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Discworld #12
Pratchett:Witches Abroad
'You can't go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise, it's just a cage . 'There's power in stories. The Fairy Godmother is good. The servant girl marries the Prince. Everyone lives happily ever after . . . don't they?The witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick are travelling to far-distant Genua to stop a wedding and save a kingdom. But how do you fight a happy-ever-after, especially when it comes with glass slippers and a power-hungry Fairy Godmother who has made Destiny an offer it can't refuse?It's hard to resist a good story, even when the fate of the kingdom depends on it . . .' No one mixes the fantastical and mundane to better comic effect ' Daily Mail'One of our greatest fantasists, and beyond a doubt the funniest' George RR MartinWitches Abroad is the third book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
2256 people are currently reading
30845 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
680 books46.2k 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 1983–2015, 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 3,708 reviews
December 5, 2024
Hilarious.
This made me think of the 1988 John Landis film starring Eddie Murphy Coming to America. Not that either story are very much similar at all, except that the most charismatic part of each was the mesmerizing interaction between the characters. Just as Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall (who each played multiple characters) were the most enjoyable part of that otherwise mediocre film, so too does the dialogue between Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og, and Magrat Garlick make this 1991 Pratchett Discworld novel so much fun.
In this the twelfth Discworld book, Sir Terry revisits his Witches sub-series that he left in 1988’s Wyrd Sisters and to marvelous effect – a fairy godmother has died and so the three must travel to Genua to settle matters. This presents a vehicle whereby Pratchett, comic genius that he is, to explore and have fun with fairy tales and folklore of all sorts.
Like the Shrek films (starting in 2001) the idea of a parody of fairy tales is a fecund field of plenty – and Pratchett has seemingly no end of material from which to draw. An observant reader will see abundant use of Grimm, Disney and even L. Frank Baum.
Like so many of the Discworld books, Pratchett also uses the comic setting of the novel to explore and comment upon various elements of human nature and to administer satire from the playful to the biting.
An uproarious good time.
*** 2021 reread
I am really digging my adventure back to the Discworld.
This time around I paid closer attention to the individual characters, especially Nanny Og and Lily, Granny Weatherwax's sister - the evil / good godmother.
Also noteworthy is Pratchett's description of Genua, as kind of a fantastic New Orleans and the references to voodoo.
Good fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This may be my favorite Witches book.
Equal Rites introduced us to Granny Weatherwax and Wyrd Sisters brought in Nanny Og and Magrat Garlick while paying homage to Shakespeare.
This being the third witches book but the twelfth overall on the Discworld Pratchett had his story working and he demonstrates some of the best writing here, using a plethora of fairytale inspired references to make this fun as hell.
This made me think of the 1988 John Landis film starring Eddie Murphy Coming to America. Not that either story are very much similar at all, except that the most charismatic part of each was the mesmerizing interaction between the characters. Just as Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall (who each played multiple characters) were the most enjoyable part of that otherwise mediocre film, so too does the dialogue between Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og, and Magrat Garlick make this 1991 Pratchett Discworld novel so much fun.
In this the twelfth Discworld book, Sir Terry revisits his Witches sub-series that he left in 1988’s Wyrd Sisters and to marvelous effect – a fairy godmother has died and so the three must travel to Genua to settle matters. This presents a vehicle whereby Pratchett, comic genius that he is, to explore and have fun with fairy tales and folklore of all sorts.
Like the Shrek films (starting in 2001) the idea of a parody of fairy tales is a fecund field of plenty – and Pratchett has seemingly no end of material from which to draw. An observant reader will see abundant use of Grimm, Disney and even L. Frank Baum.
Like so many of the Discworld books, Pratchett also uses the comic setting of the novel to explore and comment upon various elements of human nature and to administer satire from the playful to the biting.
An uproarious good time.
*** 2021 reread
I am really digging my adventure back to the Discworld.
This time around I paid closer attention to the individual characters, especially Nanny Og and Lily, Granny Weatherwax's sister - the evil / good godmother.
Also noteworthy is Pratchett's description of Genua, as kind of a fantastic New Orleans and the references to voodoo.
Good fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This may be my favorite Witches book.
Equal Rites introduced us to Granny Weatherwax and Wyrd Sisters brought in Nanny Og and Magrat Garlick while paying homage to Shakespeare.
This being the third witches book but the twelfth overall on the Discworld Pratchett had his story working and he demonstrates some of the best writing here, using a plethora of fairytale inspired references to make this fun as hell.
July 26, 2020
Watch the abyss behind the seemingly harmonic fairy tales while Magrat Garlick starts earning her reputation as one of the tightest young witches beside Tiffany Aching.
Pratchett uses postmodernism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmod...
to deconstruct, satirize, and exaggerate many of the stereotypical and unrealistic tropes of legends, mythology, economics, fairytales, fantasy, political science, and humanities. Subverting the opportunism and uniformity of moral and ethical codexes, witches, night watches, and wizards are sawing on the wrong, awful, and dishonest foundations of Western culture. No matter what, close to each system has some inherent self destruct or madness buttons, and Pratchett, Monty Python, and some lesser known others laid the cornerstone for groundbreaking, extremely dark new works.
The continuation of this process towards the morbid can be seen in the amazing adult animation series of the 21st century, while, in contrast, Pratchett is mainly satirizing and using the formula of changed motivations and personalities to give both laughter and insights.
Back to the show:
The witches aren´t as directly violent as other characters, they use the soft magic of headologie and altruism to help avoiding disasters or with mundane everyday problems. I would subjectively guess that Pratchett liked his female characters and women in general the most, because he puts most positive, progressive ideas in their minds while all other male characters stay pretty dull, egoistic, or good oldfashioned different stages of insanity.
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are one of the best friend pairings in the Discworld, a symbiotic relationship, also completely differing from the male friendships, later becoming less important when Tiffany Aching enters the stage. But while the males are primarily fighting, alphaing, posing, and incompetencing around, Granny and Nanny don´t just care for everyone else, but have a long going, emancipated womance.
A bit of laughing about tourism is in there too and the all time favorite of marriage politics can never be bad. Oh and, of course, zombies.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
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.
Pratchett uses postmodernism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmod...
to deconstruct, satirize, and exaggerate many of the stereotypical and unrealistic tropes of legends, mythology, economics, fairytales, fantasy, political science, and humanities. Subverting the opportunism and uniformity of moral and ethical codexes, witches, night watches, and wizards are sawing on the wrong, awful, and dishonest foundations of Western culture. No matter what, close to each system has some inherent self destruct or madness buttons, and Pratchett, Monty Python, and some lesser known others laid the cornerstone for groundbreaking, extremely dark new works.
The continuation of this process towards the morbid can be seen in the amazing adult animation series of the 21st century, while, in contrast, Pratchett is mainly satirizing and using the formula of changed motivations and personalities to give both laughter and insights.
Back to the show:
The witches aren´t as directly violent as other characters, they use the soft magic of headologie and altruism to help avoiding disasters or with mundane everyday problems. I would subjectively guess that Pratchett liked his female characters and women in general the most, because he puts most positive, progressive ideas in their minds while all other male characters stay pretty dull, egoistic, or good oldfashioned different stages of insanity.
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are one of the best friend pairings in the Discworld, a symbiotic relationship, also completely differing from the male friendships, later becoming less important when Tiffany Aching enters the stage. But while the males are primarily fighting, alphaing, posing, and incompetencing around, Granny and Nanny don´t just care for everyone else, but have a long going, emancipated womance.
A bit of laughing about tourism is in there too and the all time favorite of marriage politics can never be bad. Oh and, of course, zombies.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
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.
July 8, 2017
Best in Witches series so far. I won't bother with review instead here are some of my favorite quotes
People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around
People whose wishes get granted often don't turn out to be very nice people.
Wisdom is one of the few things that looks bigger the further away it is.
You can't go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it's just a cage.
Humanity's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.
Good and bad is tricky," she said. "I ain't too certain about where people stand. P'raps what matters is which way you face.
August 9, 2022
Brilliant as always, although if you read at least one Discworld book you already know that.
February 11, 2013
Woo-hoo! Witches on a roadtrip!
The gals go on an adventure to stop a wedding, and end up learning what a pain in the posterior it is to travel by broomstick.
Along the way, they indulge in bananana-flavored cocktails and some riverboat gambling, enjoy the running of the bulls, and hop into some fairy tales where they proceed to right wrongs, fix obvious mistakes, and threaten woodcutters.
The three enchantresses may just be able to stop Emberella from attending the ball IF they can avoid the falling farmhouses and communal sing-a-longs of the Ding-dong song, BUT FIRST, they'll need to stop squabbling over who gets to hold the magic wand and begin to work together.
And Magrat simply HAS to stop turning EVERYTHING into pumpkins!
The gals go on an adventure to stop a wedding, and end up learning what a pain in the posterior it is to travel by broomstick.
