elves are coming....
This is, as I have said, a darker book. We get an interesting look into Granny Weatherwax's psyche - who she is, what she fears - and it's a little chilling. The reader is used to the utterly unflappable Granny Weatherwax, so to see her, well, flapped is kind of disturbing. At the same time, though, it makes her more human than before, which she needs to be if she is to defeat the elves.
This book also offers a good look into the human need for fantasy. The elves anchor themselves to the Discworld by belief - if enough people want the elves to come, then they will. But the longer they stay away, the more time we get without them, the more they become what we think they are. Stories. Myths. Cute magical critters who are to be watched, but not necessarily feared.
We need our stories to get us through the "iron times." Yes, we need elves, to help us escape from our lives from time to time, just as we need witches and wizards and gods. But we don't need them here. Here, in the real world, we have only ourselves to count on, and we need to be strong enough to do that. Stories are good, in their place. But never mistake a story for the real thing.
November 6, 2016
隆Qu茅 bueno! De nuevo encantada con un libro de Mundodisco. Siempre he dicho que mi subsaga favorita era la de la Muerte, pero hace alg煤n tiempo que creo que las brujas la han superado. No se me ocurre qu茅 decir sin repetirme: me encanta el humor de Terry Pratchett, el universo de Mundodisco... Nada que no haya dicho ya o que no se sepa. Pero es que este libro, que es en parte una parodia de "El sue帽o de una noche de verano", me ha enganchado mucho y me ha hecho disfrutar hasta el punto de que se me ha hecho corto y no quer铆a que acabase. Una maravilla de principio a fin. 隆Qu茅 gran talento ten铆a Pratchett!
Un saludo,
Carol Rodr铆guez
Un saludo,
Carol Rodr铆guez
April 6, 2021
Granny Weatherwax set about finding out what had been happening around the stones in her own distinctive way." pg 46
Headology, humor and elves are the focus of Lords and Ladies, the fourth entry in The Witches series of Discworld books.
A ring of ancient stones sits in the mountains above Lancre. They were erected so many years ago that no one remembers why they were put up in the first place. No one, that is, except the witches.
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat have returned from their long journey to install Magrat as a short-term fairy godmother and to free a distant city from the tyranny of stories- a far more dangerous trip than any of them realized it would be.
Upon their return, Verence, the recently crowned king of Lancre, announces his intention to wed Magrat. While the preparations are taking place, something dangerous and cold is pushing its way into Discworld through the stones upon the hill.
"You know," she said. "The Fair Folk. The Gentry. The Shining Ones. The Star People. You know." pg 53
Too bad the elves are nothing like what people remember in the fairy tales.
Terry Pratchett takes a completely different view of the elves than any other fantasy author I've ever read. Their beauty and glamor hides a viciousness that makes them terrifying rather than enchanting.
The three witches face the danger in their own unique way- a charming combination of psychology and common sense.
Unlike the last book where I felt that Magrat was disparaged and bullied, I feel like she comes into her own in Lords and Ladies.
"If you fought an elf and lost... then, if you were lucky, you would die." pg 169
We get to learn more about Granny Weatherwax's mysterious past as well as Nanny Ogg's capacity to fascinate a certain amorous dwarf.
Overall, I think it is one of Pratchett's best. At least, that's what I believe so far. We've reached the end of the Discworld books that I read eight years ago, so perhaps there are some gems waiting in my future.
I'll let you all know. :)
Highly recommended for fans of fantasy and British humor.
Headology, humor and elves are the focus of Lords and Ladies, the fourth entry in The Witches series of Discworld books.
A ring of ancient stones sits in the mountains above Lancre. They were erected so many years ago that no one remembers why they were put up in the first place. No one, that is, except the witches.
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat have returned from their long journey to install Magrat as a short-term fairy godmother and to free a distant city from the tyranny of stories- a far more dangerous trip than any of them realized it would be.
Upon their return, Verence, the recently crowned king of Lancre, announces his intention to wed Magrat. While the preparations are taking place, something dangerous and cold is pushing its way into Discworld through the stones upon the hill.
"You know," she said. "The Fair Folk. The Gentry. The Shining Ones. The Star People. You know." pg 53
Too bad the elves are nothing like what people remember in the fairy tales.
Terry Pratchett takes a completely different view of the elves than any other fantasy author I've ever read. Their beauty and glamor hides a viciousness that makes them terrifying rather than enchanting.
The three witches face the danger in their own unique way- a charming combination of psychology and common sense.
Unlike the last book where I felt that Magrat was disparaged and bullied, I feel like she comes into her own in Lords and Ladies.
"If you fought an elf and lost... then, if you were lucky, you would die." pg 169
We get to learn more about Granny Weatherwax's mysterious past as well as Nanny Ogg's capacity to fascinate a certain amorous dwarf.
Overall, I think it is one of Pratchett's best. At least, that's what I believe so far. We've reached the end of the Discworld books that I read eight years ago, so perhaps there are some gems waiting in my future.
I'll let you all know. :)
Highly recommended for fans of fantasy and British humor.
April 9, 2023
4/7/23 - Rereading with my husband and daughter.
4/9/23 - We just finished listening. All 3 of us thoroughly enjoyed a good laugh. So, I am revising my rating and including some quotes that tickled my ears:
"with the tact of a tidal wave" - we all have at least one person in our lives with this special gift!
"She [Nanny Ogg] went back down to the scullery and lowered a bucket down the well, remembering to fish the newts out this time before she boiled the kettle."
"Nanny poured out the tea. She carefully took one spoonful of sugar out of the sugar basin, tipped the rest of the sugar into her cup, put the spoonful back in the basin, put both cups on a tray, and climbed the stairs."
"A lady of negotiable affection."
