Wintersmith (Discworld) (Hardcover)

by Terry Pratchett (Author)
Key Phrases: good smoke, flower lady, big wee hag, Miss Treason, Rob Anybody, Granny Weatherwax (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up–Winter must die, and Summer must sink into the ground; it is all part of the Story, and Tiffany Aching has danced into the middle of it. On the last day of autumn, Tiffany travels to the woods to witness the Black Morris, the traditional dance of the gods heralding the arrival of winter. In a moment of heedless excitement, her rollicking feet draw her to the music, and she crashes headlong into the Wintersmith. He is fascinated by the girl and proceeds to court her in his own fashion–all the snowflakes are made in her image and giant Tiffany-shaped icebergs appear in the sea. Meanwhile, Tiffany begins to show characteristics of the goddess Summer–the touch of her bare feet makes things grow. All the attention from the Wintersmith would be quite flattering were it not for the deadly winter that threatens the shepherds of the Chalk. As the situation is very dangerous and death is certain, the Nac Mac Feegles (along with an especially lively cheese named Horace) are directly in the fray protecting their big wee hag along with Annagramma, Granny Weatherwax, Miss Tick, and other favorites from past adventures. All are skillfully characterized; even the Wintersmith elicits sympathy as he joyfully buries the world in snow in his attempt to win Tiffany. Replete with dry and intelligent humor, this latest in the series is sure to delight.–Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Here's the third Discworld story for younger readers in a series that began with The Wee Free Men (2003) and continued in A Hat Full of Sky (2004). Despite a stern warning from Miss Treason, the eccentric witch from whom 13-year-old Tiffany Aching is learning her craft, the girl has gone and danced with the wrong men. Having inserted herself into a dark reverse Morris dance in which summer and winter achieve their seasonal balance, Tiffany has attracted the amorous attentions of the Wintersmith. To express his ardor, he brings his chilly powers to bear, replete with Tiffany-shaped snowflakes burying the world in the rising drifts of his infatuation. While Granny Weatherwax, Miss Perspicacia Tick, and sundry veteran witches work with Tiffany to restrain the Wintersmith's zeal, the Wee Free Men set off to fetch a Hero to assist Tiffany, along the way adopting a cantankerous blue cheese. Add an assortment of junior witches-in-training, and yet another rollicking, clever, and quite charming adventure is brought to readers, who will find themselves delighted again--or for the first time--by Pratchett's exuberant storytelling. Holly Koelling
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (September 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060890312
• ISBN-13: 978-0060890315
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What makes a man.....?, September 28, 2006

By	Mr. Mj Grant (England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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)!)

82 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Oh the weather outside is frightful, September 28, 2006

By	Leonard Fleisig "Len" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably Pratchett's most technically expert book yet., October 2, 2006

By	Calenth (Columbia, SC United States) - See all my reviews

_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.