Call number
Genres
Publication
HarperTorch (1996), Reprint, Mass Market Paperback
Pages
281
Description
It's Midsummer Night-no time for dreaming. Because sometimes, when there's more than one reality at play, too much dreaming can make the walls between them come tumbling down. And there's usually a damned good reason for there being walls between them in the first place-to keep things out. Things who want to make mischief and play havoc with the natural order. Granny Weatherwax and her tiny coven are up against real elves. And even in a world of dwarfs, wizards, trolls, Morris dancers and the odd orang-utan, this is going to cause real trouble. With lots of hey-nonny-nonny and blood all over the place.
Awards
Prix Imaginales (2002)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1992
Physical description
281 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
0061056928 / 9780061056925
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User reviews
LibraryThing member mattries37315
The Lancre coven return home in time for Magrat Garlick's wedding, which is a surprise to her, and to find certain "Lords and Ladies" wanting to crash the event. Terry Pratchett returns to Discworld as the witches face off with faeries trying to make their way back into reality as Magrat tries to
Having found the previous two witches books (Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad) not particularly to my liking compared to other Discworld installments, I was a bit hesitant when starting this book however that changed as Pratchett's story unfolded. Following not only the perspectives of the three witches but also Magrat's betrothed King Verence, two of Nanny's sons Jason and Shawn, and numerous wizards from the Unseen University. The use of magical quantum mechanics is better explained than "mirror magic" in Witches Abroad and feels like it is worked into the plot easier throughout the book. The main antagonist once against has a history with Granny, but this time the Faerie Queen and her minions just come off as more real than other antagonists the witches have faced. But the biggest thing that made this book better than the previous witches books was the character development of Magrat, who instead of seemingly remaining flat came into her own as the Fair Folk attached Lancre to be a real Queen.
The humor and engaging story of "Lords and Ladies" makes this one of the best Discworld books that I've read and major improvement over both Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad. If future Witches books by Pratchett are up to the standards of "Lords and Ladies" then I can't wait to read them.
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figure out how to be a Queen after finding her career as witch not going well while Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg just continue on with their witchy ways.Having found the previous two witches books (Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad) not particularly to my liking compared to other Discworld installments, I was a bit hesitant when starting this book however that changed as Pratchett's story unfolded. Following not only the perspectives of the three witches but also Magrat's betrothed King Verence, two of Nanny's sons Jason and Shawn, and numerous wizards from the Unseen University. The use of magical quantum mechanics is better explained than "mirror magic" in Witches Abroad and feels like it is worked into the plot easier throughout the book. The main antagonist once against has a history with Granny, but this time the Faerie Queen and her minions just come off as more real than other antagonists the witches have faced. But the biggest thing that made this book better than the previous witches books was the character development of Magrat, who instead of seemingly remaining flat came into her own as the Fair Folk attached Lancre to be a real Queen.
The humor and engaging story of "Lords and Ladies" makes this one of the best Discworld books that I've read and major improvement over both Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad. If future Witches books by Pratchett are up to the standards of "Lords and Ladies" then I can't wait to read them.
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LibraryThing member 391
I love how PTerry throws a little Shakespeare into the witches' novels - first Wyrd Sisters, which riffed on MacBeth, Hamlet and Lear, now Lords and Ladies that brings up A Midsummer Night's Dream, Taming of the Shrew and a little bit of Henry V if you look closely. While it took a while for the
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Faries to show up, when they did it was totally worth it. It also shows how much of an epic chessmaster Granny Weatherwax is, and how much hidden depth Nanny Ogg has. Kickass. Show Less
LibraryThing member atreic
I said to Brian the other week 'oh, Small Gods, that's my favourite Pratchett!' and he said 'oh, I thought you said it was Lords and Ladies', and I said 'oh, that's wrong'. But reconsidering, it was probably right after all.