"You know when they say things like 'she had a laugh like a mountain stream'? Load of cobblers, poetry,鈥� said Ridcully. "I've listened to mountain streams and they just go trickle, trickle, gurgle. And you get them things in them, you know, insect things with little . . . anyway. Doesn't sound like laughter at all, is my point."
"Poets always get it wrong. 'S'like 'she had lips like cherries.' Small, round, and got a stone in the middle? Hah!"
"If she [Granny Weatherwax] hasn't gone to a better place, she will be setting out to improve it."
"The ticking of the clock stitched the blanket of silence."
4/9/23 - We just finished listening. All 3 of us thoroughly enjoyed a good laugh. So, I am revising my rating and including some quotes that tickled my ears:
"with the tact of a tidal wave" - we all have at least one person in our lives with this special gift!
"She [Nanny Ogg] went back down to the scullery and lowered a bucket down the well, remembering to fish the newts out this time before she boiled the kettle."
"Nanny poured out the tea. She carefully took one spoonful of sugar out of the sugar basin, tipped the rest of the sugar into her cup, put the spoonful back in the basin, put both cups on a tray, and climbed the stairs."
"A lady of negotiable affection."
"You know when they say things like 'she had a laugh like a mountain stream'? Load of cobblers, poetry,鈥� said Ridcully. "I've listened to mountain streams and they just go trickle, trickle, gurgle. And you get them things in them, you know, insect things with little . . . anyway. Doesn't sound like laughter at all, is my point."
"Poets always get it wrong. 'S'like 'she had lips like cherries.' Small, round, and got a stone in the middle? Hah!"
"If she [Granny Weatherwax] hasn't gone to a better place, she will be setting out to improve it."
"The ticking of the clock stitched the blanket of silence."
February 4, 2020
I wanted a balm, and Discworld always works to pick me back up. This book is much darker than previous ones, and, I think, a bit more...well-worn? It wasn't my favorite of the witch series so far, but it was still a very good read.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things to love:
-The subject. Elves being evil is a cause near and dear to my heart.
-Backstory. We learn a lot more about the witches, and I enjoyed that.
-Pratchettisms. Witty, observant, and full of unexpected kindness as usual.
Things that weren't as lovely:
-The tone. I wasn't expecting this to be so dark! But it is, quite violent and a bit bleak at times. This isn't usually a problem except that I like to use Discworld as my "bedtime" listen and I don't think I'll get as many listens out of this one because it gives me weird dreams.
-Some of the commentary. I felt a bit removed from the friendship of the witches, and thought there were a few shitty things about romance and independent women in here. I have more context, so I know that this isn't the author's intent, but if I'd read it without that context, I'd be a bit miffed.
-Needs context. This is 100% not a standalone. In fact, I'm not sure you can read this one without all three preceding Witches books. I'm still missing Wyrd Sisters from my readthrough, and I felt like i missed several jokes or references.
Still a wonderful book and definitely one of my favorite (sub)series.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things to love:
-The subject. Elves being evil is a cause near and dear to my heart.
-Backstory. We learn a lot more about the witches, and I enjoyed that.
-Pratchettisms. Witty, observant, and full of unexpected kindness as usual.
Things that weren't as lovely:
-The tone. I wasn't expecting this to be so dark! But it is, quite violent and a bit bleak at times. This isn't usually a problem except that I like to use Discworld as my "bedtime" listen and I don't think I'll get as many listens out of this one because it gives me weird dreams.
-Some of the commentary. I felt a bit removed from the friendship of the witches, and thought there were a few shitty things about romance and independent women in here. I have more context, so I know that this isn't the author's intent, but if I'd read it without that context, I'd be a bit miffed.
-Needs context. This is 100% not a standalone. In fact, I'm not sure you can read this one without all three preceding Witches books. I'm still missing Wyrd Sisters from my readthrough, and I felt like i missed several jokes or references.
Still a wonderful book and definitely one of my favorite (sub)series.
April 21, 2013
The gals have been gone a while, and lots of things can happen in eight month's time.
Magrat is still planning to marry the new king (and former fool) of Lancre, and anyone who's everyone will be attending the Royal Wedding, including our favorite Librarian. (If only they can get him to put on some clothes...)
But wait...strange things are happening. (Well, stranger things than the strange things that normally happen in Discworld.)
Even the bees are worried.
Granny Weatherwax is reunited with an old love. Nanny Ogg is being wooed by a dwarf who's also the world's second greatest lover. Magrat is discovering that being Queen is really...boring.
And the "lords and ladies" have somehow found a way through, and here's a hint...they're NOT here for the Morris Dancing!
Now, it's up to the witches to stop Magrat's fairy tale ending from being ruined by...fairies.
Magrat is still planning to marry the new king (and former fool) of Lancre, and anyone who's everyone will be attending the Royal Wedding, including our favorite Librarian. (If only they can get him to put on some clothes...)
But wait...strange things are happening. (Well, stranger things than the strange things that normally happen in Discworld.)
Even the bees are worried.
Granny Weatherwax is reunited with an old love. Nanny Ogg is being wooed by a dwarf who's also the world's second greatest lover. Magrat is discovering that being Queen is really...boring.
And the "lords and ladies" have somehow found a way through, and here's a hint...they're NOT here for the Morris Dancing!
Now, it's up to the witches to stop Magrat's fairy tale ending from being ruined by...fairies.
