Equal Rites
Terry Pratchett
The first two books of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series revolve around a wizard, Rincewind. Rincewind is a uniquely incompetent wizard; in fact, his claim to being a wizard is debatable. Most of the wizards of the Discworld are pretty bad at their jobs, or indeed, at almost anything. These are not Tolkien's "subtle and quick to anger" wizards -- these wizards wouldn't recognize subtlety if if bit them (which, let us admit, is not a thing subtlety is apt to do).
Wizards are not the only magic users of the Discworld -- there are also witches. There are no women wizards. The Discworld is not a place that believes in equal rights for women and men -- the title is a pun on this. And besides, witchcraft and wizardry are quite different types of magic.
The story begins when a dying wizard, Drum Billet, comes to the town of Bad Ass to bequeath his staff to the not-yet-born eighth son of Gordo Smith, himself an eighth son. Eighth sons of eighth sons become wizards. You can probably guess what happens -- the new child is not a son, but a daughter, named Eskarina. Nevertheless, Drum Billet's staff attaches itself to her.
Bad Ass's witch, Granny Weatherwax, convinces the Smiths to allow her to train Esk to magic. I won't tell you any more of the story. It sort of didn't matter all that much -- the fun of the book was the introduction to Granny Weatherwax and Eskarina, who are a gas.
Pratchett as always, brings the laughs. I was particularly stuck by this description of another witch
Hilta Goatfounder was all lace and shawls and colours and earrings and so many bangles that a mere movement of her arms sounded like a percussion section falling off a cliff.
The "percussion section falling off a cliff" metaphor is maintained and plays out over several paragraphs in creative and always funny variations.
So, yeah, this was fun, and I look forward to hearing more about Granny and Esk in future Discworld books.
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