... Familiarity with these plays definitely enhances the enjoyment of 'Wyrd Sisters', although it's not vital.
A baby, the son of the murdered King (complete with the royal crown), is rushed from the palace by a lone horseman. This brave man hands the baby to the witches before dropping ... Read review
Things like crowns had a troublesome effect on clever folks; it was best to leave all the ... more
reigning to the kind of people whose eyebrows met in the middle. Three witches gathered on a lonely heath. A king cruelly murdered his throne usurped by his ambi...
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Three witches gathered on a lonely heath. A king cruelly murdered, his throne usurped by ... more
his ambitious cousin. A child heir and the crown of the kingdom, both missing. The omens are not auspicious for the new incumbent, particularly when the blood on your hands just won't wash off and you're facing a future with knives in it...
The sixth "Discworld" novel. The witches of Discworld, not the most joyful bunch, decide ... more
that they must get involved in the politics of the planet. Granny Weatherwax, their obvious choice as spokesperson, finds that life in royal politics is not as simple as it seems.
When King Verence of Lancre is murdered by his cousin, his baby son is rescued by three ... more
witches. They are Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and the downtrodden Magrat Garlick. This illustrated edition of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel, "Wyrd Sisters" ties in with the Channel 4 TV screenings.
Wyrd Sistersis an animated six-episode miniseries adaptation of one of author Terry ... more
Pratchett's Discworld novels. The books offer an alternate reality that has proven irresistible to an avid, international audience--a universe where the world really is flat after all, and is supported by four elephants floating through the cosmos on the back of a giant turtle. It's a world where fantasy conventions have been filtered through an antic, satirical lens that slyly warps the actions and motives of the wizards, witches, monarchs, and knaves that populate them, and it is suggestive of a sword&sorcery counterpart to Douglas Adams' venerableHitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxyseries.Wyrd Sistersretains the verbal wit and colourfully stylised visual terrain of Pratchett's cracked re-imagining of familiar mythological themes, although modest animation techniques relegate its impact to the realm of older TV cartoons. Sci-fi aficionados spoiled by lavish computer graphics and big-screen state of the art will wonder what all the fuss is about; Pratchett's fans, however, won't mind. An intricate plot, set in motion by the murder of King Verence by the utterly dim-witted Duke Felmet, encompasses a smuggled baby, an itinerant theatrical troupe, a kiss lasting 18 years, time travel and other poker-faced twists of fate cohering around the three titular heroines, a coven of rather dotty witches. A droll, sociable Death (voiced by Christopher Lee) epitomises the breezy comic spirit that fuels Pratchett's stories. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com
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Advantages: Humorous, good characters, lots of literary references Disadvantages: Not to everyone's taste
Oh, I do like this book! The sixth 'Discworld' novel shows Pratchett at his best, in my opinion. There are cleverly intertwined plots, humorous characters, and brilliant references that take the mickey from the 'real world'. The Discworld, for those unfamiliar with it, is a disc-shaped imaginary world which has an approximately mediaeval culture peopled with a wide variety of recognisable species, including plenty of humans.
Granny ... ...attempt to form a coven. At least, that's what Magrat wants. She is the youngest, newest witch in the neighbourhood and would love to do things traditionally. She has yet to come to terms with the rather more relaxed lifestyle of Nanny Ogg (who loves a drink and has a large number of children and grandchildren) or the practical 'headology' taught by Granny Weatherwax.
Meanwhile the King of Lancre just happens to be murdered by a Duke. ... more
Oh, I do like this book! The sixth 'Discworld' novel shows Pratchett at his best, in my opinion. There are cleverly intertwined plots, humorous characters, and brilliant references that take the mickey from the 'real world'. The Discworld, for those unfamiliar with it, is a disc-shaped imaginary world which has an approximately mediaeval culture peopled with a wide variety of recognisable species, including plenty of humans.
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat open the book, in an attempt to form a coven. At least, that's what Magrat wants. She is the youngest, newest witch in the neighbourhood and would love to do things traditionally. She has yet to come to terms with the rather more relaxed lifestyle of Nanny Ogg (who loves a drink and has a large number of children and grandchildren) or the practical 'headology' taught by Granny Weatherwax.
Meanwhile the King of Lancre just happens to be murdered by a Duke. The Duke is one of the next in line to the throne, and is persuaded to commit the murder by his loud and ambitious wife.
Does that sound vaguely familiar?
Yes, this book is an overt spoof on Shakespeare's 'MacBeth'. With a sprinkling of 'Hamlet', just to make it more interesting, and a touch of 'King Lear'. Familiarity with these plays definitely enhances the enjoyment of 'Wyrd Sisters', although it's not vital.
A baby, the son of the murdered King (complete with the royal crown), is rushed from the palace by a lone horseman. This brave man hands the baby to the witches before dropping dead. The three decide that they can't possibly look after a small child, so they pass him on to a band of travelling players and hide the crown amongst stage props....
