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naveenpiedy's review against another edition
5.0
Where Witches Abroad excels over the previous books in the series, it is its accessibility. Don't get me wrong, I liked [b:Wyrd Sisters|34504|Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1275974472l/34504._SY75_.jpg|1494222], but there was a sense of annoyance every time I didn't get a reference or pun.
That has been a minor issue while reading the Discworld novels. One has to be familiar with what the book was targeting to get their money's worth. So if one isn't exposed to western culture for the better part of their lives like I am, they are at a disadvantage. There is a remedy for this, and I will touch upon it latter.
Anyway, seeing how this book targets fairy tales, I was already in the know. Combine that with the travelogue style, I can safely say this is by far the easiest Discworld book I have read so far.
For those wanting to know what this book is about, a short blurb. A Fairy Godmother passes away and leaves her duty to a young witch. She, along with two other witches have to travel to a far off land and help out her newly inherited goddaughter.
I laughed out loud, during the entire time our gang of protagonists were travelling through foreign parts. The middle is usually where Discworld books are it's weakest (of the books I read so far) but here, it is delightful. By far, one of the funniest books I have read.
What also helps is the element of mystery surrounding the antagonist. Her relationship to one of our protagonists (Granny Weatherwax) is heavily teased, throughout the book, but only revealed in the third act. This helped the middle part of the book flow much faster.
There are also heavy, somber passages peppered in, and somehow they don't take away from the lighter passages. They contrast well with the lighter sections, and also add much needed weight to the stakes. That is what I appreciate about the Discworld novels. The puns, humor and satirization doesn't cheapen the motives, characters or the story. They all serve the story telling process, without hampering the sense of sincerity the story happens to bring. And I am still in awe on how Sir Terry manages to make fun of something while at the same time, recognize the importance, even sometimes celebrate the very thing. And he somehow does it over and over again.
The antagonist is well written, and her actions are despicable. The supporting characters fit all fall into the places as opposed to being jammed into the story. The protagonists all have their moment to shine, but it is Granny Weatherwax who takes the spotlight.
The set pieces towards the end were well constructed. The action and battle of wits in the third act kept me hooked, and the conclusion I thought was very satisfying. And I thought pace of escalation is what helped the third act work.
I loved reading this book. This is up there with [b:Reaper Man|6567829|Reaper Man (Discworld, #11)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328322659l/6567829._SY75_.jpg|1796454], [b:Hogfather|6567835|Hogfather (Discworld, #20)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430859665l/6567835._SY75_.jpg|583655] for me.
P.S: If you are like me and don't get the references, there is a website called The Annotated Pratchett File v9.0, which goes through most of the references in a Discworld book.
Here is the link to Witches Abroad.
That has been a minor issue while reading the Discworld novels. One has to be familiar with what the book was targeting to get their money's worth. So if one isn't exposed to western culture for the better part of their lives like I am, they are at a disadvantage. There is a remedy for this, and I will touch upon it latter.
Anyway, seeing how this book targets fairy tales, I was already in the know. Combine that with the travelogue style, I can safely say this is by far the easiest Discworld book I have read so far.
For those wanting to know what this book is about, a short blurb. A Fairy Godmother passes away and leaves her duty to a young witch. She, along with two other witches have to travel to a far off land and help out her newly inherited goddaughter.
I laughed out loud, during the entire time our gang of protagonists were travelling through foreign parts. The middle is usually where Discworld books are it's weakest (of the books I read so far) but here, it is delightful. By far, one of the funniest books I have read.
What also helps is the element of mystery surrounding the antagonist. Her relationship to one of our protagonists (Granny Weatherwax) is heavily teased, throughout the book, but only revealed in the third act. This helped the middle part of the book flow much faster.
There are also heavy, somber passages peppered in, and somehow they don't take away from the lighter passages. They contrast well with the lighter sections, and also add much needed weight to the stakes. That is what I appreciate about the Discworld novels. The puns, humor and satirization doesn't cheapen the motives, characters or the story. They all serve the story telling process, without hampering the sense of sincerity the story happens to bring. And I am still in awe on how Sir Terry manages to make fun of something while at the same time, recognize the importance, even sometimes celebrate the very thing. And he somehow does it over and over again.
The antagonist is well written, and her actions are despicable. The supporting characters fit all fall into the places as opposed to being jammed into the story. The protagonists all have their moment to shine, but it is Granny Weatherwax who takes the spotlight.
The set pieces towards the end were well constructed. The action and battle of wits in the third act kept me hooked, and the conclusion I thought was very satisfying. And I thought pace of escalation is what helped the third act work.
I loved reading this book. This is up there with [b:Reaper Man|6567829|Reaper Man (Discworld, #11)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328322659l/6567829._SY75_.jpg|1796454], [b:Hogfather|6567835|Hogfather (Discworld, #20)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430859665l/6567835._SY75_.jpg|583655] for me.
P.S: If you are like me and don't get the references, there is a website called The Annotated Pratchett File v9.0, which goes through most of the references in a Discworld book.
Here is the link to Witches Abroad.
caitlin_duxbury's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
5.0
I really do absolutely adore [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg]'s Discworld series. While in some ways, due to the weak start that was [b:Equal Rites|386366|Equal Rites (Discworld, #3)|Terry Pratchett|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1303055418s/386366.jpg|583611], the witches are not my favorite books in the series, I have to say I utterly adore the way they play with stories. [b:Witches Abroad|2442|Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12)|Terry Pratchett|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411930s/2442.jpg|929672] takes the concept of fairy tales, particularly that of Cinderella, and plays with them in ways one would never expect, weaving in most every other fairy tale one could think of including some I had forgotten. As always, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are almost impossibly hilarious and Death makes an appearance, sealing the delightful nature of the book. I highly recommend this book.
dermonik's review against another edition
5.0
Practically a more polished version of Wyrd Sisters, both being a story about stories. It fixed a lot of the issues I had finishing the former, mainly the characters. It really shows how Sir Terry's writing improved over the years!
bearpolar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drumsel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nickynak3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sadonohue's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5