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Terry Pratchett’s third Discworld novel introduces the character of Granny Weatherwax, one of my favourite characters; she is a witch, and she has the task of helping a girl called Esk get to the Wizard University (Unseen University, a sort of original version of Hogwarts), because she has been chosen as a wizard – but, of course, everyone insists she can’t because girls can only be witches.
The book is a hilarious satire on feminism, and actually feels like something that hasn’t been tried in a fantasy novel before – or since. I loved the fact that Pratchett was able to take a completely new set of characters, with no sign of Rincewind the inept wizard from the first two books. Reading it again after reading most of the series through in the past feels a bit weird, mainly because Granny Weatherwax appears without either Nanny Ogg or Magrat Garlick (introduced in Wyrd Sisters), and instead of Archchancellor Ridcully, Unseen University has Archchancellor Cutangle.
The book is a great read however, and is incredibly funny in places, particularly Granny’s cynicism over witches flying on broomsticks.
Next book: Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)
