The first book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series to feature the witches in a starring role, Equal Rites is a wonderful introduction to Granny Weatherwax. While Witches Abroad is perhaps my favourite in the Witches series within a series, there is much to cackle and ponder over in this, the third Discworld novel. Her character develops quite beautifully through the books, and Granny is perhaps my most beloved character (ever) to appear in print. I am an admirer of her use of headology, and adore her relationship with Nanny, Magrat, Tiffany, and of course Death. If you’ve not yet met the totally fabulous Granny, do introduce yourself, I’m sure she would be delighted to greet you.
'They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.'
Everybody knows there's no such thing as a female wizard. So when the wizard Drum Billet accidentally passes on his staff of power to an eighth daughter of an eighth son, a girl called Eskarina (Esk, for short), the misogynistic world of wizardry wants nothing to do with her.
Thankfully Granny Weatherwax, the Discworld's most famous witch, has plenty of experience ignoring the status quo. With Granny's help, Esk sneaks her way into the magical Unseen University and befriends apprentice wizard Simon.
But power is unpredictable, and these bright young students soon find themselves in a whole new dimension of trouble. Let the battle of the sexes begin . . .
'If you've never read a Discworld novel, what's the matter with you?' Guardian
'Pratchett uses his other world to hold up a distorting mirror to our own' The Times
Equal Rites is the first book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.
If you are unfamiliar with Pratchett's unique blend of philosophical badinage, you are on the threshold of a mind-expanding opportunity - Financial Times
Persistently amusing, good-hearted and shrewd - The Sunday Times
Pratchett keeps getting better and better...It's hard to think of any humorist writing in Britain today who can match him - Time Out
Author
About Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett(1948 - 2015) was born in 1948 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. He had his first story published when he was just thirteen, and after leaving school at seventeen to become a journalist he continued writing, publishing his first novel, The Carpet People, in 1971 and going on to produce the phenomenally successful Discworld and his trilogy for young readers, The Bromeliad. His first Discworld novel for children, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal.
Terry Pratchett as well as numerous other books, winning many awards and becoming the UK’s bestselling author. He was appointed OBE in 1998.
He died in March 2015 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. You can find out more about his life and work at www.terrypratchettbooks.com
