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Pratchett's Women: Unauthorised Essays on Female Characters of the Discworld
From Granny Weatherwax to Susan Death and beyond...
Terry Pratchett's Discworld is an epic, groundbreaking work of fantasy often hailed for its originality, humour and deep, layered intelligence. But what about the women?
Award-winning author & pop culture critic Tansy Rayner Roberts looks at the portrayal of female characters in many of Pratchett's best loved books, from the early years of fantasy satire and sexy lamps to the more complex, iconic characters of the witches, werewolves, dwarves and queens.
Contains 10 essays about gender and the Discworld, including "Socks, Lies & the Monstrous Regiment" which is exclusive to this collection.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld is an epic, groundbreaking work of fantasy often hailed for its originality, humour and deep, layered intelligence. But what about the women?
Award-winning author & pop culture critic Tansy Rayner Roberts looks at the portrayal of female characters in many of Pratchett's best loved books, from the early years of fantasy satire and sexy lamps to the more complex, iconic characters of the witches, werewolves, dwarves and queens.
Contains 10 essays about gender and the Discworld, including "Socks, Lies & the Monstrous Regiment" which is exclusive to this collection.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
158 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Tansy Rayner Roberts
133 books314 followersTansy Rayner Roberts is a fantasy and science fiction author who lives in southern Tasmania, somewhere between the tall mountain with snow on it, and the beach that points towards Antarctica.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 7, 2021
I discovered something about myself by reading this book, which is always a worthwhile thing.
What I discovered was that, although I rejoice greatly at the presence of strong female characters in a book, I don't necessarily notice their absence. Now that I'm aware, hopefully that won't be true so much.
Tansy Rayner Roberts, herself an award-winning fantasy author, analyses most (not all) of Terry Pratchett's books from a feminist perspective, and finds them... mixed. She praises the improvement from the early busty bimbos (who were, at least, people with lines and opinions and wants, if still stereotypes) to the later women like Cheery Littlebottom, Lady Sybil, Susan Death and, of course, the witches, while still criticising a few significant slips even in the later volumes of the series.
A notable omission for me was the Moist von Lipwick books, especially Making Money; I would have liked her perspective on Adorabelle Dearheart a.k.a. Spike, on the elderly widow of the banking magnate and on the golem Gladys, who is female only because she decides she is. Moist is mentioned, so I know she's read the books, but the analysis of them is missing.
What is here is an interesting perspective, always personal but with wider resonance, on Pratchett's treatment of female characters. It shows strong signs of its blog-series origins, including the need for an editor; words like "to", "the", "more" and "is" don't always make it from the author's brain to her fingers, and she uses the word "conflagration" when I'm reasonably sure she means "conflation". It's also fairly brief, but none the worse for that (although, as I say, I'd like to see her analysis of the Moist books).
I'd recommend it to anyone who's interested in non-ranty feminist perspectives and fantasy fiction, and who's read the Pratchett books (since there are multiple spoilers).
What I discovered was that, although I rejoice greatly at the presence of strong female characters in a book, I don't necessarily notice their absence. Now that I'm aware, hopefully that won't be true so much.
Tansy Rayner Roberts, herself an award-winning fantasy author, analyses most (not all) of Terry Pratchett's books from a feminist perspective, and finds them... mixed. She praises the improvement from the early busty bimbos (who were, at least, people with lines and opinions and wants, if still stereotypes) to the later women like Cheery Littlebottom, Lady Sybil, Susan Death and, of course, the witches, while still criticising a few significant slips even in the later volumes of the series.
A notable omission for me was the Moist von Lipwick books, especially Making Money; I would have liked her perspective on Adorabelle Dearheart a.k.a. Spike, on the elderly widow of the banking magnate and on the golem Gladys, who is female only because she decides she is. Moist is mentioned, so I know she's read the books, but the analysis of them is missing.
What is here is an interesting perspective, always personal but with wider resonance, on Pratchett's treatment of female characters. It shows strong signs of its blog-series origins, including the need for an editor; words like "to", "the", "more" and "is" don't always make it from the author's brain to her fingers, and she uses the word "conflagration" when I'm reasonably sure she means "conflation". It's also fairly brief, but none the worse for that (although, as I say, I'd like to see her analysis of the Moist books).
I'd recommend it to anyone who's interested in non-ranty feminist perspectives and fantasy fiction, and who's read the Pratchett books (since there are multiple spoilers).
