| Product: |
Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett |
| Date: |
24/10/01 (67 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Very funny, A great read, Adds to the tales of the previous witches books
Disadvantages: Need background on the Witches - does not stand alone as most Discworld books do
Lords and Ladies is number 14 in the Discworld series and covers the exploits of the witches of Lancre. 3 witches, mother maiden and crone (Nanny Og, Magrat Garlick and Granny Weatherwax respectively).
The book is a follow on from the other witches novels in the Discworld series, Equal Rites, Witches Abroad and these give a little of the history of the coven.
Plot:
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The three witches have arrived home from a trip abroad (hence the name of the previous book of course) to find that the town and the Kingdom of Lancre has a new coven in place, new young witches, lead by a girl named Diamanda (not her real name - thinks it sounds mysterious and "Witchy") who have been given powers from the queen of the fairies. The Elves are not what you think they'll be, noted in myth and legend as being a fair folk, beuatiful and musical, the truth comes out here. Pratchett's elves are evil, they beget terror in all who live amongst them and they are trying to get back into the world. This can be done through simply calling them, getting them from beyond the stone circle which imprisons them leads to all sorts of trouble.
The trouble is brought about in this book and the coven are forced to fight against the most deadly of their enemies. The young coven, lead by Diamanda get the elves through, they make the first link in the chain at least. They give them an outlet through which they can get into the minds of people of the town, get to see the things going on and, when a play is shown at the castle they break through!
The story is a very involved one (I feel like I'm getting a bit waylaid here) and takes place through 250 pages (ish).
I'll give the outline better - no waffle.
- Witches return.
- Witches hear of the new coven and find out about their activities near the stone circle - worry that they're kin contact with the elves.
- Fight new coven. Beat them.
- P
reparations begin for royal wedding - Magrat is marrying the king.
- The elves break through.
- Magrat has to fight the elf-queen when the King is taken.
- They win in the end.
- Hey wok-a-folly-wally-doodle-on-the-way.
Characters:
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Nanny Ogg - My favourite of the witches, she rules a huge family of sons and grandkids. She's a great and powerful witch, keen on living life to the full, her exploits as a younger girl have lead to her reputation as being a bit of a slapper but she does not care - a really colourful character - loves life but has a heart of gold.
Granny Weatherwax - Head of the coven (if witches had such heierarchy) and the opposite of Nanny, she lives to make nasty remarks and is a real party-pooper. Her magical powers aer huge, really the most powerful of the Lancre witches and the most feared and respected. Very skilled at "Borrowing", she leaves her own body and travels around in that of an animal/bird to see things she wants to know about.
Magrat Garlick - Has lived her life as a put-upon nothing, blames the spelling of her 1st name which came from a typo on her birth documents. She's usually weak and feeble but comes to life in this novel, her sense of duty to her future husband leads her to don armour and fight the most powerful of adversaries.
Others : Casanunda - dwarf love-god. Verence - The king of Lancre, used to be palace jester. Jason Ogg - Blacksmith and Nanny's eldest son. Carter/Weaver/Thatcher etc. - members of the Lancre morris men. Elves - evil prety folk from beyond.
Overall:
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This book is great, set on the Disc, a mirror of worlds, it adds to the already rich tale of the witches (I know there's 3 books before Lords and Ladies but can only remember the 2 above - help would be appreciated!). The magical world is exciting and interesting to read, it has a level of believability that I found s
urprising when I first came to Pratchett's novels. A fun read and one you'll come back to again and again.
This book is a real page turning extravaganza.
Summary:
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Last comment:
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Boonoiy - 24/10/01 YOU ARE A STAR BENNY BOY! That would have driven me mad all afternoon!
Cheers. |
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