December 27, 2023
些芯褉邪蟹褍, 褟泻 褟 写芯褔懈褌褍褞 褔械褉谐芯胁懈泄 褌芯屑 褍 屑芯褦屑褍 屑邪谢械薪褜泻芯屑褍 胁褨写褜屑芯屑邪褉邪褎芯薪褨, 褟 锌械褉械谐谢褟写邪褞 褌褍褌 胁褨写谐褍泻懈, 褨 蟹邪胁卸写懈 褏褌芯褋褜 锌懈褕械, 褖芯 褋邪屑械 芯褑械泄 褌芯屑 鈥斕叫靶剐貉€邪褖懈泄 胁 锌褨写褑懈泻谢褨. 袉 褟 褖芯褉邪蟹褍 蟹谐芯写薪邪. 小邪屑械 褑械泄 褌芯屑 薪邪泄泻褉邪褖懈泄 )
袩褨褋谢褟 "袙褨写褜芯屑 蟹邪 泻芯褉写芯薪芯屑", 写械 薪邪褕褨 褌褉懈 胁褨写褜屑懈 锌芯褋褌褨泄薪芯 斜褍谢懈 褉邪蟹芯屑, 褌褉芯褕泻懈 胁邪卸泻褍胁邪褌芯 斜褍谢芯 蟹胁懈泻薪褍褌懈 写芯 褌芯谐芯, 褖芯 褌褍褌 胁芯薪懈 蟹写械斜褨谢褜褕芯谐芯 锌芯褉褨蟹薪褍. 袨褌卸械, 锌褨褋谢褟 锌芯胁械褉薪械薪薪褟 写芯写芯屑褍 薪邪 屑芯谢芯写褕械薪褜泻褍 袦邪覒褉邪褌, 褟泻 褋薪褨谐 薪邪 谐芯谢芯胁褍, 蟹胁邪谢褞褦褌褜褋褟 褩褩 胁械褋褨谢谢褟, 褟泻械, 胁懈褟胁谢褟褦褌褜褋褟, 芯褋褜 褍卸械 薪械蟹邪斜邪褉芯屑. 小锌懈褌邪褌懈 褩褩 蟹谐芯写懈 褔芯屑褍褋褜 薪褨褏褌芯 薪械 蟹写芯谐邪写邪胁褋褟. 袪芯蟹写褉邪泻芯薪械薪邪 褌邪泻懈屑 褟胁薪懈屑 薪械褏褌褍胁邪薪薪褟屑 褋胁芯褦褩 写褍屑泻懈, 袦邪覒褉邪褌 锌械褉械褋褉邪谢邪褋褟 蟹 袘邪斜褍薪械褞 袛芯褖械胁褨褋泻, 胁懈褉褨褕懈谢邪, 褖芯 胁 褋褉邪褑褨 胁芯薪邪 斜邪褔懈谢邪 胁褋械 褑械 胁褨写褜芯屑褋褌胁芯 褨 胁懈褉褨褕褍褦 泻芯褉芯谢械胁褍胁邪褌懈 full time. 袗谢械 褔懈屑, 胁谢邪褋薪械, 蟹邪泄屑邪褦褌褜褋褟 泻芯褉芯谢械胁邪 褑褨谢懈屑懈 写薪褟屑懈? 啸芯写懈褌褜 胁 锌懈褕薪懈褏 薪械蟹褉褍褔薪懈褏 褋褍泻薪褟褏? 孝褔械 谐芯斜械谢械薪懈? 袙懈薪芯褕褍褦 锌褉械褋褌芯谢芯薪邪褋谢褨写薪懈泻褨胁? 笑械 胁褋械 袦邪覒褉邪褌 薪械 写芯 褋屑邪泻褍, 褖械 泄 屑邪泄斜褍褌薪褨泄 褔芯谢芯胁褨泻 褟泻懈泄褋褜 薪械 褌芯泄 褨 薪械 薪芯褋懈褌褜 斜褨谢褜褕械 泻邪锌械谢褞褏邪 蟹 写蟹胁褨薪芯褔泻邪屑懈鈥�
孝懈屑褔邪褋芯屑 芯斜懈写胁褨 褋褌邪褉褕褨 胁褨写褜屑懈 胁褨写褔褍胁邪褞褌褜, 褖芯 泻芯褩褌褜褋褟 褖芯褋褜 薪械 褌械, 褌邪泻 薪褨斜懈 写芯 薪邪褕芯谐芯 褋胁褨褌褍 薪邪屑邪谐邪褞褌褜褋褟 锌褉芯薪懈泻薪褍褌懈 胁芯薪懈 鈥斕�锌邪薪褨 褌邪 锌邪薪芯胁械. 孝芯斜褌芯 械谢褜褎懈 薪邪 薪邪褕褨 谐褉芯褕褨. 袥褞写懈 褋褏懈谢褜薪褨 写褍屑邪褌懈, 褖芯 胁芯薪懈 褌邪泻褨 屑懈谢械薪褜泻褨, 褟泻 泻芯褌懈泻懈, 芯薪 褟泻褨 胁 薪懈褏 胁褍褕泻邪 谐芯褋褌褉械薪褜泻褨 褨 胁芯薪懈 胁懈写邪褞褌褜 锌褉懈褦屑薪褨 蟹胁褍泻懈, 泻芯谢懈 蟹邪写芯胁芯谢械薪褨, 邪谢械, 褌芯褔薪褨褋褨薪褜泻芯 褟泻 泻芯褌懈泻懈, 胁芯薪懈 屑邪褞褌褜 谢懈褏褍 薪邪褌褍褉褍 褨 斜械蟹 胁邪谐邪薪褜 蟹邪谐邪薪褟褞褌褜 泻褨谐褌褨 薪邪胁褨褌褜 胁 褉褍泻褍, 褟泻邪 褩褏 谐芯写褍褦, 写芯胁谐芯 屑褍褔邪褌褜 褋胁芯褩褏 卸械褉褌胁 褨 谐械褌褜 锌芯蟹斜邪胁谢械薪褨 械屑锌邪褌褨褩. 笑褨泻邪胁芯, 褖芯 胁 "袙褨写褜屑邪褏" 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌 芯锌懈褋褍褦 泻芯褌褨胁, 褟泻 锌邪褋泻褍写薪懈泻褨胁, 褟泻懈屑 褍褋械 褋褏芯写懈褌褜 蟹鈥� 械-械-械鈥� 谢邪锌, 斜芯 胁芯薪懈 泻褉邪褋懈胁械薪褜泻褨, 斜芯, 薪邪褋泻褨谢褜泻懈 屑械薪褨 胁褨写芯屑芯, 褋邪屑 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌 泻芯褌褨胁 谢褞斜懈胁 褨 褑械 胁褨写写蟹械褉泻邪谢械薪芯 胁 泄芯谐芯 小屑械褉褌褨.
