Customer Reviews

Wintersmith (Discworld)

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I must start by explaining my circumstances with this book, when I finished A Hat Full of Sky in June, It was hard for me, not going mad for need of a sequel. The need for it was so strong at one point I nearly brought a proof copy, and I never buy proof copies. So I am sure you can understand why I was there on the day Wintersmith was released, and it was REALLY worth the wait. It was far, far better then I thought it ever could be.

I am sure you know the story from Amazon's handy synopsis so I will just tell you what I loved most about it. I loved the romance. I loved the descriptions. I love the sense of subtle menace and fear that managed to even make ME feel scared. It really doesn't read like most Terry Pratchett books, that although full of brilliance tend to get confusing. This although not confusing, was not straightforward either, you may need to read some parts twice to absorb them fully, but on the first read it is a wonderful exhilarating rush of beautiful writing.

All of the characters in this story are developed and explored more, you find out far more about Tiffany here, Tiffany the young woman, rather than Tiffany the rather solemn child. Not facts, just more about her as a person, her character. That's what I love about Tiffany, she feels like a living breathing person. Roland, looses the whining and complaining and grows a spine, and we see what may, just possibly, be a softer side to Esme Weatherwax. And of course there's the Wintersmith. The titular character, and boy is he a worthy subject for a novel, his story is very, very moving, by the time I got to the end I was close to tears. Although he could interpreted as the villain, he is such as sad, tragic character, that you just can't help but feel sorry for him.

I began this book on Monday, and finished on the school bus this morning, if I didn't have college I would of probably been unable to drag myself away from the book if someone shouted 'The apocalypse is coming!' I'd probably just stay there and die, it WAS that good.

So if I haven't hammered the point home, buy Wintersmith, you won't be sorry for doing so (and please ignore the fact that it is technically a children's book, it's wonderful that children can get access to gold like this but it can be off putting for adults who think 'children's fiction' is below them.)!

Please rate my review if you have the time!

(Please note, I do not have my own account, so I'm using my father's, I am certainly not a Mr Grant (I'm a girl)!)

but the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

And snow it does in Terry Pratchett's delightfully funny and thoughtful latest book, Wintersmith. I have to admit that I ordered Wintersmith because it was by Terry Pratchett. I did not notice that it is targeted as a Discworld book for younger readers. Adult fans of Discworld or of the genre generally should ignore this fact and step up and read Wintersmith. It is fun and should appeal to "children of all ages!"

The plot is summarized quite nicely in the book description and I won't waste anyone's time repeating that summary. What isn't summarized is Pratchett's way with words and with characterizations. Here we have Tiffany Aching. Not only is she a 13-year girl entering her angst-filled teen years with a lot to learn about becoming an adult, but she is also learning how to become a witch. The witches in Macbeth sum this situation up nicely when they chanted: "double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble." Pratchett has a keen ear for Tiffany and he manages to convey these pangs of adolescence with an empathy that would be too sweet if it wasn't interspersed with humor and a nod and a wink. Pratchett knows how to keep the cauldron bubbling and those bubbles contain some of Pratchett's famous set-pieces.

The Wee Free Men (the miniature version of Cohen the Barbarian multiplied by a factor of five hundred) provide some of those `fun' moments. Two examples bear repeating. At one point early on Daft Wullie goes on (with more than a wee bit of Scottish brogue) about the problem of being married and having to deal with "the Pursin' o' the Lips", the "Foldin' o' the Arms", and "not tae mention the Tappin' o' the Feets". It is left to Rob Anybody to explain the art "o' the husbandry". A little later Tiffany's beau-in-waiting Roland wonders if he is too clever by half. Roland is relieved to hear that being too clever by half is preferable to "bein' too stupid by three quarters!" Out of context these may seem to be nothing more than throw-away bits of fun writing. In context they seem a bit more than that.

Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg provide Tiffany with what can best be described as an inimitable (if off-kilter) support group. They are recurring characters on Discworld and they are in fine fettle. Rounding out the cast of characters is Wintersmith. This representation of Winter itself, who falls in love (in a boyish sort of way) with Tiffany, is a great counterbalance to Tiffany's character. If Tiffany is a young girl struggling to learn to be a woman, Winter is something approaching a boy struggling to learn what it is to become a human and then a man. It is a funny and touching portrayal. Looking at Tiffany (and her fellow teen witches) and Wintersmith and Roland was a lot like looking back at high school. Even in the alternate world that is Discworld - some things just don't change.

