Disc World Group Read: Witches Novels

Planned read order:

January: Equal Rites, by Terry Pratchett
March: Wyrd Sisters, by Terry Pratchett
May: Witches Abroad, by Terry Pratchett
July: Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett
September: Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett
November: Carpe Jugulum, by Terry Pratchett

Only a few days left until the start - I'm in!

I enjoyed the Death book discussions last year. I am happy to join this year's reading group. I probably won't have time to start until after Jan 4 when family departs.

Thanks for setting up the thread in this group! Makes everything so much easier. I’m partway through Witches Abroad right now so will mostly just read everyone’s thoughts on Equal Rights and Wyrd Sisters and then join the group reads in the latter half of the year (time permitting).

Found my copy of Equal Rites and pulled it out.

I decided to go for audiobook, as I got woefully behind last year. I have 1 hour left of my current listen, then will jump right in to Equal Rites a few days early.

thanks for setting this up! Last time I read it was after Sir Terrys passing, when I went through all of his books. It will be fun to repeat it and discuss it with you all!

I lost track of my phone battery and the phone died midread yesterday so I picked up Equal Rites while I waited for it to charge!

Just found this and as a long term Pratchettite I would love to join, the Witches are awesome!

I finished Equal Rites last night. I really enjoyed this introduction to Granny Weatherwax. I love the exploration of the Unseen University library, also.

I can only agree, it was a wonderful start to the 2024 reading year.
Now I have to wait until spring finally arrives and the next book in the series can be read.

Great start! I am still catching up with myself, having been on vacation since Dec 22. Just getting the titles in hand so I can look on my shelves when the opportunity presents itself will be a big help. Looking forward to the 2024 journey!

Heres the schedule for the books:

January Equal Rites
March Wyrd Sisters
May Witches Abroad
July Lords and Ladies
September Maskerade
November Carpe Jugulum

we are looking at reading the Tiffany Achine books in 2025

Loving this book all over again, esp when Esk is learning about borrowing Granny Weatherwax. Looking forward to the rest , but I remember my disappointment when Esk never appears in another discworld book. I wonder why Sir T decided not to do that

Who knows which character would have been neglected if he had focussed more on her.
I'm far from familiar with all his books, but at least she appears in I shall wear midnight.

she does? I havent read that book in decades, ill have to read it and see

Eskarina does appear in I Shall Wear Midnight.

excellent, Ill have to read that soon. I did finish this one; you know how sir t usually fills the mid od the book with craziness in plot? I didnt mind it much this time l like I did decades ago. , He only had a few footnotes that surprised me. I cant remember if he had them in his earlier books

I'm on the 3rd day of reading about 25 pages a day and will jot dawn a few quotes as I go.

"Mist curled between the houses as the wizard crossed a narrow bridge over the swollen stream and made his way to the village smithy, although the two facts had nothing to do with one another. The mist would have curled anyway: it was experienced mist and had got curling down to a fine art."

oh yes, thats sir terry to a T

"But," he said, "if it's wizard magic she's got, learning witchery won't be any good, will it? You said they're different."
"They're both magic. If you can't learn to ride an elephant, you can at least learn to ride a horse."
"What's an elephant?"
"A kind of badger," said Granny. She hadn't maintained forest-credibility for forty years by ever admitting ignorance.

"Esk, of course, had not been trained, and it is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you are attempting can't be done. A person ignorant of the possibility of failure can be a half-brick in the path of the bicycle of history."
Page 132 of my old Corgi paperback with the awesome Josh Kirby art.

"One reason for the bustle was that over large parts of the continent other people preferred to make money without working at all, and since the Disc had yet to develop a music recording industry they were forced to fall back on older, more traditional forms of banditry." p 134.

I love the quotes >23 bryanoz: !

I finished Equal Rites a couple days ago. I thought I'd read it before, but it all seemed very new to me. I loved every minute of it.

Hi Rachel, there’s more quotes to come as I slowly read the story, also loving every page.

Ooh, what a fun group! I never got around to reading any of the Discworld books, so this is a good opportunity for me. I saved a copy of the reading guide graphic years ago to help me get started and then didn't act on it.

The wait times for Equal Rites on Libby preclude the January timeline. I might have to go look for a physical copy. That creates a significant barrier.

>26 justchris: If you think you'll be interested in more Discworld and have the budget, there's a Humble Bundle of 38 titles for $18 which includes Equal Rites, which also has a 9 book bundle ($10), and a 3 book bundle ($1) both of which have Equal Rites in them.

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/terry-pratchetts-discworld-harpercollins-book...