What do I love about this book, which I think is a strong contender for my
...it's about the themes, themes that resonate and ring true and comfort and help. The main one Granny Weatherwax's story, worrying she is near to death, and looking at all she has sacrificed and never had. The Queen's barb of 'I could show you Grandmother Weatherwax'. And the comfort of the trousers of time, the thousands of Granny Weatherwaxes, some of them happy, and this one happy too. Also the burning call that 'the price of being the best is always having to be the best'. Also, Magrat, being squeezed into boxes, but in the boxes finding a story that not all Queens are wimples and embroidery, married in her chainmail and tatted muddy silk, having realized the strength in her core...
Love this book, and love coming back to it. You can't cross the same river twice... Yes you can, there's a bridge. And this book is one of the bridges.
What do I love about this book, which I think is a strong contender for my
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favourite book by my favourite author? Well, it's an engaging, page turning story, how Lancre defends itself about the attack of the elves. And it's funny, and parody, like all Pratchett. But really......it's about the themes, themes that resonate and ring true and comfort and help. The main one Granny Weatherwax's story, worrying she is near to death, and looking at all she has sacrificed and never had. The Queen's barb of 'I could show you Grandmother Weatherwax'. And the comfort of the trousers of time, the thousands of Granny Weatherwaxes, some of them happy, and this one happy too. Also the burning call that 'the price of being the best is always having to be the best'. Also, Magrat, being squeezed into boxes, but in the boxes finding a story that not all Queens are wimples and embroidery, married in her chainmail and tatted muddy silk, having realized the strength in her core...
Love this book, and love coming back to it. You can't cross the same river twice... Yes you can, there's a bridge. And this book is one of the bridges.
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LibraryThing member Eat_Read_Knit
I'd been putting this off for a while because I'd read several less-than-enthusiastic reviews, and also found that I didn't enjoy the Witches books as much as some of the other Discword sub-series.
When I finally read this book, I adored it. I read straight through it in a single afternoon, and
Pratchett's characters are as well-written as usual, and the book is brimming over with humour and intelligence. I wasn't conscious of pages passing, and I was very surprised when I got to the end to realise the book was very nearly 400 pages: it felt sharp and concise and moved along swiftly.
This is now one of my favourite Pratchett books.
When I finally read this book, I adored it. I read straight through it in a single afternoon, and
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collapsed in uncontrollable laughter several times. I think I missed a lot of the Midsummer Night's Dream references - I've never read the play (note to self: must get around to that one) - but I caught enough to appreciate how cleverly it's done.Pratchett's characters are as well-written as usual, and the book is brimming over with humour and intelligence. I wasn't conscious of pages passing, and I was very surprised when I got to the end to realise the book was very nearly 400 pages: it felt sharp and concise and moved along swiftly.
This is now one of my favourite Pratchett books.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
I'm not sure if this is Pratchett taking on Shakespeare, or Pratchett's take on Shakespeare, but either way this is a fantastic romp. As the kingdom of Lancre prepares for a wedding, worlds prepare to merge, bees rouse, and on the edges of the world, the Lords and Ladies wait for an opportunity.
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Granny, Nanny, Magrat, wizards, including the Librarian, and an Ogg-ish supporting cast... Shakespeare may never be the same. Show Less
LibraryThing member Xleptodactylous
Pratchett has an unbelievable knack for taking an idea that has been around for centuries, stretching it out with a rolling-pin and kneading it into something majestic and full of such originality you wonder how any could have missed it beforehand.
Those Witches are at it again. Granny Weatherwax
In terms of humour, it's up there with the best of the funny Discworld novels. There are footnotes galore and you really can't get by without wiping laughter tears from your eyes at the sublime and the just plain silly. (22/8/11)
Those Witches are at it again. Granny Weatherwax
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and Nanny Ogg are back from travels to fight against the Lords and Ladies--Elegant folk, fair, beautiful... glamourous.In terms of humour, it's up there with the best of the funny Discworld novels. There are footnotes galore and you really can't get by without wiping laughter tears from your eyes at the sublime and the just plain silly. (22/8/11)
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LibraryThing member JudithProctor
Nice to see the Lancre morris men in full swing. Note that they dance (among others) 'Gathering Peascods' which is a Playford dance... (think Jane Austen/court dances)
However, most of their repertoire is Cotswold, but with a flavour of North West here and there.
