Witches Abroad [Mass Market Paperback]

Terry Pratchett (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 30, 2002

Be careful what you wish for...

Once upon a time there was a fairy godmother named Desiderata who had a good heart, a wise head, and poor planning skills—which unforunately left the Princess Emberella in the care of her other (not quite so good and wise) godmother when DEATH came for Desiderata. So now it's up to Magrat Garlick, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg to hop on broomsticks and make for far-distant Genua to ensure the servant girl doesn't marry the Prince.

But the road to Genua is bumpy, and along the way the trio of witches encounters the occasional vampire, werewolf, and falling house (well this is a fairy tale, after all). The trouble really begins once these reluctant foster-godmothers arrive in Genua and must outwit their power-hungry counterpart who'll stop at nothing to achieve a proper "happy ending"—even if it means destroying a kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 • "A true original among contemporary writers." --The Times

 • "Pratchett's writing is a constant delight. No one mixes the fantastical and mundane to better comic effect or offers sharper insights into the absurdities of modern endeavour." --Daily Mail --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

'TERRY PRATCHETT IS SIMPLY THE BEST HUMOROUS WRITER OF THE 20TH CENTURY' - Brendan Wignall, Oxford Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (July 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061020613
• ISBN-13: 978-0061020612
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was fifteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983. In 1987 he turned to writing full time, and has not looked back since. To date there are a total of 36 books in the Discworld series, of which four (so far) are written for children. The first of these children's books, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal. A non-Discworld book, Good Omens, his 1990 collaboration with Neil Gaiman, has been a longtime bestseller, and was reissued in hardcover by William Morrow in early 2006 (it is also available as a mass market paperback (Harper Torch, 2006) and trade paperback (Harper Paperbacks, 2006). Terry's latest book, Nation, a non-Discworld standalone YA novel was published in October of 2008 and was an instant New York Times and London Times bestseller. Regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire "for services to literature" in 1998, and has received four honorary doctorates from the Universities of Warwick, Portsmouth, Bath, and Bristol. His acclaimed novels have sold more than 55 million copies (give or take a few million) and have been translated into 36 languages. Terry Pratchett lives in England with his family, and spends too much time at his word processor.  Some of Terry's accolades include: The Carnegie Medal, Locus Awards, the Mythopoetic Award, ALA Notable Books for Children, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Book Sense 76 Pick, Prometheus Award and the British Fantasy Award.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#93 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#10 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#15 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

#18 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#19 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#19 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

#10 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#15 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

#18 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#19 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#19 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Once Upon a Time . . . Or Is It? November 18, 2003

By Shanshad VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

You know the story. The poor servant girl who gets to wear glass slippers and go to the ball marries the prince and lives happily ever after. That was before Terry Pratchett got ahold of the tale and put a few twists in it. Magrat Garlick, youngest member of a coven of witches, has just become a fairy godmother-wand and all. Though the wand seems to be hopelessly set on pumpkins for some reason. And she's got an assignment: to travel to the far away magical city of Genua and stop Emberella from going to the ball. Joining her on this quest is the earthy and often double entendre Nanny Ogg and the ever popular Granny Weatherwax.

Don't expect any kind of typical adventure tale here. Any one who has read Terry Pratchett knows that it won't be long until these three wyrd sisters traversing in "foreign parts" turn every familiar story topsy turvy in a combination of hysterical footnotes, hilarious reactions (check out how the witches deal with the running of the bulls) and sometimes downright poignant observations on humanity. Terry's humor is never devoid of the heart that keeps his work from becoming merely clever and slapstick. Instead, this book reads as an insightful look at human nature and the nature of stories, and how the two are intertwined.

This is Terry Pratchett's 12th Discworld novel and American fans who have been trying to get ahold of Pratchett's earlier work will be delighted to add this book to their collection. For new readers, (I'm a little envious of anyone discovering Pratchett for the first time) your journey into the wonderful, hysterical, whimsical and insightful Discworld novels has only just begun. There are more than twenty six tales of the Discworld to explore. This reprinted paperback version has a sneak peek at Pratchett's next release, NIGHT WATCH, at the back of the book. If you enjoy this book, please check out the rest of Mr. Pratchett's Discworld novels. To start at the beginning of stories featuring Granny Weatherwax, EQUAL RITES is her first introduction, but the better start is WYRD SISTERS which introduces the entire coven. The book to look for following WITCHES ABROAD is LORDS AND LADIES, this is the next book featuring Granny and the coven after their return from foreign parts.

Happy Reading! Shanshad ^_^

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anybody interested in fantasy! May 5, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

When the fairy godmother, Desiderata died, the discworld was short one godmother because she didn't train anybody to take her place. When digging around in her home, two witches, Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax fail to find the wand of the deceased. Later they find out that Desiderata had given her wand to a young witch named Magrat Garlick. Along with the wand, she is given a mission to travel to the city of Genua, on the other side of the discworld, and stop a marriage arranged by a rival fairy godmother, Lilith de Tempscire. All three witches embark on an interesting journey across parts of the discworld they have never seen. They encounter gnomes, gypsies, and kingdoms that were ruined by Lilith. When they arrive in the city, they end their exciting mission, meeting new and interesting people and meeting Magrat's goddaughter. This is a must read for anybody interested in fantasy. Terry Pratchett accomplishes a lot with his three main characters. He also adds in his share of comedy, which lightens the mood, and makes the book a more enjoyable read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars In which Granny Weatherwax storms the Big Easy (or an unreasonable facsimile thereof) August 5, 2006

By E. M. Van Court TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat the wet hen, and Greebo cross the Disc to face off with the Fairy Godmother. Enroute, pumpkins rescue a trapped seam of gold, and a few dwarves, Greebo finds that vampires leave a bad taste in his mouth, the running of the bulls has to deal with the absinthe of witches, the headology of cards is explored, the relationship between princesses and pricks is considered, and the grande romance between Casanunder and Nanny Ogg is ignited. Greebo's personality is revealed and the mystical significance of gumbo and jambalya is made clear.

Fairy tales, travelogues, the true spirit of cats, and most especially, New Orleans are shamelessly lampooned, satired, and described pretty accurately.

I loved this one. Terry Pratchett was at the peak of form in Witches Abroad. It sparkled, it amused, it provided the pleasure of "spot the reference" that the Discworld series is best for.

Although Greebo was a supporting character in this one, he got great attention. His philosophy of happiness through a balance of "something to eat, something to fight, and something to mate with" is an inspiration.

Yes, this one made fun of New Orleans. But if you can know this and read this book and not have an itch to visit the Big Easy (or visit again), you need to read it again and accept that there is almost as much truth about the Cresent City in here as there is fiction, and you probably haven't guessed right about which is which.

Read it. Reread it. This is among the best of Discworld.