Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett: 9/10
The Discworld just got its first female wizard. Lore, tradition, and the chauvinistic wizard class all say that such a thing is impossible. A little girl and an old witch are about to change their minds.
Plot: 9/10
Esk, a young girl, is accidentally imbued with wizardly powers. The local witch, Granny Weatherwax, takes Esk under her wing to teach her how to control her new abilities. A series of magical mishaps makes it apparent that Esk must go to Unseen University to learn how to control her powers. The novel follows Esk and Granny’s journey from the Ramtops to the cosmopolitan city of Ankh-Morpork. The novel is an enjoyable trip through the Discworld with many interesting characters along the way.
Characters: 9/10
Granny Weatherwax is one of my favourite characters in the Discworld series. I believe Terry Pratchett actually met this witch. She is one of the most “flushed-out” characters I’ve come across. Her reluctance to leave her home, and her distrusts of those from “Forn parts”, create many comical observations and confrontations. Esk, the young wizard girl, made the trek across the Discworld an enjoyable journey. Her inquisitive and fearless personality was a perfect choice for this novel. If the character didn’t view the strange world with a detached wonder, the book would’ve been a string of teary soliloquies.
Setting: 9/10
Ankh-Morpork, The Ramtops, Unseen University; Sir Pratchett creates worlds within worlds, each of them unique and intricate.
Theme: 8/10
A lot of Equal Rites blubs, and summaries made the book sound like a treatise on gender equality. This was not my impression. I found the theme to be a light-hearted examination of old-world values and antiquated gender roles. It is more of an arthritic slap-fight than an outright battle-of-the-sexes.
Style and Mood: 10/10
Classic Pratchett: whimsical, entertaining, imaginative, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Total Score: 9/10
Another brilliant addition to the Discworld universe.
Thanks for reading
J.J.J
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