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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eh, this was ok. It's #30 in Discworld but moreso it's #1 Tiffany Aching series, the only way you know you are in Discworld is some vague mentions once or twice. I liked the Wee Free Men themselves, but the rest of the book was rather a draggy read.
This book was brought up by some staff members at my library's All Staff Training Day, so I'm giving it a shot
Really good read, hilarious all the time. I'd recomened it to anyone who has an appreciation for imagination, cheese and wee scotsman.
Really good read, hilarious all the time. I'd recomened it to anyone who has an appreciation for imagination, cheese and wee scotsman.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is more about Tiffany Aching than the wee free men (Nac Mac Feegle), but it’s a good origin story for her and them. I laughed out loud about some of the names (who don’t show up in A Hat Full of Sky), and enjoyed the story having read #2 in the series first.
" 'You mean ... you think ... that you sort of died somewhere else and then came here?' said Tiffany. 'You mean this is like ... heaven?'
'Aye! Just as advertised!' said Rob Anybody. 'Lovely sunshine, good huntin', nice pretty flowers, and wee burdies goin' cheep.' "
" 'What's magic, eh? Just wavin' a stick an' sayin' a few wee magical words. An' what's so clever aboot that, eh? But lookin' at things, really lookin' at 'em, and then workin' 'em oout, now, that's a real skill.' "
"There was no reply. There wasn't even an echo. She was alone, except for her heartbeats."
"You could spend a day looking at a flower to see how wonderful it is, and that wouldn't get the milking done. No wonder we dream our way through our lives. To be awake, and see it all as it really is ... no one could stand that for long."
" 'The thing about witchcraft,' said Mistress Weatherwax, 'is that it's not like school at all. First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin' out how you passed it. It's a bit like life in that respect.' "
'Aye! Just as advertised!' said Rob Anybody. 'Lovely sunshine, good huntin', nice pretty flowers, and wee burdies goin' cheep.' "
" 'What's magic, eh? Just wavin' a stick an' sayin' a few wee magical words. An' what's so clever aboot that, eh? But lookin' at things, really lookin' at 'em, and then workin' 'em oout, now, that's a real skill.' "
"There was no reply. There wasn't even an echo. She was alone, except for her heartbeats."
"You could spend a day looking at a flower to see how wonderful it is, and that wouldn't get the milking done. No wonder we dream our way through our lives. To be awake, and see it all as it really is ... no one could stand that for long."
" 'The thing about witchcraft,' said Mistress Weatherwax, 'is that it's not like school at all. First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin' out how you passed it. It's a bit like life in that respect.' "
" 'You mean ... you think ... that you sort of died somewhere else and then came here?' said Tiffany. 'You mean this is like ... heaven?'
'Aye! Just as advertised!' said Rob Anybody. 'Lovely sunshine, good huntin', nice pretty flowers, and wee burdies goin' cheep.' "
" 'What's magic, eh? Just wavin' a stick an' sayin' a few wee magical words. An' what's so clever aboot that, eh? But lookin' at things, really lookin' at 'em, and then workin' 'em oout, now, that's a real skill.' "
"There was no reply. There wasn't even an echo. She was alone, except for her heartbeats."
"You could spend a day looking at a flower to see how wonderful it is, and that wouldn't get the milking done. No wonder we dream our way through our lives. To be awake, and see it all as it really is ... no one could stand that for long."
" 'The thing about witchcraft,' said Mistress Weatherwax, 'is that it's not like school at all. First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin' out how you passed it. It's a bit like life in that respect.' "
'Aye! Just as advertised!' said Rob Anybody. 'Lovely sunshine, good huntin', nice pretty flowers, and wee burdies goin' cheep.' "
" 'What's magic, eh? Just wavin' a stick an' sayin' a few wee magical words. An' what's so clever aboot that, eh? But lookin' at things, really lookin' at 'em, and then workin' 'em oout, now, that's a real skill.' "
"There was no reply. There wasn't even an echo. She was alone, except for her heartbeats."
"You could spend a day looking at a flower to see how wonderful it is, and that wouldn't get the milking done. No wonder we dream our way through our lives. To be awake, and see it all as it really is ... no one could stand that for long."
" 'The thing about witchcraft,' said Mistress Weatherwax, 'is that it's not like school at all. First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin' out how you passed it. It's a bit like life in that respect.' "
4.5 stars (demoted from 5 stars upon further reflection because sometimes it just be like that - my brain is tired, but a better reason is in my Hogfather review)
You’re going to turn into somebody like Miss Tick, said her Second Thoughts. Do you really want that? “Yes,” said a voice, and Tiffany realized that it was hers again. The anger rose up, joyfully. “Yes! I’m me! I am careful and logical and I look up things I don’t understand! When I hear people use the wrong words, I get edgy! I am good with cheese. I read books fast! I think! And I always have a piece of string! That’s the kind of person I am!”
I feel like that’s all you really need to know about Tiffany Aching to know if you’d like her (I certainly do; probably helps that we are kindred spirits except I’m not good with cheese (aside from eating it) and any pieces of string I have on me are accidental hangers-on from sewing..). Also the titular Wee Free Men/Nac Mac Feegle are incredibly charming. It took a bit to get used to their dialect on the audiobook, but not a long bit.
Highly recommend the Stephen Briggs audio (I listened slower than usual at 1x speed), though honestly Pratchett books are so witty that I also highly recommend reading any/all of his books in print (or, well, Kindle so you can highlight things, if you’re me) so as not to miss any of the wordplay going on. My brain/schedule can’t handle much physical reading at the minute, so this was a worthwhile compromise.
The final pick for my kids' bookclub before they break for the summer. This is a complex and layered story that appealed to my 13 year old more than my 10 year old, although he might like it more at another time.
It isn't an easy read aloud with some of the accents (at least, not for me), but it is a pretty entertaining story.
It isn't an easy read aloud with some of the accents (at least, not for me), but it is a pretty entertaining story.
Turns out this was exactly the book I need right now and probably I will reread the rest of the series pretty quickly in the next week or two. My heart and soul have been pretty bruised over the last few months and this helped a bit.