Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Wintersmith
***** Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett. Fantasy/YA.
I read this one in the mornings with the boys, before school was out--which gives you a little idea of how far behind I am, darnitall.
How to write about a Pratchett book without it degenerating into incoherent fangirly squeeing? I'll try, but I'm not making any promises.
This is the 3rd Tiffany Aching book, which is a subset of the Discworld series. Tiffany is a young witch-in-training.
In Wintersmith, Tiffany turns 13, which is a difficult enough time in any girl's life. But Tiffany's not just any girl, so things are exponentially more difficult. Her biggest problem starts when she (unintentionally, to be sure) steps into the dance between the Wintersmith and the Summer Lady, resulting in her taking on some of the attributes of the Summer Lady, and in the Wintersmith falling in love with her.
Then her current mentor, Miss Treason, announces that she'll be dying soon, and the race is on to decide who should take over her cottage. Tiffany is likely the best qualified, but Annagramma is older and more likely to be accepted by the locals.
Enter Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. Granny manipulates things in her usual twisted way, and Nanny is her usual blend of practicality and earthiness. And of course there are the Nac Mac Feegles, who are just hilarious.
Wintersmith is a young adult novel, but that's mostly because the heroine is 13. The story is universal enough and complex enough to appeal to adult readers as well.
Tiffany takes responsibility for a serious mistake--she gets advice and help along the way, but ultimately, she has to fix the problem herself.
She also has to bite the bullet, swallow her pride, and focus on what's best for everyone in the long run rather than what makes her happy now.
Both of those are lessons that aren't limited to young people--they're not easy for us grown-ups, either.
*sigh* Instead of squeeing, I ended up synopsizing. Sorry about that. It's a great book. I'd recommend reading Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of Sky first, and maybe a couple of the Discworld witch books too, so you're familiar with Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, but you probably don't have to.
...more
Categories: Books, 5stars, Fantasy, YA
Labels: 5 stars, books, fantasy, YA
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Hmmm - Although - niece Trish and Heather are 17yrs and 18yrs -- I wonder if this book will interest them. I know Trish love fantasy books with witch themes....I'll see what she will say when I tell her about this book :)
LOL Darla, some how I'm just use to thinking that Curran is younger in age then that ....*shrug* dunno why. But in that case, if he enjoyed it..I guess Trish would too :)
Is your son excited about Harry Potter book coming out soon?
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Is your son excited about Harry Potter book coming out soon?
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