>27 elorin: Thanks for the suggestion! I was concerned it wouldn't work because I don't use Kindle, but I see they work with Kobo, which works for me.

This was fun. Pratchett pretty well kept the story on track rather than dropping in half a dozen sub-plots, and graced us with dozens of wonderful one-liners.

I especially enjoyed the comparison between witch-magic and wizard-magic, which dug down pretty deep without ever losing the humor. Interesting to see if Esk continues to be a major character in the Witches sub-set. Loved seeing Granny Weatherwax center-stage.

> justchris Hope you enjoy the Discworld books, for many of us the humorous and wise nature of Sir Terry's books are a joy that can be read over and over.

> Lynda I agree and think Equal Rites is a step up from the earlier two books, and there is more adept writing and stories to come.
It is interesting to see Sir Terry's first incarnation of Granny Weatherwax, one of the pivotal characters in the Discworld saga, and about to become much more formidable in future books.

"Granny looked blank, but only a fraction of a second. The witchmarks on the doorpost had said that the housekeeper welcomed witches and was particularly anxious for news of her four husbands; she was also in random pursuit of a fifth, hence the ginger wig and, if Granny's ears weren't deceiving her, the creak of enough whalebone to infuriate an entire ecology movement." p. 185

"I look at it like this," he said. "Before I heard him talk, I was like everyone else. You know what I mean? I was confused and uncertain about all the little details of life. But now," he brightened up, "while I'm still confused and uncertain it's on a much higher plane, d'you see, and at least I know I'm bewildered about the really fundamental and important facts of the universe."
Treatle nodded. "I hadn't looked at it like that," he said, "but you're absolutely right. He's really pushed back the boundaries of ignorance. There's so much about the universe we don't know."
They both savoured the strange warm glow of being much more ignorant than ordinary people, who were ignorant of only ordinary things." p 216

"Cutangle stood with legs planted wide apart, arms akimbo and stomach giving an impression of a beginners' ski slope, the whole of him therefore adopting a pose usually associated with Henry VIII but with an option on Henry IX and X as well." p 224

Somebody laughed. it was the sort of laugh-
Basically, it was p'ch'zarni'chiwkov. This epiglottis-throttling word is seldom used on the Disc except by highly-paid stunt linguists and, of course, the tiny tribe of the K'turni, who invented it. It has no direct synonym, although the Cumhoolie word 'squernt' ('the feeling upon finding that the previous occupant of the privy has used all the paper') begins to approach it in general depth of feeling. p 236

gosh how did I miss that one!

Granny and Cutangle are reminiscing about the old days:
"Everything was a different colour in those days."
"That's true."
"It didn't rain so much in the summer time."
"The sunsets were redder."
"There were more old people. The world was full of them," said the wizard.
"Yes, I know. And now it's full of young people. Funny, really. I mean, you'd expect it to be the other way round." p 253

around that same page "esk floated through the mists of the world noticing with a curious impersonal feeling the precise way she passed through solid matter" this could have been Douglas Adams writing. One of my fav sections of the book is coming up soon.

I have finished my re-read. It is always interesting to compare original Granny with the Granny of the later books. For example, in this one she hates cats. But later she is devoted to You.

She is one of my fav characters of all time.
btw, I happened on your profile (was curious about cateyegree coz I have green eyes saw this and howled with laughter:

what book blurbs really mean

Enchanting – there’s a dog in it
Heart-warming – a dog AND a child
Moving – child dies
Heart-rending – dog dies
Thoughtful – mind-numbingly tedious
Haunting – set in the past
Exotic – set abroad
Audacious – set in the future
Award-winning – set in India
Perceptive – set in north London
Provocative – infuriating
Epic – editor cowed by author’s reputation
From the pen of a master – same old same old
In the tradition of – shamelessly derivative
Spare and taut – under-researched
Richly detailed – over-researched
Disturbing – author bonkers
Stellar – author young and photogenic
Classic – author hanging in there
Vintage – author past it

>40 cindydavid4: That all sounds about right.

>27 elorin: I just purchased the Humble Bundle. My first time trying out that service. Thanks for the rec!

<40 Brilliant definitions of book blurbs and hauntingly accurate!

"Perhaps more importantly, the ants used all the sugar lumps they could steal to build a small sugar pyramid in one of the hollow walls, in which, with great ceremony, they entombed the mummified body of a dead queen. On the wall of one tiny hidden chamber they inscribed, in insect hieroglyphics, the true secret of longevity.
They got it absolutely right and it would probably have important implications for the universe if it hadn't next time the University flooded, been completely washed away."