The story veers well away from Shakespeare many times, although I expect the Bard would enjoy it thoroughly if he were still alive. Time passes - at times considerably more quickly than usual - and eventually the baby, now grown-up, arrives back in Lancre.
But the plot really isn't all that important. This is a light-hearted book, one to make you laugh out loud if you're so inclined, or at least smile inwardly. There are some lovely images, and references not just to Shakespeare but to classic fairytales: for instance, Granny and Nanny knew personally the witch responsible for the Sleeping Beauty. Apparently she lived in a gingerbread house. Perhaps all fiction in one world is a slightly garbled version of reality in another.
Slightly unusually for Discworld books, 'Wyrd Sisters' is very much character-driven, with the focus primarily on the three witches and the contrast between them. The short, dumpy Nanny Ogg is an earthy type who enjoys a drink (or several) in an evening, and has clearly led a very colourful life. When she's been on the beer, she starts to sing - and her choice of song is generally rather embarrassing to those around her.
Granny Weatherwax is different in almost every respect. She's tall and thin, austere and strict. However, like Nanny she is very caring although she hates to admit it. She refuses to meddle in politics, doesn't like 'magic' of the wizardly sort, denies any kind of positive emotion, and yet does all she can to assist those whom she cares for.
The newest witch Magrat is idealistic and naive. She has studied hard and been trained by books, yet she is mostly unaware of the way men and women are supposed to interact. She becomes friendly with the palace fool: a young man who clearly isn't a fool at all, but who trained at the fool's guild because that's what all his family did. So there's even a hint of romance in this book.
Of course Terry Pratchett doesn't appeal to everyone. Some fans of serious fantasy find him frivolous, even silly. So, for that matter, do people who prefer serious documentary style books, or realistic novels set in familiar surroundings. You won't learn anything much from this book, and there isn't a great deal that's thought-provoking. You might possibly be inspired to re-read some of Shakespeare's works as a result, but then again you might not. I wasn't, and I've read this book three times now.
Still, if you want something to lighten your mood, or feel like spending a few hours being frivolous, this is an excellent book to pick up. Suitable for adults or teengagers; indeed there's no reason why fluently reading younger children shouldn't enjoy it too, although they would probably miss many of the references. My younger son was about nine when he first read 'Wyrd Sisters'.
All in all, I would recommend it highly for an enjoyable light read. There's no need to have read any other Discworld books beforehand since this stands alone, although it works quite well to read 'Witches Abroad' soon after.
As with most of Terry Pratchett's books, this has stayed in print ever since it was first published (which, for this book, was 1989). Amazon.co.uk have the paperback version for £4.89 or second-hand from their marketplace starting from about 20p.
Advantages: Uses a great feel of magic and humour to create atmosphere Disadvantages: If you haven't read Macbeth, some humour may not be understood
...in their rites.
The Wyrd Sisters are made up of 3 witches:
Nanny Ogg: A fun loving witch who joins in with a good jig now and then, and doesn't really do much - she has countless daughters-in-law to do everything for her. Nanny Ogg tends to be quite free-spirited and go against some traditional wiccan rules, especially if it means getting home in time for a nice cuppa.
Granny Weatherwax: Much recognized as the leader of the group, and you can ... ...were the 3 witches, the Wyrd Sisters - it's not exactly his fault if he drops dead, right? The Wyrd Sisters are all compelled by the consuming mysteriosity of the situation, and the powerful glow of attraction coming from the crown. The 3 witches decide to hand the baby over to a performing company who live on the road, traveling from town to town, showing their performances to the villagers, and it seems tomatoes - the stains of rotten tomatoes ...
Springzy 02.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Witches, ghosts and thespians. Disadvantages: You'll either love it or hate it...
...one of the good ones. Wyrd sisters is the story of three witches, a King, a Fool, a kingdom and theatre. The Disc is a flat world, floating through space on the back of four giant elephants, supported by the star turtle Great A’Tuin. At the Rim, the oceans flow endlessly into space and at the Hub stands the ten miles high peak Cori Celesti, home of the gods. It’s all held together against all odds and reason by the strong magical field ... ...cornered Granny Weatherwax. Wyrd Sisters is the first Discworld novel dealing purely with the witches. Equal Rites was more concerned with the difference between the wizard and witches of the disc and their approach to magic. In a Discworld kind of way, it dealt with a problem often posed in today’s society: can a woman be good in a man’s job? Pratchett has dealt with modern issues more successfully and subtly since. With Wyrd Sisters, ...
wyrdsister 22.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: very funny Disadvantages: makes a lot less sense if you don't know your Shaekspeare.
...Tuesday," answers one of the Wyrd sisters, and you know you are in for some laughs.
The Wyrd sisters are three witches - niave hippy Magrat Garlick(her mother couldn't spell 'Margaret') Bawdy fun loving Nanny Ogg, and stern Granny Weatherwax. They've just formed a coven, and are managing to muddle along (They represent the tripate goddess of the witches, maid, mother and crone, which is an interesting aside.)They wear black pointy hats, they d magic, ... ...god guys, which makes a nice change.
