Terry Pratchet's Wyrd Sisters is a story of three witches, a ghost, a duke, a fool, and an actor, among other things. It is a fantastical, comedic story that uses different perspectives to make sure the reader understands (almost) everything that is going on. While it is part of a series of books that take place in Discworld, which is the world all the characters live in, no prior knowledge of the series is needed to understand and enjoy the book.
Wyrd Sisters starts by introducing us to the Discworld, a world being carried by giant elephants that ride the back of a humongous space turtle. Next, it goes on to describe the current storm over the land of Lancre, where our story takes place. Wyrd Sisters shows us the storm's perspective and thoughts so we see why it is storming. Finally we meet the fabled Sisters themselves. While not being sisters by blood, the three witches are part of a makeshift coven. Nanny Ogg is cheerful, easy going, and frivolous. Granny Weatherwax is strict, mysterious, and frightening. Magrat is... well she's Magrat. Young, fanciful, and showy. From the start of the book the reader can tell that the witches are carefree and also demanding of respect.
After meeting the witches, the reader is rushed away to glimpse a carriage rushing through the storm, then quickly rushed away again to meet the former king of Lancre, Verence I. Verence has just been murdered by Felmet, a greedy relative that wanted Verence's throne. Verence is seen talking to Death about his new ghostly form and the aspects of living as a ghost. Within a few pages the reader is once again whisked back to the three witches, who are about to interact with the carriage mentioned earlier. The carriage comes to a screeching halt in front of the witches, and out topples a man who hands Granny a bundle of clothes before falling over with crossbow bolts in his back. Upon getting rid of the pursuers of the carriage, the witches find themselves to be in the possession of a baby boy, one that seems to be a prince judging by the crown with him.
With the scene painted, the story works on coming together. The child is given to a travelling couple in the play industry. King Verence comes to terms with the fact he is a ghost and starts haunting his castle. Lord Felmet takes the throne of Lancre and declares himself king. The witches do whatever pleases them, one of such pleasures being to bless the child they sent away with the travelling actors. At this point, the reader sees a bit of the new king's perspective, and how he is traumatized from killing his predecessor and is very paranoid about everything, namely trees. Years pass by, and the new king decides to oppress the witches. The witches in turn retaliate by speeding up time to ready Verence's successor, the child from that fateful stormy night.
Wyrd Sisters is a fun and easy read. I would recommend it to fantasy and comedy lovers, as well as anyone in need of a good story and potentially new series. Nanny, Granny, and Magrat are charming and funny characters that are very expressive with their own unique personalities. I will say it once again, give Wyrd Sisters a try.
Great post! I love how the three witches each have their unique character traits and seem well-developed. I also love the worldbuilding of Discworld and how outlandish its made to be. This sounds like a very funny and interesting fantasy book.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fun to read. As I read your description of the plot the book sounded increasingly more engaging. The characters sound unique and interesting to read about.
ReplyDeleteFantasy is definitely one of my favorite genres and this book sounds so fun! I love how complex the plot is and the attention to detail really brings the story to life. This seems like the perfect book to get lost in.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so whimsical and fun to read! The witches seem very interesting to read about, and the world is unlike anything I have read about before; it seems very fantastical and interesting. I will add this book to my reading list!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of comedic shows and books. The plot seems extremely unique, and it appears from what your summary gave me that it parodies a lot of common fairy tales. I might give this fun and interesting book a try later on.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading comedy books, and this wide cast of unique characters would make the story very intriguing. I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the comedy would be very funny to read but I probably would not pick this book up. I am not too much of a fan of fantasy or comedy books really. SO I as i said this is not the type of book I would read.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked fantasy and dystopian books, and I love the way you described being "rushed" away to a different scene. I think that is something that is needed for a good book.
ReplyDeleteThe setting and plot of this book sound so fantastical! I like the way you said that the reader almost understands what is going on. Sometimes having little background knowledge or context for what is happening can make a story more intriguing.
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