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Wyrd Sisters (Discworld #6)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 32,148 ratings · 750 reviews

Witches are not by nature gregarious, and they certainly don't have leaders. Granny Weatherwax was the most highly-regarded of the leaders they didn't have. But even she found that meddling in royal politics was a lot more difficult than certain playwrights would have you believe...

Paperback, 265 pages

Published February 6th 2001 by HarperTorch (first published 1988)

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Apr 22, 2008 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

How have I never read Terry Pratchett before? He's like ... Shakespeare and Wodehouse and Monty Python all wrapped into one!

A student gave me this book while we were studying Macbeth in class. Wyrd Sisters is a sort of parallel story, which manages to poke fun at the play, revere the play, make inside jokes about the play, and ... well, generally turn the play on its head. All the while, you, the reader, get to feel very smart and superior for getting all the jokes and allusions.

And yet it manag...more

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Aug 15, 2007 Linzay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: discworld

The entire Discworld series is worth re-reading, not just because it contains so many books, but each book has so many little funnies that you may find a joke you never noticed before. These books grow with you. I enjoyed them when I was younger and less worldly, and now, every other paragraph I'm noticing great stuff I just missed before.
This one is great. Granny Weatherwax is my absolute favorite, because I can relate. She is a good witch, destined to be, and not too happy about that. I often...more

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Apr 13, 2008 Dusty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2008

Monty Python meets Macbeth? Wyrd Sisters was my first foray into Pratchett's pulpy, popular Discword series, and, although I liked it ... I didn't quite love it. It was certainly a clever book -- I appreciated the offhand Shakespeare references -- but it felt rough around the edges to me, like Pratchett sent his manuscript off for publishing one draft too soon. It needs revising. Some paragraphs I reread several times, and not because they were challenging but because they barely made sense.

Any...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Lorenzio Phillibuster Fireworks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading three rather lackluster books in a row I was feeling rather down about the world of reading. Then I read the first sentence of Wyrd Sisters. I entered the world of witches, Shakespearean plots and a novel full of Terry Pratchett's wonderful, quirky sense of humour.
As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: 'When shall we three meet again?'
There was a pause.
Finally another voice said, in a far more ordinary tones: 'Well, I can do next Tuesday.' pg 1.

I think my favourit...more After reading three rather lackluster books in a row I was feeling rather down about the world of reading. Then I read the first sentence of Wyrd Sisters. I entered the world of witches, Shakespearean plots and a novel full of Terry Pratchett's wonderful, quirky sense of humour.
As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: 'When shall we three meet again?'
There was a pause.
Finally another voice said, in a far more ordinary tones: 'Well, I can do next Tuesday.' pg 1.

I think my favourite part of this book had to be the Shakespeare references, especially the Mabeth reference of the usurping King and Queen. I could not refrain from cringing everytime the new King washed, sandpapered and filed his hand away to remove the blood of the former King. I loved the play occuring at the end of the book which reenacted the entire plot of the novel with plenty of references to Shakespeare plays like The Tempest.

THis was probably my favourite overall plot of the Discworld series so far, but it is always Pratchett's humour that shines. This book has over 30 post its in it of my favourite quotes or descriptions and I wish I could include them all.

Apart from the main plot of royal politics and witch involvement there is the FANTASTIC explanation of Ankh Morporks legal system in which thieves are given licenses and, through a complex system, it is arranged that a) the members could make a reasonable living and b) no citizen was robbed or assaulted more than an agreed number of times and all receipts were handed out. Many forsighted citizens in fact arranged to get an acceptable minimum of theft, assault, etc, over at the beginning of the financial year, often in the privacy and comfort of their own homes, and thus be able to walk the streets quite safely for the rest of the year. pg 227.

One of my favourite descriptions in the book was of the life of a storm. The storm was really giving it everything it had. This was its big chance. It had spent years hanging around the provinces, putting in some useful work as a squall, building up experience, making contacts, occasionally leaping out on unsuspecting shepherds or blasting quite small oak trees. Now an opening in the weather had given it an opportunity to strut its hour, and it was building up its role in the hope of being spotted by one of the big climates.
It was a good storm. There was quite effective projection and passion there, and critics agreed that if it would only learn to control its thunderit would be, in years to come, a storm to watch. pg 6-7.

