Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett

   1988; 319 pages.  Book 6 (out of 41) in the “Discworld” series; Book 2 (out of 6) in the “Witches” subseries.  New Author? : No.  Genres :  Humorous Fantasy; Shakespeare Spoofery; British Humour.  Laurels: 135^th in The Big Read.  Overall Rating : 8*/10.

 

    It’s all a bit confusing.  King Verence can see himself lying at the bottom of a stairway.  His body is well-toned.  He’s kind of proud of that.  But why is he able to gaze upon himself from above?

 

    There’s a black-robed being at his side who’s explaining all this.  Something about King Verence now being a ghost.  But that’s silly.  He was alive just a minute ago, at the top of the stairs.

 

    Maybe that dagger sticking out of the middle of his back has something to do with it.

 

What’s To Like...

    Wyrd Sisters is part of the “Witches” subseries of Terry Pratchett’s fantastic “Discworld” series.  The story takes place in the Kingdom of Lancre, not the customary setting of Ankh-Morpork, which means there’s no Sam Vimes, Carrot, or Patrician to amuse us.  But the three witches, Granny Weatherwax, Magrat, and Nanny Ogg, do a fine job of weaving their own fascinating tale.

 

    Plus there are a bunch of new characters to help out: the ghost of King Verence, the Fool, Duke and Lady Felmet, Tomjon, Hwel, and a specter-seeing cat named Greebo.  And last but not least is the always entertaining grim reaper, Death.

 

    The main plotline chronicles the aftermath of King Verence’s demise.  But we also tag along with a traveling theater troupe, watch the three witches develop their coven and, for one of them, sample something called romance.  And despite a witchy rule of never meddling in the affairs of humans, the trio of hags quickly become entangled in the issue of who shall succeed the lately deceased King of Lancre.

 

    There are references throughout the text to several Shakespearean plays, most notably Macbeth.  I also sensed brief nods to Romeo and Juliet, as well as The Tempest, and other reviewers spotted several more.  But rest assured, even if you’ve never read any of the Bard’s plays, or read them and were unimpressed, you’ll still find Wyrd Sisters an entertaining tale.

 

    The book’s title is referenced twice along the way.  The text is chock full of Terry Pratchett’s delightful footnotes, and completely devoid of Chapter separations, another Pratchett trademark.  Death tries his hand at a new career, and Granny tries to understand why people go to watch plays.  You’ll also learn worst insult you can lay on a dwarf: “b’zugda-hiara”.  Its translation is given in the comments, due to its filthiness.

 

    All the plot threads converge to make a suitable ending.  Good triumphs, Evil is vanquished, and a nifty plot twist pops up just when you think you’ve figured out how everything’s going to turn out.  Wyrd Sisters is a standalone novel, as well as a part of a series and a subseries.

 

Kewlest New Word ...

    Orgulous (adj.) : haughty; bossy.

    Others: Hoyden (n).

 

Ratings…
    Amazon:  4.6/5 based on 10,621 ratings and 696 reviews.

    Goodreads: 4.16/5 based on 117,976 ratings and 4,757 reviews.

 

Excerpts...

    Vitoller shifted uneasily.  “I already owe Chrystophrase the Troll more than I should.”

    The other two stared.

    “He’s the one that has people’s limbs torn off!” said Tomjon.

    “How much do you owe him,” asked Hwel.

    “It’s all right,” said Vitoller hurriedly.  “I’m keeping up the interest payments.  More or less.”

    “Yes, but how much does he want?”

    “An arm and a leg.”  (pg. 227)

 

    “When’s the play going to be, then?” she said, moving closer.

    “Marry, I’m sure I’m not allowed to tell you,” said the Fool.  “The duke said to me, he said, don’t tell the witches that it’s tomorrow night.”

    “I shouldn’t, then,” agreed Magrat.

    “At eight o’clock.”

    “I see.”

    “But meet for sherry beforehand at seven thirty, i’faith.”

    “I expect you shouldn’t tell me who is invited, either,” said Magrat.

    “That’s right.  Most of the dignitaries of Lancre.  You understand I’m not telling you this.”  (pg. 260)

 

“Double hubble, stubble trouble, Fire burn and cauldron bub—"  (pg. 231)

    There’s never much to gripe about in a Discworld story, so I’m reduced to nitpicking.

 

    There’s very little cussing in any Discworld novel.  I counted just four expletives in the first 50% of the book, and those were all of the “mild” variety.  Needless to say, there were no R-rated situations either.

 

    There were a few more typos than I’d expect in a book published by ROC Fantasy, a subsidiary of Penguin Books, including feel/feet, eves/eyes, Ramptoppers/Ramtoppers, and help/held.

 

    Finally, keep in mind that Terry Pratchett is a British author, so Discworld novels are written in English, not American.  Examples: mantlepiece/mantelpiece, theatre/theater, no-one/no one, grey/gray, and mid-air/midair.  It's always fun to learn a foreign language this way.

 

    For me, Wyrd Sisters was a delightful read; but then again, I say that about all Discworld novels, only two of which remain on my TBR shelf: Soul Music and The Truth.  If you’re looking for a lighthearted Fantasy series, one which you don’t necessarily need to read the books in order, I can’t think of any better one than this.

 

    8 Stars.  One last tidbit.  Early on, a reference is made to something called “droit de seigneur”.  It rang a bell, but I had to look it up, and I’ll let you do the same.  It brought back old memories of a 1965 Charlton Heston, The War Lord, where droit de seigneur plays an important part.  Jeez, I haven’t thought of that flick in decades.