Wintersmith was a fun book to read despite the fact that I am decades (sad to say) removed from my teen years. This is a great book to pass throughout the family and one of the reasons I read Wintersmith so quickly was the fact that my own teenager was doing the Tappin' o' the Feets and the Foldin' o' the Arms until I'd finished it. Highly recommended for youngsters - even those with grey hair such as me. Enjoy. L. Fleisig

_Wintersmith_ is the latest entry in Pratchett's three-book sub-series about a young witch growing up and learning, appropriately enough for her trade, to be a wise woman. (there are upwards of thirty or forty "Discworld" books total, which cluster into subgroups around individual characters). New readers shouldn't read this one first; start with _Wee Free Men_, the first in Tiffany's sub-series, and then read _A Hat Full of Sky_ before proceeding to this one.

This is billed as a children's book, although little sets it apart from Pratchett's other fantasy except for some slight bowdlerizations for the young reader; primarily, this is a children's book because the heroine is a young person. . It might more properly be billed as a "young adult" book. Like the Harry Potter books, the content and tone of the Tiffany series have been maturing ever so slightly with each book, and Tiffany herself is portrayed as very mature for a child her age - a portrayal deliberate on Pratchett's part, I believe, as Tiffany is exactly as mature as most kids that age tend to think they are, and almost as mature as she herself wants to be.

Tiffany turns thirteen in this book, and puberty is definitely the theme: in the most expert intertwining of story and myth I've yet seen Pratchett accomplish, Tiffany "steps into the dance" between the Summer Lady and "Wintersmith." Accidentally taking on the Summer Lady's role, she becomes subject to the Wintersmith's advances, and as he is the elemental spirit of winter, cold, frost, ice, etc., problems ensue. Pratchett's typical humor is present throughout (at one point, when plants begin to sprout at Tiffany's feet, one practically-minded character gets her to shove her feet into a pot of onion seeds) but the truly impressive thing about this novel is how expertly Pratchett manages to use myth and metaphor to write about a young girl becoming, ahem, fertile, while still maintaining the decorum appropriate to a british children's book.

Although all of Mr. Pratchett's Discworld books are wonderful and well worth reading, there is something very special about the Tiffany Aching series, and from what I hear this third book won't be the last - thank goodness! Wintersmith is one of those books that has you reminiscing about your own early teen years, while looking for a special teen your life (child, neighbor's kid, niece) to whom you can buy the set of books for, because you know they are going to love them and learn from them.

Mr. Pratchett is a true student, and teacher, of the human condition. His understanding encompasses not only the simplest mentalities (think Nobby), but easily walks you through the greatest, most complex minds (Lord Vetinari). And he does it with great humor and great compassion.

I've met Mr. Pratchett in person just once, but there are some people in life whom you know are good people, and very, very gifted people. Terry Pratchett is both.

Do yourself and anyone you care about who likes to read a favor - try any of his Discworld books (sorry, haven't read the others so couldn't comment on those) and see what you think. It is worth the time investment. See if you don't end up collecting his books like I do!

In this, the third Tiffany Aching book for young adults, Prachett continues the story and character development. The previous two books, "The Wee Free Man" and "A Hat Full of Sky", introduced us to Tiffany, a girl with the natural talent to be a witch, and the Nac Mac Feegle, small blue men who assist Tiffany in their own (often misguided) way.

Tiffany is almost 13, and faces all of the standard problems of adolescence. She has the additional problems of learning witching, which isn't about learning spells but rather learning about people and herself. Impetuously, she joins the Dark Morris dance, and the Wintersmith falls in love with her. The rest od the story is a reasonably standard adolescent story, written with the flair, insight, and humour that can only come from Pratchett.

Although this continues Tiffany's story, as well as the Discworld series, it isn't necessary to have read the previous books to understand the characters or their motivations. It stands comfortably on its own, but isn't repetitive if you are familiar with the previous books. Longtime Pratchett readers will be happy to learn more of Granny Weatherwax's formative years.

Wintersmith (2006) is the third fantasy novel in the Discworld for Young Adults series, following A Hat Full of Sky. A glossary of Feegle terms (compiled by Miss Perspicacia Tick) is included in the introduction.

In the previous volume, Esme Weatherwax granted Tiffany Aching the right to call her Granny. After Tiffany showed the hiver the way to die, Miss Weatherwax even presented Tiffany with her hat. Later, Tiffany returned the hat to Granny Weatherwax and was told that a real witch made her own hat. Tiffany then learned something about her Granny Aching and about hats made out of sky.

In this novel, Tiffany is almost thirteen years old and still training to be a witch. For the past three months, she has been living with Miss Eumenides Treason, which is a bit unusual. Other witch trainees have not lasted more than a day with Miss Treason. Such transient behavior generally would be viewed with utmost disapproval by senior witches, but not when Miss Treason is involved. Yet Tiffany finds Miss Treason to be very inspirational.

Miss Treason has a reputation even among witches. Since witches are professionally odd, it is a bit redundant to say that Miss Treason is odd. Yet she goes far beyond the usual witchery oddness.