So ends Equal Rites, the third book in the Discworld canon.

Some rambling observations:

This book introduces Granny Weatherwax and the place of witches on the Discworld, and headology!

Granny is a main character in the series and her character is developed significantly in the next witch book Wyrd Sisters (one of my favourites!).

From The Ultimate Discworld Companion in the article on Unseen University:
"With one exception (during the Archchancellorship of Cutangle), UU has never admitted women. Usually this is said to be on the grounds of plumbing problems, but probably the real reason is an unspoken dread that women, if allowed to mess around with wizardry, would probably be embarassingly good at it. And less likely to do what they're told."

I've enjoyed reading the book and sharing quotes and thoughts with you all, thank you and happy reading, hope to see you in March for Wyrd Sisters.

>44 bryanoz: great quote and too true. now I have to check out their link

I did manage to finish Equal Rites in January. It was an interesting enough introduction to Discworld, and I definitely enjoyed some particular turns of phrase and memorable quotes. But I also couldn't keep engaged with the story and took several timeouts to read more engaging ebooks between starting and finishing the book. Also, the Humble Bundle was quite affordable, but the ebook has no chapters--it's just hundreds of pages of undifferentiated prose. And that's a bit of an accessibility problem for me. I got through it, just was a little more challenging. I look forward to Wyrd Sisters in March.

>46 justchris: It seems to me that several of Pratchett's early Discworld novels had no real chapters in them. I can remember reading The Light Fantastic -- my first Pratchett read -- giggling all the way through and promising myself I would put it down and go do mundane things like make the bed and start dinner, as soon as I got to the end of the current chapter.

>47 LyndaInOregon: Thanks for that info. Maybe I should spot check some later books then, and it's the source material not the ebook source. That lack of breaks in the narrative flow was one of the reasons I struggled with The Old Man and the Sea, along with utter lack of dialogue and not caring about the religious allegory and finding it the most boring story ever.

yeah his first 2 or three were like that; but then it picks up with mort which we read last year for our Death challenge. and wyrd sisters is one of my fav books of the series, think youll enjoy it

Does Discworld have chapters at all? I know I've heard, though not made, complaints, but I've come to not expect them in Terry Pratchett's works.

Moving Pictures has breaks between some paragraphs, like extra line breaks to show emphasis, but no chapter breaks

“He’s a complete amateur, he doesn’t even write in chapters!” Tom Paulin’s humorous review of Terry’s writing. Thankfully there are plenty of paragraph breaks.

wyrd sisters "the duke had a mind that ticked like a clock, and like a clock it reguarly went cuckoo"

Time for Wyrd Sisters! I have a book to finish first, so will probably start in a couple of weeks.

Yay, it is March!
I think I'll start earlier...

Im almost through (this is like my 5th or 6th reread but still love it) I wont say much till people are reading it

I just ordered it through ILL. Should be here next week some time.

I'm reading an LTER right now, and prefer to make those my only-reads while reviewing, but it won't take long to wrap it up.

Starting my reread tomorrow, 10-20 pages a day. One of my favourites!

I found my copy of Wyrd Sisters. It's bound in two rubber bands - well loved!

Does a book like These Witches Don't Burn count as a witch novel?

>60 Owltherian: This thread is for a subseries of a specific series of books - the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. This month the group is reading Wyrd Sisters.

Thanks for the reminder! Happy March! I'll start on my ebook this week! It's another one without chapter breaks, but y'all have explained it. I'll just have to remember to bookmark every time I pause in reading so I can find my stopping point (the app kept opening on the first page for a while there).

On the title page of my paperback:
Starring Three Witches, also kings, daggers, crowns, storms, dwarfs, cats, ghosts, spectres, apes, bandits, demons, forests, heirs, jesters, tortures, trolls, turntables, general rejoicing, and divers alarums.

>61 elorin: Ohhhh, okay thank you

Three gifts from witchy godmothers:
Make friends easily, always remember the words, be who he thinks he is

What gifts would you bestow? What gift do you wish your witchy godmother had granted?

May you always walk in light, may you always find joy in doing, and may you always have the strength to share.

And now that we've got all those high-sounding wishes out of the way ... I always wanted to be taller, better coordinated, and blessed with a metabolism that would burn up calories rather than hoarding them as if it were the Tooth Fairy and they were six-year-olds' bicuspids.