However, most of their repertoire is Cotswold, but with a flavour of North West here and there.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Another of my favourites, featuring the indominable Granny Weatherwax.
the beginning is a bit odd and clunky, a few jokes particularly the Rude Mechanicals and Comic Artisans, but nothing particularly special. This book howevers really delivers in teh end third when Granny once again shows what it
The third witch Magrat, is about to be married. King Verence has not bothered to propose - King's don't have to - which has Magrat somewhat upset, but its all going ahead anyway. Until the Diskworld's arch nemisis the world of Elves drifts by again.
Elves aren't nice, they are terrific - they beget terror. Watch out when words change their meaning!
Granny's fight with the Queen, really shows the depth of thought that Terry puts into his characters, and the points he tries to make, about growing up and old. The value of experience and ultimately how powerful Self-Confidence is compared to any worldly power.
A great finish, a great read, and ahradly any Midsummer's Nights references.
the beginning is a bit odd and clunky, a few jokes particularly the Rude Mechanicals and Comic Artisans, but nothing particularly special. This book howevers really delivers in teh end third when Granny once again shows what it
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means to be human.The third witch Magrat, is about to be married. King Verence has not bothered to propose - King's don't have to - which has Magrat somewhat upset, but its all going ahead anyway. Until the Diskworld's arch nemisis the world of Elves drifts by again.
Elves aren't nice, they are terrific - they beget terror. Watch out when words change their meaning!
Granny's fight with the Queen, really shows the depth of thought that Terry puts into his characters, and the points he tries to make, about growing up and old. The value of experience and ultimately how powerful Self-Confidence is compared to any worldly power.
A great finish, a great read, and ahradly any Midsummer's Nights references.
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LibraryThing member DRFP
One of my favourite Discworld novels among the ones I've read up to this point (going in a roughly chronological order). It's very funny, though it reaches a serious climax, and it's simply plotted too. Often I find enjoyable Discworld novels get bogged down in too many ideas (Hogfather for
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instance) but Lords and Ladies is straightforward and to the point and reads so much better because of that. Show Less
LibraryThing member akfarrar
Terry Pratchett's books seem to function like a satyr play at the end of a day of tragedies - they poke not too subtle fun at the themes and concerns which lie deep in the psyche.
This may seem a bold claim, but there has to be some reason for popularity of the discworld books.
In this one, "Lords
You can enjoy the book without knowing the Shakespeare, but you'd miss a lot if you did.
This may seem a bold claim, but there has to be some reason for popularity of the discworld books.
In this one, "Lords
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and Ladies", Shakespeare's fairies from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' are combined with Tolkein's elves to create a sort of negative beautiful people - not too unlike some of the interpretations given to the darker side of the Shakespeare original. This has a logic behind it which, when you throw in the stable discworld characters, give it a harsh flavouring of socialism (or perhaps peasantism?) and let loose Mr Pratchett's wicked play on words, produces an energetic romp guaranteed to tickle not only the intellect but also the funny bone.You can enjoy the book without knowing the Shakespeare, but you'd miss a lot if you did.
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LibraryThing member jnicholson
Magrat is engaged to the new King of Verence, and begins to get into the role of Queen when there's a challenger to the title. Meanwhile, Granny Weatherwax is troubled by figures from the past (Archchancellor Ridcully), and the present (Esme Weatherwax).
This novel takes place as the witches return
There's some character advancement for both Magrat and Agnes, and Granny Weatherwax is set up for a later novel that will see her dealing with getting older.
This novel takes place as the witches return
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from their travels to Genua to find that some young witches have been playing with occult forces.There's some character advancement for both Magrat and Agnes, and Granny Weatherwax is set up for a later novel that will see her dealing with getting older.