Terry Pratchett also continues to show his affinity for cats:
'I hate cats.'
Death's face became a little stiffer, if that were possible. The blue glow in his eye sockets flickered red for an instant.
I SEE, he said. The tone suggested that death was too good for cat haters.

...a key to the understanding of all religion is that a god's idea of amusement is Snakes and Ladders with greased rungs.

The calender of the Theocracy of Muntab counts down not up. No one knows why, but it might not be a good idea to hang around and find out.

I think that since the play is commencing to start, your friends must find a seat elsewhere, when they arrive,' he said, and sat down.
Within seconds his face went white. His teeth began to chatter. He clutched his stomach and groaned. *

* The observant will realise that this was because the king was already seated there. It was not because the man had used the phrase 'commence to start' in cold blood. But it ought to have been.

I'd like to know if I could compare you to a summer's day. Because - well, June 12th was quite nice, and...Oh. You've gone...

(less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/20...

Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Macbeth Act 4, Scene 1

When Duke Felmet kills King Verence and names himself the new King of Lancre, Verence's ghost haunts the castle and his young son is smuggled out of the kingdom and taken to a coven of three witches for protection. These witches bestow three gifts upon the baby and place him with the owner of an acting troupe. The new king is an evil one, and the entire kingdom (animal, ve...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Lee Broderick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, fiction-fantasy, fiction-comic

Re-read 10/3/13 (or is it? I remembered absolutely nothing when reading this):

Terry Pratchett does Shakespeare! Perhaps the author realised that his Swords & Sorcery genre satires were beginning to fall a bit flat (see my review of Sourcery); maybe he felt more confident coming into this book, more comfortable with his authorial voice and readership; maybe he was inspired or maybe he just fancied a change. Whatever the reason though, it works.

Like the earlier 'Witches' Discworld novel, this...more

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Feb 08, 2009 Kyra Davis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I always enjoy Pratchett books but I have to admit this wasn't my favorite. Oddly enough it's his children's books and YA fiction that consistently takes my breath away. For whatever reason he uses more description in his novels for younger readers, his prose seem more poetic and his protagonists more complex (at least in my opinion). Still, Wyrd Sisters is nothing if not entertaining and the characters are vivid and appealing.

The three witches in this book find themselves saving an infant roya...more I always enjoy Pratchett books but I have to admit this wasn't my favorite. Oddly enough it's his children's books and YA fiction that consistently takes my breath away. For whatever reason he uses more description in his novels for younger readers, his prose seem more poetic and his protagonists more complex (at least in my opinion). Still, Wyrd Sisters is nothing if not entertaining and the characters are vivid and appealing.

The three witches in this book find themselves saving an infant royal heir from a murderous usurper of the throne. The witches don't like to meddle in politics but they have no intention of allowing harm to come to a baby if they can help it. So they send the boy off with a troop of actors along with the crown that his evil and totally crazy uncle covets. The uncle and his marvelously written, psychopathic wife manage to rule without the crown but he doesn't rule very well. Everyone expects kings to be harsh and occasionally violent but he should at least bear some love for the kingdom he lays claim to. This king does not. With the help of a highly intelligent but brow-beaten and insecure "Fool" the new king and queen wage a propaganda war in which they seek to legitimize themselves by painting the witches as scapegoats for all the kingdom's problems. Now the witches find themselves once again drawn into the world of politics. In order to survive they must interfere, but how much? And can the child king, now being raised as an actor, be of much help? The answers to these problems lead to many humorous exchanges and occasionally thought provoking observations on the ways of man and the power of words.

And toward the end there is Death. Death is a reoccurring character in all Pratchett's book and is basically a reimagining of The Grim Reaper. But trust me when I tell you that no one has ever made the Grim Reaper this interesting before. In each one of Pratchett's books Death's appearance brings a poignancy, depth and dark, frequently eerie humor to the story. His small cameo in Wyrd Sisters elevates the entire novel.