I like your high minded wishes, but Id really wish for coordination, be extroverted, and not lose any one while Im growing old

I wish to lose another 20-30 pounds. Selfish, I know.

just finished; I do love 'the plays the thing' where characters are getting confused with their actual real world role; even real Death gets in to the act, I always wondered if tomjon regrets turning down the crown and wonder if he changes places with the fool from time to time

I'm only up to page 24 but I have already noticed that Sir Terry's writing has reached a new level.
The inevitable quote,
"The storm was really giving it everything it had. It had spent years hanging around the provinces, putting in some useful work as a squall, building up experience, making contacts, occasionally leaping out on unsuspecting shepherds or blasting quite small oak trees. Now an opening in the weather had given it an opportunity to strut its hour, and it was building up its role in the hope of being spotted by one of the big climates."

oh yes

Finished my re-read of Wyrd Sisters and enjoyed it as usual.
The obvious nods to Shakespeare are great fun. I note that there is a start of the fairy-tale meme that Sir Terry developed in the next book, Witches Abroad.
The characters of Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are beginning to settle, they are looking like the people they will be in the later books.
So much fun to read.

The three witches sat alone on the edge of the stage.
"I wonder how they get all them kings and lords to come here and do this?" said Granny, totally unabashed. "I'd have thought they'd been to busy. Ruling and similar."
"No," said Magrat, wearily. "I still don't think you quite understand."

Just got my copy today, and will be ready to start as soon as I finish the current read -- probably by the weekend. And since I am constitutionally incapable of putting down a Pratchett Discworld novel for anything short of lapsing into unconsciousness, will probably be finished by Monday....

Finished it, loved it.
Have to wait until May to continue the series.
They say the joy of anticipation is the greatest joy, but it's hard...

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it led me on a wandering journey to suss out the meaning of some (most!) of the words in The Fool's first riddle, which eventually led me to a discussion forum that inadvertently included a spoiler for the book.

Oops!

No, I'm not going to spill the beans here, but it's been interesting to see the way Pratchett is scattering information here and there which will ultimately make The Big Reveal both surprising and -- with hindsight -- inevitable.

I really love it when an author can truly surprise me with a plot twist which, on reconsideration, was skillfully set up far in advance. It then becomes one of those "Well, of course!" moments, and you realize "That's why the cook burned the dinner" (or whatever the set-up was that you didn't recognize at the time).

>76 LyndaInOregon: thats what I love about Sir Terry, I can sometimes think I know whats coming, then Wha? Love it

Finished the book this afternoon, and I must note that even the "spoiler" I thought I had found has a twist to it.

As noted on my thread, I enjoyed it, but there are others in the series that I definitely liked better. This one feels almost like a stand-alone novel. While it's definitely set on Discworld and features some of Pratchett's recurring characters, it just lacks the inspired zaniness of some of the other Discworld books.

I did love the sideways Shakespearean references, and loved the notion of Death first deciding to step in for a terrified actor ("next night on your dressing room, they've hung a star"...) and then himself succumbing to stage fright.

Too many wonderful throwaway lines to count.

>78 LyndaInOregon: well it was early in the series, but you can certainly see magic here, and there were times the zaninness in latter book were over the top at times. Nice to have a less crazy plot! and yes to the lines.....

"The duke leaned closer until his nose was an inch from Granny's face.
"Get back to your cauldrons, wyrd sisters," he said softly." Page 155.
A spooky moment!

>80 bryanoz: I always love the eponymous moments! This book is keeping me engaged better than Equal Rites.

>81 justchris: I agree justchris, beginning with Wyrd Sisters I think Terry’s writing is on another level (higher, just to be clear:).
I am also really enjoying Magrat and the Fool’s burgeoning romance, just lovely!

I think the Fool's trip to rescue Greebo is one of the funniest moments in this book. Iconic even.

Agreed!

I finally finished my other book and started Wyrd Sisters. I had a bit of a reading slump this month

The Discworld will lift you out of the slump!

"Would you care to share our lunch, old . . . good wo . . . Miss?" he said. "It's only salt pork, I'm afraid."
"Meat is extremely bag for the digestive system," said Magrat. "If you could see inside your colon you'd be horrified."
"I think I would," muttered Hwel. Page 264.

My reread of Wyrd Sisters is complete and it is still one of my favourites, with some of Terry's finest humour and most touching writing, with Shakespearian tones!
It also helps that Nanny Ogg is one of my favourite characters, the perfect foil to the stern Granny Weatherwax, and the endearing Magrat Garlick is also important.
Just in case some Discworld fans are not aware, the witches appear in a couple of recent works-
Tiffany Aching's Guide to being a Witch by Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, lavishly illustrated by Paul Kidby, published the end of 2023; and The Shakespeare Codex by Terry and Stephen Briggs.
Happy reading!