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LibraryThing member keristars
I very much wanted to love this book because I love Sir Terry Pratchett's style and I love the characters who feature in it - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. (Also, Jason Ogg, being my favorite of the Ogg clan.) Unfortunately, I just couldn't really enjoy Lords and Ladies.
It is a
But I loved the bits with Ponder Stibbons and King Verence and Jason Ogg and the Bursar and the Librarian, even if they tended to be scenes that were obviously created specifically to foreshadow future plotpoints, or give sense to a future plotpoint.
I guess my feelings are pretty mixed about this book. I liked it, and I wanted to love it, but I mostly just think "meh." It's not one that I've a strong desire to go back and re-read, the way I love Witches Abroad or Pyramids or Guards! Guards! (for example).
It is a
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funny book and filled with allusions - I haven't come across a Discworld book yet that isn't - but the whole thing seemed to drag. It's like Pratchett decided on a particular sequence of events for the finale, put all the focus on it, and then neglected to do anything with the rest of the book except what had to be done to get to the finale.But I loved the bits with Ponder Stibbons and King Verence and Jason Ogg and the Bursar and the Librarian, even if they tended to be scenes that were obviously created specifically to foreshadow future plotpoints, or give sense to a future plotpoint.
I guess my feelings are pretty mixed about this book. I liked it, and I wanted to love it, but I mostly just think "meh." It's not one that I've a strong desire to go back and re-read, the way I love Witches Abroad or Pyramids or Guards! Guards! (for example).
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LibraryThing member love2laf
Of all the witch novels in Discworld, this is one I really enjoy. The humour is gentle and amusing, puns are frequent, and it's a twisted up Midsummer Night's Dream.
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
This one lost me from an early stage. I tend not to find the books with the witches to the fore quite as funny as the others. A wise observation made about garden hose, though, with which I completely concur.
LibraryThing member polarbear123
Always good to see Weatherwax and Ogg about, this is one of my favourites so far of the Discowrld series. Funny and fast paced it is well worth a look in.
LibraryThing member farnsworthk
This time the witches take on the Fair Folk. Fun stuff.
LibraryThing member ritaer
why not to invite the Fair Folk
LibraryThing member Helenliz
This book, I feel, marks a change in the series. Until this point, the books have stood pretty well alone. Characters may have appeared in more than one book, but understanding their actions has not depended on having read the previous book, but here that changes. They also start getting somewhat
This features the Lancre witches, but without having read Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad, much of what occurs here would make no sense.
The witches have got home after their trip (as described in Witches Abroad) to find that things have been going on in their absence. For one thing, Magrat finds herself invited to her own wedding. For another, there has been dancing by the stone circle, and that is dangerous at circle time.
Folk memory and fairy tale are often based on some nasty, grisly piece of history. In this case the saucer of milk at the step and horseshoe on the door are to keep the eponymous Lords and Ladies at bay. They are glamourous, they enchant and they are not at all nice. But circumstances conspire and they break through to disturb the midsummer marriage.
But there can only be one queen in any one country and things come to a head. Magrat discovers some inner steel, Nanny Ogg is wooed and Granny Weatherwax has a personal complication in the form of an old suitor and a possible appointment that is clouding the future.
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longer, developing both characters and more complicated plot lines. This features the Lancre witches, but without having read Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad, much of what occurs here would make no sense.
The witches have got home after their trip (as described in Witches Abroad) to find that things have been going on in their absence. For one thing, Magrat finds herself invited to her own wedding. For another, there has been dancing by the stone circle, and that is dangerous at circle time.
Folk memory and fairy tale are often based on some nasty, grisly piece of history. In this case the saucer of milk at the step and horseshoe on the door are to keep the eponymous Lords and Ladies at bay. They are glamourous, they enchant and they are not at all nice. But circumstances conspire and they break through to disturb the midsummer marriage.
