The witches series has always been my favourite of the Discworld novels. There is something about the portayal of witchcraft in Pratchett's world that is so comforting and inspiring at the same time. I guess the sense of moralistic misanthropy resonated with me. And I always felt like I saw a lot of Pratchett's own joy of his world in the writing of the Witches series too, but, I may simply be projecting. Regardless, I think it was fitting that in the small number of Discworld books aimed at young adults, Tiffany Aching quickly became the recurring character.
Tiffany Aching is a 9 year-old milk maid, competent at making cheese and strong-willed. Granddaughter of the recently deceased Granny Aching, who had been a respected Shepherd of this part of the Discworld, the chalk, named for the rock that the sheep walked on. It is well known by knowledgeable witches like Miss Tick, that witchcraft can not thrive on the chalk, because it is not a solid rock, and Granny Aching had certainly not been a witch, she was a shepherd. She'd known the art of husbandry, she'd had easy command of animals and, even, the weather, and she had, when necessary, given voice to those that had none themselves. She had, for Tiffany, been the very land itself. Not a witch, not a shepherdess, but a shepherd. A stalwart defender of the land.
Having gone, however, this defender had left a vacancy to be tested by a Queen of the fairy folk, an elven dreamer, who wished to extend her magic realm into reality. It is left to Tiffany, as the true heir to Granny Aching's legacy, along with help from the Nac Mac Feegle (The Wee Free Men or Pictsies) to fight back against this Queen, entering the realm of dreams and retrieving her annoying younger brother Wentworth. In the journey a witch is revealed in Tiffany.
There's a lot to love about this book for a Pratchett fan. The very brief appearance of Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax feels like an honourable passing of the torch. The flashbacks to the life of an awkward, solitary but so beloved grandmother in Granny Aching are a touching but still hopeful reflection on what loss can mean to a child. It might be tempting for critics to write off the Tiffany Aching books as simply for children but they are certainly no less Pratchett. Certainly no less Discworld. Certainly no less valuable a read, even to an old man such as myself.
Finished reading - 03/04/26