Along the way, they indulge in bananana-flavored cocktails and some riverboat gambling, enjoy the running of the bulls, and hop into some fairy tales where they proceed to right wrongs, fix obvious mistakes, and threaten woodcutters.
The three enchantresses may just be able to stop Emberella from attending the ball IF they can avoid the falling farmhouses and communal sing-a-longs of the Ding-dong song, BUT FIRST, they'll need to stop squabbling over who gets to hold the magic wand and begin to work together.
And Magrat simply HAS to stop turning EVERYTHING into pumpkins!
November 21, 2024
Series Buddy Read with Trish November 2024
Yet again I find this to be one of the funniest so far in the series. My favourite bits below in my 2019 review are still my favourite bits. The 3 wonderful witches each with their own characters, Greebo, the delicious rascal and all the new characters introduced in Genua.
Unfinished Series Read 2019
Review to follow, soon, honest, I promise 😬
Ok so this is the last book I shall read and review this year (2019), and what a way to end the year ( I shall wax more lyrical about my year in books in my "year in books" ha ha).
I first read some Discworld novels back in the early/mid 90s and thoroughly enjoyed them. I often wonder why I didn't read more of them or even continue reading them, but hey ho I didn't, and I suppose I should be glad I somehow (with nudges from GR friends) got back into them.
So rather than binge on reading them I very sensibly ( ? ) decided to read them at the rate of one per month, so starting in January, here I am in December reading number 12, and to me this has to be one of the best so far.
It is as ever a wonderfully crafted story from Sir Terry, this one focussing on the three witches (Granny Wetherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat). Mix in a bad fairy godmother, a number of fairy tales and some voodoo, and you have the makings of a fantastic story. Unlike some of Sir Terry's tales, this is not a parable on modern day life, more a "piss-take" of fairytales and pantomimes in his own inimitable style.
My favourite bits of this novel have to be
It is to me a solid five stars and may well be my book of December, not my most favourite of the Discworld novels so far, but almost.
Yet again I find this to be one of the funniest so far in the series. My favourite bits below in my 2019 review are still my favourite bits. The 3 wonderful witches each with their own characters, Greebo, the delicious rascal and all the new characters introduced in Genua.
Unfinished Series Read 2019
Review to follow, soon, honest, I promise 😬
Ok so this is the last book I shall read and review this year (2019), and what a way to end the year ( I shall wax more lyrical about my year in books in my "year in books" ha ha).
I first read some Discworld novels back in the early/mid 90s and thoroughly enjoyed them. I often wonder why I didn't read more of them or even continue reading them, but hey ho I didn't, and I suppose I should be glad I somehow (with nudges from GR friends) got back into them.
So rather than binge on reading them I very sensibly ( ? ) decided to read them at the rate of one per month, so starting in January, here I am in December reading number 12, and to me this has to be one of the best so far.
It is as ever a wonderfully crafted story from Sir Terry, this one focussing on the three witches (Granny Wetherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat). Mix in a bad fairy godmother, a number of fairy tales and some voodoo, and you have the makings of a fantastic story. Unlike some of Sir Terry's tales, this is not a parable on modern day life, more a "piss-take" of fairytales and pantomimes in his own inimitable style.
My favourite bits of this novel have to be
It is to me a solid five stars and may well be my book of December, not my most favourite of the Discworld novels so far, but almost.
October 25, 2025
„Всички вещици са много чувствителни към историите. Те могат да почувстват една история, също както плувецът може да почувства неочакваното присъствие на пъстърва в малкия басейн.
Да знаеш механизма на историите означава почти спечелена битка.“
Пътешествието в чужбина с вещиците на Пратчет е незабравимо книжно преживяване! Писателят умело е използвал в книгата мотиви от класически приказки, разказвайки за страшно шантавите и забавни премеждия на главните героини в Генуа. Маграт е получила опасна мисия, която трябва да изпълни там като фея-кръстница, а пък Баба Вихронрав и Леля Ог ѝ помагат. „Вещици в чужбина“ е не само отлична сатира на традиционните приказни истории, но и мъдро четиво за силата на историите...
„Повечето вещици не вярват в богове. Разбира се, те знаят, че боговете съществуват. Дори от време на време се случва да си имат работа с тях. Но не вярват в тях. Би било все едно да вярват в пощальона.“
„— Хич ме няма с чужбините — рече Баба Вихронрав.
— Ходила си в Анкх-Морпорк — меко каза Леля. — Това е чужбина.
— Не, не е. Просто е доста далеч. То не е същото като чужбина. Чужбина е, където ти бръщолевят на дивашки жаргон и ядат отвратителна храна, и се кланят, моля ти се, на предмети — обясни Баба Вихронрав като добронамерен дипломат. — Чужбина може да се окаже и твърде наблизо, ако не внимаваш.“
„Баба Вихронрав не харесваше картите. Тя инстинктивно усещаше, че те са подигравка с пейзажа.“
„Баба Вихронрав не я биваше за губещ. От нейна гледна точка загубата бе нещо, което се случва на другите.
— От егото ѝ е — обясни Леля Ог. — Всеки си има по едно. Его. А нейното е страшно голямо. Разбира се, голямото его си е част от занаята на вещиците.
— Сигурно ще използва магия — натърти Маграт.
— Като използваш магия в игра на късмет, предизвикваш Съдбата — съгласи се Леля Ог. — Шмекеруването си е в реда на нещата. То си е на практика честно. Имам предвид, че всеки може да шмекерува. Но да използваш магия — това вече е предизвикване на Съдбата.“
„Замъците, би казала Леля Ог, са като лебедите. Изглеждат така, сякаш безметежно плуват през водите на Времето, но всъщност под царствената им осанка кипи бурна дейност.“
„Най-важното не бе дали си носиш шапката, а дали имаш такава. Всеки бранш, всеки занаят си имаше шапка. По същата причина и кралете имаха шапки. Ако свалиш короната на краля, ще остане просто някакъв с двойна брадичка и афинитет към ръкомахането. Шапките имат власт. Шапките са важни. Но това важи и за хората.“
„Разликата между мислещите и немислещите творения е, че първите могат да се променят. Трудно, разбира се, но не и невъзможно. Просто трябва да се отклони мисловният поток.“
„Обикновено бъдещето се разклонява при всеки обрат на събитията и е възможно да добиеш само най-смътна представа за онова, което предстои, дори да си толкова чувствителен към времето, колкото са вещиците. Но в случая историите се бяха увили около дървото на събитийността, изкривявайки формата му до неузнаваемост.“
„Магията е прекалено важна, за да се използва във властта.“
Да знаеш механизма на историите означава почти спечелена битка.“
Пътешествието в чужбина с вещиците на Пратчет е незабравимо книжно преживяване! Писателят умело е използвал в книгата мотиви от класически приказки, разказвайки за страшно шантавите и забавни премеждия на главните героини в Генуа. Маграт е получила опасна мисия, която трябва да изпълни там като фея-кръстница, а пък Баба Вихронрав и Леля Ог ѝ помагат. „Вещици в чужбина“ е не само отлична сатира на традиционните приказни истории, но и мъдро четиво за силата на историите...
„Повечето вещици не вярват в богове. Разбира се, те знаят, че боговете съществуват. Дори от време на време се случва да си имат работа с тях. Но не вярват в тях. Би било все едно да вярват в пощальона.“
„— Хич ме няма с чужбините — рече Баба Вихронрав.
— Ходила си в Анкх-Морпорк — меко каза Леля. — Това е чужбина.
— Не, не е. Просто е доста далеч. То не е същото като чужбина. Чужбина е, където ти бръщолевят на дивашки жаргон и ядат отвратителна храна, и се кланят, моля ти се, на предмети — обясни Баба Вихронрав като добронамерен дипломат. — Чужбина може да се окаже и твърде наблизо, ако не внимаваш.“
„Баба Вихронрав не харесваше картите. Тя инстинктивно усещаше, че те са подигравка с пейзажа.“
„Баба Вихронрав не я биваше за губещ. От нейна гледна точка загубата бе нещо, което се случва на другите.
— От егото ѝ е — обясни Леля Ог. — Всеки си има по едно. Его. А нейното е страшно голямо. Разбира се, голямото его си е част от занаята на вещиците.
— Сигурно ще използва магия — натърти Маграт.