May 3, 2023
Коротенька книга есеїв з аналізом книг Дискосвіту в яких є жінки. Багато про репрезентацію жінок Пратчеттом, і як він фейлив спочатку (і потім) але і як офігітєльно писав персонажок потім, створюючи просто епічно феміністичні книги. Просто ідеальна читанка для фанатів. Сподобались аналізи цих книг, в деяких моментах була не згодна, але здебільшого дуже добре проартикульовані багато моментів. Раджу всім Пратчеттофанам зацікавленим у фемінізмі
May 7, 2020
This is a really enjoyable series of essays for a Discworld fan such as myself. The author's style is simple and light, but her analysis is keen nonetheless. I agreed with her analyses in the majority of the essays, and even when I didn't agree, I found her insights thought-provoking.
If I have one criticism, it's the surprising lack of any essay on the most prominent young female protagonist in the Discworld books, Tiffany Aching. While the author is under no obligation to analyse each and every female character in Discworld, of course, it does seem strange that she chose to ignore such a major character, with no explanation given. She has clearly read the Tiffany books, and 4 of the 5 were published before this book was (2014). Tiffany as a character makes up for many of the shortcomings she points out in case of some of the earlier female characters - for instance, Tiffany is undoubtedly the protagonist in all her books, as opposed to Susan Sto Helit, who (as Roberts points out) tends to play a peripheral role in what are supposed to be her stories. Additionally, Tiffany's books tend to be full of a rich and varied supporting female cast, and - apart from her friendship with the Nac Mac Feegle - nearly all the important people in Tiffany's life are women, including friends, mentors and antagonists; and the theme of women helping women is a prominent one in several of her books.
In fact, it's not just the Tiffany books, but all the later books that get the short shrift in this collection. There's nothing about the Moist Von Lipwig books at all, except a passing mention of the TV version of Going Postal, and not even a mention of Unseen Academicals. While the Moist books have a male protagonist, they do feature some important female characters worth analysing, such as Adora Belle Dearheart, Topsy Lavish, and the 'gendered' golem Gladys. And Unseen Academicals features another important young female protagonist, Glenda Sugarbean, and her friendship with Juliet Stollop is at the front and centre of the novel. A book about the women of Discworld that fails to mention these characters feels very incomplete.
If I have one criticism, it's the surprising lack of any essay on the most prominent young female protagonist in the Discworld books, Tiffany Aching. While the author is under no obligation to analyse each and every female character in Discworld, of course, it does seem strange that she chose to ignore such a major character, with no explanation given. She has clearly read the Tiffany books, and 4 of the 5 were published before this book was (2014). Tiffany as a character makes up for many of the shortcomings she points out in case of some of the earlier female characters - for instance, Tiffany is undoubtedly the protagonist in all her books, as opposed to Susan Sto Helit, who (as Roberts points out) tends to play a peripheral role in what are supposed to be her stories. Additionally, Tiffany's books tend to be full of a rich and varied supporting female cast, and - apart from her friendship with the Nac Mac Feegle - nearly all the important people in Tiffany's life are women, including friends, mentors and antagonists; and the theme of women helping women is a prominent one in several of her books.
In fact, it's not just the Tiffany books, but all the later books that get the short shrift in this collection. There's nothing about the Moist Von Lipwig books at all, except a passing mention of the TV version of Going Postal, and not even a mention of Unseen Academicals. While the Moist books have a male protagonist, they do feature some important female characters worth analysing, such as Adora Belle Dearheart, Topsy Lavish, and the 'gendered' golem Gladys. And Unseen Academicals features another important young female protagonist, Glenda Sugarbean, and her friendship with Juliet Stollop is at the front and centre of the novel. A book about the women of Discworld that fails to mention these characters feels very incomplete.
November 25, 2018
Pratchett's "Witches" books have always stood out to me a startling, hidden-in-plain-sight case of beloved fantasy classics which, seemingly effortlessly, have a full and varied cast of female characters; books that pass the Bechdel test about three times a page without blinking. Somehow, even in this day and age and with such increased awareness to representation, I still find books like "Wyrd Sisters" or "Lords and Ladies" to be downright refreshing -- a bunch of awesome, colorful female characters who's each doing their own remarkable thing.
in "Pratchett's Women," Roberts offers fantastic observations and analysis not only of the refreshing Witches, but of the various female characters all throughout the Discworld series. These books are so iconic and memorable to me, and Roberts' writing is so clear, fun, and compelling, that "Pratchett's Women" makes a fantastic example of analyzing stories for gender portrayal. The Discworld books have many different, memorable women and uses them in many different ways; some insightful and some very shallow indeed; so this series of essays is just a fantastic variety of ways that women can been portrayed and interpreted.