>87 bryanoz: oh I have been waiting for that Tiffany book,Yay! cant wait t read it

I didn't quite finish Wyrd Sisters in March, but I'll finish it this week. I'm enjoying it and appreciated the appearance of the orangutan from Equal Rites.

The new book tiffany achings guide to being a witch is out in the states! im so looking forward to getting this. If you are interested there is an interview with with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent in the British Library talking about writing the book. Its lots of fun to l watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-psp5Q--EPI

That Youtube video with Rhianna and Gabrielle looks fantastic and I'll watch it over the next few days, thanks Cindy!

I finished it! I loved the Shakespeare references - a little mixup between Hamlet and Macbeth (mostly Macbeth). It had a satisfying end.

>92 The_Hibernator: I too enjoyed the Shakespeare refs and the philosophy on truth and the role of performance in creating it.

Im early but wanted to start witches abroad which reads like a totally different novel than I remember. I must have skipped over alot because I appaarently missed so much hilarity

also enjoying the new tiffany aching guide to being a witch. beautifully designed and illustrated by Paul Kidby its worth its price for that alone, the short sections descibing what you need to know to be a witch such as such topics as cottages, equipment,witch magic,gods and other monsters familiars, and life and death. Included in the margins are editorial comments from the Disc witches, which provide much amusement .

This book is written for young readers but if your a fan you probably wont care. It enjoyable to look at and browse though for any reader. its fun reading the sections, so many with Sir Terrys humor. Think hed be very proud of his daughter!
4.5*

About time to resurrect this thread, hope everyone has sourced a copy of Witches Abroad and are getting ready!

read and done. will wait tho to comment

Of course - and the countdown is on...

Looking forward to a re-read. This is one of my favorites.

"It seemed an easy job... After all, how difficult could it be to make sure that a servant girl doesn't marry a prince?
But for the witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick, travelling to the distant city of Genua, things are never that simple...
Servant girls have to marry the prince. That's what life is all about. You can't fight a Happy Ending.
At least - up until now...

Happy May! Time to download the latest book to my phone!

Got it on order - should be here late this week!

Started it yesterday. Giggling at my desk on break and at lunch. Foreign parts and Nanny Ogg's cosmopolitan patois are highly giggle inducing.

Agreed!

"We start tomorrow," said Granny Weatherwax firmly.
"Look," said Magrat desperately, "why don't I go by myself?"
"Cos you ain't experienced at fairy godmothering," said Granny Weatherwax.
This was too much even for Magrat's generous soul.
"Well, nor are you," she said.
"That's true," Granny conceded. "But the point is ... the point is ... the point is we've not been experienced for a lot longer than you."
"We've got a lot of experience of not having any experience," said Nanny Ogg happily.
"That's what counts every time," said Granny. p. 39.

"Greebo rode on Nanny's shoulder as though he'd just eaten the parrot."
P 187

Just finished and mulling over my favorite parts. Placed summary/review on my thread.

"The wages of sin is death, but so is the salary of virtue, and at least evil gets to go home early on Fridays."

I think I need a T-shirt with that on it.....

>105 LyndaInOregon: I would buy (and wear!) one!

> 105 Me too!

oh my, geebo as a person but still a cat was pure genius,think ive had a few that would be like him

Nanny Ogg writes to Our Jason: "...they say travelin brordens the mind, I reckon I could pull mine out of my ears now and knot it under my chin"

Finished up this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. And yes, Greebo was definitely an important character, cat or catman either one.

Finished it and loved it.
By the way - what would have happened to the Lord of the Rings if the witches had celebrated birthday with the frog-like creature?

I started on Thursday and am about half-way through. Thoroughly enjoying it

Sir Terry's take on Little Red Riding Hood leads to the compassionate Granny helping the wolf who was afflicted with humanness, and then gently convincing the wood-cutter to begin helping the old woman with her cottage and chores, quite touching I think.
"You see how sweet life can be, if we all helps one another?"

really, her character is so compassionate and this is just one more example of Sir Terrys excellent writing

Finished! I liked this one best so far.

oh but Lord and Ladies is coming up and that might just knock your socks off!

"What some people need," said Magrat, to the world in general, "is a bit more heart."
"What some people need," said Granny Weatherwax, to the stormy sky, "is a lot more brain."
.... What I need, thought Nanny Ogg fervently, is a drink.
Shows Nanny's brilliant role as the opposite of Granny Weatherwax, she is one of my favourite Discworld characters.