— Като използваш магия в игра на късмет, предизвикваш Съдбата — съгласи се Леля Ог. — Шмекеруването си е в реда на нещата. То си е на практика честно. Имам предвид, че всеки може да шмекерува. Но да използваш магия — това вече е предизвикване на Съдбата.“
„Замъците, би казала Леля Ог, са като лебедите. Изглеждат така, сякаш безметежно плуват през водите на Времето, но всъщност под царствената им осанка кипи бурна дейност.“
„Най-важното не бе дали си носиш шапката, а дали имаш такава. Всеки бранш, всеки занаят си имаше шапка. По същата причина и кралете имаха шапки. Ако свалиш короната на краля, ще остане просто някакъв с двойна брадичка и афинитет към ръкомахането. Шапките имат власт. Шапките са важни. Но това важи и за хората.“
„Разликата между мислещите и немислещите творения е, че първите могат да се променят. Трудно, разбира се, но не и невъзможно. Просто трябва да се отклони мисловният поток.“
„Обикновено бъдещето се разклонява при всеки обрат на събитията и е възможно да добиеш само най-смътна представа за онова, което предстои, дори да си толкова чувствителен към времето, колкото са вещиците. Но в случая историите се бяха увили около дървото на събитийността, изкривявайки формата му до неузнаваемост.“
„Магията е прекалено важна, за да се използва във властта.“
October 27, 2025
Niepopularnie: póki co najsłabsza w podcyklu
December 31, 2018
This is the 3rd adventure with my favourite witches starring a colourful cast of characters such as the here introduced Mrs. Gogol as well as Mr. Casanunda (yes, it is who you fear) in addition to the almost always cheerful Nanny, the always grumpy but ultimately "good" Granny and the always dishevelled Magrat. And my favourite cat, of course.
A fairy godmother dies without having organized a successor so she wills Magrat her wand. This duty compells her to seek out her fairy godchild and ensure her safety. As usual, where Magrat goes, so do Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax. And a good thing, too, because those two sure are the best (though the combination of all three is hilarious as well). They travel "abroad" to Genua where Magrat's fairy godchild lives and discover that wishes are not fishes but something far more dangerous - especially if the other fairy godmother has a soft spot for happily ever afters and is willing to do whatever it takes to enforce one on her fairy godchild (and the entire population of Genua).
The three witches travel through some strange places, inspired by tales such as Wizard of Oz ("You know, Greebo, I don't think we're in Lancre"), Baba Yaga, Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel and Sleeping Beauty before "the end game" that is a lot like Cinderella (with nods to Count of Monte Cristo thrown in for good measure) until it is its own thing. And then there is the whole fairy realm / mirror world theme, of course.
The merry runaround showcases yet another adversary: the other fairy godmother isn't the only problem because stories want to be told and this one got started so it also wants to play out. Yep, stories, here, are a character in their own right.
Highlights in this particular book were Greebo with the vampire:
Granny playing cards:
Greebo being turned into a human (and what he does while being in a man's body):
As is typical for the Discworld and Sir Terry at large, this book not only delivers silly fun and fast-paced action (including not one but TWO witches' duels), but also contemplations on some very deep matters. Nothing as broad and corny as "good vs evil", not exactly, but about wishes and what happens when they are fulfilled, what fairy tales really mean, gender roles, courage vs. cruelty, not losing sight of oneself and more.
What makes this so special is how in one second Sir Terry slips in incredibly funny puns such as Nanny's translation skills ("silver plate" which any French-speaker should recognize as the word for "please" or "she had a dire rear" for example), before delivering a mighty punch in the gut such as . You either cry from laughing too hard or from being drowned in feelings. A feat that not many authors can pull off so brilliantly.
At first I was a bit sad that this volume was not narrated by Celia Imrie who had read the first Granny Weatherwax book and nailed her voice (though Nigel Planer is brilliant as usual) but the story quickly made me forget about that. In fact, this has instantly become one of my favourite books in this series.
A fairy godmother dies without having organized a successor so she wills Magrat her wand. This duty compells her to seek out her fairy godchild and ensure her safety. As usual, where Magrat goes, so do Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax. And a good thing, too, because those two sure are the best (though the combination of all three is hilarious as well). They travel "abroad" to Genua where Magrat's fairy godchild lives and discover that wishes are not fishes but something far more dangerous - especially if the other fairy godmother has a soft spot for happily ever afters and is willing to do whatever it takes to enforce one on her fairy godchild (and the entire population of Genua).
The three witches travel through some strange places, inspired by tales such as Wizard of Oz ("You know, Greebo, I don't think we're in Lancre"), Baba Yaga, Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel and Sleeping Beauty before "the end game" that is a lot like Cinderella (with nods to Count of Monte Cristo thrown in for good measure) until it is its own thing. And then there is the whole fairy realm / mirror world theme, of course.
The merry runaround showcases yet another adversary: the other fairy godmother isn't the only problem because stories want to be told and this one got started so it also wants to play out. Yep, stories, here, are a character in their own right.
Highlights in this particular book were Greebo with the vampire:
Granny playing cards:
Greebo being turned into a human (and what he does while being in a man's body):
As is typical for the Discworld and Sir Terry at large, this book not only delivers silly fun and fast-paced action (including not one but TWO witches' duels), but also contemplations on some very deep matters. Nothing as broad and corny as "good vs evil", not exactly, but about wishes and what happens when they are fulfilled, what fairy tales really mean, gender roles, courage vs. cruelty, not losing sight of oneself and more.
What makes this so special is how in one second Sir Terry slips in incredibly funny puns such as Nanny's translation skills ("silver plate" which any French-speaker should recognize as the word for "please" or "she had a dire rear" for example), before delivering a mighty punch in the gut such as . You either cry from laughing too hard or from being drowned in feelings. A feat that not many authors can pull off so brilliantly.
At first I was a bit sad that this volume was not narrated by Celia Imrie who had read the first Granny Weatherwax book and nailed her voice (though Nigel Planer is brilliant as usual) but the story quickly made me forget about that. In fact, this has instantly become one of my favourite books in this series.
January 20, 2022
4.5
“-Gytha Ogg, ¿qué estás haciendo?
- Comer algo
- ¿Es que no puedes dormir?
-No cojo el sueño, Esme- se quejó Tata Ogg-. No entiendo el porqué.
-¡Oye, estás comiendo una salchicha de ajo! ¡Comparto la cama con alguien que está comiendo salchichas de ajo!
-¡Eh que es mía! ¡Devuélvemela! (…) Creía que te gustaba el ajo, Esme- Dijo la voz resentida de Tata Ogg.
-Las salchichas de ajo están muy bien en su lugar, y su lugar no es la cama. No quiero oír una palabra más. Y échate a un lado, que te estás quedando con todo el duvit”.
Este es el tercer libro que compone la saga de las brujas. Sinceramente, yo no pretendía leer este libro hasta más adelante. Sin embargo, dada una serie de circunstancias especiales me vi en la necesidad de releer esta tercera parte. Tenía miedo de que no me gustase tanto sin darme un descanso. Menos mal que no fue así. Me animó incluso más.
“Los pintores y escritores siempre han tenido un concepto un tanto exagerado de lo que sucede en un aquelarre de brujas. Eso les sucede por pasar tanto tiempo en habitaciones pequeñas, con las cortinas corridas, en vez de salir a tomar el aire fresco que es más sano”.
Esta entrega cuenta con las mismas protagonistas: las tres doñas, las tres brujas o el trío monstruoso (como me gustaría llamarlas).
“-No tenéis más que miraros a vosotras tres-dijo-. Rebosantes de buenas intenciones que no sirven para nada. La doncella, la madre y la arpía.
- ¿A quién estas llamando doncella? - se enfureció Tata Ogg.
- ¿A quién estás llamando madre? – se enfureció Magrat.
Yaya Ceravieja se sonrojó un instante, como alguien que acaba de descubrir que solo queda una pajita y todos los demás han sacado una larga.”
Sin embargo, esta novela tiene un tinte bastante diferente a su anterior entrega. En ella el autor quiere mostrarnos la importancia de los cuentos y el folclore popular y el poder que tienen en nosotros. Todos conocemos las historias de Caperucita, Rapunzel, los tres cerditos, entre otros. No hay una sola versión, algunas más oscuras que otras (debido a la época, ahora no están sino más edulcorados), pero siempre siguen el mismo patrón.
“Por eso, en el Mundodisco la gente se toma las cosas muy en serio.
Como los cuentos.
Porque los cuentos son importantes,
La gente cree que son las personas las que dan forma a los cuentos. En realidad, es justo al revés.
Los cuentos existen con independencia de los que participan en ellos. Si uno sabe eso, el conocimiento es poder.”
No puedo comparar esta novela con la anterior, como he dicho antes, tiene un tinte diferente y sería como comparar el agua con el aceite. Me he reído mucho más que la primera vez. Cualquiera que vea mi libro verá que está más relleno de post-it que de páginas. No me arrepiento. Por otro lado, tiene un toque más filosófico que el anterior y te hace reflexionar a la vez que te hace reír. Este es uno de los toques majestuosos de este autor. Por eso lo amo tanto y no me cansaré de leerle.
“Atiende, los finales felices están muy bien siempre que resulten felices por si mismos- dijo Yaya, mirando hacia el cielo-. Pero no los puedes fabricar para los demás. Es como pensar que la única manera de garantizar un matrimonio feliz es cortar la cabeza a los novios en cuanto dicen “Si quiero”. No se puede fabricar la felicidad”.
“-Gytha Ogg, ¿qué estás haciendo?
- Comer algo
- ¿Es que no puedes dormir?