Miss Treason really likes the color black. She not only wears black clothes -- not unusual for a witch -- but she also likes black walls, floors, ceilings and even black cheese. Moreover, Miss Treason carries a clock around with her that is made of black iron and clanks instead of ticks.

Miss Treason is 113 years old and subject to the usual infirmities of the elderly; for example, she doesn't seem to need sleep. Yet she has an odd way of responding to such problems. When she went blind at age sixty, she started using the eyes of animals, reading sights right out of their minds.

When Miss Treason went deaf at age seventy-five, she likewise Borrowed other ears. Lately Miss Treason has started Borrowing sight from a pair of ravens. Sometimes Miss Treason uses Tiffany's eyes, but Tiffany doesn't like this since it tingles her mind.

In this story, Tiffany has a strange introduction to the Wintersmith. Without any thought, she is impelled by her feet into the middle of a Dark Morris dance in the place reserved for the Wintersmith and the Summer Lady. In the past, the Wintersmith has had only fleeting encounters with his opposite number, but now he has become aware of Tiffany and confuses her with the Summer Lady.

The Wintersmith is determined to dance again with Tiffany. He even tries making himself a human body out of this and that and an iron nail. The Summer Lady also becomes aware of Tiffany as the other woman and really doesn't like her very much, but somehow Tiffany manifests a few of Summer's powers.

The Wintersmith has a strange way of courting the ladies. He shapes each snowflake to look like Tiffany. Even worse, he produces huge icebergs formed like her. Such things can really embarrass a young witch!

Of course, the Feegles become involved in this affair. Since Tiffany had briefly been their felda, the wee free men have been ordered by the current felda, Jeannie, to protect her. With the Wintersmith, the only protection is evasion. After all, the Wintersmith is one of the elemental forces of nature, in charge of the cold winds, snow, ice and other winter weather.

This story also involves Roland, Tiffany's friend (but not boyfriend). They exchange letters, which is not easy since Roland's aunts have him under siege and Tiffany doesn't want his mail delivered to the farmhouse. At one point, Tiffany has an eruption of jealousy when Roland writes about viewing the watercolors of a young lady to whom he has been introduced by his aunts.

The Feegles are training Roland to be a Hero to provide protection for Tiffany. First they have to instill the right attitude. They check out a Romantic Novel for Roland from the traveling librarians.

The story includes the usual informative footnotes -- e.g, "*Werk..." -- and many of Tiffany's friends and associates. It also introduces Anoia, the Goddess of Things That Get Stuck in Drawers. And it tours one section of the Underworld.

Unfortunately, the author must be losing his touch. I had only two fits of uncurbable laughter! His footnotes are also becoming scarcer, but that might have something to do with the intended Young Adult readership. Usually the footnotes are openly subversive of Established Authority.

Highly recommended for Pratchett fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of practical witchcraft, wee blue warriors, and other grand and glorious aspects of the Discworld. Anyone new to this series should read the first installment: The Wee Free Men.

-Arthur W. Jordin

It's hard to understand how he does it, but with each book he writes Terry Pratchett out does himself. Each book is even better than the last. And this is certainly the best book of the Tiffany Aching series.

Tiffany is a teenager now, and even as preternaturally responsible a young witch as Tiffany has to rebel once in a while. When she goes to the Dark Dance, completely against the instructions of her mentor, she joins the Dark Dancers, and starts a chain of events that lead her to the greatest challenge yet. Because she attracts the attention of the Wintersmith, the elemental spirit of winter. Much of what happens afterwards is the result of a "silly girl's mistake," but Tiffany is too responsible, too independent and too good a witch to leave the mistake unrepaired. Certainly she has help. Miss Eumenides Treason, her 113-year old mentor; Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Miss Tick, Roland, the Mac Nac Feegles, Anoia (goddess of things that get stuck in drawers), Horace the Blue Cheese and, of course, Boffo. But ultimately it is Tiffany who has to make the decisions and act. In a way, in the end, you can almost feel sorry for the Wintersmith.

Terry seems to start the story in the middle. You may think he is just being arbitrary, but he's got a very good reason. It ties the beginning of the story to the climax in an exceptionally satisfying way. And that's just one example of his craftsmanship. This may be the funniest Pratchett ever: several times I was reduced to helpless giggles, and not just by the antics of Rob Anybody and the Feegles.

This is marketed as a children's book. I suppose it is, in the British tradition of children's books that speak to adults. But I promise you it deals with adult themes: life and death, responsibility and self-honesty. Parents who worry about books about witches: a Terry Pratchett witch has absolutely nothing to do with satanism, avoids the use of magic and is more responsible than any elected official.

This is Terry Pratchett at his most brilliant. Wise, hysterically funny, painstaking and honest. My very highest recommendation.