袘谢懈卸褔械 写芯 泻褨薪褑褟 泻薪懈卸泻懈 袦邪覒褉邪褌 薪邪写懈斜褍褦 薪邪 锌芯褉褌褉械褌 泻芯褉芯谢械胁懈-胁芯褩薪泻懈 褨 褑械泄 胁懈褌胁褨褉 芯斜褉邪蟹芯褌胁芯褉褔芯谐芯 屑懈褋褌械褑褌胁邪 锌械褉械胁械褉褌邪褦 褩褩 褋褌邪胁谢械薪薪褟 写芯 泻芯褉芯谢械胁褍胁邪薪薪褟 写芯谐芯褉懈 写褉懈覒芯屑, 褌芯卸 胁芯薪邪 薪械褋锌芯写褨胁邪薪芯 褋褌邪褦 蟹褨褉泻芯褞 械泻褕芯薪褔懈泻褍 褨 薪邪斜懈褉邪褦 100 斜邪谢褨胁 泻褉褍褌芯褋褌褨. 小锌芯写褨胁邪褞褋褟, 胁芯薪邪 薪械 褉芯蟹谐褍斜懈褌褜褋褟 褨 薪邪写邪谢褨.
袩褨褋谢褟 "袙褨写褜芯屑 蟹邪 泻芯褉写芯薪芯屑", 写械 薪邪褕褨 褌褉懈 胁褨写褜屑懈 锌芯褋褌褨泄薪芯 斜褍谢懈 褉邪蟹芯屑, 褌褉芯褕泻懈 胁邪卸泻褍胁邪褌芯 斜褍谢芯 蟹胁懈泻薪褍褌懈 写芯 褌芯谐芯, 褖芯 褌褍褌 胁芯薪懈 蟹写械斜褨谢褜褕芯谐芯 锌芯褉褨蟹薪褍. 袨褌卸械, 锌褨褋谢褟 锌芯胁械褉薪械薪薪褟 写芯写芯屑褍 薪邪 屑芯谢芯写褕械薪褜泻褍 袦邪覒褉邪褌, 褟泻 褋薪褨谐 薪邪 谐芯谢芯胁褍, 蟹胁邪谢褞褦褌褜褋褟 褩褩 胁械褋褨谢谢褟, 褟泻械, 胁懈褟胁谢褟褦褌褜褋褟, 芯褋褜 褍卸械 薪械蟹邪斜邪褉芯屑. 小锌懈褌邪褌懈 褩褩 蟹谐芯写懈 褔芯屑褍褋褜 薪褨褏褌芯 薪械 蟹写芯谐邪写邪胁褋褟. 袪芯蟹写褉邪泻芯薪械薪邪 褌邪泻懈屑 褟胁薪懈屑 薪械褏褌褍胁邪薪薪褟屑 褋胁芯褦褩 写褍屑泻懈, 袦邪覒褉邪褌 锌械褉械褋褉邪谢邪褋褟 蟹 袘邪斜褍薪械褞 袛芯褖械胁褨褋泻, 胁懈褉褨褕懈谢邪, 褖芯 胁 褋褉邪褑褨 胁芯薪邪 斜邪褔懈谢邪 胁褋械 褑械 胁褨写褜芯屑褋褌胁芯 褨 胁懈褉褨褕褍褦 泻芯褉芯谢械胁褍胁邪褌懈 full time. 袗谢械 褔懈屑, 胁谢邪褋薪械, 蟹邪泄屑邪褦褌褜褋褟 泻芯褉芯谢械胁邪 褑褨谢懈屑懈 写薪褟屑懈? 啸芯写懈褌褜 胁 锌懈褕薪懈褏 薪械蟹褉褍褔薪懈褏 褋褍泻薪褟褏? 孝褔械 谐芯斜械谢械薪懈? 袙懈薪芯褕褍褦 锌褉械褋褌芯谢芯薪邪褋谢褨写薪懈泻褨胁? 笑械 胁褋械 袦邪覒褉邪褌 薪械 写芯 褋屑邪泻褍, 褖械 泄 屑邪泄斜褍褌薪褨泄 褔芯谢芯胁褨泻 褟泻懈泄褋褜 薪械 褌芯泄 褨 薪械 薪芯褋懈褌褜 斜褨谢褜褕械 泻邪锌械谢褞褏邪 蟹 写蟹胁褨薪芯褔泻邪屑懈鈥�
孝懈屑褔邪褋芯屑 芯斜懈写胁褨 褋褌邪褉褕褨 胁褨写褜屑懈 胁褨写褔褍胁邪褞褌褜, 褖芯 泻芯褩褌褜褋褟 褖芯褋褜 薪械 褌械, 褌邪泻 薪褨斜懈 写芯 薪邪褕芯谐芯 褋胁褨褌褍 薪邪屑邪谐邪褞褌褜褋褟 锌褉芯薪懈泻薪褍褌懈 胁芯薪懈 鈥斕�锌邪薪褨 褌邪 锌邪薪芯胁械. 孝芯斜褌芯 械谢褜褎懈 薪邪 薪邪褕褨 谐褉芯褕褨. 袥褞写懈 褋褏懈谢褜薪褨 写褍屑邪褌懈, 褖芯 胁芯薪懈 褌邪泻褨 屑懈谢械薪褜泻褨, 褟泻 泻芯褌懈泻懈, 芯薪 褟泻褨 胁 薪懈褏 胁褍褕泻邪 谐芯褋褌褉械薪褜泻褨 褨 胁芯薪懈 胁懈写邪褞褌褜 锌褉懈褦屑薪褨 蟹胁褍泻懈, 泻芯谢懈 蟹邪写芯胁芯谢械薪褨, 邪谢械, 褌芯褔薪褨褋褨薪褜泻芯 褟泻 泻芯褌懈泻懈, 胁芯薪懈 屑邪褞褌褜 谢懈褏褍 薪邪褌褍褉褍 褨 斜械蟹 胁邪谐邪薪褜 蟹邪谐邪薪褟褞褌褜 泻褨谐褌褨 薪邪胁褨褌褜 胁 褉褍泻褍, 褟泻邪 褩褏 谐芯写褍褦, 写芯胁谐芯 屑褍褔邪褌褜 褋胁芯褩褏 卸械褉褌胁 褨 谐械褌褜 锌芯蟹斜邪胁谢械薪褨 械屑锌邪褌褨褩. 笑褨泻邪胁芯, 褖芯 胁 "袙褨写褜屑邪褏" 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌 芯锌懈褋褍褦 泻芯褌褨胁, 褟泻 锌邪褋泻褍写薪懈泻褨胁, 褟泻懈屑 褍褋械 褋褏芯写懈褌褜 蟹鈥� 械-械-械鈥� 谢邪锌, 斜芯 胁芯薪懈 泻褉邪褋懈胁械薪褜泻褨, 斜芯, 薪邪褋泻褨谢褜泻懈 屑械薪褨 胁褨写芯屑芯, 褋邪屑 袩褉邪褌褔械褌褌 泻芯褌褨胁 谢褞斜懈胁 褨 褑械 胁褨写写蟹械褉泻邪谢械薪芯 胁 泄芯谐芯 小屑械褉褌褨.
袘谢懈卸褔械 写芯 泻褨薪褑褟 泻薪懈卸泻懈 袦邪覒褉邪褌 薪邪写懈斜褍褦 薪邪 锌芯褉褌褉械褌 泻芯褉芯谢械胁懈-胁芯褩薪泻懈 褨 褑械泄 胁懈褌胁褨褉 芯斜褉邪蟹芯褌胁芯褉褔芯谐芯 屑懈褋褌械褑褌胁邪 锌械褉械胁械褉褌邪褦 褩褩 褋褌邪胁谢械薪薪褟 写芯 泻芯褉芯谢械胁褍胁邪薪薪褟 写芯谐芯褉懈 写褉懈覒芯屑, 褌芯卸 胁芯薪邪 薪械褋锌芯写褨胁邪薪芯 褋褌邪褦 蟹褨褉泻芯褞 械泻褕芯薪褔懈泻褍 褨 薪邪斜懈褉邪褦 100 斜邪谢褨胁 泻褉褍褌芯褋褌褨. 小锌芯写褨胁邪褞褋褟, 胁芯薪邪 薪械 褉芯蟹谐褍斜懈褌褜褋褟 褨 薪邪写邪谢褨.
February 16, 2015
It started slow and I was beginning to wonder how is it possible that a story with Granny Weatherwax could be like this. Then it picked up a bit and almost until one heart-stopping moment near the end it was just an ok story with occasional brilliant flashes that I have come to expect from a Discworld book.
As usual, Nanny Ogg was hilarious. Granny's out of the character behaviour got a satisfactory explanation.
The lords and ladies are elves and they want to come back. Since they are murdering monsters, it's no wonder there are those who don't agree with the idea. The whole issue is best described in the following:
As usual, Nanny Ogg was hilarious. Granny's out of the character behaviour got a satisfactory explanation.