-No cojo el sueño, Esme- se quejó Tata Ogg-. No entiendo el porqué.
-¡Oye, estás comiendo una salchicha de ajo! ¡Comparto la cama con alguien que está comiendo salchichas de ajo!
-¡Eh que es mía! ¡Devuélvemela! (…) Creía que te gustaba el ajo, Esme- Dijo la voz resentida de Tata Ogg.
-Las salchichas de ajo están muy bien en su lugar, y su lugar no es la cama. No quiero oír una palabra más. Y échate a un lado, que te estás quedando con todo el duvit”.
Este es el tercer libro que compone la saga de las brujas. Sinceramente, yo no pretendía leer este libro hasta más adelante. Sin embargo, dada una serie de circunstancias especiales me vi en la necesidad de releer esta tercera parte. Tenía miedo de que no me gustase tanto sin darme un descanso. Menos mal que no fue así. Me animó incluso más.
“Los pintores y escritores siempre han tenido un concepto un tanto exagerado de lo que sucede en un aquelarre de brujas. Eso les sucede por pasar tanto tiempo en habitaciones pequeñas, con las cortinas corridas, en vez de salir a tomar el aire fresco que es más sano”.
Esta entrega cuenta con las mismas protagonistas: las tres doñas, las tres brujas o el trío monstruoso (como me gustaría llamarlas).
“-No tenéis más que miraros a vosotras tres-dijo-. Rebosantes de buenas intenciones que no sirven para nada. La doncella, la madre y la arpía.
- ¿A quién estas llamando doncella? - se enfureció Tata Ogg.
- ¿A quién estás llamando madre? – se enfureció Magrat.
Yaya Ceravieja se sonrojó un instante, como alguien que acaba de descubrir que solo queda una pajita y todos los demás han sacado una larga.”
Sin embargo, esta novela tiene un tinte bastante diferente a su anterior entrega. En ella el autor quiere mostrarnos la importancia de los cuentos y el folclore popular y el poder que tienen en nosotros. Todos conocemos las historias de Caperucita, Rapunzel, los tres cerditos, entre otros. No hay una sola versión, algunas más oscuras que otras (debido a la época, ahora no están sino más edulcorados), pero siempre siguen el mismo patrón.
“Por eso, en el Mundodisco la gente se toma las cosas muy en serio.
Como los cuentos.
Porque los cuentos son importantes,
La gente cree que son las personas las que dan forma a los cuentos. En realidad, es justo al revés.
Los cuentos existen con independencia de los que participan en ellos. Si uno sabe eso, el conocimiento es poder.”
No puedo comparar esta novela con la anterior, como he dicho antes, tiene un tinte diferente y sería como comparar el agua con el aceite. Me he reído mucho más que la primera vez. Cualquiera que vea mi libro verá que está más relleno de post-it que de páginas. No me arrepiento. Por otro lado, tiene un toque más filosófico que el anterior y te hace reflexionar a la vez que te hace reír. Este es uno de los toques majestuosos de este autor. Por eso lo amo tanto y no me cansaré de leerle.
“Atiende, los finales felices están muy bien siempre que resulten felices por si mismos- dijo Yaya, mirando hacia el cielo-. Pero no los puedes fabricar para los demás. Es como pensar que la única manera de garantizar un matrimonio feliz es cortar la cabeza a los novios en cuanto dicen “Si quiero”. No se puede fabricar la felicidad”.
June 27, 2024
Third read! 6/27/24:
There's something very dangerous about stories. And then there's the danger of stories within stories. And below that, are TROPES within stories within stories.
*gasp*
SCARY. And don't forget the pumpkins.
Original Review:
Re-read 5/24/18:
Second read! And MORE WITCHES. Well, voodoo, too!
What happens when stories just INSIST that witches come over and to the other side? What, with all the wolves misunderstanding that they're not men and dwarves trying to steal Nanny Og's shoes and ALL THOSE MAGIC MIRRORS!
And in the end, it's just family rivalry. :)
Weatherwax really stole the show.
Yeah. Even more than that damn cat Greebo! :)
The novel is a great mish-mash of fairy tails with proper Discworld attitude. :) Better than most of the Witches novels, IMHO, but I'm just biding time till Aching comes along. :)
There's something very dangerous about stories. And then there's the danger of stories within stories. And below that, are TROPES within stories within stories.
*gasp*
SCARY. And don't forget the pumpkins.
Original Review:
Re-read 5/24/18:
Second read! And MORE WITCHES. Well, voodoo, too!
What happens when stories just INSIST that witches come over and to the other side? What, with all the wolves misunderstanding that they're not men and dwarves trying to steal Nanny Og's shoes and ALL THOSE MAGIC MIRRORS!
And in the end, it's just family rivalry. :)
Weatherwax really stole the show.
Yeah. Even more than that damn cat Greebo! :)
The novel is a great mish-mash of fairy tails with proper Discworld attitude. :) Better than most of the Witches novels, IMHO, but I'm just biding time till Aching comes along. :)
May 22, 2023
Well that was disappointing. I'm in a rough patch with some of my favorite authors producing drivel. Nothing to read here. 2 of 10 stars
February 23, 2022
Duodécima obra por orden de escritura del maestro Terry Pratchett y duodécima alegría que me llevo.
En este libro volvemos a la saga de las brujas, con la Tata Ogg, Magrat Ajostiernos y la increíble Yaya Ceravieja, y tocamos muy de cerca el mundo de los cuentos. ¿Así, en general? Pues sí, porque no sé cuantísimas referencias a cuentos he identificado y cuántas más me he perdido. Porque cada vez que leo un libro de Terry Pratchett me doy cuenta el profundo y amplísimo conocimiento que tenía sobre un tema cada vez que una de sus novelas giraba en torno a éste. ¡Hasta el Señor de los Anillos he sacado por ahí, y no una escena particularmente conocida!
Sobre la trama poco puedo decir, pues básicamente el libro trata de un viaje bastante particular que las tres brujas harán al "extranjero", que es básicamente todo lo que esté más allá de Lancre.
En esta novela se nota mucho más la madurez escritora de Pratchett, con una trama más concreta y limitada y no tan apocalíptica como en las anteriores. No hay una multitud de personajes, pero todos los que están lo hacen muy bien. Por supuesto, la Muerte no podía faltar. Me encanta ese personaje. ¿Cómo es posible que con tres palabras en mayúsculas pueda hacerme sonreír tanto?
Muy muy recomendable. ¡Vamos a por Dioses menores!
En este libro volvemos a la saga de las brujas, con la Tata Ogg, Magrat Ajostiernos y la increíble Yaya Ceravieja, y tocamos muy de cerca el mundo de los cuentos. ¿Así, en general? Pues sí, porque no sé cuantísimas referencias a cuentos he identificado y cuántas más me he perdido. Porque cada vez que leo un libro de Terry Pratchett me doy cuenta el profundo y amplísimo conocimiento que tenía sobre un tema cada vez que una de sus novelas giraba en torno a éste. ¡Hasta el Señor de los Anillos he sacado por ahí, y no una escena particularmente conocida!
Sobre la trama poco puedo decir, pues básicamente el libro trata de un viaje bastante particular que las tres brujas harán al "extranjero", que es básicamente todo lo que esté más allá de Lancre.
En esta novela se nota mucho más la madurez escritora de Pratchett, con una trama más concreta y limitada y no tan apocalíptica como en las anteriores. No hay una multitud de personajes, pero todos los que están lo hacen muy bien. Por supuesto, la Muerte no podía faltar. Me encanta ese personaje. ¿Cómo es posible que con tres palabras en mayúsculas pueda hacerme sonreír tanto?
Muy muy recomendable. ¡Vamos a por Dioses menores!
September 22, 2024
The 12th in my re-read of the entire Discworld series has us FINALLY back with Granny Weatherwax and the other witches!
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 12th book (in chronological order) are:
Once upon a time such a universe was considered unusual and, possibly, impossible.
But then ... it used to be so simple, once upon a time.
Because the universe was gull of ignorance all around and the scientist panned through it like a prospector crouched over a mountain stream, looking for the gold of knowledge among the gravel of unreason, the sand of uncertainty and the little whiskery eight-legged swimming things of superstition.
Occasionally he would straighten up and say things like 'Hurrah, I've discovered Boyle's Third Law.' And everyone knew where they stood. But the trouble was that ignorance became more interesting, especially big fascinating ignorance about huge and important things like matter and creation, and people stopped patiently building their little houses of rational sticks in the chaos of the universe and started getting interested in the chaos itself - partly because it was a lot easier to be an expert on chaos, but mostly because it made really good patterns that you could put on a t-shirt.
It's always eerie to read old(er) books and come across something that could have been penned 3 minutes ago. *shudders*
But that also kinda fits the theme here for this volume is all about fairytales taking over. I mean, I grew up with them and loved them and I absolutely think they are still as prevalent and topical as ever. Maybe even more so regarding some aspects.