So all in all I do recommend this book. But if you have limited amounts of time I'd reach for Pratchett's other foray into the world of Witches Wee Free Men. You'll find it in the kid's section ; )(less)

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Apr 24, 2008 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2008, fantasy

In Wyrd Sisters we're introduced to Granny Weatherwax. Granny and two other witches have formed a tiny coven, and though witches are largely anti-social these three get together once a month for a good spell session. There are certain rules to being a witch and one of the most important is that witches don't meddle in politics. Unless of course the king tries to torture you, slander your name and threatens you with burning at the stake. In that case, meddling and a bit of magic, are exactly what...more

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Dec 15, 2007 Astrid rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series-discworld

I should give this fewer stars since a reread made me realise that the humour and language in this book isn't as fluid or effortless as it is in Pratchett's later publications, but it was the first discworld I read so the nostalgia value rounds it up half a star.

It's a better introduction to Granny Weatherwax than the book she previously appeared in, Equal Rites, as it introduces another alpha-witch, Nanny Ogg, who balances Granny's stiffness and pointedly direct, old-fashioned proclamations wi...more

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Jun 05, 2007 Siria rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century, british-fiction, fantasy, humour

Wyrd Sisters was the very first Discworld novel that I ever read, back at the tender age of eight. A friend of mine got it as a present from her father. Like his previous gift of the collected novels of Jane Austen, this wasn't received with much enthusiasm. She tossed it over to me on one of our monthly 'let's raid one another's bookcases' events. I was intrigued by the slightly cartoony, slightly grotesque style of Josh Kirby's cover art, and took it away with me.

I read the whole thing in abou...more

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Jan 15, 2008 Rosemary rated it 5 of 5 stars

This wasn't my first Pratchett book -- that was Color of Magic -- but it is the book that sent me back to Pratchett and since drained my bank account. These days, I own everything written by Pratchett except Carpet People. And I'll probably add that some day. I picked up the cartoon version of Wyrd Sisters and ran it one night as I was wrapping Christmas packages. Halfway through listening to it and sticking myself to shiny paper, I started to chuckle and then to laugh out loud. Next day, I went...more

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Sep 07, 2007 Anneliese rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mybookshelf

I love Terry Pratchet. He is the best children's author of satire, taking something well-known (in this case Macbeth) twisting it and making it into something quite new, hilarious and in some ways an easier way for young people to enjoy some serious material. In this book he mocks stereotypes such as witches, kings and fools, which is something he does successfully in all of his discworld novels.

I recommend this book to everyone over the age of 10, as younger children (like my brother, hem hem)...more

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Feb 02, 2009 pri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to pri by: JG, MW

Shelves: 2009

Funny at times - did make me want to read more of his books. The references and quotes, while clever in parts, were also heavy at times.

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Jun 26, 2011 Exoticbrett rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, humour

Terry Pratchett does Macbeth. This is my favourite Discworld book so far (I'm reading them in publishing order). The writing is brilliantly perfect and funny. The Fool is a great character, wrestling with the ill-fitting role he's been assigned in the Shakespearean-esque world he inhabits. The jokes all work, the story is clever, the bard references are inspired, and tipping it into another dimension of enjoyment is the always irreverent Granny Weatherwax. I loved it. I want more. Give me more n...more

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Feb 24, 2009 Scurra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: discworld

Although Equal Rites was the debut of Granny Weatherwax, it wasn't until this story - and the introduction of Nanny Ogg - that she became such a crucial part of Discworld.

And crucial she is, almost to the same degree as HIMSELF in the way that she is never the central character of her stories and yet without her they simply would not work. In other cases (Sam Vimes being the most notable), such a strong character would insist on muscling into the centre of the stage - but not Esme. She seems qu...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Cora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wyrd Sisters has been my favorite Discworld novel thus far. It parodies Shakespeare, including elements of many of his plays and his life. Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick are witches in the kingdom of Lancre. One evening the King of Lancre is murdered by the evil duke and his vicious wife. The witches come across the Kings infant son in the woods and help him escape by giving him to a couple that runs a troupe of traveling actors. The duke becomes king, but he does not do a good...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Jordan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comedy, fantasy, highest-recommendations

