I actually read Equal Rites far more recently than I first read the next two “witch books” by Terry Pratchett, so all I knew was that I liked them. Even on rereading Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad, the moment I put them down I can’t remember one bit of the story, or which book or which. What I do remember clearly is which witch is which.
Wyrd Sisters is a sort of parody of Macbeth, and Witches Abroad tackles the whole realm of fairy tales with evil queen looking into lots of mirrors at the core. I liked her. I also loved the section where Greebo the tomcat gets turned into a man, with plenty of confused women and hapless soldiers around. And these are the books where I met the three witches of Discworld.
If I might steal a term from Anathem, the three witches exemplify three iconographies about witches. Granny Weatherwax is the old-style cranky old woman that you really want on your side. Nanny Ogg is the midwife and herbalist mistaken for a witch. Magrat is the Wiccan attempting to revive a lost religion. Put them together, and I suppose you can write just about every story about witches you need to write.
Have you tried his young witch books? They begin with Wee Free Men.
Sia
Hi Sia!
I’ve read just enough of Wee Free Men to whet my appetite, and I’m looking forward to them.