In Genua, a Fairy Godmother has gone too far and her counterpart was unable to stop her. So now it's up to Granny, Nanny and Magrat to get the job done. Which means they will have to travel to foreign parts, survive a culture shock (or, rather, the foreign parts have to not die from shock after encountering the coven), and defeat .
Whether it's cardsharps, vampires or other monsters - they better watch out and get out of the way. Bwahahahahahahahaha!
This is definitely one of my all-time favorite volumes in the series and that is saying something. However, it had a little bit of everything (fairytales, Granny, Greebo) on top of TP's sharp tongue and astute observations.
It didn't hurt that I've come to absolutely adore Indira Varma's narration for these new audio productions. Soooo GOOD!
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 12th book (in chronological order) are:
Once upon a time such a universe was considered unusual and, possibly, impossible.
But then ... it used to be so simple, once upon a time.
Because the universe was gull of ignorance all around and the scientist panned through it like a prospector crouched over a mountain stream, looking for the gold of knowledge among the gravel of unreason, the sand of uncertainty and the little whiskery eight-legged swimming things of superstition.
Occasionally he would straighten up and say things like 'Hurrah, I've discovered Boyle's Third Law.' And everyone knew where they stood. But the trouble was that ignorance became more interesting, especially big fascinating ignorance about huge and important things like matter and creation, and people stopped patiently building their little houses of rational sticks in the chaos of the universe and started getting interested in the chaos itself - partly because it was a lot easier to be an expert on chaos, but mostly because it made really good patterns that you could put on a t-shirt.
It's always eerie to read old(er) books and come across something that could have been penned 3 minutes ago. *shudders*
But that also kinda fits the theme here for this volume is all about fairytales taking over. I mean, I grew up with them and loved them and I absolutely think they are still as prevalent and topical as ever. Maybe even more so regarding some aspects.
In Genua, a Fairy Godmother has gone too far and her counterpart was unable to stop her. So now it's up to Granny, Nanny and Magrat to get the job done. Which means they will have to travel to foreign parts, survive a culture shock (or, rather, the foreign parts have to not die from shock after encountering the coven), and defeat .
Whether it's cardsharps, vampires or other monsters - they better watch out and get out of the way. Bwahahahahahahahaha!
This is definitely one of my all-time favorite volumes in the series and that is saying something. However, it had a little bit of everything (fairytales, Granny, Greebo) on top of TP's sharp tongue and astute observations.
It didn't hurt that I've come to absolutely adore Indira Varma's narration for these new audio productions. Soooo GOOD!
December 5, 2021
“People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around.”
🧹My favourite of the series so far. I love witches - especially Terry Pratchett's witches! I love fairy tales, stories, magic etc. And I love Pratchett's knack, or gift, for turning things around, or questioning them in unexpected ways. He balances humour and poignancy so masterfully that I can't help but marvel at it, while wondering how he does it.🐺
Most of the other books I am reading are on hold as I try to read the next few Discworld books, as I am aiming to read Hogfather for Christmas - I think I'll manage, but December can often be an incredibly busy month, so I am not certain just yet. I'm off to start Small Gods right now!
“Find the story, Granny Weatherwax always said. She believed that the world was full of story shapes. If you let them, they controlled you. But if you studied them, if you found out about them... you could use them, you could change them.”
🧹My favourite of the series so far. I love witches - especially Terry Pratchett's witches! I love fairy tales, stories, magic etc. And I love Pratchett's knack, or gift, for turning things around, or questioning them in unexpected ways. He balances humour and poignancy so masterfully that I can't help but marvel at it, while wondering how he does it.🐺
Most of the other books I am reading are on hold as I try to read the next few Discworld books, as I am aiming to read Hogfather for Christmas - I think I'll manage, but December can often be an incredibly busy month, so I am not certain just yet. I'm off to start Small Gods right now!
“Find the story, Granny Weatherwax always said. She believed that the world was full of story shapes. If you let them, they controlled you. But if you studied them, if you found out about them... you could use them, you could change them.”
January 25, 2021
As much as I love the Discworld series, I have to admit that there are several sub-standard entries early in its life (and by "early" I mean "the first 10 years") and I often think that the series might not have survived the publishing world today. Dare I say, new books might have come out too frequently, with two per year for most of the series' lifespan. Witches Abroad is one of those entries that would have benefitted from another revision pass or two before publication.
The main characters (Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick) are as great as ever and carry the book. They do not undergo any significant development, but it is always a joy to read their interactions with each other and with hapless outsiders. Other characters are only there as fodder for them to act against.
The plot progress and pacing is choppy in the latter half of the book, and this is where the book as a whole breaks down, although not as badly as in Sourcery which is the most egregious example of this intermittent problem in the series. Any Discworld fan knows not to expect anything as mundane as "chapters", but this book might have benefitted from having clearer separation between the main sections of the book. The setup involves re-establishing the status of the witches in their home region of the Ramtop mountains and setting the plot into motion with the death of witch/fairy godmother Desiderata, who passes along her wand and charge. The next part sees our trio of witches traveling to "furrin places" and we enjoy seeing them react to these new environments, or more accurately how they enforce themselves in new places.
The final section, beginning with their arrival in their final destination of Genua, is where it largely falls apart. At this point the plot ceases flowing naturally; the supposed plot payoffs were not adequately set up; new elements (the swamp, Mr. Samedi, Mrs. Gogol, most of the enemy players) were inadequately built up. The whole theme of stories fell flat. One intended major character revelation was spoiled a long time earlier to anyone with a passing knowledge of French.
In total, the attempt to use the witches as a framework for a Discworld take on fairy tales, like was done with Shakespeare in Wyrd Sisters, was well-intentioned, approached success at one point, but ultimately didn't pan out. I wish that Pratchett had spent a little more time with this story, smoothing it out and adding the additional pages it needed to work. It's forgivable, and I still love reading the witches stories, with another coming up just two books later (Lords and Ladies) in publication order.
FINAL WORD: Nanny Ogg's tomcat Greebo has a feature role in this book. I am extremely uncomfortable with the description of him as "rapey" with the intent of humour. If he were merely threatening to all creatures he comes across and an ardent mater with female cats, that would be sufficient, but the text specifically describes him as a rapist of animals, not necessarily restricted to his own species.
The main characters (Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick) are as great as ever and carry the book. They do not undergo any significant development, but it is always a joy to read their interactions with each other and with hapless outsiders. Other characters are only there as fodder for them to act against.
The plot progress and pacing is choppy in the latter half of the book, and this is where the book as a whole breaks down, although not as badly as in Sourcery which is the most egregious example of this intermittent problem in the series. Any Discworld fan knows not to expect anything as mundane as "chapters", but this book might have benefitted from having clearer separation between the main sections of the book. The setup involves re-establishing the status of the witches in their home region of the Ramtop mountains and setting the plot into motion with the death of witch/fairy godmother Desiderata, who passes along her wand and charge. The next part sees our trio of witches traveling to "furrin places" and we enjoy seeing them react to these new environments, or more accurately how they enforce themselves in new places.
The final section, beginning with their arrival in their final destination of Genua, is where it largely falls apart. At this point the plot ceases flowing naturally; the supposed plot payoffs were not adequately set up; new elements (the swamp, Mr. Samedi, Mrs. Gogol, most of the enemy players) were inadequately built up. The whole theme of stories fell flat. One intended major character revelation was spoiled a long time earlier to anyone with a passing knowledge of French.
In total, the attempt to use the witches as a framework for a Discworld take on fairy tales, like was done with Shakespeare in Wyrd Sisters, was well-intentioned, approached success at one point, but ultimately didn't pan out. I wish that Pratchett had spent a little more time with this story, smoothing it out and adding the additional pages it needed to work. It's forgivable, and I still love reading the witches stories, with another coming up just two books later (Lords and Ladies) in publication order.
FINAL WORD: Nanny Ogg's tomcat Greebo has a feature role in this book. I am extremely uncomfortable with the description of him as "rapey" with the intent of humour. If he were merely threatening to all creatures he comes across and an ardent mater with female cats, that would be sufficient, but the text specifically describes him as a rapist of animals, not necessarily restricted to his own species.
March 25, 2016
Oh I forgot how much fun this book was. Traveling with the witches had me laughing nonstop while thinking about how travelers behave and appear to others. And all the things about stories and their desire to happen and end. So good!
May 25, 2022
Que son geniales las brujonas, y punto y ya está. Esa Yaya pegándole un garrotazo a Golum, o el colococo de absenta en Sanfermines... pues eso, unos cuentos muy bien contados y con verdades como puños, qué sencillo parece todo así explicado, y divertido, muuuuy divertido. A seguir, pero dosificando, que veo que me lanzo demasiado.
May 15, 2024
A very sweet book that has fun with fairy tales and pokes fun at tourism.
My only issue with this book is that the story simply takes a bit too long to get to the main conflict. But apart from that, this is a very fun ride.
My only issue with this book is that the story simply takes a bit too long to get to the main conflict. But apart from that, this is a very fun ride.