I am enjoying Greebo's conversion to humanhood.."Wrowwwl", and Nanny Ogg's fraternization with Casanunda..
"What about you being the world's greatest lover?"
There was silence for a while.
"Well, Maybe I'm only No. 2," said Casanunda. "But I try harder."

>117 bryanoz: It just hit me ... Casanunda. I knew who Pratchett was parodying, of course, but didn't see the pun until your post.

That's okay. I didn't notice the "Buddy Holly" pun until about the third time through Soul Music. Pratchett was a sneaky old dude.

>118 LyndaInOregon: ok, is it casa nova?

>119 cindydavid4: Yeah. Casanova was "the world's greatest lover" (or so he claimed). The ova/unda (over/under) switch was far reach, but it worked. (Caught me, anyway!)

Casanunda "I always know where I can get my hands on a step-ladder" is not Terry's most subtle work but good fun I think!

"Well I suppose there's no place like home," she said.
"No," said Granny Weatherwax, still looking thoughtful. "No. There's a billion places like home. But only one of 'em's where you live."
"So we're going back?" said Magrat.
"Yes."
But they went the long way, and saw the elephant.

So ends Witches Abroad, with the witches thoroughly sorting out the business of fairy tales in true Discworld fashion. Next up is Lords and Ladies in July!

I think my favorite parts are Greebo in human form and Nanny Ogg's red boots.

starting early because I need to laugh. promise not to spoil while I do so

I have procured my copy of Lords and Ladies!

Elves 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.

Picking up Lords and Ladies as soon as I finish Unseen Academicals

I started yesterday

I haven't quite finished Witches Abroad, so this is the push I need so I can proceed to Lords and Ladies. I keep getting distracted...

Just ordered Lords & Ladies through ILL.

>128 justchris: I got way behind last year, I still am catching up on the Death books, but I'm doing audiobooks, which speeds me up.

Beginning my reread..
"In the beginning, there was nothing , which exploded."
And with dear Nanny Ogg,
"Her relationship with her daughters-in-law was the only stain on Nanny Ogg's otherwise amiable character." ...
"Inquisitors would have thrown Nanny Ogg out of their ranks for being too nasty."
I'll read 20 or so pages a day and enjoy Terry's language and character development.

Finished the book this evening. As usual, I have no idea what was going on during most of the climax, but it was a fun read anyway.

Lynda I often find the endings of Terry's stories confusing as well, fortunately the beginnings and middle are brilliant!

"Don't hold with schools," said Granny Weatherwax.
"They gets in the way of education. All of them books. Books? What good are they? There's too much reading these days. We never had time to read when we was young, I know that."

Yeah, I find the climaxes to be confusing as well. That's interesting that it's not just me.

they are, so sometimes I just glaze reading, till we get to the other side. I do find rereading them helps alot; it did with this one.

Two of the major points of the climax that really confused me have to do with the "Entertainment" that was part of the wedding celebration. I'll hide them behind a spoiler alert since not everyone has finished.

1) How did the Entertainment (even though it was held at The Dancers) open the barrier to let the elves in?
2) I sort of understand that the impromptu Morris Dance(ish) performance was intended to draw the attention of the elves. But at one point, Jason is calling the steps and then says "Kill!" What weapons did they use to kill the elves and where did they get them?

Did I miss something in the text? If not, can someone 'splain it to me?

2.It was an impromptu stick and bucket dance.
Six heavy ash sticks clashed in midair...

>137 elorin: Thank you! Not sure that's the weapon I'd have chosen to go after a herd (?) of elves*, but I guess you make do with what you've go!

*Reddit says it's "a mischief of elves", and I kind of like that!

1. The Entertainment was a play about the Lords and Ladies and the Queen of the Faeries. When held up at The Dancers, they essentially summoned the elves.

>139 elorin: I made the connection with "A Midsummer Night's Dream" but the Queen of the Faeries didn't click. TBH, I've never seen it performed. So, yes, that makes a great deal of sense.

Finished Lords and Ladies and thoroughly enjoyed it again. Feel for the unicorn 🦄.

I have finished my re-read of Lords and Ladies. As always, Pratchett is a joy to read. Even though I have read it before I still really enjoy the story.

Finished my reread today. It's been a while and I had forgotten a lot, but enjoyed reaquainting myself with it.

I need to keep an eye out for the books where shakespeare play a role; witches abroad for Macbeth and lord and ladies for Midsummer nights dreams. didn't notice these on first reads. wonder which other books of sir terry includes the Bard

>144 cindydavid4: Wyrd Sisters may be the one you mean for Macbeth.

>130 The_Hibernator: Thanks for the procrastination solidarity. I just finished Witches Abroad yesterday and am starting Lords and Ladies.

