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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
The Witches series continuous to be witty and hilarious, but all I can really say about it is that the book is good.
I guess it's hard for me to read and fully enjoy serial books without seeing some sort of significant growth in the characters. But while we do find out a little more about Granny's and Nanny's past lives, they're such small tidbits that I wouldn't call them revelations or development. They're still fantastic, hilarious, amazing characters but I want more.
Plus I had a hard time liking Agnes/Perdita because she was such a ... I don't know, maybe it's not her that I don't like, but her story. She at least tries to get out of the small time, tries to fight and achieve her dreams, but the world won't let her and no one wants her too. Granny and Nanny, don't particularly force her into anything and don't tell her what to do, just keep the door open for her but it's just so not fair that in the end, Agnes left the opera not because it was her choice... but because she wasn't really wanted there. Even though she was the best goddam singer there, no one wanted her because she is fat. And that was cruel... I mean, in most of his books, Terry always makes the ending - no matter how bitter - feel just and right in the end. And this one still felt wrong and bitter. No one will regret losing Agnes, there was no realization of losing the greatest opera singer in Discworld history... and that just didn't feel right.
I guess it's hard for me to read and fully enjoy serial books without seeing some sort of significant growth in the characters. But while we do find out a little more about Granny's and Nanny's past lives, they're such small tidbits that I wouldn't call them revelations or development. They're still fantastic, hilarious, amazing characters but I want more.
Plus I had a hard time liking Agnes/Perdita because she was such a ... I don't know, maybe it's not her that I don't like, but her story. She at least tries to get out of the small time, tries to fight and achieve her dreams, but the world won't let her and no one wants her too. Granny and Nanny, don't particularly force her into anything and don't tell her what to do, just keep the door open for her but it's just so not fair that in the end, Agnes left the opera not because it was her choice... but because she wasn't really wanted there. Even though she was the best goddam singer there, no one wanted her because she is fat. And that was cruel... I mean, in most of his books, Terry always makes the ending - no matter how bitter - feel just and right in the end. And this one still felt wrong and bitter. No one will regret losing Agnes, there was no realization of losing the greatest opera singer in Discworld history... and that just didn't feel right.
Once again, the witches set out to put things right. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg (and, by extension, Greebo) set off for Ankh-Morpork to see the opera, which is beset by financial problems and murders courtesy of the Ghost of the Opera. An adventure featuring people plagued by problems of interpunction, secret police, undercover watchmen, a stagehand and a cat ensues.
Another one down, many more to go. This one is obviously based on the Phantom of the Opera, but with the necessary Pratchettian twists and jokes. Lucky for me I never read the Phantom, so it was fresh. The witches are always a great pair of characters, forces of nature in their own rights.
Another one down, many more to go. This one is obviously based on the Phantom of the Opera, but with the necessary Pratchettian twists and jokes. Lucky for me I never read the Phantom, so it was fresh. The witches are always a great pair of characters, forces of nature in their own rights.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
I like the story but something felt missing.
Also, the audiobook made an ordeal of the singing sections. And towards the end I started to feel overwhelmed without physically reading the names.
Also, the audiobook made an ordeal of the singing sections. And towards the end I started to feel overwhelmed without physically reading the names.
Reread 2020: I saw this play in Brisbane last year and I just can't get the Granny Weatherwax actor doing his best impression of her that I have seen to date out of my head while reading this. Pratchett has an excellent way with writing and a rare male writer than can portray female characters so authentically.
I am falling in love with the witches series the more I read of them during this reread. Their squabbling, their unity, their meddling all add up to a wholesome but messy storyline.
I am falling in love with the witches series the more I read of them during this reread. Their squabbling, their unity, their meddling all add up to a wholesome but messy storyline.
I read this book because my daughter said her coach was just like Nanny Ogg, and I wanted to judge for myself. Also, Terry Pratchett is fun to read. Verdict: I see her point, and yep, fun book.