Series Review: Discworld - The Witches series
The Discworld series spans 41 books and around 4 books in the science of discworld series. While the series can be read in any order, there are several books that fall into certain broad categories/series. These are generally the:
Rincewind series
Witches series
DEATH Series
Ankh-Morpork City Watch series
Tiffany Aching series
Industrial Revolution series
some standalone books
Here I will look into the witches series of books which, as the name suggests, are books involving the infamous coven of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick.
Equal Rites - The first of the witches series, this book introduces us to Granny Weatherwax. This book tackles the question of what happens when the 8th son of an 8th son is a daughter? This was traditionally the beginnings of a wizard but can a girl become a wizard? What’s the difference between witches and wizards? We follow Granny Weatherwax as she embarks on a journey with Esmeralda to Unseen University so that the latter can learn to become a wizard. This is obviously met with incredulity by most around them who find the notion of a girl being a wizard ludicrous. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and a gem of a place to start the Discworld series if any. The way certain preconceived notions are broken down to show how unreasonable and flat-out absurd they are, is absolutely outstanding. Even the title plays into this and that’s why I adore this book. Granny Weatherwax is such a delight that this book will leave the reader craving for more of this embittered old witch and boy does Sir Terry deliver. Definitely a must-read.
They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.
Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites
Rating: 5/5
Wyrd Sisters - Book 2 of the witches series finally introduces us to the coven that is Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. Each have their own personalities and traits making this coven quite a formidable, and yet chaotic, one. Granny Weatherwax is the same old embittered self we’ve seen earlier, Nanny Ogg has a much more relaxed view of the world, and life, in general, while Magrat is more a witch of today’s world, who’s all about self-improvement, feminism, and practicality. While a little less entertaining than the first, seeing the coven in action did bring a smile to my face. We have ghosts, traveling actors, evil dukes, and a fool, to tie up this renaissance-level romp. Still an enjoyable read in spite of my rating.
It is true that words have power, and one of the things they are able to do is get out of someone’s mouth before the speaker has the chance to stop them.
Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters
Rating: 3/5
Witches Abroad - Book 3 sees the coven leaving their idyllic countryside to help Magrat fulfill a dying witch’s request. The kicker is the dying witch was the ‘fairy godmother’ to a young girl and now Magrat has been thrust with the responsibility of completing the task. The coven travels to distant Genua and on the way they meet sleeping beauty, little red riding hood, and the big bad wolf, encounter a village in fear of a count in a castle, and see a familiar face in every mirror they turn to. This was a fun ride to see how Sir Terry Pratchett throws our fairy tales back at us with laugh-out-loud consequences when they encounter Granny Weatherwax and the coven. Highly recommended.
People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around.
Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroard
Rating: 4/5
Lords and Ladies - Book 4 of the witches series introduces us to the fae. We find the fae looking to escape their reality into the discworld where they hope to rule over everyone and everything they consider lesser. In their way stands our favourite coven, though without Magrat Garlick as she begins to assume 'queenly' responsibilities before her marriage to King Verence of Lancre. We even see the wizards of Unseen University arriving at Lancre for the wedding, bringing forth very curious interactions between Mustrum Ridcully and Granny Weatherwax. The depiction of the fae reminded me of Galadriel from the Lord of the Rings when she went into scary mode for a little while. The fae in the discworld are only talked about in stories and myth and are considered to be some of the most beautiful creatures to have existed. What the general people don’t know is that it is all a part of the fae's glamour and ability to get people to follow their wishes. The ensuing 'battle' between the witches and the fae has some hilariously funny moments which are not to be missed. Each witch gets their own spotlight in the ensuing chaos which makes for a very enjoyable read. Definitely recommended.
In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
Terry Pratchett, Lords and Ladies
Rating: 4/5
Maskerade - Book 5 is essentially Discworld meets The Phantom of the Opera. The story revolves around Agnes Knitt, a young lady from Lancre who decides to travel to Ankh Morpork to pursue her dream of performing on stage. Back home there were strong indications she would eventually become a part of the Witches coven now that Magrat is the Queen. Indications which she pointedly ignored as she didn't want to be pulled into a world she didn't like. On arriving at the opera house at Ankh Morpork what she finds is an opera house that is haunted, people dying, and her being the background singer to someone who can’t really sing but ‘looks’ the part. By happenstance Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg find themselves in Ankh Morpork as well, to get Nanny Ogg money from the sales of her *ahem* cookbook, and we get to see how they turn the opera world upside down. This book was rife with references to the original play and I absolutely loved it. Granny Weatherwax’s calm, if mostly scary, demeanor and Nanny Ogg’s easy-going nature make for some hilarious interactions. We also get a glimpse of the real Esmeralda Weatherwax, the witch even Black Aliss wouldn't cross. As with every discworld book, definitely recommended.
The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its most stupid member divided by the number of mobsters
Terry Pratchett, Maskerade
Rating: 4/5
Carpe Jugulum - The final and book 6 of the Witches Series takes place back in Lancre at the birth of King Verence and Queen Magrat's daughter. While several important people from all across the discworld received invitations to the momentous occasion, some invitations should not have been meted out. You see because some creatures, like say vampires, can't enter a place unless they're invited, and with invitations being received, the vampires of Uberwald decide to visit Lancre and make this their new home. It also doesn't help that Granny Weatherwax is feeling her age, and the influence of the vampires may be too strong for her to take on. We also get a glimpse of the ever ferocious Nac Mac Feegles who we shall encounter a lot more in the Tiffany Aching Series of books. At this point just read every discworld book because they all come highly recommended, and there's always something to take away from them.
"Carpe Jugulum," read Agnes aloud. "That's... well, Carpe Diem is 'Sieze the Day,' so this means-"
"Go for the throat
Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum
Rating: 4/5
Links:
goodreads: Discworld novels
goodreads: The Witches Series of Discworld Novels