But there can only be one queen in any one country and things come to a head. Magrat discovers some inner steel, Nanny Ogg is wooed and Granny Weatherwax has a personal complication in the form of an old suitor and a possible appointment that is clouding the future.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lukerik
I'm afraid this is not up to the standard I have come to expect from Pratchett. It's flaccid, bloated and sparse. As with all Pratchett books it is still oddly a pleasure to read. It follows on from Witches Abroad and you'd probably be well advised to read that first, if not Equal Rites and Wyrd
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Sisters too. It has a similar conceit of Stories, which is wearing a little thin for me this time around. Even Witches Abroad traded on it's characterisation rather than its theme but here much of the strength of that is lost as the witches split up, Magrat undergoes a transformation and Weatherwax is offstage for much of the happenings. In fact, a lot of the interesting bits are offstage in this book Show Less
LibraryThing member IAmAndyPieters
In this novel we will witness the marriage of Magrat. But before that can happen, several other events need to fall into place, some of them may include a certain witch to die, or even a romance between a witch and a wizard, or was it a dwarf and a witch? There could also be a rendering of a
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humorous song featuring a hedgehog. Show Less
LibraryThing member Welsh_eileen2
Another great story from the very much missed Terry Pratchett.
Read this countless times and will do so many more, along with his others.
Read this countless times and will do so many more, along with his others.
LibraryThing member fiverivers
Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett, is an outright giggle-fest. Can't remember the last time I laughed so much while reading -- certainly not a book conducive to inducing somnolence.
We returns to the witches of Discworld, Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Magrat who is about to become Queen
Full of screamingly funny romance, Pratchett's deft ability as a story-teller, with a touch of social consciousness thrown in. A great summer, or anytime, read.
We returns to the witches of Discworld, Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Magrat who is about to become Queen
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Magrat and finds herself in an identity crisis and bored to distraction. Boredom on Discworld, however, is never lasting ailment as proven by an attempting invasion by the Sidhe. Full of screamingly funny romance, Pratchett's deft ability as a story-teller, with a touch of social consciousness thrown in. A great summer, or anytime, read.
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LibraryThing member Novak
A lovely fantasy with the three witches in the forefront. I wanted this book to go on for ever. Lots of other Discworld stars find their way into this story, even William Shakespeare gets a sort of look-in. Wonderful stuff, maybe one of the best Discworld yarns ever, but don't read this book if
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you're an elf.... .... .... Show Less
LibraryThing member comfypants
His sense of humor in this one isn't always hitting the mark, but it's a good story and overall a fun book.
LibraryThing member David.Alfred.Sarkies
This review has pictures in it. To see the full review please see the review in Goodreads or Booklikes.
This book is very, very loosely based upon Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night Dream, and to be honest with you if he had not told me at the beginning of the book and at the end of the book I
Anyway, when we think of elves we usually think of this:
[Picture - Elves from Lord of the Rings]
or this:
[Picture - Santa's Elves]
when in reality they should more look like this:
[Picture - Evil Elf]
Now, Pratchett actually addresses this in his story through the use of this idea called glamour, but also through the idea that our memory usually hides the horrid stuff in our life and replaces it with good and nice stuff. The thing is that he is actually quite correct with that and there are plenty of psychological treatises that deal with the idea of suppressed memories. In Lord and Ladies we have this idea in that over time the really bad thing about the elves is forgotten and the only memories that remain are of good and beautiful things. Still there are aspects of their bad side that are left behind, such as the horseshoes (which are wards against the elves because they are made of iron and elves hate iron), that people actually forget the reason as to why they are there, but keep them there because they have been doing so for centuries and see no reason why they should stop.