August 31, 2020
“İnsanlar için daha iyi bir dünya inşa etmekle falan uğraşamazsın. Yalnızca insanlar kendileri için daha iyi bir dünya inşa edebilir. Aksi halde inşa ettiğin şey, yalnızca bir kafes olur. Dahası, daha iyi bir dünya yaratmanın yolunun, kelle uçurmak ya da düzgün kızları kurbağalarla evlendirmek olduğunu hiç sanmıyorum. “
Diskdünya’nın en fantastik cadı üçlüsü; Havamumu Nine, Ogg Ana ve Magrat Sarımsak yeniden sahneye çıkıyor. Bu sefer hedeflerinde “mutlu son”lar var. Kurbağalar, prensler, zombiler, cüceler, yılanlar, aynalar, kız kardeşler, uyuyan güzeller ve istemeyeceğiniz kadar bal kabağı ile “istenmemiş” mutlu sonları önlemenin peşindeler. Peri masallarına, özellikle de kız çocuklarına dayatılan masalların hicvini, tersine bir masalla okuyorsunuz. Yine hayatla bağınızı sağlamlaştıran bir eğlencenin içinde, çok daha derinlere inen, düşündüren ya da ortak dertlerinizi açıkça ortaya saçan paragraflar gizli. Her zamanki gibi disk yine absürd, fantastik dünyadan çok daha fazlasını barındırıyor içinde. Havamumu ninenin aksiliğinin, kafalojisinin, bir de Ogg Ana’nın dinmez yaşam aşkının hastasıyım.
“Bence bu, yakışıklı prensin halletmesi gereken bir işti.”
“Hah!” dedi, önden giden Nine. “Peki bu ne işe yarayacaktı? Adamın iyi bir koca olacağını, dikenli çalıları biçip geçmesine bakarak mı anlayacaksın? Tipik peri anne düşünüşü işte! Ortalıklarda dolaşıp insanların isteyip istemediğine aldırmadan mutlu sonlar dağıtmak!”
“Mutlu sonlarda yanlış bir şey yok,” dedi Magrat hararetle.
“İyi dinle,” dedi Nine, Magrat’a dik dik bakarak, “sonu gerçekten mutlu olduğu sürece mutlu sonların bir sorunu yok. Ve yine de bunu sen başkaları adına yapamazsın. Mutlu bir evlilik yapmanın tek yolu, ‘kabul ediyorum’ der demez onların kafasını kesmek gibi mi olacak yani? Tam en mutlu oldukları anda, zirvede bırakmak mı? Mutluluğu imal edemezsin...”
Uzaktaki şehre baktı.
“Yapabileceğin tek şey,” dedi, “sadece bir tür sondur.”
Diskdünya’nın en fantastik cadı üçlüsü; Havamumu Nine, Ogg Ana ve Magrat Sarımsak yeniden sahneye çıkıyor. Bu sefer hedeflerinde “mutlu son”lar var. Kurbağalar, prensler, zombiler, cüceler, yılanlar, aynalar, kız kardeşler, uyuyan güzeller ve istemeyeceğiniz kadar bal kabağı ile “istenmemiş” mutlu sonları önlemenin peşindeler. Peri masallarına, özellikle de kız çocuklarına dayatılan masalların hicvini, tersine bir masalla okuyorsunuz. Yine hayatla bağınızı sağlamlaştıran bir eğlencenin içinde, çok daha derinlere inen, düşündüren ya da ortak dertlerinizi açıkça ortaya saçan paragraflar gizli. Her zamanki gibi disk yine absürd, fantastik dünyadan çok daha fazlasını barındırıyor içinde. Havamumu ninenin aksiliğinin, kafalojisinin, bir de Ogg Ana’nın dinmez yaşam aşkının hastasıyım.
“Bence bu, yakışıklı prensin halletmesi gereken bir işti.”
“Hah!” dedi, önden giden Nine. “Peki bu ne işe yarayacaktı? Adamın iyi bir koca olacağını, dikenli çalıları biçip geçmesine bakarak mı anlayacaksın? Tipik peri anne düşünüşü işte! Ortalıklarda dolaşıp insanların isteyip istemediğine aldırmadan mutlu sonlar dağıtmak!”
“Mutlu sonlarda yanlış bir şey yok,” dedi Magrat hararetle.
“İyi dinle,” dedi Nine, Magrat’a dik dik bakarak, “sonu gerçekten mutlu olduğu sürece mutlu sonların bir sorunu yok. Ve yine de bunu sen başkaları adına yapamazsın. Mutlu bir evlilik yapmanın tek yolu, ‘kabul ediyorum’ der demez onların kafasını kesmek gibi mi olacak yani? Tam en mutlu oldukları anda, zirvede bırakmak mı? Mutluluğu imal edemezsin...”
Uzaktaki şehre baktı.
“Yapabileceğin tek şey,” dedi, “sadece bir tür sondur.”
August 4, 2016
This is the third book in the Witches subseries of Discworld. The last time I enjoyed a Discworld book this much was when I read the second Witches book, Wyrd Sisters. I’m not sure if I’m far enough into Discworld to proclaim my favorite subseries yet, but Witches is the top contender.
As with the previous Witches book, this story focuses primarily on the characters of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat. Through a series of events, the three are led to journey to a distant country to deal with an evil fairy godmother who, among other things, is trying to make a girl marry a prince of questionable origin. There are a lot of references to familiar fairy tales, but they’re usually twisted around in an amusing way. I thought the overall plot in this book was far more coherent than that of most of the other Discworld books.
Although Magrat can be annoying sometimes, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are just hilarious and some of their reactions as they traveled through “foreign parts” made me laugh. One minor complaint I have is that, in Wyrd Sisters, the same characters referred to other places as “forn parts”. They seem to have inexplicably learned how to pronounce “foreign” since then, and for some reason I missed the “forn parts”.
Happily, there’s another Witches book only two books away on my Discworld list, so I’ll get the chance to revisit this subseries in the near future.
As with the previous Witches book, this story focuses primarily on the characters of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat. Through a series of events, the three are led to journey to a distant country to deal with an evil fairy godmother who, among other things, is trying to make a girl marry a prince of questionable origin. There are a lot of references to familiar fairy tales, but they’re usually twisted around in an amusing way. I thought the overall plot in this book was far more coherent than that of most of the other Discworld books.
Although Magrat can be annoying sometimes, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are just hilarious and some of their reactions as they traveled through “foreign parts” made me laugh. One minor complaint I have is that, in Wyrd Sisters, the same characters referred to other places as “forn parts”. They seem to have inexplicably learned how to pronounce “foreign” since then, and for some reason I missed the “forn parts”.
Happily, there’s another Witches book only two books away on my Discworld list, so I’ll get the chance to revisit this subseries in the near future.
March 29, 2021
When Magrat is designated as the next Fairy Godmother (a legacy from her mentor), Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg feel compelled to help her straighten out the troubles of her new fairy goddaughter.
"I don't trust that wand," said Granny. "I looks wizardly to me." "Oh, come on," said Magrat, "generations of fairy godmothers have used it." pg 47
Unfortunately, the city where this young woman resides is quite far away. That means a roadtrip- something that some of the witches tolerate better than others.
Complicating matters is the fact that Fairy Godmothers always come in pairs, a good one and a bad one. We all know that Magrat is good so...
The other Godmother works her magic through the power of stories. She may have some unique ideas about what constitutes a happy ending.
"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around. Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, the knowledge is power." pg 8
Terry Pratchett has crafted three unforgettable characters in the witches. Their traveling, as well as evil-fighting, hijinks are amusing, like in the previous entries in this series.
But let's talk about Magrat for a minute.
"Magrat would be the first to admit that she had an open mind. It was as open as a field, as open as the sky. No mind could be more open without special surgical implements." pg 28
Though he's writing it humorously, the elder witches constantly bully Magrat not only for her youth but also for her progressive ideas about what witchcraft should be. In addition, her open-mindedness makes her a target for derision.
Despite her efforts to look mysterious through the use of various pieces of "occult" jewelry, Magrat is teased by other characters (and the narrator) for her funny hair and ridiculous appearance.
It makes me want to reach through the pages and say, just lay off her already, people. She's trying to do the best she can with what she has, where she's at. Can't say the same for everyone else here.
"There's nothing wrong with happy endings," said Magrat hotly. "Listen, happy endings is fine if they turn out happy," said Granny, glaring at the sky. "But you can't make 'em for other people..." pg 103
The denigration of Magrat makes me view the other characters negatively. Because, even though Granny and Nanny are considered experts in witchcraft as well as wise (in their respective spheres), I don't think they're worthy of respect from others when they treat their young colleague like garbage.
I'm not sure why this dynamic between the witches is bothering me more on the second read-through than it did the first, which was eight or so years ago. But it does.
I still consider Witches Abroad an excellent read when I look past the treatment-of-Magrat issues. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy humorous fantasy.