The lords and ladies are elves and they want to come back. Since they are murdering monsters, it's no wonder there are those who don't agree with the idea. The whole issue is best described in the following:
'Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.The jolt I got from that hart-stopping moment near the end was enough to save this story.
Elves are marvelous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.
Elves are bad.'
May 13, 2025
Yet another slice of witchy perfection from the master. Again I had forgotten how funny these early books are. This time I listened to the audio version with the positively perfect Indira Varma narrating, along with Peter Serafinowicz as Death and Bill Nighy (Footnotes).
Lords and Ladies see Granny, Nanny and Magrat back in Lancre with Verence surprisingly ready for his wedding. It might have been better if someone had warned Magrat ...
Then there's The Dancers to worry about too and the death of Willam Scrope by unicorn horn and the bunch of silly girls wanting to be proper witches who think dancing about near the stone circle without their drawers on is the way to do it, not to mention that it's Circle Time when the fabric between two worlds wears thin and Jason Ogg's company of Morrismen doing a play rather than the Stick and Bucket Dance as entertainment before the wedding... and Granny thinking she's to face a Queen on her own.
I mean, what could go wrong? It's only Midsummer's Eve after all.
Laughed my stupid head off again at the twisting of so many folk tales and a bit of The Bard along with Nanny Ogg's favourite song and a very dodgy Morris dance. Magrat has to stop being a wet hen and we discover what Granny got up to when she was a young woman. Throw in a select number of wizards (including The Libraran), the reappearance of the world's greatest liar, some Elves and a distinctly unhappy Greebo and you've the perfect recipe for a little piece of genius.
I will never get tired of reading Disworld books. They're the only books I've read over and over in the past 20 years. Sir Terry's death broke my heart.
Lords and Ladies see Granny, Nanny and Magrat back in Lancre with Verence surprisingly ready for his wedding. It might have been better if someone had warned Magrat ...
Then there's The Dancers to worry about too and the death of Willam Scrope by unicorn horn and the bunch of silly girls wanting to be proper witches who think dancing about near the stone circle without their drawers on is the way to do it, not to mention that it's Circle Time when the fabric between two worlds wears thin and Jason Ogg's company of Morrismen doing a play rather than the Stick and Bucket Dance as entertainment before the wedding... and Granny thinking she's to face a Queen on her own.
