Equal Rites
by Terry Pratchett
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Book Summary Information
Author: Terry PratchettEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-02-02
ISBN: 0061020699
Number of pages: 213
Publisher: HarperTorch
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780061020698
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Equal Rites
Book Review: "Very tricky, those early models"
Summary: 3 Stars
"Equal Rites' was one of the earliest of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, and introduced a major character, the witch Granny Weatherwax, to that ever-growing world of wonders that travels through space on the back of a humongous tortoise. Like everything that Mr. Pratchett writes, it is fun, fast-reading, and thoroughly enjoyable. It relates the tale of Eskarina, an eight year old girl who through a twist of fate has been destined to become a wizard - thoroughly shaking up all the traditional wisdom and assumptions of Discworld magic, where everyone knows that only men can be wizards, just as only women can be witches. She is mentored by the local witch, Granny Weatherwax, who does all she can to try to redirect the girl into witchcraft, the only proper and sensible magic for a woman. Granny soon comes to terms with the inevitability of Esk's fate, however, and accompanies her on a journey to the great Unseen University, training institution of wizards and exclusive bastion of masculinity, where she hopes to break untold generations of tradition by gaining entrance for her ward.
Pratchett's Discworld novels started out as light hearted, clever parodies both of the conventions and clichés of fantasy novels, and of conventions and assumptions of Western culture in general. As his world developed, his philosophical skewering of real world situations grew sharper while parody took on at best a secondary, background role. In this early novel, it feels like he was beginning to shift into greater social commentary, but slipped gears in the attempt. Although the story is rapped around the issue of male and female roles, he really muddles whatever he was trying to say, perhaps not yet fully comfortable with mixing sharp social satire into a light fantasy setting. The result is neither fish nor fowl, and though still fun to read, lacks the element of greatness that sets most of Pratchett's Discworld novel so far above the normal book of fantasy.
Had this book been written by anyone else but Pratchett, I probably would have given it a four star review, but Pratchett has set a higher standard, and I judge him by it. If you have not yet been introduced to the world of Discworld, this book is not the place to start, although once you have picked up the addiction, you will probably come around to it eventually.
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