A light and quick read, evoking lots of nostalgia, and at the same time, highlighting interesting aspects of Pratchett's work, and offering new angles to appreciate.
in "Pratchett's Women," Roberts offers fantastic observations and analysis not only of the refreshing Witches, but of the various female characters all throughout the Discworld series. These books are so iconic and memorable to me, and Roberts' writing is so clear, fun, and compelling, that "Pratchett's Women" makes a fantastic example of analyzing stories for gender portrayal. The Discworld books have many different, memorable women and uses them in many different ways; some insightful and some very shallow indeed; so this series of essays is just a fantastic variety of ways that women can been portrayed and interpreted.
A light and quick read, evoking lots of nostalgia, and at the same time, highlighting interesting aspects of Pratchett's work, and offering new angles to appreciate.
April 1, 2015
A quick, enjoyable read. I think this is a topic that could be more extensively explored, but this works as an entertaining introduction. I got the impression, before Roberts ever referred in the text to posts, that this was a collection of blog posts and I believe this is the case. It's got that nice chatty blog vibe to it.
The chapter on Susan Sto Helit was my favourite, because it brought up some aspects of Susan that I hadn't considered before (like the fact that she's not ever the main character in her putative stories). Next time I reread Susan's stories I'll definitely be reading them through this lens.
The chapter on Susan Sto Helit was my favourite, because it brought up some aspects of Susan that I hadn't considered before (like the fact that she's not ever the main character in her putative stories). Next time I reread Susan's stories I'll definitely be reading them through this lens.
September 20, 2014
Pratchett's Women is a really enjoyable essay collection on the women in several of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. I love the Discworld to bits, and Tansy's honest, soul-searching, and massively enthusiastic take on how female characters are portrayed in the Discworld universe is an excellent read. She's a huge fan of the novels, too, but she doesn't hesitate to point out the places where Pratchett's handling of female characters doesn't work. Tansy also explores how her responses to the novels have changed over time as her ideas about feminism have developed. This personal dimension to the essays adds interest and encourages the reader to have the same (very important!) kinds of conversations with herself. Recommended reading for any Discworld fan.
October 9, 2019
I really liked this book. Each essay is relatively well thought out though they do need a bit of editing.
I would have liked to see her go more in depth with each book/s, as it is the essays are very brief and left me wanting more to sink my teeth into.
The one about Monstrous Regiment was my favourite and that’s mostly because she takes a deeper look at the themes and characters for that novel.
All in all, a good little book but I’d like to see a more structured and longer set of essays that go deeper.
I would have liked to see her go more in depth with each book/s, as it is the essays are very brief and left me wanting more to sink my teeth into.
The one about Monstrous Regiment was my favourite and that’s mostly because she takes a deeper look at the themes and characters for that novel.
All in all, a good little book but I’d like to see a more structured and longer set of essays that go deeper.
August 9, 2014
Now I'm biased, as I worked on the proofing for this as intern to the publisher, but I found it incredibly interesting even as someone who (shock horror) has never finished reading a Pratchett book. Yet. Thanks to Tansy and this book, I've now got 'Lords and Ladies' to get around to reading!
January 23, 2024
Nice essays, some statements there are kinda wild, and we'd like to see the topic of Discworld women taken up much more in depth, but it's nice to read someone's view on the topic.
February 5, 2022
I see a lot of older reviews of this book saying it needs a lot of editing but I think she must have done a major overhaul before re-publishing it because I didn't notice any glaring problems. I absolutely loved this because she goes over a lot of the same issues I've been dealing with while reading the Discworld books for the first time and I think she does a good job of examining them both in the context of the time they were written and how it feels to read them today. If you're a woman who loves Discworld yet sometimes struggles with how it treats its female characters then I think you will feel very seen by this essay collection, but I would genuinely recommend it to all Discworld fans because I think it's something that many [probably male] readers might not think about but I think it's something that's important to talk about and recognize.
