Catship reviewed Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 35)
Quite nice
But I got distracted a few times and didn't fully follow the plot. But I like the whole thing around Annagramma grudgingly becoming a good witch!
Paperback, 352 pages
English language
Published Oct. 2, 2007 by Corgi.
Tiffany Aching accidentally starts to transform into an anthropomorphic representation of Summer, due to her being unable to resist a good dance, meanwhile the Wintersmith is looking for his destined Mrs who happens to be.... uh oh!
Wintersmith is the third title in an exuberant series crackling with energy and humour. It follows The Wee Free Men and Hat Full of Sky.
But I got distracted a few times and didn't fully follow the plot. But I like the whole thing around Annagramma grudgingly becoming a good witch!
Content warning Plot spoilers ahead
I really enjoyed the character growth in this one: Tiffany growing as a witch (and a young woman), Annagramma coming into her own, Rob Anybody’s flourishing literacy, Roland’s foray into hero-dom… Daft Wullie saying exactly the right thing! Already looking forward to the next Discworld adventure.
A lot less fun than I imagined... There's also a lot to unpack here. Pratchett has a weird approach to the idea of a girl growing into a teenager. It can be an uncomfortable read at times, but it still has all the Pratchettisms I love in the Discworld series.
It kind of lost its steam along the way for me. The story is fun, who doesn't enjoy a good old Greek myth thrown in with witches in the Discworld? I really, really love the elder witches and the whole community (and the discussion of said community) surrounding Tiffany. The whole debate about her role in it, what a witch is supposed to be in these social circles is very captivating and engaging. The least interesting part for me, though, was the whole "romance" thing with the Wintersmith. I couldn't get myself into it at all. But the characters shine, …
A lot less fun than I imagined... There's also a lot to unpack here. Pratchett has a weird approach to the idea of a girl growing into a teenager. It can be an uncomfortable read at times, but it still has all the Pratchettisms I love in the Discworld series.
It kind of lost its steam along the way for me. The story is fun, who doesn't enjoy a good old Greek myth thrown in with witches in the Discworld? I really, really love the elder witches and the whole community (and the discussion of said community) surrounding Tiffany. The whole debate about her role in it, what a witch is supposed to be in these social circles is very captivating and engaging. The least interesting part for me, though, was the whole "romance" thing with the Wintersmith. I couldn't get myself into it at all. But the characters shine, the writing is fun, so despite having dragged this one for much longer than anticipated, I had a good time reading it.
This was the perfect read to accompany the crazy below-freezing weather that swept through Texas in February 2021. And also a sweetly satisfying update on the apprenticeship of Tiffany and her coven-mates and mentors.
Holds up nicely to a second read-through. 'werk'
Very funny but also very profound.
Dancing is evil!
I want to move to the Discworld.