Hardcover, 272 pages
English language
Published Sept. 26, 2006 by HarperTeen.
Wintersmith is a comic fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, set in the Discworld and written with younger readers in mind. It is labelled a "Story of Discworld" to indicate its status as children's or young adult fiction, unlike most of the books in the Discworld series. Published on 21 September 2006, it is the third novel in the series to feature the character of Tiffany Aching. It received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association.In 2013 folk-rock band Steeleye Span collaborated with Pratchett, a fan of the band, to produce a Wintersmith concept album, released in October 2013.
Better than the second one, still not as great as the first one. Full review here.
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. …
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!”
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.
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."
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.