April 12, 2019
Terry Pratchett created a great many magnificent, memorable, and well-regarded characters in his novels, and many of them were women. In this series of ten essays, Tansy Rayner Roberts examines and re-evaluates some of these key women, from the difficulty Pratchett seems to have establishing women who challenge the gender norms of fantasy, to the apogee of his feminist writing in Monstrous Regiment. She focuses not only at Granny Weatherwax, but Magrat and Agnes (Nanny Ogg and Tiffany Aching get little discussion of their own) and how these characters develop as their lives and circumstances change. She looks at the women of the Watch, including Lady Sybil Vimes (née Ramkin), and the ways in which they are developed and sidelined and brought back into focus as the series developed. Overall, I was left with a strong desire to re-read a whole lot of Discworld, especially the novels from Night Watch onward with which I'm less familiar. This short collection is definitely worth a look if you like to think more about the comic fantasy you love.
October 30, 2018
I found this book very interesting and informative concerning the subject. I am one of those Pratchett "fans" who read the "witches" book first and then went on to read the others. So when I saw this book, I had to get it (and the price was right FREE!). As with many books offered for free my expectations aren't very high but many times I've been pleasantly surprised and this was one of those times. The author takes each of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books in order and analyzes them on the basis of how the females of the story are written. I derived a lot of insights into Terry Pratchett's mind which, in turn, gave me insight into the males in the series (something I didn't really have before reading this book). I was a little disappointed that the author didn't analyze the Tiffany Ainsling books but hopefully she will get around to them at a later date. This isn't a Discworld book per se but it is a very good analysis of the females in the series. I would recommend it.
June 27, 2019
This popped up in the Goodreads feed of one of my friends, and I was instantly attracted by two items. The first was that this is about the women of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I’m listening to the unabridged audiobooks of the Discworld books at the moment and I’ve now got far enough into the series that some of the women are really superb and well-written. The second item that caught my eye was the name of the author. One of my favourite podcasts is Verity!, a Doctor Who podcast hosted by six brilliant women and Tansy Rayner Roberts is one of them. So clearly this was a book written (to borrow a phrase from the fabulous Lani Diane Rich) specifically to delight me.
I really enjoyed this very short and easy read, and highly recommend it to all fans of Pratchett, women, and Doctor Who podcasts!
A longer review is here https://thewearybookcase.home.blog/20...
I really enjoyed this very short and easy read, and highly recommend it to all fans of Pratchett, women, and Doctor Who podcasts!
A longer review is here https://thewearybookcase.home.blog/20...
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May 19, 2023Although I’m picky about which novels I finish, I’ve never been a particularly “analytical” reader. I’ve read each Discworld book as it was released (so you can no doubt guess my vintage). The later ones were thought-provoking beyond simple entertainment, which may explain why they’re so re-readable.
This collection of essays raised issues I hadn’t actively considered regarding the portrayal and role of women in Discworld. I liked seeing how his style matured, and the added nuance and layering of later books.
The essays are short and easy to follow. I’d say they make a good starting point for further, in-depth reading. (Like Twoflower, I may have a tendency to read about things rather than simply experiencing them.)
This collection of essays raised issues I hadn’t actively considered regarding the portrayal and role of women in Discworld. I liked seeing how his style matured, and the added nuance and layering of later books.
The essays are short and easy to follow. I’d say they make a good starting point for further, in-depth reading. (Like Twoflower, I may have a tendency to read about things rather than simply experiencing them.)
December 9, 2018
An interesting collection of essays on the female characters of the Discworld, looking at them from a feminist perspective. Tansy Rayner Roberts makes some good points, and has picked up on a lot of things that I too have only noticed on recent re-reads (rather than of my first reads of the books as a teen), although I don't necessarily always agree on her opinions on the characters or books. Some great insights into the Lancre Witches, Angua, Cheery, Susan, Lady Sybil and the cast of Monstrous Regiment, amongst others. One surprising omission is that there was no mention of Tiffany Aching at all... perhaps Roberts didn't reread those books when she was preparing her essay collection.
March 2, 2022
If anything, Tansy Rayner Roberts' essays will change the way I read Terry's Discworld books.
There were a few moments when I thought Tansy was a bit harsh about Terry's male attitudes to writing his women. Mostly because, well, he is male and he is writing from a male's perspective so perhaps he can be forgiven. Her main point is that the female characters take a back seat to the male characters even when they are the heroes of the book. It's true, but in some cases, they need to be there as the backbone to the story, to support the males and perhaps guide them and in some cases the Super Hero that gets the bad guy. But that's just my opinion.
Tansy, I would have loved to have read a book with Sybil as the leading protagonist.
