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Equal Rites (Discworld #3)
On Discworld, a dying wizard tries to pass on his powers to an eighth son of an eighth son, who is just at that moment being born. The fact that the son is actually a daughter is discovered just a little too late. The town witch insists on turning the baby into a perfectly normal witch, thus mending the magical damage of the wizard's mistake. But now the young girl will be...more
Paperback, 228 pages
Published
September 13th 2005
by HarperCollins Publishers
(first published 1987)
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Another fun Discworld book :-) This series seems to be like Redwall--occassionally recurring characters, but the books can be read on their own as separate adventures.
As with the other two Discworlds I read, this one was funny, but also rather thoughtful. I liked how the author even incorporated some physics into the action :-) It took me a bit to get into it, but I did enjoy it very much and found it a great deal of fun!
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After I read the first two Discwo...more
As with the other two Discworlds I read, this one was funny, but also rather thoughtful. I liked how the author even incorporated some physics into the action :-) It took me a bit to get into it, but I did enjoy it very much and found it a great deal of fun!
***********
After I read the first two Discwo...more
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Darlene
rated it
Recommends it for:
Discworld lovers, witch lovers, women's libbers
Recommended to Darlene by:
Cherylllr, Yvensong, Kay kuns
I am having a lot more fun with this one than the other two. I can't seem to put this one down! Too bad real life gets in the way of reading! :)
After a fabulous discussion on whether to continue reading the Terry Pratchett books or not, I decided to give the third book in the series a go, and then see how I felt after that. I still wasn't completely sold on the concept but I must admit I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous one. The characters seemed a lot better explained and it was easy to understand their actions - although I did think some of it was hard to believe of a child under ten years old.
As the title indicates, ...more
As the title indicates, ...more
Desidererete studiare la "menteologia"
dopo aver letto questo bellissimo libro. Primo della "sottoserie" delle streghe del Mondo Disco (e terzo all'interno della serie, ma autoconclusivo), L'arte della magia racconta la storia di Eskarina Smith, ottava figlia di un ottavo figlio a cui un mago morente affida la propria magia (e la propria verga) prima di rendersi conto che si tratta di una femminuccia.
Crescendo la presenza inquietante della verga e del potere ma...more
dopo aver letto questo bellissimo libro. Primo della "sottoserie" delle streghe del Mondo Disco (e terzo all'interno della serie, ma autoconclusivo), L'arte della magia racconta la storia di Eskarina Smith, ottava figlia di un ottavo figlio a cui un mago morente affida la propria magia (e la propria verga) prima di rendersi conto che si tratta di una femminuccia.
Crescendo la presenza inquietante della verga e del potere ma...more
Въпреки, че не бях впечатлен кой знае колко от предните две книги от поредицата "Светът на диска", тази определено си заслужаваше слушането. Накара ме да си припомня, че правилата не са за спазване, а за създаване и само защото някой ти казва, че нещо не може да стане, тъй като така е прието от обществото, това не трябва да те спира да се бориш за постигането на желанията си! :)
За разлика от предните книги, които ми се струваха хаотични и някакси писани без план, историята ...more
За разлика от предните книги, които ми се струваха хаотични и някакси писани без план, историята ...more
Whenever things get you down, just read a Discworld book by Terry Pratchett. This is one of his first and takes me way back to the beginnings of Granny Weatherwax.
