I Read Books: Wyrd Sisters

Wyrd Sisters

Not quite the end of Pratchett’s theme of how magic is a bad basis for power, but certainly the last major extended meditation. In the kingdom of Lancre there has been a change of kings in a traditional bloody manner. The new king doesn’t care for the kingdom, only the power.

This is the one where he introduces two more witches to offer alternative views of witching and morality to Granny Weatherwax (from Equal Rites). And three witches is of course from MacBeth, so he brings in plays in general, Shakespeare more specifically and MacBeth the most obviously into the plot.

The Play’s the thing scene is a farce that fails on all sides, there’s a really big and clever bit of magic, and twists, turns and reveals. Also a meditation on ruling that seems to suggest it’s the inner quality rather than the virtue or competence of the ruler, though as it ends up they manage both. Also a fairly cute romance and many good jokes.

Read This: A brisk, fun take on witching and Shakespeare
Don’t Read This: If witchcraft and murder and ghosts are not a laughing matter