Terry Pratchett's Discworld does for Fantasy what Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy did for science fiction--firmly sets a story within a genre, stereotypes intact, then goes to town. This sixth entry in the series stands on its own rather well, its only ties to the previous novels being the reappearance of Granny Weatherwax from Equal Rites, the cameo appearance of the Orangutan librarian from the Unseen University, and the obligatory appearance by Death (who may be the only char...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Simcha Wood rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, the sixth book in the Discworld series, follows on and even improves upon the success of the previous entry in the series, Sourcery. This book also marks the series' first real foray away from the tropes of fantasy fiction, branching out further into the realm of fairy tales and Shakespearean drama.

Wyrd Sisters reintroduces Granny Weatherwax, the witch from Equal Rites, but this time provides her with a pair of coven-mates, the irrepressible Nanny Ogg and the new-...more Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, the sixth book in the Discworld series, follows on and even improves upon the success of the previous entry in the series, Sourcery. This book also marks the series' first real foray away from the tropes of fantasy fiction, branching out further into the realm of fairy tales and Shakespearean drama.

Wyrd Sisters reintroduces Granny Weatherwax, the witch from Equal Rites, but this time provides her with a pair of coven-mates, the irrepressible Nanny Ogg and the new-agey Magrat. The three form a brilliant ensemble, with their different personalities and tastes complementing one another in a manner that is delightfully warm and humorous.

This is also the first Discworld book where Pratchett plays his strongest card, broad social satire. In this case, the target is narrative and the ways in which our need for story can be manipulated and spun into propaganda. Yet, there is nothing didactic or academic about Pratchett's exploration of these themes. Rather, they just percolate up through the plot (which could be summarized as a mash-up of several Shakespearean tragedies told through the eyes of the witches from Macbeth.

Wyrd Sisters is also the first book in the Discworld series that shows off Pratchett's full skills as a storyteller. The plot remains tight and focused from beginning to end, without ever feeling constrained or contrived. The characters, including even some of the minor roles, are well-rounded and deserving of our empathy. Wyrd Sisters is funnier than previous Discworld novels, but also evokes more warmth and empathy for its protagonists.

I have generally suggested new readers of the Discworld books to avoid some of the earlier, weaker books in the series and start with the eighth book, Guards! Guards! I would add Wyrd Sisters as another fine starting point for new readers to this series (while Granny Weatherwax was introduced in a previous book, she is sufficiently developed here that one need not have read the earlier book to have a full understanding of her character).(less)

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Jan 07, 2013 Ben rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If Macbeth were written from the perspective of the Witches, you'd have something close to this Discworld novel. A tale of Witches and Words, Actors and Kings, Love and Ghosts, Wyrd Sisters follows the story of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat who seek to restore balance to an usurped kingdom without actually getting involved in matters. The book expounds upon the Discworld idea of Witches, identifying the purpose and practice of headology, and how people come to be affected by it. There...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Barbara78e rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In questo libro di Pratchett, molti potevano essere gli incipit: "Era un notte buia e tempestosa..." (alla Snoopy), oppure "Una lama saettò nel buio...", o si sarebbe potuto evocare l'immagine di una carrozza in fuga da tre neri cavalieri, con un pianto di bimbo a far da colonna sonora. Ma Pratchett ci vuole subito ammantare di magia, ed ecco una sabba di streghe.Subito il pensiero si condensa in tre corpi femminili, che danzano ignudi sotto la luna in mezzo ad una radura. Ed ecco lo zampino di...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Ivy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first Disc-world book I ever read, in fact it was one of the first few novels remember reading. I don't know for sure exactly when I read it first, (I've put down August 1999 as an approximate) what I do know is I never forgot it, especially not the particular line [talking about removing a blood spot from his hand]"Tomorrow he'd try a cheese grater".
That was the line I remembered when I went looking for this book years later, not remembering that it was Disc-World, not remembering t...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Eustacia Tan rated it 5 of 5 stars

This post is dedicated to my sister Euphemia, who, unfortunately, doesn't turn 12 today. She turns 12+6 years old instead.

