Lords and Ladies

Probably not the best way to re-enter the Discworld after 25 years away from it. If you're immersed in the world and well-versed with the Witches books, especially Witches Abroad, then it's probably one of the better books. None of the repetition and laboured explanations that I remember from some other books in the series. Steers clear of being too much of a satire on the real world, too, which I think some of the other Discworld novels suffer from. The trouble was that Sir Terry sort of assumes you already knew who the characters are and what they're like. But that was my fault for jumping in the middle all careless-like.

The actual story was a fun enjoyable and quick read - nothing majorly special but fun all the same. Takes a while for much to happen, but the author has such a flowing way with words that you don't really mind just bobbing along while the characters muddle about.

In which King Verence of Lancre is set to marry Magrat, Ridcully meets Granny Weatherwax for the first time since they were both young, and Casanunda is trying to seduce Nanny Ogg; but there's a very serious invasion of evil elves that has to be stopped somehow.

The mixture of comedy and horror is bizarre, but fairly successful. It is funny in places.

First appearance of Agnes Nitt.

I don't have a structured review, just some personal thoughts. This is probably the fifth or sixth time I've this book since I was a teenager, and it hits me in a different set of feels every time. There's so much going on; young people feeling shoved into new roles they don't feel ready for, older people reflecting on paths not taken (but still taking new ones!), further diverse generational conflicts, the dangers of style over substance, comedy subplots, tragedy subplots, Shakespeare jokes, dick jokes (well, same thing really) and on top of it all a multiverse concept that doesn't metastasise and ruin the wider series' universe, I'm looking at you, Marvel. I'm sure I'll get to this one again at some point.

This might come across as fairly standard Discworld fare were it not for the villains of the piece: No LOTR Legolas here, these elves are scary fuckers. Though I appreciate the suitable, somewhat humourous extended analogy that elves = cats. Relatedly, Greebo is a viscious treasure. 

I'm not as familiar with Midsummer Night's Dream, so there may be cheeky tidbits I didn't catch.

It's always a bit frustrating reading books focusing on the witches in the Discworld because they seem to be set up to almost-but-not-quite learn and grow from their experiences and perils. 

Any other story might confirm how damaging it can be to try to think for another adult, act in what you perceive is their best interest without consulting them, and not communicate effectively but there seems to be a not-so-charming unwillingness to acknowledge why things went wrong, even if they all worked out in the end, with even more bossing around. 

I enjoy a world where elderly women are respected for the knowledge and wisdom learning things the hard way provides, but there's something intractable about Weatherwax that I don't always find endearing.

There's a bit of a send up of the more trendy aspects of modern day Wicca/paganism/witchcraft/goths shown in the pursuits of the teens who want to be witches, which may offend IRL practicioners. 

As always, I'm happy to see The Librarian feature more prominently.