>132 LyndaInOregon: I agree that the climaxes are flurries of stuff happening and the meaning of it all somewhat implied.

I've been interested to see Death turn up in all of these stories as an unnamed bit character with one or a few cameos in each story.

theres a great bit in good omens when the four horsemen of the apocolyse have gather and stated their prescence when death says I AM ALWAYS HERE

>146 justchris: As I understand it, Death is the only character in every Discworld book.

mmm maybe- wonder if its in the Tiffany books

Clang boinng clang ding...
I enjoyed the people of Lancre's reaction to Nanny Ogg's pre bath preparations, not subtle but hilarious anyway!
"But it ain't April!"

I loved Nannys translation of foreign words!

This just came up in my FB "Memory" feed, but I think it's worth sharing. It's a collection of quotes from various Pratchett Discworld books, first posted shortly after his death. Buzzfeed link is here.

>152 LyndaInOregon: oh thanks for that!!!!what a great find. id buy a whole book of those if someone wrote it

Busy working so haven't had quite the time I would like to slowly read and muse over the story, anyway finished the novel tonight and a few reflections:
I enjoyed getting reaquainted with Hodgesaargh, a lesser character whose kindness results in his being constantly injured by his charges.
I have a soft spot for Magrat who "is a relentless doer of good works", is usually discounted as soppy but in this novel steps up big time when she has to.
Interesting to see Granny and Mustrum reflect on their earlier dalliance.
Of course any time spent with the witches of Lancre will be entertaining and educational, see you all in September for Maskerade, happy reading!

Dust off your copy of Maskerade, it's nearly time!

yup Im ready!

I started it the other day because I finished a book.

Only two more days to wait!

Picking up my library copy today. Haven't read this one -- all the others here have been enjoyable re-reads -- so am looking forward to a new adventure.

If anyone is short some of the books - Humble Bundle is doing a promotion, $18 for 39 Discworld books. I'm getting them, I don't have all the books yet...

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/terry-pratchetts-discworld-harpercollins-enco...

Note that it does work through a Kobo account, but I'm told it's a) a free account and b) you can download epubs from the web version, if you don't have a Kobo device.

ETA2 - only for the US, I'm afraid.

>160 jjmcgaffey: Do you mind cross posting this here? https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/1681/All-Things-Discworldian-The-Guild-of-P...

Sure. I already put it in Great Book/Ebook Sales thread, too.

Oh - I'm not a member (and don't feel like joining just to post) - want to put it in yourself? I don't have any particular ownership of the bundle.

>162 jjmcgaffey: Done, thanks!

Great to be starting this reread;
"Of course, Granny Weatherwax made a great play of her independence and self-reliance. But the point about that kind of stuff was that you needed someone around to be proudly independent and self-reliant AT. People who didn't need people needed people around to know that they were the kind of people who didn't need people." p10.

Ive never seen the phantom of the opera, film or stage, but for some reason I am instantly get all the parts SirT is satirizing (plus all opera in general). Anyone else see it? Should I?

>165 cindydavid4: I’ve seen it twice on stage and seen the movie. It’s a classic!

I've seen it on stage and read the book.

Anybody else finished?

No spoilers, but my favorite moments -- the end of the opera, in which no cliche is left unspoofed, and the two witches' final exchange with the coach driver when Nanny Ogg admits they have no money for tickets:

"But we are witches and could prob'ly pay for our travel by, e.g. curing any embarrassing little ailments you may have."

The coachman frowned. "I ain't carrying you for nothing, old crone. And I haven't got any embarrassing little ailments!"

Granny stepped forward.

"How many would you like?" she said.

Priceless!

I'm reading 20 pages or so every couple of days so I'll finish near the end of the month.
Great quote Lynda!

"-in fact, at La Scalda in Genua last month his singing made ten thousand people shed tears."

"-hah, I can do that, I don't see there's anything special about that-" (Nanny Ogg of course)

>168 LyndaInOregon: I zoomed through it in two days. My favorite part is the mask they give to the ghost after his breaks.

Finished it and loved it - again.
Thank you al for the quotes, so I can check the german translation...

Im done. Liked it more than I did the last two reads, probably coz I noticed more jokes

I'm a slow reader, so I'll finish next month.