I love Shakespeare. I also love Terry Pratchett. So when Terry Pratchett borrows from The Bard, you know the book has to be awesome.

Loosely based/Inspired by Hamlet (trees make an appearance!), King Verence of Lancre is killed by the Duke, who takes over. Unfortunately, the little baby Prince managed to escape, and thanks to Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Margrat, is now in...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Mervi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: humo

The tiny kingdom of Lancre has three witches: Gytha ”Nanny” Ogg, Esmeralda ”Granny” Weatherwax, and the young Magrat Garlick. Granny is one of the most experienced witches alive and ”most highly regarded of the leaders, of [whom the witches] don’t have”. She’s grouchy and doesn’t have any family. She’ also very powerful but prefers to use headology rather than magic. She doesn’t approve of much. In contrast, Nanny has a large family and she rules them ruthlessly. She’s more easygoing and Granny’...more The tiny kingdom of Lancre has three witches: Gytha ”Nanny” Ogg, Esmeralda ”Granny” Weatherwax, and the young Magrat Garlick. Granny is one of the most experienced witches alive and ”most highly regarded of the leaders, of [whom the witches] don’t have”. She’s grouchy and doesn’t have any family. She’ also very powerful but prefers to use headology rather than magic. She doesn’t approve of much. In contrast, Nanny has a large family and she rules them ruthlessly. She’s more easygoing and Granny’s best friend. Magrat is a new witch who is trying very hard to impress the other witches. She even suggested that they should form a coven. She believes in crystals and other New Age stuff, to the other witches’ annoyance.

On a dark and stormy night, a man appears and gives them an infant and a crown. Even the witches have heard that their king has died. A bit later, a group of soldiers come to threaten the witches for the child. The witches don’t give in and instead most of the men flee. The witches decide to hide the kid and what would be a better place than group of traveling actors? The witches see the show (a first time for both Granny and Nanny) and in the end give the kid to the childless actors. The witches even give the kid three gifts, fairy godmother style. Little Tomjohn’s childhood is interesting, to say the least.

Meanwhile, in the castle, king Verence’s ghost is trying to get used to being dead. Apparently, his cousin Duke Felmet and his ambitious and determined wife have killed him and taken over the small land, and it’s Verence’s destiny to haunt the castle until his heir takes it back. Verence’s mood isn’t lifted when he finds out that the castle is haunted by a variety of the earlier owners, some of the Verence’s ancestors.

Duke Felmet is actually not happy with the situation. He’s haunted by what he has done and is trapped in a loveless marriage. He blames the trees. There are a lot of trees in Lancre.

Felmet has a new fool who is quite a tragic figure. His past is pretty horrible in the awful school for fools. He also didn’t choose his profession; his grandfather just made him continue the family tradition.

Obviously, MacBeth has inspired this book. There’s also a Hamlet-like ghost. Hwel, the dwarven script writer for the troupe, channels Shakespeare and tries out various wordings.

There’s a lot of things going on in the book. According to Granny and the Fool words are dangerous things because they can change how people view things and remember the past, no matter what really happened. Pratchett explores this through the actors and the Fool.

“The past is what people remember, and memories are words. Who knows how a king behaved a thousand years ago? There is only recollection, and stories.” the Fool

“Things that try to look like things often do look more like things than things. Well-known fact.” Granny Weatherwax

One of my favorite Discworld books!

This is the first time I’ve listened a Pratchett book and I really enjoyed Imrie’s reading. She has individual voices to all witches and most of the supporting cast, too. Death has a very echoy voice and I would swear that he has a male voice but there’s no mention of a male voice actor.(less)

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May 19, 2012 Orr Hirschauge added it · review of another edition

Wyrd Systers isn't one of Pratchett's greatest feats, but it might have been. It seems all the ingredients are there. The story tries taking in the world of theater and political influence, Shakespearian drama en large and Macbeth in detail – materials that should have been quite enough for Pratchett's talent for parody. He even lays out the foundations drawing from Macbeth – politics are a play, specifically a play the conclusion of which should be legitimacy. And yet, the symbolic web Pratchet...more

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May 01, 2012 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, comic

If the idiots of the world aren't careful, they'll find themselves being educated without knowing it. Reading Pratchett is like reading something written by someone who finds pretty much everything interesting, and wants to share it with you without condescending or being preachy. Oh, wait...