The main story is about the 8th son of an 8th son, except the son turns out to be a daughter. An old wizard comes by and give the daughter his wizarding staff, because he assumes she's a he (it was dark and the wizard's eyes were failing a bit). But, girls aren't supposed to be wizards. They can be witches, but wizards are s...more
The main story is about the 8th son of an 8th son, except the son turns out to be a daughter. An old wizard comes by and give the daughter his wizarding staff, because he assumes she's a he (it was dark and the wizard's eyes were failing a bit). But, girls aren't supposed to be wizards. They can be witches, but wizards are s...more
Sulitkan membayangkan seorang Terry Pratchett sebagai feminist? Setelah dua kisah seri Tiffany Aching: Pria Cilik Merdeka dan Topi Selebar Langit seharusnya hal ini sudah tidak mengejutkan lagi. Equal Rites lebih menonjolkan pendapat ini kembali. Setelah kedua seri awal discworld yang menceritakan wizard setengah jadi yang superkocak, seri discworld ketiga ini menceritakan (dengan sama kocaknya) tentang Nenek Wetherwax (Witch, kemungkinan besar leluhur dari Nenek Wetherwax-nya Tiffany Aching) ya...more
Pratchett loves language, that much is clear from the book, and I must say, storywise, this is an improvement from the first Discworld, which I though was rather a jumble of cool ideas that were only very loosely connected. This, however, read as a single story, though the ending left something to desire. Then again, Esk, the main characters, is slightly underwhelmed herself, so I guess that must be the point.
The story was, however, very imaginative, with building having personalitie...more
The story was, however, very imaginative, with building having personalitie...more
"It's a witch's hat because you wear it. But you're a witch because you wear the hat. Um."
"So -" prompted Granny.
"So people see you coming in the hat and the cloak and they know you're a witch and that's why your magic works?" said Esk.
"That's right," said Granny. "It's called headology." She tapped her silver hair, which was drawn into a tight bun that could crack rocks.
"But it's not real...more
"So -" prompted Granny.
"So people see you coming in the hat and the cloak and they know you're a witch and that's why your magic works?" said Esk.
"That's right," said Granny. "It's called headology." She tapped her silver hair, which was drawn into a tight bun that could crack rocks.
"But it's not real...more
Before you think all I read is Terry Pratchett books, ask yourself if you’ve ever read a Terry Pratchett book. If you have, you’ll know why I’ve gone through this little flurry of Discworld books. If you haven’t, please remove yourself to your local library and check one out. Then, you’ll understand.
This book represents the introduction of Granny Weatherwax. Although most Discworld books can be read in whatever order you choose, I was instructed by the author that before reading “L...more
This book represents the introduction of Granny Weatherwax. Although most Discworld books can be read in whatever order you choose, I was instructed by the author that before reading “L...more
Wyrd Sisters was my first Pratchett, and such a bliss-out that I am forever partial to any Discworld narrative that involves witches. Especially if the witch in question is Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax. And Granny is front and center in Equal Rites.
I won't go into details of the plot except to say that the punny title alludes to the (in this case) magical battle between the sexes which provides much of the story's conflict. See, women can be witches and men can be wizards...more
I won't go into details of the plot except to say that the punny title alludes to the (in this case) magical battle between the sexes which provides much of the story's conflict. See, women can be witches and men can be wizards...more
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett is the third book in his Discworld series, and I loved the first two, they were great, but I didn't like this one as much, partly because the hilarious Twoflower and Rincewind were gone from the story! I really missed them. The story and the world of the Disc didn't seem the same without them!
Equal Rites is a story about a dying wizard who tries to pass his powers onto the eighth son of an eighth son, but the 'son' is actually a girl! She is called Eskarina, ...more
Equal Rites is a story about a dying wizard who tries to pass his powers onto the eighth son of an eighth son, but the 'son' is actually a girl! She is called Eskarina, ...more
While this book was written in the time when Terry Pratchett still wasn't entirely sure where Discworld was going, it has brilliant moments in it that hint of the greatness to come in the series and the good natured, real world cultural commentary that later becomes a staple of his work. This book, as the title suggests deals with gender roles in the context of fantasy, but also touch on the real implications of such views. Following Granny Weatherwax, a powerful witch skilled in "headology...more
Ok, this was the first of Pratchett's Discworld series that I actually enjoyed. After reading the first two books which were less than stellar, it was with trepidation that I moved on to Equal Rites. But this one was good, not excellent, but still enjoyable. Although it is part of a series, this book could be read as a standalone, and as such I'm not going to recap the other books except to say that Discworld is in fact a magical world on a disc, held up by four elephants which in turn are held ...more
As I've said in the past, I'm a pretty big fan of Pratchett's work ever since I read `Good Omens' years back. I've always wondered what a female wizard would be like & now I get to see exactly that.