Tansy's writing is impeccable. As a surface dweller, I envy those who can delve deep into the realms of a story and evaluate it. To be able to find the intricate meanings within those stories astounds me and Tansy does it so well.
If you haven't read any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books then perhaps I should warn you - "Spoilers Sweetie".
Tansy's updated version comes with a lovely new cover and updated clarification about previous thoughts she had about some of the stories. Even though I didn't read the first version, it's interesting to read her fresh thoughts.
If you are a Terry Pratchett fan, this is worth the read.
There were a few moments when I thought Tansy was a bit harsh about Terry's male attitudes to writing his women. Mostly because, well, he is male and he is writing from a male's perspective so perhaps he can be forgiven. Her main point is that the female characters take a back seat to the male characters even when they are the heroes of the book. It's true, but in some cases, they need to be there as the backbone to the story, to support the males and perhaps guide them and in some cases the Super Hero that gets the bad guy. But that's just my opinion.
Tansy, I would have loved to have read a book with Sybil as the leading protagonist.
Tansy's writing is impeccable. As a surface dweller, I envy those who can delve deep into the realms of a story and evaluate it. To be able to find the intricate meanings within those stories astounds me and Tansy does it so well.
If you haven't read any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books then perhaps I should warn you - "Spoilers Sweetie".
Tansy's updated version comes with a lovely new cover and updated clarification about previous thoughts she had about some of the stories. Even though I didn't read the first version, it's interesting to read her fresh thoughts.
If you are a Terry Pratchett fan, this is worth the read.
July 1, 2024
This was such a disappointment. I bought this book hoping and expecting to read a selection of academic and ambitious essays examining feminist themes across the Discworld novels. What I got was a series of critiques of the portrayal of female characters in specific novels and related groups of novels. A literary Bechdel test, if you will, a comparison admitted to during one of the essays. This is lazy and holds the books to a standard that the author never had in mind while writing. It’s indisputable that Pratchett used the Discworld novels to hold a mirror up to society and the ills and inequalities that angered him, but sexism was just one of these. Pratchett wasn’t (always) writing feminist literature and it’s unfair to analyse his books as if he was. Not every story needs a female protagonist. Sometimes the female characters are in supporting roles and that’s okay. The writer of these essays is obviously a huge Discworld fan, and she had some insightful things to say about feminist themes in the sci-fi and fantasy genres as a whole, but while her writing made me want to reread the Discworld series, I won’t be rereading this book.
April 3, 2021
This collection of "unauthorised essays" takes a chronological look at the female characters of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Pratchett's writing matures and develops in all areas as the series progresses, and his growing understanding and awareness of social issues is a huge part of what I love about the Discworld. There are some excellent female characters in the Discworld, but even as Pratchett tries to subvert sexist tropes (especially in the early novels) he still sometimes falls victim to them.
Short and sweet at just under 100 pages, I think the essays could have used some further work before being collected - the author was rereading the books as she wrote the essays and personally I found this weakened some of her points.
I'm a huge fan of Discworld so obviously I'm in the target audience - it may also be worth a read if you're a fantasy fan as it discusses a lot of the associated tropes, but do beware as there are plenty of spoilers!
Pratchett's writing matures and develops in all areas as the series progresses, and his growing understanding and awareness of social issues is a huge part of what I love about the Discworld. There are some excellent female characters in the Discworld, but even as Pratchett tries to subvert sexist tropes (especially in the early novels) he still sometimes falls victim to them.
Short and sweet at just under 100 pages, I think the essays could have used some further work before being collected - the author was rereading the books as she wrote the essays and personally I found this weakened some of her points.
I'm a huge fan of Discworld so obviously I'm in the target audience - it may also be worth a read if you're a fantasy fan as it discusses a lot of the associated tropes, but do beware as there are plenty of spoilers!
April 21, 2023
Earlier this year I read the entire Discworld series in publication order, for the most part this involved re-reads but there were a few new to me books here and there as well. So it was no surprise to me that GR recomended this book as something I would be interested in, and I'm glad I borrowed it on Kindle Unlimited.
The essays within this book are interesting and certainly look at the books in ways I never have (there's a reason I hated English Lit so much, I really don't enjoy analysing a story as, for me, it removes the magic) but in such a way I don't think future rereads will be spoiled. There are some elements of the authors essays I disagree with, and others that I had spotted myself.
This was a very quick read and a book I am unlikely to return to, but as with many a book I am pleased to have read nonetheless.