Here he tackles Macbeth in particular, and the power of the written and spoken word in general. How he manages to take something as epic and classic as Macbeth and simultaneously mock it and pay homage to it...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Donovan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comedy, fantasy

Terry Pratchett does for fantasy what Douglas Adams did for science fiction...pure comedic genius.
Wyrd Sisters is just one story that features in the Discworld series. If you don't know what the Discworld is, then you must lead a poor shallow inconsolable life and no amount of funny witty puns collected in to an adventure filled story is going to make your day: or will it?
It cemented what I thought was great about Pratchett's writing. Which is to say colourful, flamboyant, easy to read and will...more Terry Pratchett does for fantasy what Douglas Adams did for science fiction...pure comedic genius.
Wyrd Sisters is just one story that features in the Discworld series. If you don't know what the Discworld is, then you must lead a poor shallow inconsolable life and no amount of funny witty puns collected in to an adventure filled story is going to make your day: or will it?
It cemented what I thought was great about Pratchett's writing. Which is to say colourful, flamboyant, easy to read and will leave you in small fits of belly shacking chuckles (if not all out laughter).
If you want a fun read or a great bed time story for the little ones, then I thoroughly recommend this.

Every good Wiccan should read this one.

Plot ***Spoilers***
Wyrd Sisters features three witches: Granny Weatherwax; Nanny Ogg, matriarch of a large tribe of Oggs and owner of the most evil cat in the world; and Magrat Garlick, the junior witch, who firmly believes in occult jewelry, covens, and bubbling cauldrons, much to the annoyance of the other two.

King Verence I of Lancre is murdered by his cousin, Duke Felmet, after his ambitious wife persuades him to do so. The King's crown and child are given by an escaping servant to the three witches. The witches hand the child to a troupe of travelling actors, and hide the crown in the props-box. They acknowledge that destiny will eventually take its course and that the child, Tomjon, will grow up to defeat Duke Felmet and take his rightful place as king.

However, the kingdom is angry about the way the new King is mistreating the land and his subjects. The witches realise that it will be at least 15 years until Tomjon is able to return and save the kingdom, but by then irreparable damage will have been done. Granny Weatherwax, with help from the other two witches, manages to cast a spell over the entire kingdom to freeze it in time for 15 years. Meanwhile, the duke has decided to have a play written and performed that portrays him in a favourable light and the witches in a negative light. He thinks this will cause the witches to lose their power, and the people will like him. He sends the court Fool to Ankh-Morpork to recruit the same acting company that Tomjon was given to, which now resides in the Dysk Theatre on the river Ankh.

The company make their way to Lancre, and perform the play for the King as asked. However, Hwel, the playwright, maintains that there is something wrong with the plot of the play, something that just doesn't feel right. The witches cast a spell in the middle of the play that causes the actors to portray the killing of the king truthfully, and the audience sees that the Duke and Duchess are guilty of killing Verence I. Felmet finally succumbs to insanity and stabs several people with a retracting stage dagger, before tripping and falling to his death in the Lancre Gorge. The Duchess is imprisoned but manages to escape, only to be killed by a collection of various forest animals who want revenge for the poor treatment of the land.

Granny Weatherwax explains that Tomjon is the rightful king, and he is due to be crowned. However, Tomjon does not want to be king; he is an extremely talented actor and wishes to continue his career with his adopted father, Vitoller. Instead Granny Weatherwax tells the town that the Fool is in fact the king's son from another mother, and Tomjon's half-brother, and he is crowned King Verence II of Lancre. Later on, Granny and Nanny reveal to Magrat that the previous fool is actually Tomjon's and Verence II's father. The status of Magrat and Verence II, who have been awkwardly courting throughout the story, is not fully explained in this conclusion.(less)

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Nov 23, 2011 Roberta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008

Wyrd Sisters: Shakespeare on Stage

Questo romanzo, secondo della serie delle Streghe all'interno del Mondo Disco, parla principalmente delle parole e dell'importanza che esse hanno nel plasmare la realtà.