The plot follows Esk, a girl who becomes a wizard- something that is unthinkable to just about everyone she comes across. When Esk starts showing more promise, everyone keeps trying to raise her in more traditional roles. Esk tries her hand as a witch (with the help of Granny Weatherwax), ...more
The plot follows Esk, a girl who becomes a wizard- something that is unthinkable to just about everyone she comes across. When Esk starts showing more promise, everyone keeps trying to raise her in more traditional roles. Esk tries her hand as a witch (with the help of Granny Weatherwax), ...more
Les annales du Disque-Monde constituent l’œuvre majeure de l’anglais Terry Pratchett, qui y a gagné ses galons d’humoriste reconnu et vénéré. Avec plus de 30 volumes au compteur, voilà une série qui a séduit bien des lecteurs et suscité un enthousiasme sans cesse renouvelé. Un monde plat et rond, porté par quatre éléphants eux-mêmes juchés sur la carapace d’une énorme tortue. Tout ça a de quoi surprendre. Sur ce gigantesque disque, un univers inspiré des romans de fantasy, peuplé de dieux, sorci...more
On Discworld, everyone knows that only men can be wizards just as only women can be witches. Everyone also knows that the eighth son of an eighth son is always a wizard. Imagine then, the trouble that begins when a dying wizard neglects to verify an 8th baby’s gender before passing on his magical staff . . . .
Midwife Granny Weatherwax is quite annoyed with this turn of events but what is done cannot be undone. She determines to raise the 8th child, a girl named Esk, as a witch. W...more
Midwife Granny Weatherwax is quite annoyed with this turn of events but what is done cannot be undone. She determines to raise the 8th child, a girl named Esk, as a witch. W...more
Pratchett’s third Discworld novel dispels with Rincewind and the various other assorted characters we met in the first two books, instead introducing one of the series’ most memorable characters: Granny Weatherwax, the sharp-tongued witch. Unfortunately, Granny is embroiled in a rather slow-moving tale that doesn’t really go anywhere for a hundred pages, before finishing with a rip-roaring conclusion that’s full of amusement, excitement and excellent writing. It’s just a shame that Pratchett did...more
Equal Rites is one of my favorite Discworld novels, and it was a pleasure to rediscover it as part of my Discworld challenge. The story concerns Eskarina Smith, or Esk, as she is more commonly known. Esk was supposed to be the eighth son of an eighth son, but as anyone who has children knows, the sex isn't necessarily a given until the delivery is officially over. Unfortunately, a dying wizard who wished to bequeath his knowledge to a successor didn't take the take to verify Esk's identity be...more
I have mixed feelings about Equal Rites. On the one hand, its is a very easy book to read, and Granny Weatherwax is a brilliant character; I very much enjoyed the way she practiced magic, especially her ‘headology’, and the fact that most of her magic was simply made up of making people believe that what she was doing was magical, and more importantly, that it would work. On the other hand, Esk was a character I just couldn’t get behind. I can identify with the whole gender equality struggle,...more
La pequeña Esk(la octava hija del herrero a su vez octavo hijo,por consiguiente una maga)recibe el poder de Tambor Leño,un mago moribundo que le hereda su baston magico.La pequeña Esk crece normal hasta sus 8 años cuando Yaya Ceravieja la bruja la toma bajo su tutela y le enseña hechizos de prestamo de animales,perdiendose Esk en la mente del aguila debido a su curiosidad y falta de cautela.Despues de rescatarla Yaya decide llevarla a la universidad de magia para enseñara a controlar sus habilid...more
Not as funny and engaging as the first two books I read, The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic, but I was entertained by it and it certainly kept my attention. I suppose there are a few things that I can put my finger on that I didn't care for. The coming of age story about the underdog is not necessarily a formula that I particularly enjoy, but this story approaches it in a new, fresh, and sudden way that makes it a one of the best of these formulaic endeavors to the extent that i was in...more
I'm glad I'm reading the "Discworld" books in order. There are thirty-eight of 'em so far, published from 1983 to the present year. That's more than twenty-five years of one author's experiences and perspectives lined up on more pages than I care to count. Equal Rites, the third volume in the series, is so drastically different from the first two it makes me wonder what's to come as Terry Pratchett matures with his characters.