Nanny Ogg unexpectedly gets some thousands of dollars and Granny is spending it at an alarming rate...
"I don't really follow you. Anyway, you said you were at your wit's end with thinking what you'd do with the money."
"Yes, but I'd have quite liked to have been at my wits' end on a big comfy chaise longyou somewhere with lots of big strong men buyin' me chocolates and pressin' their favours on me."
"Money doesn't buy happiness, Gytha."
"I only wanted to rent it for a few weeks."

yup, one of my fav LOL lines

I remember when i first read it , I was surprised it was granny spending money not nanny. this time around I figured it was her due

I finished the book early, we are in Sydney house sitting for my son and didn’t want to bring the physical book.
Really enjoyed the reread, appreciated Terry’s take on opera, and I must read The Phantom of the Opera one day soon.
Happy reading all and see you in November for Carpe Jugulum

I will probably finish next month. I'm slow.

Hope discworld fans have located and dusted off their copies of Carpe Jugulum and are ready for November 1st!

got mine

Know where mine is!

Oops, that sneaked up on me. I just ordered a copy through ILL and hope to have it in hand soon.

I have mine!

"How does Perdita work, then?" she said.
Agnes sighed. "Look, you know the part of you that wants to do all the things you don't dare do, and thinks the thoughts you don't dare think?"
Nanny's face stayed blank. Agnes floundered. "Like ...maybe ...rip off all your clothes and run naked in the rain?" she hazarded.
"Oh, yes. Right," said Nanny.
"Well ... I suppose Perdita is that part of me."
"Really? I've always been that part of me, said Nanny. "The important thing is to remember where you left your clothes."
Nanny Ogg is awesome!

oh this would be a good time to read that book. desparatly in need of escape from the present right now

Best bits so far ...

Nanny Ogg offering guest a "can o'pee" as she passed around a food tray at the christening ...

and the notation about Verence and Magrat agreeing "to the idea of a Royal Society for the Betterment of Mankind, but since this largely consisted of as much time as Shawn Ogg had to spend on Thursday afternoon, Mankind was safe from too much Betterment for a while."

Also..
“I name you … Esmeralda Margaret Note Spelling of Lancre!”

Are we reading Tiffany Aching next year?

I hope so! but I can also see a case for Vimes and co in the watch books

I've been missing the puns in this one. There have only been a few (though Perdita's crack about the sect maniacs is almost good enough to make up for the shortage).

My favorite section of the book so far is the rambling narrative Igor provides as he guides Nanny Ogg and Magrat through the vampyre's castle. Most of the jokes are almost as old as Dracula, but they're still funny.

"a lot of people dont like me as soon as they met me" agnes "I suppose it saves time" (im going to name my next cat Perdita)

I'm running late but I am grabbing my copy today and catching up soon!

I remember that I read this before, but dont remember it being frightening!

>192 cindydavid4: For me, the only frightening thing, to date, is that Granny Weatherwax does appear to be in real danger as she attempts to fight off the psychic control of the vampires. That's definitely a change for Pratchett -- though I think there were some frightening moments in Hogfather, if I remember correctly.

Finished the book this afternoon. Will let some other folks catch up before opening up any new discussion.

>193 LyndaInOregon: yup thats the part im talking about. but I know it will all work out, because its Pratchett!

Enjoying Igor's disgruntled relationship with his new masters...
"Igor, Mother told you. We don't want dust. We don't want huge candlesticks. we don't want eyeholes cut in all the pictures , and we certainly don't want your wretched box of damn spiders and your stupid little whip!"
In the ringing , red-hot silence Igor looked down at his feet.
"...thpiderth webth ith what people ecthpect, marthter..." he mumbled.
"We don't want them!"
"...the old Count lked my thpiderth..." said Igor, his voice like some little insect that would nevertheless not be squashed.
"It's ridiculous, Igor."
"... he uthed to thay, "Good webth today, Igor..."

>196 bryanoz: I actually think Igor wath -- was (it's contagious) -- my favorite character in the book. Yes, most of his jokes were older than he was ... "I have my father's eyes. I keep them in my pocket." -- but they're still badaboom-rimshot funny. His guided tour spiel to Nanny and Magrat as he led them through the castle had me laughing out loud.

the month is almost done and I am going to miss talking about witches. we were looking at reading the Tiffany Achine books in 2025. is this still on? Or should we pick a different category?

>198 cindydavid4: My plan was still Tiffany Aching. We can do something else, but I need to keep it every other month due to my own reading rate.

thats fine by me. so whats the order?

Happy with Tiffany!

Apropos of nothing at all ...

I got an email ad this morning from Office Depot offering "unreal paper values". And I wondered what use one might have for unreal paper. And then it hit me -- this ad was obviously meant for doctoral candidates at the Unseen University. What else would they use for their theses?

Ha! good catch wonder what un stories they can write

Tiffany Aching thread is here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/366861