Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3)

This book is about both kinds of heroism: the epic kind, like someone who has to jaunt into the underworld to rescue someone; and the everyday kind, like rescuing lost lambs and tending to the sick and needy.

Sir Terry pulls out four of his best characters to explore these themes. (And thinking about the topic of "best characters", I really ought to sit down and puzzle out who my favorite is. Because we all have to have a favorite -- just ask your parents about your sibling.) Tiffany Aching, 13-year-old witch-in-training, has her first great love affair, involving a meet-cute regarding a Morris Dance and an immortal elemental. Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax help her sort through the consequences.

But if you want a book about heroism, the character you need is a fellow named Rob Anybody, the walking embodiment of heroism.

“An heroic effort, Mr. Anybody,” said Granny. “The first thing a hero must conquer is his fear, and when it comes to fightin’, the Nac Mac Feegles don’t know the meanin’ of the word.”

“Aye, true enough,” Rob grunted. “We dinna ken the meanin’ o’ thousands o’ wurds!”

Later on, Rob gets down and dirty on the subject of heroism. The Hon. Ronald carries quite the torch for Tiffany as well, and gets enlisted to travel to the underworld. I was not at any moment concerned for Roland's safety, as he had Rob Anybody and several other of the Nac Mac Feegle with him. Rob explains why their surroundings are so gloomy:

There’s no’ a lot o’ laughs in a underworld. This one used tae be called Limbo, ye ken, ’cuz the door was verra low.

And later on in the journey, Roland confronts a terrifying monster. He stands his ground, and the monster flees.

There was a murmur from the Feegles. “Aye, ye done weel,” said Rob Anybody. “Ye stared it in the mouth and ye didna take so much as a step back.”

“Mr. Anybody, I was too scared to run,” Roland muttered.

Rob Anybody leaned down until he was level with the boy’s ear. “Aye,” he whispered, “I ken that well enough! There be a lot o’ men who became heroes ’cuz they wuz too scared tae run! But ye didna yell nor cack yer kecks, an’ that’s good."

Superficially, it's a little weird that a group of tiny blue men can have such keen insights into human nature. But, of course, "little weird" is pretty much the Nac Mac Feegle's wheelhouse.

And of course, with all of the comedy, and the insight, and the action and adventure and everyday heroism of individuals, Sir Terry finds the chance for a little bit of profundity here and there as well.

And, as always happens, and happens far too soon, the strange and wonderful becomes a memory and a memory becomes a dream. Tomorrow it’s gone.