Equal Rites is the third novel in British author Terry Pratchett's fantasy series, Discworld. Also, the first in the series featuring Granny Weatherwax. As Terry Pratchett has said that he has never felt the need to chapter his books, of course there weren't any divisions in the book where I was able to stop reading and when I was reading this I didn't use a book mark and I don't like folding over the pages so I couldn't stop at chapters and many times I read over the same part which was really, really annoying. This novel doesn't feel like the everyday book it feels like a moral kind of story, like the kind of story which has a meaning.

Esk is the eight daughter of an eight son, of course being the daughter of a wizard she will possess magical powers. However, Granny Weatherwax (a witch) believes Esk as she is female should be a witch too, other than a wizard, as she does not believe it right for women to have a man's job. Esk disagrees with her views and wishes to become an academical at the Unseen University, but will they accept a female wizard?

In the end, the Equal Rites turns out to be a story that females should have equal rites to males. So it involves sexism, doesn't support it but against it. I liked this book, but it dragged a bit, and the lack of sectioning was aggitating soo, yeahh it's not a favourite but I'd like to read more Terry Pratchetts. I've heard that Nation, a none Discworld novel, is good... ( )

I agree with a the talk on LT about Pratchett. The thord book is much better than the first two. I am also sad to learn that Esk does not show up in later books. I really like her. I have the 4th book at home and I plan on reading it later this month. There were a lot of fun characters in this book. The only thing I did not like about it was there were no chapters, so I had a hard time finding places to stop reading when I needed to go back to work after lunch. That was frustrating. I kept reading and reading and got back to work 20 minutes late. Urghhh. ( )

Another fun Discworld novel. This is the first one to introduce my personal favorite character of all time, Granny Weatherwax. Eskarina, a young girl, is left a staff and power by a dying wizard, who mistakes her for an eighth son, instead of a daughter after seven boys. The problem is wizards are meant to be men, and women are meant to be witches, and nary the two shall meet. Esk is taken under the wing of Granny, they head off towards Unseen University, and much fun ensues. Four stars. ( )

As a wizard, Drum Billet knows when he will die, so he has sought out an eight son who is about to have an eight child so that he can pass his staff and his magic to another generation. There's only one problem as he hands over his power and his staff, he has neglected to check the babies' sex and passes his power onto a girl. There is only one profession acceptable for women who have magical abilities though. With a wizards magic, will she fit into a witches mould or will something break? ( )

The first Witches book. A somewhat different Granny Weatherwax than the one shown later. A nice beginning book. ( )