Lords And Ladies

Like all of Pratchett’s DISCWORLD books, LORDS AND LADIES is highly entertaining and amazingly well written. Some of the books in the series would have benefited from more editing, but not this one. It moves along quite well, never lags, and best of all–has Granny Weatherwax in it! The other issue I’ve noticed in Pratchett’s writing is that he can be a little esoteric on occasion, and confounding on others. I’m sure HE knew what he meant, but I doubt many others would. Apart from this, he remains one of my all-time favorite writers. His voice and style are unique and very enjoyable, and his stories are wonderfully told.

This has been a literary first for me, and that’s after 49 years of avid reading.
I actually enjoyed Lords and Ladies MORE on the second reading than the first. Pratchett is so subtle that one can discover an amazing amount of content overlooked on the first pass. After devouring everything the man has in print, like many discworld fans, I’ve begun rereading the discworld series. All are a pleasure but I must have been drinking more Heineken than usual back when I read this one cuz there’s all sorts of hilarity, pathos and insight into the human condition I’d totally missed before.
The witches are amongst my favorite characters, and until rereading L & L, I confess that Magrat was more a sidekick or afterthought for me compared to Esmerelda Weatherwax and Gytha Ogg. But Magrat shines in this one.
Being a retired honeybee queen breeder, I can say with authority that Pratchett’s knowledge of honeybees is comprehensively accurate as well. And he is right on about swarms. As he posits, individual bees aren’t possessed of intelligence or consciousness though entire colonies are. I know, that comment sounds woo-woo as hell, but I’ve spent over 45 years working honeybees daily and I’ve seen it. His description of the old and new queens stalking one another in the hive, and the conditions pertaining to that state of affairs is … deadly accurate.
And I managed to get through the entire affair without a groining, hawk pecking or unicorn impaling. Or getting stung.

Much, much better on the re-reading. I read this once in my first pass through the Discworld books and only after reading The Watch books and the Wizards books and Small Gods. I didnt care much for Lords and Ladies. Ive re-read all of the other books, several times, but not this one. Upon this re-read I regret waiting so long. Its a multilayered story that mirrors the strengths and weaknesses of our own humanity and world. In some of his earlier books Sir Terry tries too hard to be funny. From this book forward, not so much. There is still a lot of humor and wordplay and sly references and inversions of convention, but the underlying tone is serious and thoughtful. Sir Terry wants you to be thoughtful in this book. And this thread only strengthens and deepens as the series progresses.

Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick are back in Lancre and Magrat is about to be married to Verence II, so Magrat is busy learning how to be Queen. The castle is preparing for the big day guests, presents, lots of food to prepare and beds to make. The only thing no one counted on is that elves might show up to ruin the fun. As usual, I got a lot of chuckles out of this one.

Author Terry Pratchett savages ‘cute’ in many of his Discworld novels. In “Witches Abroad” he skewers the ‘good’ fairy godmother. “Hogfather” is a much darker version of Santa Claus. Elves take a beating in “Lords and Ladies.” They represent glamour without soul. They like to torture animals, humans included–you know, the ‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ bit, except elves come in both sexes.

The people in the Kingdom of Lancre are afraid even to use the word ‘elf,’ except for soppy, junior witch, Magrat Garlick, who is soon to be King Verence’s bride. She is known as the witch who clinks and clanks about in occult jewelry, and loves scented candles.

Luckily, senior witches Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are also on the scene, after an extended vacation to Genua to end the ‘good’ fairy godmother’s reign of terror (see “Witches Abroad”). Even though they scorn the modern trappings of witchcraft (see above: scented candles), they hold the power in Lancre.

King Verence II is more interested in crop rotation and breeding pigs. When Magrat returns from Genua, he informs her that he’s planned their wedding, ordered her dress, and invited the guests. (Red Alert! Red Alert! Man your battle stations! Completely clueless male enters story!) What Verence doesn’t do is propose marriage to his intended wife. After all he is a king.

Magrat does a slow boil until the day before the wedding. She finally revolts but as usual, her timing is execrable. Her husband-to-be has been captured by the elves.

How in the name of Om did the elves manage to escape from the circle of stones known as the Dancers? Did it have something to do with would-be witch, Diamanda and her friends dancing nekkid (a Nanny Ogg term) round the stones?

Did it have something to do with Nanny Ogg’s semi-annual bath?

Why did Lancre Morris Men decide to hold their play practice near the Dancers?

Did it have something to do with the nekkid dancers?

Discerning reviewers have compared “Lords and Ladies” to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer-Night’s Dream.” There certainly are many complicated love stories in both novel and play. Pratchett gives us Magrat and King Verence II; Nanny Ogg and Casanunda, Discworld’s second greatest lover; Granny Weatherwax and…

Look, you need to read the book and find out for yourself. Let’s just say that Granny’s suitor is growing a crop circle on his head.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member