Sorellanza stregonesca è la traduzione dell'originale Wyrd Sisters, dove "wyrd" è un antica parola che significa "fato" o "karma" (altro argomento portante del romanzo) ma che è anche la base etimologica del moderno "weird" ovvero "strano" o "misterioso". "Wird sisters" sono anche le tre streghe...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Христо Блажев rated it 5 of 5 stars

Как от престолонаследник се става престолоСЕДНИК – “Посестрими в занаята” и Тери Пратчет
http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/07/b...

Сега, взимате Шекспир и “Хамлет” и ги пренасяте в Света на диска. Давате силна власт на 2+1 вещици, осигурявате една буря в подготовка за главна роля, невръстен крал, свързан тясно със странното нещо, наречено театър, един коварен узурпатор, узурпиран основно от жена си – свръхковарна узурпаторка, един призрак, който основно обикаля наоколо и се чуди какво да прави и х...more

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Aug 27, 2011 La Stamberga dei Lettori rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sakura87

Sta imperversando una tempesta davvero soddisfatta di se stessa quando, nel palazzo reale di Lacre, re Verence I viene assassinato da suo cugino, spinto dall'ambiziosa moglie. Un servitore riesce a trarre in salvo l'erede infante, inseguito dai sicari dell'usurpatore incaricati di completare il lavoro. Ma ecco che la strada di fuggitivo e inseguitori incrocia il sabba delle streghe Nonnina Weatherwax, Nonna Ogg e Magrat, che ben poche volte sono costrette a ricorrere alla vera magia per influire...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Jenny Sparrow rated it 3 of 5 stars

Вот и я добралась наконец-то до творчества Терри Пратчетта, известнейшего писателя в стиле юмористического фэнтези. Выбор романа для знакомства был предрешен наличием этой книги на аукционе ay.by. Тем более, что мне все равно хотелось начать именно с серии про ведьм. Хотя это и вторая книга серии, судя по моей схеме. Итак, "Вещие сестрички".

Начинается все так: король погибает от предательского кинжала, его сына-младенца - законного наследника - увозят из замка, чтобы спасти от опасности, на трон...more Вот и я добралась наконец-то до творчества Терри Пратчетта, известнейшего писателя в стиле юмористического фэнтези. Выбор романа для знакомства был предрешен наличием этой книги на аукционе ay.by. Тем более, что мне все равно хотелось начать именно с серии про ведьм. Хотя это и вторая книга серии, судя по моей схеме. Итак, "Вещие сестрички".

Начинается все так: король погибает от предательского кинжала, его сына-младенца - законного наследника - увозят из замка, чтобы спасти от опасности, на троне воцаряется гнусный тиран, и во всем этом оказываются замешанными три весьма колоритные ведьмы... Дальше что-то говорить смысла нет, сами все узнаете, если захотите почитать :)

Терри Пратчетт является заслуженным мастером и родоначальником жанра сатирического фэнтэзи. Причем Плоский мир, где разворачиваются действия большинства романов, - это не строго мир фэнтэзи, это сплав сказки и нашей реальности, куда ловко примешиваются современные и не очень реалии, тонко высмеиваемые автором. Пратчетт не вызвал у меня ощущения натянутости шуток, намеренной нелепости ситуаций, которые всегда отвращали меня от юмористического фэнтэзи. Юмор и забавные ситуации удаются ему непринужденно и легко. Не скажу, чтобы я все время смеялась в голос (не считая одного момента, когда буквально живот надорвала от смеха), но посмеивалась часто :)

Пратчетт произвел на меня впечатление очень добродушного человека, который пишет добродушную литературу. Этакие добрые, уютный сказки про волшебство и разные перипетии в жизни героев, приправленные шутками и иронией. И да, добро должно обязательно победить! Конечно, я сужу только по одной книге, но уже знаю, что обязательно почитаю что-нибудь еще, хотя это и не "самое моё". Но когда хочется чего-то уютного, легкого и доброго, книги Пратчетта - самое то :)(less)

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