"I don't trust that wand," said Granny. "I looks wizardly to me." "Oh, come on," said Magrat, "generations of fairy godmothers have used it." pg 47
Unfortunately, the city where this young woman resides is quite far away. That means a roadtrip- something that some of the witches tolerate better than others.
Complicating matters is the fact that Fairy Godmothers always come in pairs, a good one and a bad one. We all know that Magrat is good so...
The other Godmother works her magic through the power of stories. She may have some unique ideas about what constitutes a happy ending.
"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around. Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, the knowledge is power." pg 8
Terry Pratchett has crafted three unforgettable characters in the witches. Their traveling, as well as evil-fighting, hijinks are amusing, like in the previous entries in this series.
But let's talk about Magrat for a minute.
"Magrat would be the first to admit that she had an open mind. It was as open as a field, as open as the sky. No mind could be more open without special surgical implements." pg 28
Though he's writing it humorously, the elder witches constantly bully Magrat not only for her youth but also for her progressive ideas about what witchcraft should be. In addition, her open-mindedness makes her a target for derision.
Despite her efforts to look mysterious through the use of various pieces of "occult" jewelry, Magrat is teased by other characters (and the narrator) for her funny hair and ridiculous appearance.
It makes me want to reach through the pages and say, just lay off her already, people. She's trying to do the best she can with what she has, where she's at. Can't say the same for everyone else here.
"There's nothing wrong with happy endings," said Magrat hotly. "Listen, happy endings is fine if they turn out happy," said Granny, glaring at the sky. "But you can't make 'em for other people..." pg 103
The denigration of Magrat makes me view the other characters negatively. Because, even though Granny and Nanny are considered experts in witchcraft as well as wise (in their respective spheres), I don't think they're worthy of respect from others when they treat their young colleague like garbage.
I'm not sure why this dynamic between the witches is bothering me more on the second read-through than it did the first, which was eight or so years ago. But it does.
I still consider Witches Abroad an excellent read when I look past the treatment-of-Magrat issues. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy humorous fantasy.
February 1, 2019
That was fun! I really like the witches and I especially like the rather sweet look at women's companionship. I would love to have a Gytha (let's be honest, I'm going to turn into a Granny Weatherwax well before I can achieve Nanny Ogg) in my golden years.
Check this out, unless you're super sensitive to certain forms of misogyny (like slut-shaming) or the use of voodoo in stories, I have no content warnings! It's about as un-objectionable as you can get in a book with more than 5 sentences in it!
Things to love:
-The humor. I think he's really honed in on what works by now. There's wit, pratfalls, puns, silliness, sex jokes and all the other types of humor you could list, but none that felt especially forced. It was lovingly ridiculous and so fun.
-The concept. Actually a really, really good job talking about story creations and ur-myths! I love how they all interwove, and how he purposefully kicked open the door for non-European myths, too. I'm not sure he did the best job in the world with Afro-Caribbean mythology, but he did a lot better than many current, "woke" settings I've seen done so that's something.
-The characters. I just defy you not to giggle along with Nanny, Granny, Magrat and the people they meet. They're such caricatures you instantly identify with them. This is your gran. That's your memere. And they've just gone on holiday.
-The world. As ever I'm amazed at how many things Pratchett packed into his world and how well thought out it is. For a series that doesn't take itself very seriously, like the consummate comedian, the author put a loooot of work into the construction of his jokes, this one replete with mountains, bogs, magic and zombies.
Things I did not love:
I don't really have anything to detract from it, other than nitpicks about being careful in representation. While everyone is entitled to disagree, I was pretty impressed with even those sensitive waters. The people of color are human, they have flaws, motives, and redeeming qualities, the white characters respect them, and the author takes time to remind us of the sorts of people not usually found in our stories. Brilliant stuff, I thought, actually.
The "missing" star is that while it's super clever and I think did what it intended to do, I have no heartfelt connection. I really, really liked it. I'm not in love, though. A fun installment in a great subseries, of which I will definitely be reading more!
Check this out, unless you're super sensitive to certain forms of misogyny (like slut-shaming) or the use of voodoo in stories, I have no content warnings! It's about as un-objectionable as you can get in a book with more than 5 sentences in it!
Things to love:
-The humor. I think he's really honed in on what works by now. There's wit, pratfalls, puns, silliness, sex jokes and all the other types of humor you could list, but none that felt especially forced. It was lovingly ridiculous and so fun.
-The concept. Actually a really, really good job talking about story creations and ur-myths! I love how they all interwove, and how he purposefully kicked open the door for non-European myths, too. I'm not sure he did the best job in the world with Afro-Caribbean mythology, but he did a lot better than many current, "woke" settings I've seen done so that's something.
-The characters. I just defy you not to giggle along with Nanny, Granny, Magrat and the people they meet. They're such caricatures you instantly identify with them. This is your gran. That's your memere. And they've just gone on holiday.
-The world. As ever I'm amazed at how many things Pratchett packed into his world and how well thought out it is. For a series that doesn't take itself very seriously, like the consummate comedian, the author put a loooot of work into the construction of his jokes, this one replete with mountains, bogs, magic and zombies.
Things I did not love:
I don't really have anything to detract from it, other than nitpicks about being careful in representation. While everyone is entitled to disagree, I was pretty impressed with even those sensitive waters. The people of color are human, they have flaws, motives, and redeeming qualities, the white characters respect them, and the author takes time to remind us of the sorts of people not usually found in our stories. Brilliant stuff, I thought, actually.
The "missing" star is that while it's super clever and I think did what it intended to do, I have no heartfelt connection. I really, really liked it. I'm not in love, though. A fun installment in a great subseries, of which I will definitely be reading more!
June 1, 2025
March 2023 - Listening to the audiobook again, this time with my daughter.
May 2025 - Listening for a third time, this time with Simon.
This story contains elements of various fairytales, which have been quite delightfully upended and mashed together. It begins with the demise of the Fairy Godmother, Desiderata Hollow. She enjoys an interesting conversation with DEATH before departing.
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg arrive on the scene and are looking high and low for her wand when in walks Magrat Garlick who timidly lets them know that Desiderata gifted the wand to her and a note including a quest besides.
After some animated discussion, they set out together on the quest together to travel through “foreign parts” to the kingdom of Genua to stop someone from marrying a prince. They take Nanny Ogg’s one-eyed foul-tempered fearsome cat, Greebo, with them.
To give you an idea of what kind of cat he is - “Greebo turned upon Granny Weatherwax a yellow-eyed stare of self-satisfied malevolence, such as cats always reserve for people who don't like them, and purred. Greebo was possibly the only cat who could snigger in purr.”
At some point during the story, Granny Weatherwax was deeply asleep and her snores were “no longer the full-nosed roaring of a forty-winks catnapper, but the well-paced growling of someone who wanted to make a night of it.”
I loved the hilarious description of Dwarf bread – “No one ever went hungry when they had some dwarf bread to avoid. You only had to look at it for a moment, and instantly you could think of dozens of things you'd rather eat. Your boots, for example. Mountains. Raw sheep. Your own foot.”
“You didn’t juggle matches in a fireworks factory.” This describes being diplomatic when talking with Granny Weatherwax re: her (evil?) sister Lady Lilith de Tempscire.
Overall, it was a wonderful romp through fantasyland. I loved how the relationships develop between the three witches.
Narration was provided by Indira Varma (totally cool doing all the accents), Peter Serafinowicz (as DEATH), Bill Nighy (popped in from time to time to explain something or other).
May 2025 - Listening for a third time, this time with Simon.
This story contains elements of various fairytales, which have been quite delightfully upended and mashed together. It begins with the demise of the Fairy Godmother, Desiderata Hollow. She enjoys an interesting conversation with DEATH before departing.
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg arrive on the scene and are looking high and low for her wand when in walks Magrat Garlick who timidly lets them know that Desiderata gifted the wand to her and a note including a quest besides.
After some animated discussion, they set out together on the quest together to travel through “foreign parts” to the kingdom of Genua to stop someone from marrying a prince. They take Nanny Ogg’s one-eyed foul-tempered fearsome cat, Greebo, with them.
To give you an idea of what kind of cat he is - “Greebo turned upon Granny Weatherwax a yellow-eyed stare of self-satisfied malevolence, such as cats always reserve for people who don't like them, and purred. Greebo was possibly the only cat who could snigger in purr.”
At some point during the story, Granny Weatherwax was deeply asleep and her snores were “no longer the full-nosed roaring of a forty-winks catnapper, but the well-paced growling of someone who wanted to make a night of it.”
I loved the hilarious description of Dwarf bread – “No one ever went hungry when they had some dwarf bread to avoid. You only had to look at it for a moment, and instantly you could think of dozens of things you'd rather eat. Your boots, for example. Mountains. Raw sheep. Your own foot.”
“You didn’t juggle matches in a fireworks factory.” This describes being diplomatic when talking with Granny Weatherwax re: her (evil?) sister Lady Lilith de Tempscire.
