Equal Rites (Discworld Novels)

Audio cassette

English language

Published Jan. 25, 2005 by Corgi Audio.

ISBN:
978-0-552-14016-4
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
34035843

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (229 reviews)

Equal Rites is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett. Published in 1987, it is the third novel in the Discworld series and the first in which the main character is not Rincewind. The title is wordplay on the phrase "Equal Rights". The novel introduces the character of Granny Weatherwax, who reappears in several later Discworld novels. The protagonist Eskarina Smith does not return until I Shall Wear Midnight, which was published 23 years later. Pratchett based the character Esk on his daughter Rhianna Pratchett.

34 editions

reviewed Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, #3)

Discworld Arrives

4 stars

After the two previous books were largely a parody of the state of the fantasy genre in the 1980s, I think this book is where Pratchett hits his own stride.

I think the book still isn't quite five stars because it ultimately feels slightly under-baked, not landing a great conclusion from its promising opening, but it's still a big step up on the previous two entries, and feels like the first true Discworld novel in many respects.

reviewed Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, #3)

Fantastic - Sir Terry really finding his style. Finally we meet Granny Weatherwax!

5 stars

Fantastic. Loved this one.

I think it's the third one in the Discworld series, chronologically, but it's the first one where I feel Sir Terry's true style became apparent.

In this novel, we meet for the first time Granny Weatherwax - probably my favourite Discworld character. Yes, there are many fantastic characters, but Granny Weatherwax always occupies a soft spot for me.

We learn about Borrowing, and how Granny can't Borrow bees; we encounter Headology - how people will believe certain things and words can prod them in the right direction.

The story itself is great - about a young girl, supposed to have been the eighth son of an eighth son - and therefore a wizard - she was in fact born a girl. So she inherits wizard magic in her genes, yet her genes do not match her physical appearance nor the way society treats her as a …

The first "real" Discworld novel

4 stars

This is the first book in the Discworld series that really gives you a sense of what the series will become, because as well as being a hilarious adventure set in a bizarre fantasy world, it tackles real issues in our own world - namely, equal rights for women, and the arbitrary nature of gender roles. Consequently, it feels much more focused and satisfying than the previous two books. Good stuff.

This is the first book in the "witches" sub-series, and introduces the character Granny Weatherwax. Unfortunately I don't think we ever meet Esk again.

reviewed Equal rites by Terry Pratchett (The Discworld series)

Review of 'Equal rites' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

What a fun book! This is my very first Terry Pratchett. After the stories of the Discworld have been on my to-read list for way too long I was finally convinced to try one and Equal Rites is definitely a very good start into the series.
It was fun, honest, critical and everything what you want. So much magic and quirkiness, but not in a bad way—I enjoyed this book very much and definitely cannot wait to be drawn even deeper into the Discworld!

reviewed Equal rites by Terry Pratchett (The Discworld series)

Review of 'Equal Rites' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This perfectly ridicules the arbitrariness of gender stereotypes. Everybody knows that only men can be wizards, everybody knows it’s part of the lore, but nobody actually knows where it is written or why it should be the case. And Esk just ignoring both her role as a wizard and a witch and rescuing Simon and herself by not using magic is about the best possible ending.

Review of 'Equal Rites' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

EQUAL RITES is the origin story of Discworld’s first female wizard, and her journey to grudging acceptance in magical society.

The narrative style is wry and witty, the unnamed narrator assuming that the reader is from our world and not Discworld, which provides space for funny comparisons, metaphors, and other observations. The narrator knows more than the characters in an absolute sense, but consistently uses that knowledge to provide humor and context. 

Most of the characters start out with some sexist assumptions about how things ought to work, and the point of the story is them realizing the shape of those assumptions and questioning their validity in the face of a child whose existence refutes them absolutely. The cadence of the physical journey and the mental transformation blends together into a well-paced story. I liked it and I’m looking forward to later developments in this slice of Discworld.

I must …

Review of 'Equal Rites' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Being the eight sone of an eight son makes you a wizard...even if you’re a girl. The only problem is, as it turns out. Girls can’t be wizards. It’s just not natural. And we’ve never done it like this. I mean, think about it.

The book introduces Granny to the Discworld universe, and while it has still some inconsistencies, it’s apparent that Pratchett is slowly finding his style here.

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Subjects

  • Fantasy
  • Science fiction
  • Fantasy - General
  • Fiction
  • Abridged Audio - Fiction/Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • Audio Adult: Books On Tape
  • Fantasy - Series
  • DISCWORLD (IMAGINARY PLACE)_FICTION
  • Fiction / Fantasy / General
  • GRANNY WEATHERWAX (FICTITIOUS CHARACTER)_FICTION
  • LITERATURE AND FICTION_FANTASY

Lists