Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Sir Terry Pratchett Reading Challenge

I've finished the third book of the Tiffany Aching series! This time, it's a re-read of the first Pratchett Book I ever read - Wintersmith, which is why it holds a special place in my reading memories. Basically, the story starts when Tiffany uncharacteristically joins in the Morris dance, temporarily taking over the role of Summer and attracting the (unwelcome) attentions of Winter.

The book was, as usual, engrossing. In fact, I wonder why this is specifically written for kids. It feels like a 'normal' Discworld book (if a normal Discworld book exists, considering the existence of several interrelated but unconnected plots and characters).

But interestingly, I read more about Nanny Ogg in this book. And for some reason, I feel like she was given more character here than in the others (or maybe I've been too long away from books involving her). The interactions between her, Tiffany and Mistress Weatherwax are very amusing.

Oh course, the Nac Mac Feegles are in here and they are as amusing as usual. I love how their greatest fear is reading and the book ends oddly (but rather fittingly) on this note:

"There was a cheer from the assembled Feegles as Rob ran around the book, waving his hands in the air.

'An' this one is a lot harder than Abker, right?" he said, when he'd done the circuit. "That one was easy! An' a very predictable plot. Whoever writted that book didna stretch himself, in ma opinion."

'You mean the ABC?" said Billy Bigchin.

'Aye'. Rob Anybody jumped up and down and punched the air a few times. 'Got anythin' a wee bit tougher?'

[...]

'Somethin' I can get ma teeth intae,' Rob added. 'A big book.'

'Well, this one's called Principles of Modern Accountancy,' said Billy doubtfully.

'An' is that a big heroic book to read?' said Rob, running on the spot.

[...]

'Ah'm feelin' guid about this readin',' said Rob Anybody. 'Bring it on!'

And he read Principles of Modern Accountancy all morning, but just to make it interesting, he put lots of dragons in it."

Doncha just love the Feegles? I do (from a distance, naturally).

And of course, the subplots were quite interesting. We saw more of Rob and Annagramma and I loved how they were so human (not completely flawed or flawless, and flawed in an understandable way). They're people I can imagine meeting, and I have a feeling that if I think hard enough, I'd find friends that resemble them in some way.

Next month, I shall move on to the final Tiffany Aching book(:

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