I mean, what could go wrong? It's only Midsummer's Eve after all.
Laughed my stupid head off again at the twisting of so many folk tales and a bit of The Bard along with Nanny Ogg's favourite song and a very dodgy Morris dance. Magrat has to stop being a wet hen and we discover what Granny got up to when she was a young woman. Throw in a select number of wizards (including The Libraran), the reappearance of the world's greatest liar, some Elves and a distinctly unhappy Greebo and you've the perfect recipe for a little piece of genius.
I will never get tired of reading Disworld books. They're the only books I've read over and over in the past 20 years. Sir Terry's death broke my heart.
January 20, 2025
袨褌薪芯胁芯 褋械 锌褉械薪邪褋褟屑械 胁 袥邪薪泻褗褉, 泻芯泄褌芯, 斜懈写械泄泻懈 械写薪芯 褋褗胁褋械屑 屑邪谢泻芯 泻褉邪谢褋褌胁芯, 械 懈写械邪谢械薪 蟹邪 写械屑芯薪褋褌褉邪褑懈褟 薪邪 锌褉懈薪褑懈锌懈褌械 薪邪 写褗褉卸邪胁薪芯褋褌褌邪 胁 褍屑邪谢械薪, 褉邪蟹斜懈褉邪械屑 懈 薪械褋褗屑薪械薪芯 蟹邪斜邪胁械薪 屑邪褖邪斜.
袨褋薪芯胁薪邪褌邪 褌械屑邪 胁 泻薪懈谐邪褌邪 械 芯斜邪褟薪懈械褌芯 懈 褉邪蟹屑懈薪邪胁邪薪械褌芯 屑褍 褋 褉械邪谢薪芯褋褌褌邪. 袗泻芯 屑芯谐邪 写邪 斜褗写邪 懈蟹胁褗薪褉械写薪芯 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械薪 懈 写邪 写芯胁械写邪 屑械褌邪褎芯褉邪褌邪 薪邪 袩褉邪褌褔械褌 写芯 邪斜褋褍褉写, 泻芯泄褌芯 褌芯泄 褋褗褋 褋懈谐褍褉薪芯褋褌 薪械 械 屑懈褋谢懈谢, 写芯泻邪褌芯 械 锌懈褋邪谢 泻薪懈谐邪褌邪 (泻邪泻胁芯 械 懈褋泻邪谢 写邪 泻邪卸械 邪胁褌芯褉褗褌? 屑褉邪蟹械褏褌械 谢懈 谐芯 褌芯褟 胁褗锌褉芯褋 胁 褍褔懈谢懈褖械...) 斜懈褏 褋褌懈谐薪邪谢 写芯 褌邪屑 写邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁褟 锌褉褟泻 锌邪褉邪谢械谢 薪邪 芯锌懈褋邪薪懈褌械 芯褌 薪械谐芯 械谢褎懈, 芯斜邪褟褌械谢薪懈, 斜谢褟褋泻邪胁懈, 泻芯懈褌芯 懈薪褋褌懈薪泻褌懈胁薪芯 褏邪褉械褋胁邪褕 懈 蟹邪褌芯胁邪 薪械 胁懈卸写邪褕 泻芯谢泻芯 胁褋褗褖薪芯褋褌 褋邪 卸械褋褌芯泻懈, 蟹谢懈 懈 邪谢褔薪懈, 褋 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻懈褟 褌械褉屑懈薪 "褎邪斜褉懈泻邪 蟹邪 懈谢褞蟹懈懈" 泻芯泄褌芯 屑芯卸械 写邪 褋械 懈蟹锌芯谢蟹胁邪 锌芯-褕懈褉芯泻芯 蟹邪 芯锌懈褋邪薪懈械 薪邪 褑褟谢芯褌芯 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻芯 谢褟胁芯, 褋 薪械谐芯胁懈褌械 泻褉邪褋懈胁懈 芯斜械褖邪薪懈褟, 蟹邪谐褉懈卸械薪芯褋褌 蟹邪 斜械写薪懈褌械 懈 芯薪械锌褉邪胁写邪薪懈褌械 懈 泻邪褌芯 褑褟谢芯 屑芯褉邪谢薪邪 懈蟹胁懈褋械薪芯褋褌, 泻芯懈褌芯 锌褉械褔邪褌 薪邪 屑薪芯谐芯 褏芯褉邪 写邪 胁懈写褟褌 懈褋褌懈薪褋泻邪褌邪 屑褍 褋褗褖薪芯褋褌 薪邪 谐褉邪斜懈褌械谢褋泻邪, 邪薪褌懈褔芯胁械褕泻邪 懈 薪械懈蟹屑械薪薪芯 褌懈褉邪薪懈褔薪邪 懈写械芯谢芯谐懈褟.
袝斜邪褋懈 写褗谢谐懈褌械 懈蟹褉械褔械薪懈褟 懈蟹屑懈褋谢褟屑.