While The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic...more
While The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic...more
След като прочетох първите две книги от поредицата, бях сто процента сигурна, че искам да изчета всичко. Принципно не обичам дълги поредици, които не свършват, но Истории от света на диска изобилства с разнообразност, колоритни герои и купища смях. Всяка прочетена книга ме убеждава в гения на Тери Пратчет.
Баба Уедъруекс е един уникален персонаж, който успяваше да подчини всички без значение дали са малки момиченца, надменни магьосници или пък своенравни жезли. Колкото до Еск... че нищо...more
Баба Уедъруекс е един уникален персонаж, който успяваше да подчини всички без значение дали са малки момиченца, надменни магьосници или пък своенравни жезли. Колкото до Еск... че нищо...more
Backstory - While my first Terry Pratchett was Good Omens - a joint venture with Neil Gaiman, I've heard great things about Discworld and wanted to take a peak inside. There are dozens of books in the series and there's no need to read the books in order. In fact, there are several sites that offer recommendations for reading order - chronological by publication or based on storyline. While the Watch novels are considered "the best" by some on the Interwebz, I decided to read the Witch...more
2/10/2011: Reading this to the Monkey Pants for a bedtime story. Working around the more risque things has been entertaining.
2/13/2011: Overall entertaining, but kind of squishy on the ending. While I think the Disc World novels are entertaining, at least the first three (The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, and Equal Rites) are a little light on a solid ending. The Colour of Magic very definately bleeds into The Light Fantastic - they could have easily been one book and saved us ...more
2/13/2011: Overall entertaining, but kind of squishy on the ending. While I think the Disc World novels are entertaining, at least the first three (The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, and Equal Rites) are a little light on a solid ending. The Colour of Magic very definately bleeds into The Light Fantastic - they could have easily been one book and saved us ...more
I continue to enjoy the Discworld series, although I feel Pratchett really hits his stride a bit later on in the series than where I am right now. Equal Rites introduces the concept of witches in Discworld with young Eskarina and her mentor, Granny Weatherwax. The only trouble is that Eskarina is actually meant to be a wizard, having been born just as a dying wizard is looking for someone to whom to pass his staff. What he doesn't realize is that the eighth son of an eighth son he's found is act...more
Terry Pratchett is brilliant, and this is no exception. His dry wit is pervasive throughout the book. It had me laughing out loud with every sentence (which, since I was reading at about two o'clock in the morning, was a bit dangerous), and the humor was more than enough for me to disregard any negative aspects of the book. Of these, there were two, and they were large. The first was that one of the main characters, Granny, is simply not particularly likable. Her ideas are generally stupid, and ...more
I can't believe it has been so long since I have listened to a Discworld book, but apparently it has been more than three years since I heard a Terry Pratchett book. I will have to remedy this problem soon and listen to more of these stories. I don't want to wait another three years.
Part of me thought this novel might feel dated. This fantasy is almost 25 years old and the theme of equality is not very prevalent in fiction right now. Feminism is not dead, but much of the time I feel...more
Part of me thought this novel might feel dated. This fantasy is almost 25 years old and the theme of equality is not very prevalent in fiction right now. Feminism is not dead, but much of the time I feel...more
Wizard ,Drum Billet, has 6 minutes to live and he has finally found the eighth son of an eighth son to pass on his magical powers. Unfortunately the eight son happens to be a girl.Eskarina sees herself as more of a witch but finds herself on a journey to become a wizard, but in the Discworld, girls aren't allowed to be wizards. With the help of Granny Weathermax she decides to follow her new calling but then discovers that magic is more powerful and dangerous that she thought. And she also learn...more
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Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel,...more
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“She was already learning that if you ignore the rules people will, half the time, quietly rewrite them so that they don't apply to you.”
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“She was also, by the standards of other people, lost. She would not see it like that. She knew where she was, it was just that everywhere else didn't.”
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