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Wintersmith (2006)

by Terry Pratchett

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Discworld: Tiffany Aching (3), Discworld: Young Adult (4), Discworld (35)

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7,9341621,058 (4.14)288
When witch-in-training Tiffany Aching accidentally interrupts the Dance of the Seasons and awakens the interest of the elemental spirit of Winter, she requires the help of the six-inch-high, sword-wielding, sheep-stealing Wee Free Men to put the seasons aright.
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» See also 288 mentions

English (153)  German (2)  French (2)  Italian (1)  Spanish (1)  Swedish (1)  Norwegian (1)  Dutch (1)  All languages (162)
Showing 1-5 of 153 (next | show all)
Wintersmith continues the themes of A Hat Full of Sky, as Tiffany has to teach one of her fellow apprentices about what it means to be a witch. Honestly, the ostensible central conflict of the novel—about the Wintersmith—comes across as almost ancillary, but I didn't mind, because there's a lot of good stuff along the way. The climax to this one, though, is again a bit disappointing. I mean, I love the Feegles journeying into the afterlife, but Tiffany gets sort of left out in favor of them and Roland. (Though I did like Roland too.) But those are quibbles: much as the City Watch books work their way through the details of the intersection of violence and politics and law, the Tiffany books spend their time working out something even more basic, what it means to be a person who helps. It's serious work... but that doesn't mean it can't also be funny.
  Stevil2001 | Aug 18, 2023 |
A fun one. Tiffany takes on the Spirit of Winter, whom she accidentally causes to fall in love with her by stepping into a Dark Morris dance at an inopportune moment. That plot is interesting, particularly how Pratchett handles the powers and personality of a demi-god, and in Wintersmith's creation of a Frankenstein body to inhabit by using the folktale ideas from a song lyric. But what I enjoy most about this book (and the others in the series) is how Tiffany (age 13 now) matures and slowly settles into being a 'proper' witch. It's interesting how none of the senior witches (Miss Treason, Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax) ever comes out and simply says "Here's what you should be doing". They lead by example, and through providing access to educational 'experiences' that gently guide Tiffany (and her other acolytes) in the right direction. That is to say, the witches build character and leave the rest to human nature.

In this volume, she has to take care of the poor and wretched while simultaneously dealing with 'witch society' and helping the helpless Annagramma figure out the right ways to be a witch. It's particularly gratifying to see how the 'pig witch' Petulia Gristle is also maturing and coming into her own.

I especially liked how the silver horse pendant acted as a plot device, and in particular, how it was lost and then found again.

Of course, the book was made the more enjoyable through the voice work of Stephen Briggs, who makes it so three dimensional, and who does such a wonderful job characterizing the the Nac Mac Feegle, but everyone else as well. ( )
  jsmick | Jul 10, 2023 |
Such a great book and filled with such warmth and humanity and memorable events. There are laughs from the Nac Mac Feegles (helps to have heard at least one audio recording from this series), some eye rolls at the various Granny's and Witching crones (there were so many that it was hard to keep track of, hence the half star), and some great story telling to boot.

Humorous bits include Miss Treason's dialogue with the Nac Mac Feegles when they come in to check on her young ward, Tiffany Aching of The Chalk. Miss Treason is portrayed as the curmudgeonly old blind Witch who can curse with just a finger, yet when she speaks to her unexpected visitors in their language and they jump to mind their manners, hilarity ensues.

And one passage I wish someone had slipped into one of my books during my teen years that occurs after a fight between Tiffany and Miss Treason: "(Miss Treason's) voice was kindly. There had been shouts, there had been things said that might have been better put, there had been temper and defiance. But they were there together, with nowhere else to go. The quiet voice was a peace offering, and Tiffany was glad of it."

So yes, a very good "coming of age" story, or adventure story for a young Witch, or a lot of fun nonsense, or all of the above. Highly recommend to fans of Terry Pratchett, and fortunately one that can be read out of sequence in the Wee Free Men/Tiffany Aching series. ( )
  threadnsong | Jul 2, 2023 |
Tiffany, now 13 years old, seems to have grown up all of a sudden. Perhaps I remember my teenage years better than my childhood but I felt that I could relate to her better in this 3rd book featuring her. ( )
  leslie.98 | Jun 27, 2023 |
A 2006 novel, book 35 in the Discworld series, book 3 in the Tiffany Aching series.

A 13-year-old apprentice witch catches the attention of Winter.

B (Good).

I'm a Tiffany Aching fan, but this was disappointing. The first two books were something special. This one's still a good book, but it's just an ordinary Discworld book.

(May 2023) ( )
  comfypants | Jun 2, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 153 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (11 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Terry Pratchettprimary authorall editionscalculated
Briggs, StephenNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kidby, PaulCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Matthews, RobinAuthor photosecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Mayer, BillCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Paracchini, FabioTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stengel, ChristopherCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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When the storm came, it hit the hills like a hammer.
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'And he won her freedom by playing beautiful music,' Roland added. 'I think he played a lute, or maybe it was a lyre.' 'Ach, wheel, that'll soot us fine,' said Daft Wullie. 'We're experts at looting and then lying aboot it.'
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When witch-in-training Tiffany Aching accidentally interrupts the Dance of the Seasons and awakens the interest of the elemental spirit of Winter, she requires the help of the six-inch-high, sword-wielding, sheep-stealing Wee Free Men to put the seasons aright.

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