Overall, it was a wonderful romp through fantasyland. I loved how the relationships develop between the three witches.
Narration was provided by Indira Varma (totally cool doing all the accents), Peter Serafinowicz (as DEATH), Bill Nighy (popped in from time to time to explain something or other).
June 29, 2023
Witches Abroad was hilarious and another great Discworld entry.
We follow Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick as they travel abroad. Full of shenanigans as the three witches interact with other cultures. The plot for this one plays on popular fairytales like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and the Wizard of Oz to name a few. It has Pratchett's signature humor and twist that made for a brilliant read.
We follow Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick as they travel abroad. Full of shenanigans as the three witches interact with other cultures. The plot for this one plays on popular fairytales like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and the Wizard of Oz to name a few. It has Pratchett's signature humor and twist that made for a brilliant read.
November 4, 2023
Možda omiljena knjiga o vešticama.
Gribo i Nana tandem života 🤣
Neopisivo sam uživala u avanturama veštica u inostranstvu 🤣
Nana - poliglota i hedonista (degustator hrane i pića)
Baka - ambasador dobre volje
Magrat - luda kokoš 🤣
Recept za katastrofu 🤣🤣🤣
Gribo i Nana tandem života 🤣
Neopisivo sam uživala u avanturama veštica u inostranstvu 🤣
Nana - poliglota i hedonista (degustator hrane i pića)
Baka - ambasador dobre volje
Magrat - luda kokoš 🤣
Recept za katastrofu 🤣🤣🤣
August 26, 2024
*** 4.63 ***
Headology and Symbology are better than plain old Magic any day!!! ✨✨✨
This is actually a very thoughtful entry in the series, as well as enjoyable as always. Also as always, the story is a tad secondary to the ideas and situations. Every sentence is loaded with meaning and the whole book can be used as quotes. The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone are archetypes everyone can relate to and their power is universal. Stories ARE ALIVE and we have to be careful about the stories we tell about ourselves and write ourselves into.
I absolutely love the audio for the series, however in order to catch all the word and linguistic gymnastics, I would recommend eye reading it first, or concurrently with the audio.
I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you Need in the pages of a Good Book 📚😃👍
Headology and Symbology are better than plain old Magic any day!!! ✨✨✨
This is actually a very thoughtful entry in the series, as well as enjoyable as always. Also as always, the story is a tad secondary to the ideas and situations. Every sentence is loaded with meaning and the whole book can be used as quotes. The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone are archetypes everyone can relate to and their power is universal. Stories ARE ALIVE and we have to be careful about the stories we tell about ourselves and write ourselves into.
I absolutely love the audio for the series, however in order to catch all the word and linguistic gymnastics, I would recommend eye reading it first, or concurrently with the audio.
I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you Need in the pages of a Good Book 📚😃👍
May 1, 2015
Witches Abroad is the 12th Discworld novel by Sir Terry Pratchett. The thing about Discworld is that you don't necessarily have to read his books in order. They all take place in the same world, and all the characters pop up and make cameos in each other's stories, but it doesn't really matter. But of course, along with having that thing where I can't quit things, I also have that thing where I have to read things in order. One would think being at #12 would be an accomplishment, and one would normally be right, but Sir "I am a prolific genius" Pratchett has 39 books in his wacky, absurd fantasy world, a world that takes place on a planet that is flat (really literally flat), and which "travels through space on the back of four elephants, which themselves stand on the shell of Great A'Tuin, the sky turtle." And I have 27 books (and counting*) to go.
*Despite having been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in 2007, he continues to faithfully churn out (well-received) books.
Witches Abroad features the fan-favorite set of characters The Witches, and while they're not as funny as the Night Watch, say, they still make me laugh quite a lot. The entire novel is basically a deconstruction of fairy-tales. Three witches have to prevent the princess from marrying the prince, and defeat the fairy-godmother, preventing stories from taking over the world -- and they're the good guys. First there's Granny Weatherwax, a formidable witch who is more akin to a force of nature than an old woman; Nanny Ogg, who is kind of horny; and Magrat Garlick, who is often described as being a "wet hen."
The pacing is typical Pratchett. There are no chapters, and the characters are thrown headlong into the action. Like many Discworld novels, Witches Abroad is a wacky landslide of inappropriate humor and clever words that gradually spirals into genuine emotion. It was a bit slow to start, and it didn't get quite real enough at the end, but otherwise, very enjoyable read. Pratchett is good at symmetry, and fittingly enough for a story about the power of stories**, he understands how to work them.
**This book is also about mirrors and sisters and cats and zombies, and there are some dwarves and other assorted fairy-tales to be found as well. There's even a Gollum-parody near the beginning.
And now, as is traditional with a Discworld book review, here are wacky quotes:
*Despite having been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in 2007, he continues to faithfully churn out (well-received) books.
Witches Abroad features the fan-favorite set of characters The Witches, and while they're not as funny as the Night Watch, say, they still make me laugh quite a lot. The entire novel is basically a deconstruction of fairy-tales. Three witches have to prevent the princess from marrying the prince, and defeat the fairy-godmother, preventing stories from taking over the world -- and they're the good guys. First there's Granny Weatherwax, a formidable witch who is more akin to a force of nature than an old woman; Nanny Ogg, who is kind of horny; and Magrat Garlick, who is often described as being a "wet hen."
The pacing is typical Pratchett. There are no chapters, and the characters are thrown headlong into the action. Like many Discworld novels, Witches Abroad is a wacky landslide of inappropriate humor and clever words that gradually spirals into genuine emotion. It was a bit slow to start, and it didn't get quite real enough at the end, but otherwise, very enjoyable read. Pratchett is good at symmetry, and fittingly enough for a story about the power of stories**, he understands how to work them.
**This book is also about mirrors and sisters and cats and zombies, and there are some dwarves and other assorted fairy-tales to be found as well. There's even a Gollum-parody near the beginning.
And now, as is traditional with a Discworld book review, here are wacky quotes:
"Nanny Ogg [...] had a tendency to come out with what Magrat thought of as double-intenders, although in Nanny Ogg's case they were generally single entendres, and proud of it."
"Despite many threats, Granny Weatherwax had never turned anyone into a frog. The way she saw it, there was a technically less cruel but cheaper and much more satisfying thing you could do. You could leave them human and make them think they were a frog, which also provided much innocent entertainment for passers-by."
"Racism was not a problem on the Discworld, because -- what with trolls and dwarfs and so on -- speciesism was more interesting. Black and white lived in perfect harmony and ganged up on green."
"'Baths is unhygienic,' Granny declared. 'You know I've never agreed with baths. Sittin' around in your own dirt like that.'"
"Magrat was annoyed. She was also frightened, which made her even more annoyed. It was hard for people when Magrat was annoyed. It was like being attacked by damp tissue."
"She hated everything that predestined people, that fooled them, that made them slightly less than human."
"You can't go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it's just a cage."
July 31, 2019
I've completed 6 Discworld titles so far (The Wee Free Men,The Color of Magic, Equal Rites, Mort, Sourcery,Wyrd Sisters) and I have to say this is my very favorite one thus far. I love the way Terry Pratchett takes things that most of us can relate to, such as traveling abroad, and turns them into hilarious and at the same time fantastic Discworld adventures. The three Lancre witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat are some of my favorite characters in the whole series, not to mention Nanny's cat Greebo (who reminds me of some Roundworld cats that I have known).
This volume starts off with Magrat being willed the wand (and duties) of a Fairy Godmother. She (along with Granny and Nanny) have to go to a foreign land to help a princess NOT marry a prince. I'll never view the fairy tales of my youth the same way again after reading this one. Defintely worth 5 stars. It's not necessary to have read any of the other books but I think that having read at least Wyrd Sisters and possibly Equal Rites helps establish a good understanding of the witches and their motivations and characters. However, once again I don't think it lessens the enjoyment of this book if one hasn't read any of the other novels. It stands alone quite well.
This volume starts off with Magrat being willed the wand (and duties) of a Fairy Godmother. She (along with Granny and Nanny) have to go to a foreign land to help a princess NOT marry a prince. I'll never view the fairy tales of my youth the same way again after reading this one. Defintely worth 5 stars. It's not necessary to have read any of the other books but I think that having read at least Wyrd Sisters and possibly Equal Rites helps establish a good understanding of the witches and their motivations and characters. However, once again I don't think it lessens the enjoyment of this book if one hasn't read any of the other novels. It stands alone quite well.
February 25, 2022
Los libros de la saga del Mundodisco siempre te garantizan un buen rato de entretenimiento y diversión pero los libros de las brujas además son especialmente entrañables con ese trio genial cual ángeles de Charlie recorriendo el disco con su disparadas aventuras. Aquí Prachett crea una autentica genialidad rindiendo homenaje a los cuentos clásicos pasando por el filtro de locura del Mundodisco. Quién necesite un chute de buen rollo aquí lo tiene a raudales.
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