袨褋胁械薪 褌芯胁邪 薪褟屑邪 泻邪泻 写邪 薪械 蟹邪斜械谢械卸邪 泻芯薪褌褉邪褋褌邪 薪邪 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 薪邪 械谢褎懈褌械 懈 屑褗卸邪 泄, 泻芯懈褌芯 屑芯卸械 写邪 褋械 泻邪卸械, 锌芯薪械 蟹邪 锌褉芯屑懈褌 褋 锌芯谢懈褌懈泻邪 屑芯蟹褗泻 泻邪褌芯 屑芯褟, 褔械 褋褌芯褟褌 芯褌 写胁械褌械 褋褌褉邪薪懈 薪邪 械泻褋褌褉械屑薪邪褌邪 懈写械泄薪芯-锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻邪 斜邪褉懈泻邪写邪 懈 写芯泻邪褌芯 褌褟 械 泻褉邪泄薪芯褌芯 谢褟胁芯, 褋 薪械泄薪懈褟 芯屑邪谐褜芯褋胁邪褖 薪芯 褎邪谢褕懈胁 斜谢褟褋褗泻 懈 谢械褌褟褖芯 胁谢械褔械薪懈械 泻褗屑 胁褋懈褔泻芯 薪芯胁芯, 褌芯泄 械 泻褉邪泄薪芯褌芯 写褟褋薪芯 褋 泻芯薪褋械褉胁邪褌懈胁薪懈褌械 屑褍, 屑懈褉懈褕械褖懈 薪邪 薪械泻褗锌邪薪 谢褗胁 写芯泻芯谢械薪泻芯胁邪 屑褗卸械褋褌胁械薪芯褋褌 懈 蟹械屑械薪, 泻芯褋屑邪褌 懈薪写懈胁懈写褍邪谢懈蟹褗屑.
袨褋薪芯胁薪邪褌邪 褌械屑邪 胁 泻薪懈谐邪褌邪 械 芯斜邪褟薪懈械褌芯 懈 褉邪蟹屑懈薪邪胁邪薪械褌芯 屑褍 褋 褉械邪谢薪芯褋褌褌邪. 袗泻芯 屑芯谐邪 写邪 斜褗写邪 懈蟹胁褗薪褉械写薪芯 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械薪 懈 写邪 写芯胁械写邪 屑械褌邪褎芯褉邪褌邪 薪邪 袩褉邪褌褔械褌 写芯 邪斜褋褍褉写, 泻芯泄褌芯 褌芯泄 褋褗褋 褋懈谐褍褉薪芯褋褌 薪械 械 屑懈褋谢懈谢, 写芯泻邪褌芯 械 锌懈褋邪谢 泻薪懈谐邪褌邪 (泻邪泻胁芯 械 懈褋泻邪谢 写邪 泻邪卸械 邪胁褌芯褉褗褌? 屑褉邪蟹械褏褌械 谢懈 谐芯 褌芯褟 胁褗锌褉芯褋 胁 褍褔懈谢懈褖械...) 斜懈褏 褋褌懈谐薪邪谢 写芯 褌邪屑 写邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁褟 锌褉褟泻 锌邪褉邪谢械谢 薪邪 芯锌懈褋邪薪懈褌械 芯褌 薪械谐芯 械谢褎懈, 芯斜邪褟褌械谢薪懈, 斜谢褟褋泻邪胁懈, 泻芯懈褌芯 懈薪褋褌懈薪泻褌懈胁薪芯 褏邪褉械褋胁邪褕 懈 蟹邪褌芯胁邪 薪械 胁懈卸写邪褕 泻芯谢泻芯 胁褋褗褖薪芯褋褌 褋邪 卸械褋褌芯泻懈, 蟹谢懈 懈 邪谢褔薪懈, 褋 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻懈褟 褌械褉屑懈薪 "褎邪斜褉懈泻邪 蟹邪 懈谢褞蟹懈懈" 泻芯泄褌芯 屑芯卸械 写邪 褋械 懈蟹锌芯谢蟹胁邪 锌芯-褕懈褉芯泻芯 蟹邪 芯锌懈褋邪薪懈械 薪邪 褑褟谢芯褌芯 锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻芯 谢褟胁芯, 褋 薪械谐芯胁懈褌械 泻褉邪褋懈胁懈 芯斜械褖邪薪懈褟, 蟹邪谐褉懈卸械薪芯褋褌 蟹邪 斜械写薪懈褌械 懈 芯薪械锌褉邪胁写邪薪懈褌械 懈 泻邪褌芯 褑褟谢芯 屑芯褉邪谢薪邪 懈蟹胁懈褋械薪芯褋褌, 泻芯懈褌芯 锌褉械褔邪褌 薪邪 屑薪芯谐芯 褏芯褉邪 写邪 胁懈写褟褌 懈褋褌懈薪褋泻邪褌邪 屑褍 褋褗褖薪芯褋褌 薪邪 谐褉邪斜懈褌械谢褋泻邪, 邪薪褌懈褔芯胁械褕泻邪 懈 薪械懈蟹屑械薪薪芯 褌懈褉邪薪懈褔薪邪 懈写械芯谢芯谐懈褟.
袝斜邪褋懈 写褗谢谐懈褌械 懈蟹褉械褔械薪懈褟 懈蟹屑懈褋谢褟屑.
袨褋胁械薪 褌芯胁邪 薪褟屑邪 泻邪泻 写邪 薪械 蟹邪斜械谢械卸邪 泻芯薪褌褉邪褋褌邪 薪邪 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 薪邪 械谢褎懈褌械 懈 屑褗卸邪 泄, 泻芯懈褌芯 屑芯卸械 写邪 褋械 泻邪卸械, 锌芯薪械 蟹邪 锌褉芯屑懈褌 褋 锌芯谢懈褌懈泻邪 屑芯蟹褗泻 泻邪褌芯 屑芯褟, 褔械 褋褌芯褟褌 芯褌 写胁械褌械 褋褌褉邪薪懈 薪邪 械泻褋褌褉械屑薪邪褌邪 懈写械泄薪芯-锌芯谢懈褌懈褔械褋泻邪 斜邪褉懈泻邪写邪 懈 写芯泻邪褌芯 褌褟 械 泻褉邪泄薪芯褌芯 谢褟胁芯, 褋 薪械泄薪懈褟 芯屑邪谐褜芯褋胁邪褖 薪芯 褎邪谢褕懈胁 斜谢褟褋褗泻 懈 谢械褌褟褖芯 胁谢械褔械薪懈械 泻褗屑 胁褋懈褔泻芯 薪芯胁芯, 褌芯泄 械 泻褉邪泄薪芯褌芯 写褟褋薪芯 褋 泻芯薪褋械褉胁邪褌懈胁薪懈褌械 屑褍, 屑懈褉懈褕械褖懈 薪邪 薪械泻褗锌邪薪 谢褗胁 写芯泻芯谢械薪泻芯胁邪 屑褗卸械褋褌胁械薪芯褋褌 懈 蟹械屑械薪, 泻芯褋屑邪褌 懈薪写懈胁懈写褍邪谢懈蟹褗屑.