Tiffany Aching has just got to be one of the most self-assured young girls in literature. Grown-ups on Discworld (including even her parents) tend to look to her for guidance as they simultaneously throw worried side glances in her direction - and she's only thirteen. So, well, then, Tiffany Aching must definitely be exuding some serious confidence of self. It doesn't hurt, of course, that she sports a big, pointy hat, which in Discworld signifies proper wizard- or witchhood. But, if these folks were only able to access her thoughts and emotions, they'd realize that, inside, Tiffany is a normal girl, if more somber and decisive than most. But she's a witch in training, and witches are supposed to display a masterful, know-it-all facade. Besides, for as long as she can recall, she's always been the calm sort of girl, anyway.

But even self-assured girls can goof, and Tiffany goofs big time during an impactful Morris dance. Her unwitting act draws the attention of the Wintersmith, the elemental embodiment of winter. So, now, he's quite sprung on her and unless she successfully fends off his attentions, odds are that grim, grim winter might be around on a permanent basis. And even with the help of her mentors Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and the gadgety Miss Treason, as well as the boisterous, mangy Nac Mac Feegles, the weather forecast might yet call for eternal snow...

With WINTERSMITH, Terry Pratchett chronicles the third adventure of Tiffany Aching, our young witch in the making. Born and raised on a sheepherding farm, Tiffany is uncommonly practical and doesn't hesitate to make use of her common sense. She accepts the power of witchy tradition but doesn't choose to conform in all ways. Where other witches don intimidatingly black outfits, Tiffany wears green and blue. Willful yet unassuming, perceptive and brave yet, at the same time, vulnerable and displaying enough flaws to humanize her, Tiffany handily endears herself to the reader.

As per usual, Mr. Pratchett is excellent. He again combines elements of humor, satire, plot, and pathos to create another classic pageturner. And this one is supposed to be targeted at young adults. However, if you've read The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents and The Wee Free Men, then you're already aware of the high caliber of his Young Adult stuff. Honestly, other than the use of a young protagonist, the insertion of chapters, and, okay, a less convoluted plot than usual, this is typical Pratchett fare. The book made me think, made me laugh, and most importantly, made me feel. The characters are uniformly captivating (except Roland; sorry, but he's still drab) and multi-faceted - yes, including the Feegles!. Even the elemental Wintersmith, who's the designated bad guy of the book, engendered some measure of sympathy from me as I progressed thru the pages. I guess one can never use the word "pathos" enough in describing this author's works. Terry Pratchett is one of the few authors whose new novel I immediately purchase even without prior knowledge of story content. He's so damn good.

It's apt that I finish with the thievin' Nac Mac Feegles, who, appropriately enough, continue to steal every scene! They remain a pure, unfettered delight and provide some of the biggest laughs in the book. To echo Leonard Fleisig's great spotlight review, I found out that nothing daunts the Wee Free Men quite as much as the Foldin' o' the Arms and the Tappin' o' the Feets ("Ooooh, waily, waily, waily!") and the finding of this had me reduced to a heap of uncontrolled giggles.

By the way, tentative word is that another Tiffany Aching book is in the offing, which might be titled I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT. Here's hoping it's out sooner than later.

Pratchett does it again! This guy is unbelievable. The Tiffany Aching series featuring the Wee Free Men (led by the inimitable Rob Anybody) are pitched as children's books. Like Discworld is for adults. Sure.

Terry tells a tale of an elemental force, the Wintersmith, smitten with a young witch who meddles where she shouldn't (as is tradition for young witches everywhere). Granny Weatherwax features prominently in a tale of coming of age, the cycle of the seasons and what it means to be live, die and love. A kid's book for sure. Of course it is. There's stuff tucked away here that people in their 30's wouldn't quite get ... This is more Wicked than Harry Potter with just as much to think about and smile about.

If you've given the Wee Free Men a pass since it's for kids, take another look. If you enjoyed Gaiman's American Gods, you'll like this one.


-Greg Richter
gregrichter.com

PS: Don't dance the Dark Morris. It IS creepy.

I love the Tiffanny Aching Adventures, so I was really glad when my brother gave me Wintersmith for my birthday. Now would probably be a good time to tell you that I am writing this on my father's account. My name is Charlotte Moore and I think that Terry Pratchett is a genius. I have read his equally good books A Hat Full of Sky, The Wee Free Men, and The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents.
Wintersmith is a fantastic book. I almost cried at the end becuase I had finished it. This was the first one when I actually thought of Tiffany as someone who makes mistakes. To me she has always been a very reliable, responsible person. This book seemed to make her more real. The plot is great and the new characters are really funny. The one thing that I missed in this book was the toad/lawyer. I aways liked him. But you should read it. You won't regret it!