Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Mar 09, 2013 Jamie Collins rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, humor

Pratchett’s writing is clever and amusing, and I liked Granny Weatherwax. I look forward to reading more about her.

The abstract, unsubtle wizard magic in this book doesn’t do much for me, however. I find Granny’s headology more appealing.

So far I prefer the more down-to-disc stories featuring the Night Watch.

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Jul 08, 2008 Dr M rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, humour

The third Discworld novel, and Pratchett is taking his first baby-steps towards becoming more than just the Douglas Adams of fantasy. At this point it is clear that Pratchett is starting to have ideas beyond the slapstick-like character of the preceding two books, as well starting to introduce interesting characters with depth and ... well, character (we meet Granny Weatherwax for the first time in Equal Rites), but he has yet to figure out where to go with them.

Equal Rites deals with themes of The third Discworld novel, and Pratchett is taking his first baby-steps towards becoming more than just the Douglas Adams of fantasy. At this point it is clear that Pratchett is starting to have ideas beyond the slapstick-like character of the preceding two books, as well starting to introduce interesting characters with depth and ... well, character (we meet Granny Weatherwax for the first time in Equal Rites), but he has yet to figure out where to go with them.

Equal Rites deals with themes of gender equality and gender roles. It demonstrates in a striking way how perceptions of what men and women should be and should do are perpetuated by men and women both. The case in point is a young girl who, by mistake, is given the powers of wizard magic and needs to go to Unseen University for proper training. Of course, women can't be wizards, "as is evident to everyone". Women become witches, which is something else entirely (and in Granny's opinion much better and certainly more sensible -- both of these assessments are probably true). From there on, the plot is fairly straightforward and unsurprising. Also, it is, unfortunately, rather slow.

The book does certainly have its entertaining and outright funny parts, but to my mind it lacks both the light humorous character of some of the other early Discworld novels and the sharper, deeper, more intellectual and satirical (and in my opinion much funnier, not to mention more interesting) commentary that Pratchett develops later in the Discworld series. For me, Equal Rites never really takes flight.

If feminist commentary of any kind is what gets you going, you are likely going to love Equal Rites, and if you are a Discworld enthusiast, this is probably a must-read for historical reasons if nothing else. (The same applies if you are obsessive about reading the Discworld sub-stories in absolute chronological order, in which case this is the first of the witches books, but it really does not add much to Wyrd Sisters, which is where the witches storyline really takes off.) If none of the above apply, this is still a mildly entertaining and funny book, perfect to pick up for an easy read if you are "between books" or need something for a long train ride. There are better books in the Discworld series, however. ...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Bradley rated it liked it

I didn't like this one as much as Sourcery, but it was still a fun quick read. =) ...more

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Mar 01, 2009 Sarah Sammis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, pc, read-in-2010

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett is the third Discworld novel and the first of the witch books. It's also the first hint of the social discourse that has become the mainstay of the series.

The book opens with a wizard wanting to pass on his powers to the eighth son of an eighth son before he dies. In his haste he passes his powers to the daughter of an eighth son. When she comes of age she will need to learn how to use her powers. All young wizards go to the Unseen University. There's just one prob ...more

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Aug 24, 2015 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic

After attending a bunch of Discworld panels at worldcon this year (2015) I wanted to start reading Pratchett again. I've never read the stories by grouping before so I'm starting with the witches (because I love them best and because a new, and the last, Tiffany Aiching book is coming out soon).

Sometimes I forget how much I love reading Pratchett! ...more

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Oct 28, 2010 Andrea rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, magic-school

I read the Color of Magic and thought that it was fun, but Rincewind was not my favorite, so I didn't pick up the next for a while until it was suggested by a friend who loves the series that I try some of the witches books. I really enjoyed Equal Rites. I love the witches and the wizards and Eskarina in between. It seems like this series will always be something good to pick up when I am down. Quick and silly and lovable. ...more

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