Now, the idea of beauty is explored in this story, and that is through the concept of glamour. This is something that is very much the case in our world, namely that people equate beauty with goodness and if you are beautiful then you are automatically considered good. Isn't it funny that a lot of the villains in much of our literature are portrayed as being ugly. For instance, consider this guy:
[Picture - Dr Evil from Austin Powers]
Okay, this is taken from a comedy movie, but this is still my case in point. Or, to point to something a little more serious, consider this guy:
[Picture - Goblin King from the Hobbit]
As you can see, both of these characters are villains, and both of these characters are ugly. Okay, not all villains are ugly, but generally when we create a villain, one of the aspects of the villain is the fact that they are repulsive. However, why is it that we always equate evil with ugliness and beauty with goodness. For instance, with this particular person:
[Picture - Paris Hilton]
what is the first thing that comes into your mind? I bet you that it has nothing to do with villainy. With me, I simply groan and say that I really do not want to have anything to do with that person or the company that she represents (though I have been told that she has been cut out of the will). However, I guess my idea of beauty has moved on significantly from that of your average teenager. My concept of beauty simply cannot be portrayed in a picture because you simply cannot portray the beauty of the soul in a picture. Okay, I could put a picture of my brother up, but the only pictures I have on him are on Facebook, and even then a photo of him simply does not do his beauty justice.
Therefore, if there is a moral of this story, I would simply be that beauty of not skin deep, and if we look a outward beauty, then we are opening ourselves up to an awful lot of grief.
This book is very, very loosely based upon Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night Dream, and to be honest with you if he had not told me at the beginning of the book and at the end of the book I
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probably would not have realised it. The reason that I say that is because when I say loosely I mean really loosely. In fact the only thing about the book that seems to be connected to the play is that a group of working class people go a rehearse a play in the woods and get caught up in faerie land. The thing is that Pratchett did not use faeries in the story but rather elves, and I think that is were the problems arise because in the Shakespeare play faeries were used (and they are not very nice people in the play, in the same way that elves are no very nice people in this book), though in essence there is actually little difference between them in mythology (except for maybe their origin – elves come from Scandinavia while faeries come from the bottom of the garden).Anyway, when we think of elves we usually think of this:
[Picture - Elves from Lord of the Rings]
or this:
[Picture - Santa's Elves]
when in reality they should more look like this:
[Picture - Evil Elf]
Now, Pratchett actually addresses this in his story through the use of this idea called glamour, but also through the idea that our memory usually hides the horrid stuff in our life and replaces it with good and nice stuff. The thing is that he is actually quite correct with that and there are plenty of psychological treatises that deal with the idea of suppressed memories. In Lord and Ladies we have this idea in that over time the really bad thing about the elves is forgotten and the only memories that remain are of good and beautiful things. Still there are aspects of their bad side that are left behind, such as the horseshoes (which are wards against the elves because they are made of iron and elves hate iron), that people actually forget the reason as to why they are there, but keep them there because they have been doing so for centuries and see no reason why they should stop.
Now, the idea of beauty is explored in this story, and that is through the concept of glamour. This is something that is very much the case in our world, namely that people equate beauty with goodness and if you are beautiful then you are automatically considered good. Isn't it funny that a lot of the villains in much of our literature are portrayed as being ugly. For instance, consider this guy:
[Picture - Dr Evil from Austin Powers]
Okay, this is taken from a comedy movie, but this is still my case in point. Or, to point to something a little more serious, consider this guy:
[Picture - Goblin King from the Hobbit]
As you can see, both of these characters are villains, and both of these characters are ugly. Okay, not all villains are ugly, but generally when we create a villain, one of the aspects of the villain is the fact that they are repulsive. However, why is it that we always equate evil with ugliness and beauty with goodness. For instance, with this particular person:
[Picture - Paris Hilton]
what is the first thing that comes into your mind? I bet you that it has nothing to do with villainy. With me, I simply groan and say that I really do not want to have anything to do with that person or the company that she represents (though I have been told that she has been cut out of the will). However, I guess my idea of beauty has moved on significantly from that of your average teenager. My concept of beauty simply cannot be portrayed in a picture because you simply cannot portray the beauty of the soul in a picture. Okay, I could put a picture of my brother up, but the only pictures I have on him are on Facebook, and even then a photo of him simply does not do his beauty justice.
Therefore, if there is a moral of this story, I would simply be that beauty of not skin deep, and if we look a outward beauty, then we are opening ourselves up to an awful lot of grief.
Show Less