The essays within this book are interesting and certainly look at the books in ways I never have (there's a reason I hated English Lit so much, I really don't enjoy analysing a story as, for me, it removes the magic) but in such a way I don't think future rereads will be spoiled. There are some elements of the authors essays I disagree with, and others that I had spotted myself.
This was a very quick read and a book I am unlikely to return to, but as with many a book I am pleased to have read nonetheless.
April 29, 2021
An excellent and insightful collection
I've loved Pratchett for a long time. The Discworld gave me female characters I could relate to, as an AFAB trans man, that I didn't find elsewhere in fiction, and presented me with models of masculinity I could comfortably aspire too without them being gross. This collection presents an interesting analysis of the females roles in the Discworld, while also remaining accessible and engaging.
I've loved Pratchett for a long time. The Discworld gave me female characters I could relate to, as an AFAB trans man, that I didn't find elsewhere in fiction, and presented me with models of masculinity I could comfortably aspire too without them being gross. This collection presents an interesting analysis of the females roles in the Discworld, while also remaining accessible and engaging.
March 11, 2022
A brilliant collection of essays that made me fall in love with Pratchett a bit more, especially the criticism. The only thing that I found really really sad is that the Tiffany novels were not included in the collection. Yes, it starts off with Tiffany as a kid, but it is coming of age, it challenges gendered ideas (especially the Shepherd's Crown!) in connection to witches. That was really disappointing.
4 Stars
4 Stars
June 1, 2025
Some Stuff to Think About
I don't always agree with the author on which characters were disappointing, or relegated too much to the background, but her perspective on why some of Pratchett's women stick with a reader long after they've finished the book seems dead on to me.
Pratchett, even when he was starting out on the Discworld series did subversion better than any author I recall.
I don't always agree with the author on which characters were disappointing, or relegated too much to the background, but her perspective on why some of Pratchett's women stick with a reader long after they've finished the book seems dead on to me.
Pratchett, even when he was starting out on the Discworld series did subversion better than any author I recall.
January 15, 2018
Neat, but a little shallow
Roberts digs into the Pratchett Canon for a look at his female characters- i liked them all, but i would have liked a little deeper dig into some of the texts. This shows the most in the last essay- the Monstrous Regiment one is the clear star of the book because it digs much deeper and brings in some more examples from outside of Pratchett as contrast
Roberts digs into the Pratchett Canon for a look at his female characters- i liked them all, but i would have liked a little deeper dig into some of the texts. This shows the most in the last essay- the Monstrous Regiment one is the clear star of the book because it digs much deeper and brings in some more examples from outside of Pratchett as contrast
August 17, 2020
A slim volume of essays. Not a very deep dive, and I disagree with her opinions about some of the books. But it's an interesting critical look at Pratchett's work from a feminist perspective by a fan.
Could use a better editor. There are several sentences with missing or superfluous words. Nothing serious.
Could use a better editor. There are several sentences with missing or superfluous words. Nothing serious.
February 19, 2021
I miss the Galactic Suburbia podcast. Where I could learn feminism through my favorite book genre.
Pratchett's Women gave me one more taste of that wonderful cake through the works of wone of my favorite authors.
Pratchett's Women gave me one more taste of that wonderful cake through the works of wone of my favorite authors.
December 23, 2021
Not what I expected
But then I am not sure what I expected to be honest. It did give me an insight into the books I haven't read though. I think I'll make up my own mind about them.
But then I am not sure what I expected to be honest. It did give me an insight into the books I haven't read though. I think I'll make up my own mind about them.
January 8, 2024
Very much a collection of blogs rather than a fully polished book, but I enjoyed getting another perspective on the women in the Discworld and how Pratchett’s writing of them developed over the years.
February 15, 2024
Good literary criticism of most of Pratchett's novels. Points out many aspects, good and bad, about gender int he books that I hadn't thought of before. I would have loved an essay about the Tiffany Aching books as well.
Mostly, it makes me want to re-read a lot of Discworld.
Mostly, it makes me want to re-read a lot of Discworld.
January 17, 2025
Had some takes I agreed with, had some I didn’t. Felt like it spent too much time on the bad not enough on the good. Not ONE word about my girl Tiffany, idk if it was just the version I read and she gets an essay in later additions but come on the first Tiffany book came out in 2003.
January 16, 2018
A very enjoyable collection of essays that's made me want to re-read all of Discworld.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews