I love Pratchett’s take on witchcraft and suspect, somewhat sadly, that many elderly women burnt in previous centuries as witches had adopted the role of doctor and agony aunt in the manner of hardworking Mistress Level, the witch to whom Tiffany is apprenticed. Though perhaps without the faded, tatty black dress, hand-made hat and hobnailed boots. Tiffany is a wonderful character, yet reading this one reminded me all over again just how awesome Granny Weatherwax is – I’m aiming to use her as my role model. Their adventures are both hilarious and full of tension, something Pratchett does very well. The Nac Mac Feegle have adopted Tiffany as their ‘wee hag’ – their witch – and when they realise she is in danger, a hand-picked band of tiny warriors led by the brave Rob Anybody set off after her to try and save her. I was regularly laughing aloud at the exchanges between Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegles and on one particular occasion, Tiffany and Granny Weatherwax. It probably helps that it is often very funny – which was the other aspect that struck me while listening. I’m still trying to work out why it doesn’t grate with me, when generally it’s a point of view I hate.
I had registered, when reading, what a quirky authorial viewpoint Pratchett adopts but listening to it really brought home just how much he tends to cover in semi-omniscience, so that we get the author as storyteller nested within the narrative. This adult, like many others, absolutely loved it. What you don’t have to do is read the previous thirty-one Discworld books to enjoy this offering, as it is part of a spin-off series more precisely aimed at younger readers. While this book can be read as a standalone, it will make more sense if you have read the previous Tiffany Aching book, The Wee Free Men, which also features the little blue-skinned, tartan-wearing, fight-loving fae folk who live on the chalk. To deal with it, Tiffany has to go to the very heart of what makes her a witch.
Something ancient and horrible, which can’t die. And there’s something just waiting for a handy body to take over. But this was the first time I’d had the pleasure of listening to the story…īLURB: No real witch would casually step out of their body, leaving it empty. I’d read the hardback version of this book when it first was released and thoroughly enjoyed it – I love Tiffany Aching – and also read it aloud to the oldest grandchild.
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