The witches were always my favorite characters of Pratchett's diskworld books. Unlike, say, the wizards, they are tough and dead-sharp people who know what they are doing. But of course written about with Terry's usual warm wit and inventiveness. So imagine my delight when some years ago a new and fresh witch character came around, and one of the toughest and sharpest ones ever, in the unlikely little frame of Tiffany Aching, who was only nine in the first book. She grows older as the books go on though, in the latest, I Shall Wear Midnight, she is sixteen.
Pratchett said that the books are "ostensibly" for young readers, and I couldn't agree more. There is nothing to distinguish his "young reader" books from his others, except that the characters are young and I imagine a young reader would love to grow up on them, like kids did with Harry Potter. But even experienced readers may find words and concepts he'll have to digest a bit, there are no weak blows here.
looks interesting. i have to say Harry Potter was unreadable compared to Enid Blyton.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eolake. I've ordered one of these books for my seven year old granddaughter who is a reading prodigy. It still freaks people out when she corrects adult writer's spelling and grammar. :O)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet they are perfect for her.
ReplyDeleteI loved them , but then I consider Terry to be so enjoyable that I will read his books any day, to cheer, amuse and to educate,always a joy
ReplyDeleteIndeed. For me he probably has the highest hit/fail ratio of any author I know.
ReplyDeleteAnd by "fail" I just mean it was not right for me, I don't mean "bad book", I don't think he has written any such thing.
@Raf
ReplyDeleteDid you ever see "Comic Strip Presents: Five Go Mad in Dorset" or "Five Go Mad on Mescanlin".
French and Saunders, Robbie Coltrane, Ade Edmondson and Peter Richardson.
I really enjoyed "Wee Free Men", I don't think I've tried the others yet. They are definitely fun and worth reading. Has he done anything wrong yet, other than have too many books out there so that you o.d. on them if you're not careful. I burnt out on them after about 15 books, and had to take a break.
ReplyDeleteYou must also have read the Bromeliad Trilogy.
I also love how Strata attacks the Discworld question from a very different angle.
All well said.
ReplyDeleteOf course with any author, if you read a book a week of his, you'll get overdosed.