February 25, 2025
___________________
Medicine for Melancholy
I've been going through a lot of stress recently. Don't worry, it's not your fault. However, it made it impossible for me to fall asleep at bedtime. I would just lie in bed admiring our bedroom ceiling and attempting to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most tosses and turns in a single night.
I tried reading before retiring. I thought James Joyce would work, but it was like listening to two tomcats discussing property rights on the roof of my backyard shed. I tried Poe, but just ended up with more midnights dreary. Gaiman's Sandman was asleep on the job.
Finally, I dug out my copies of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and started reading Lords and Ladies for a half hour or so before lights out.
This is not a joke. It is not one of the compliments that you left-handed people seem fond of: Lords and Ladies did not bore me to sleep. There's a laugh in nearly every paragraph of Pratchett's book, and those laughs washed away the stress, soothed by nerves, calmed me down, and knocked me out. Now with a dose of Pratchett at nighty-night time, I can sleep like a baby--but without needing to have a midnight diaper change.
5鈪� stars. Terry Pratchett really is a medicine for melancholy.
Medicine for Melancholy
I've been going through a lot of stress recently. Don't worry, it's not your fault. However, it made it impossible for me to fall asleep at bedtime. I would just lie in bed admiring our bedroom ceiling and attempting to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most tosses and turns in a single night.
I tried reading before retiring. I thought James Joyce would work, but it was like listening to two tomcats discussing property rights on the roof of my backyard shed. I tried Poe, but just ended up with more midnights dreary. Gaiman's Sandman was asleep on the job.
Finally, I dug out my copies of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and started reading Lords and Ladies for a half hour or so before lights out.
This is not a joke. It is not one of the compliments that you left-handed people seem fond of: Lords and Ladies did not bore me to sleep. There's a laugh in nearly every paragraph of Pratchett's book, and those laughs washed away the stress, soothed by nerves, calmed me down, and knocked me out. Now with a dose of Pratchett at nighty-night time, I can sleep like a baby--but without needing to have a midnight diaper change.
5鈪� stars. Terry Pratchett really is a medicine for melancholy.
December 27, 2021
I have a confession to make, 14 books into this series... I don鈥檛 think I like the Discworld novels as much as I perhaps should. Don鈥檛 get me wrong, I always enjoy them, much in the same way I enjoy a cheese sandwich for lunch... they are ok but not amazing in my view. I know a lot of people, including friends and family adore the witches in particular but to me it always feels the author is building up to the next punchline, so it is hard for me to get into the story or connect with the characters.
This one is very similar to the last lot. A strong beginning and end with a bit of drag in the middle.
This one is very similar to the last lot. A strong beginning and end with a bit of drag in the middle.
February 8, 2025
Granny's story
Every Discworld novel (or, at least, every one I have yet read) begins with this claim:
I was surprised to find that, more than anything else, is the story of Esmeralda Weatherwax, AKA Granny. It begins with a story of Esme Weatherwax as a youth. It ends by closing that story.
It is also, I was glad to find, a rather satisfying story of the much put-upon Magrat. I have for some time been harboring ill feeling towards for his unfair (as I see it) treatment of poor Magrat. She deserves better than this unremitting denigration. And she got it. I cheered at this little dialog
This is one of the best Discworld novels so far. It actually has a coherent, if complicated, plot, and several well-constructed characters, Granny and Magrat first among them. It's also very funny, and the footnotes, as always, are exquisite.
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Every Discworld novel (or, at least, every one I have yet read) begins with this claim:
INTRODUCING DISCWORLD鈥� The Discworld novels can be read in any order, ...is no exception. A few pages later, though, has inserted a contradictory Author's Note:
By and large, most Discworld books have stood by themselves, as complete books. It helps to have read them in some kind of order, but it鈥檚 not essential. This one is different. I can鈥檛 ignore the history of what has gone before...Indeed, would be an incomplete and confusing story to the na茂ve reader who took seriously 's claim that the Discworld novels can be read in any order. You really need to know who Granny Weatherwax and Magrat Garlick are. (You could pick up everything you need to know about Nanny Ogg on the fly -- she's the comic relief.)
I was surprised to find that, more than anything else, is the story of Esmeralda Weatherwax, AKA Granny. It begins with a story of Esme Weatherwax as a youth. It ends by closing that story.
It is also, I was glad to find, a rather satisfying story of the much put-upon Magrat. I have for some time been harboring ill feeling towards for his unfair (as I see it) treatment of poor Magrat. She deserves better than this unremitting denigration. And she got it. I cheered at this little dialog
Nanny Ogg winked at Magrat.Granny and Magrat are not, actually, the acknowledged subject of . It's ostensibly a story about elves. Indeed, the phrase "lords and ladies" is a euphemism for "elves," used to avoid speaking their name. The elves of the Discworld are wicked and terrifying. This, in fact, is in line with the old folkloric understanding of elves and fae. The German word for "nightmare," "," literally means elf-dream. The fae were seen, not so much as wicked, as immensely powerful and utterly terrifying.
鈥榊ou did well there, girl. Didn鈥檛 think you had it in you to survive an attack like that. It fairly had me widdling myself.鈥�
鈥業鈥檝e had practice,鈥� said Magrat darkly.
This is one of the best Discworld novels so far. It actually has a coherent, if complicated, plot, and several well-constructed characters, Granny and Magrat first among them. It's also very funny, and the footnotes, as always, are exquisite.
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