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Lyn's Reviews > Equal Rites
Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1)
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If I was not already a Terry Pratchet fan, I would be after reading this exceptional book as we are formally introduced to Granny Weatherwax, witch.
Equal Rites, Sir Terry’s third installment in the Discworld series is a peach of practical magic. Telling the story of a young girl’s conflicting talents for wizardry and / or witchery.
In the Discworld, men are wizards and women are witches – at least that is how it has been up to the point when young Eskarina Smith sort of becomes – both. Pratchett spins a deliciously tangled web about the age-old contest between the men and the ladies.
“I’m not a lady, I’m a witch,” said Granny.
Eskarina may be the protagonist but there is no doubt that Granny Weatherwax stole the show. Filling the witch role in the small village of Bad Ass and always appearing in serviceable black, Granny kicks ass and takes names throughout the fun narrative. I am very pleased to learn that my favorite witch will make many more appearances in Pratchett’s series – nine more to be sure.
A good witching time atop Great A'Tuin, Equal Rites is one of his best. This would be a great introduction for new Discworld readers.
*** 2021 reread
Back to the Discworld!
I've been thinking of revisiting Sir Terry's fantastic universe for a while and decided the time was right and I could not have picked a better book to get back than the first novel of the witches.
Spending time with Granny Weatherwax (one of my all time favorite characters in literature) was a treasure but this time around I noticed what how much I liked Eskarina and I wonder if she was a template upon which Tiffany Aching was later drawn.
We also visit Unseen University and the wizards and OOK! the Librarian.
Too much fun and now I'm off to re-open the second in the Witches series.
Equal Rites, Sir Terry’s third installment in the Discworld series is a peach of practical magic. Telling the story of a young girl’s conflicting talents for wizardry and / or witchery.
In the Discworld, men are wizards and women are witches – at least that is how it has been up to the point when young Eskarina Smith sort of becomes – both. Pratchett spins a deliciously tangled web about the age-old contest between the men and the ladies.
“I’m not a lady, I’m a witch,” said Granny.
Eskarina may be the protagonist but there is no doubt that Granny Weatherwax stole the show. Filling the witch role in the small village of Bad Ass and always appearing in serviceable black, Granny kicks ass and takes names throughout the fun narrative. I am very pleased to learn that my favorite witch will make many more appearances in Pratchett’s series – nine more to be sure.
A good witching time atop Great A'Tuin, Equal Rites is one of his best. This would be a great introduction for new Discworld readers.
*** 2021 reread
Back to the Discworld!
I've been thinking of revisiting Sir Terry's fantastic universe for a while and decided the time was right and I could not have picked a better book to get back than the first novel of the witches.
Spending time with Granny Weatherwax (one of my all time favorite characters in literature) was a treasure but this time around I noticed what how much I liked Eskarina and I wonder if she was a template upon which Tiffany Aching was later drawn.
We also visit Unseen University and the wizards and OOK! the Librarian.
Too much fun and now I'm off to re-open the second in the Witches series.
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Reading Progress
January 25, 2015
–
Started Reading
January 25, 2015
– Shelved
January 30, 2015
–
Finished Reading
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David
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 30, 2015 03:54PM
This was the book that ended up hooking my on Discworld
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Yep, I was already on board, but now I really am hooked; a very, very good story
Granny Weatherwax is a formidable, wonderfully developed character and therefore is one of my favorites in the Discworld series. You are right - she steaks the show in this book, just as she does in every book in which she makes an appearance.
Thanks, Nataliya, she was awesome, I found myself turning pages waiting for her next scene, really happy she's in many more books
Ahhhh. I remember reading the scene where Eskarina was asked to perform magic in a room full of wizards and just freezes. Definitely related strongly there! Pratchett is really good at viewing the world through various perspectives.
Great observation, Anja, Pratchett was like no one else.
Great review Lyn, January 25 eh? I don't know how I miss so many of your updates, I blame Goodreads. I'd like to read one or two Pratchetts a year.
Thanks Apatt, I want to read them all but "so many books, so little time"
I need to give this another chance. Maybe I'm missing something, because this is one of my least favorite Discworld books
Hmmm, I sure liked it, like all books with Granny