Lancre, the mountainous Kingdom they inhabit, has just suffered the loss of its king, due to murder - perfectly natural causes for a King. The trouble is, the new King doesn't care much for the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is unhappy. The ghost of the old King persuades the witches to help him save his young son, and then return the boy to the throne. They leave the boy with a group of travelling players, and hide ...
Bryn_Pearson 14.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Funny, a great read and entertaining Disadvantages: you can't put it down
Wyrd Sisters
Anyone who has read any of the books written by Terry Pratchett may have already come across Granny Weatherwax, Magrat and Nanny Ogg. For those of you who haven’t these women are witches. They had formed a local coven and this particular night they had met up in the forest to sit by a fire make tea and discuss idea’s, or just to chat, for witches were usually solitary beings. The coven thing was quite new.
Granny Weatherwax was the ... ...begins the story of the WYRD SISTERS.
Romance, comedy, hilarious inuendous and a great story line.
A haunted castle with meddling witches, the return of the true heir to the throne and all the adventure’s inbetween to get him there.
This is a really funny book, Terry Pratchett is a brilliant authour and his books are well worth reading. I won’t go into any more of the story because it would spoil it for you, I can only say get a copy and you’ll ...
Aquarian 25.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: As normal good humor Disadvantages: not very unique storyline
The wyrd sisters is book number 6 in a series of 36 books written by author Terry Pratchett. It follows several different stories which take place on a discworld. Terry has a very good sense of humor but at times he when he go into detail of his theory of the discworld it can be to mathematical which makes my head spin. This book takes place in time of castles,Kings and fools aka jesters. It can take a bit of time to get what some of the people say ... ...different career. Conclusion wyrd sisters does not seem like a unique story it seems like a combination of several different stories that has been done before. The only really going for it like his other books is his humor otherwise I would give this book a miss. Please note this review will be post on CIAO and Dooyoo under the usernames jonathan21 and jonathanhopley. ...
jonathan21 28.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
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Advantages: strong straightforward plot Disadvantages: some people will find the language hard going.
throughout - its one saving grace. The took bit parts, and seemed to be an all pervading force, a symbol of evil eating into a community like a cancer.
I was lucky in that I saw this play performed at Ludlow castle, a perfect setting, where the castle itself provides the backdrop - if you ever get a chance to see it there, or in any other outdoors venue, I would have to reomend it. It rained for us, which if anything, added to the expereince.
A must for anyone reading this as an exam text, it TerryPratchett's "WyrdSisters" which tells a similar story but does't give the witches such a bad press. A very funny read, it may help you no end if you are bored or struggling. Not everyone takes naturally to Shakespeare, but being able to laugh at it can help. I would also recomend looking for the annimated versions the BBC did some years ago, as ...
Advantages: A popular, and often quoted Shakespearian play Disadvantages: Language can seem off-putting to some
Macbeth is arguably one of Shakespeare's most quoted plays, forming the basis both for television series' episodes (such as Blackadder) or entire books (such as TerryPratchett's WyrdSisters).
And yet the play itself is quite dark, and does not have the optimistic ending that many would perhaps hope for in a play such as this.
The Plot:
Macbethis told by three witches that he will soon be promoted to a position of higher authority and later will become the King of Scotland. When the first prophecy comes true, he tells his wife. She is filled with ambition for her husband and persuades her husband to proactively pursue the second prophecy by murdering King Duncan, which he does.
The rest of the play follows the couple and their downfall resulting not only from the murder which ultimately leads to war in Scotland, but also ...
Advantages: 3 unique books contained in one book, very interesting characters, excellently written Disadvantages: nothing I can think of
The Witches Trilogy By TerryPratchett (Hardback)
Book 1 - Equal Rites
Book 2 - WyrdSisters
Book 3 - Witches Abroad
Year Released: 1994
Number of Pages: 592
This one book contains three of the Discworld novels written about Witches in the order that they were published. All three books are centred on the main witch called Granny Weatherwax and there are two other witches called Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick. They find themselves in all sorts of situations and mainly intrude on other people's lives.
Equal Rites:
This is the 3rd Book in the Discworld Series and was released in 1987
Synopsis:
Wizards are supposed to be MEN, however there is always an exception to the rule and when Eskarina who is an eighth daughter of an eighth son was born and then inherited a powerful staff things changed. There is no such thing as ...
Product Information for "Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Fantasy
Series
Discworld Series
Title
Wyrd Sisters
Author
Terry Pratchett
ISBN
552152633
EAN
9780552152631
Manufacturer's product description
When King Verence of Lancre is murdered by his cousin, his baby son is rescued by three witches. They are Granny Weatherwax, whose normal state of being is one of barely controlled rage, the extremely earthy Nanny Ogg, and the downtrodden Magrat Garlick. See all Product Description
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