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Discworld #30, 32
The Wee Free Men: The Beginning (Discworld, #30 & #32)
When Tiffany Aching sets out to become a witch, she faces ominous foes and gains unexpected allies. As she confronts the Queen of Fairies and battles an ancient, bodiless evil, she is aided (and most ably abetted) by the six-inch-high, fightin', stealin', drinkin' Wee Free Men.
Laugh-out-loud humor and breathtaking action combine in the books that launched the unforgettable adventures of a determined young witch and her tiny but fierce blue friends.
Laugh-out-loud humor and breathtaking action combine in the books that launched the unforgettable adventures of a determined young witch and her tiny but fierce blue friends.
552 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
49 people are currently reading
2809 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
678 books46.2k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
September 12, 2010
The Wee Free Men: The Begining by Terry Pratchett
This book contains the stories The Wee Free Men and A Hatful of Sky. Tiffany Aching is a witch. A pointy hat witch with no warts but never-the-less she is a witch. She demonstrates to her peers and constituents that she is a competent witch. This book chronicles her development into a witch and her early encounters with weird things and weirder teachers.
I hate saying I was wrong. My review of I Shall Wear Midnight was not terribly flattering. Well, I’m a convert. I loved this book and I think if I had read this first I would have loved I Shall Wear Midnight as well.
Prachett is known for his wacky humor but perhaps less obvious is the wealth of positive moral or value lessons that are adroitly inserted into the humorous rendition in this book. The Wee Free Men embody the characteristics of intoxicated soccer/football fans the world over. The innate moral fiber of Tiffany is stretched when she inadvertently leaves out some of her less beloved personality facets. She rebounds nicely and is able to integrate her first, second and third thoughts.
I am now a fan, I liked the value teachings, the humor and the stories.
I highly recommend the book.
This book contains the stories The Wee Free Men and A Hatful of Sky. Tiffany Aching is a witch. A pointy hat witch with no warts but never-the-less she is a witch. She demonstrates to her peers and constituents that she is a competent witch. This book chronicles her development into a witch and her early encounters with weird things and weirder teachers.
I hate saying I was wrong. My review of I Shall Wear Midnight was not terribly flattering. Well, I’m a convert. I loved this book and I think if I had read this first I would have loved I Shall Wear Midnight as well.
Prachett is known for his wacky humor but perhaps less obvious is the wealth of positive moral or value lessons that are adroitly inserted into the humorous rendition in this book. The Wee Free Men embody the characteristics of intoxicated soccer/football fans the world over. The innate moral fiber of Tiffany is stretched when she inadvertently leaves out some of her less beloved personality facets. She rebounds nicely and is able to integrate her first, second and third thoughts.
I am now a fan, I liked the value teachings, the humor and the stories.
I highly recommend the book.
June 2, 2015
Oh, my. Well, I started this as an audiobook and fell in love with the protagonist, Tiffany. The audiobook was AWESOME and often made me laugh out loud with the portrayal of the wee Scotsmen who Tiffany must, at first, contend with and, eventually, work with. I could not finish the audiobook before it was due back at the library and I did not wish to wait for it again so I took out the print version to finish it up. Of course, by then, I had the voices of the characters firmly in place as I read, which was an interesting experience. (Sort of like having Jim Dale in my head when I re-read Harry Potter)
This is a very funny book but also a thought-provoking one. Don't be fooled if you find it in the Children's section of your bookstore or library! This is worth the read and I found myself noting important life lessons that could hold for any age.
You can find summaries of the plot in other places, I'll just tell you that the characters are unique and interesting, the dialogue is out-loud funny, and the story, itself, holds up as one you might even want to re-read someday.
This is a very funny book but also a thought-provoking one. Don't be fooled if you find it in the Children's section of your bookstore or library! This is worth the read and I found myself noting important life lessons that could hold for any age.
You can find summaries of the plot in other places, I'll just tell you that the characters are unique and interesting, the dialogue is out-loud funny, and the story, itself, holds up as one you might even want to re-read someday.
November 4, 2015
So actually this copy is the first two books of the series, and i have decided to stop after the first one While I liked the writing, the characters and much of the plot I found myself oftentimes mired in it and unable to read much are all.
Also, the excitement of this new genre for me wore off pretty quickly. Yes it was fun to be filled dreams and wonder and fantasy, but after a while it was hard to continue.
If you like dreams, fairies, witches, and bizarre plots, then this book is for you. It is not a simple book by any means and there are gems for the reader curious enough to search for then, I guess I wasn;t really that reader.
Also, the excitement of this new genre for me wore off pretty quickly. Yes it was fun to be filled dreams and wonder and fantasy, but after a while it was hard to continue.
If you like dreams, fairies, witches, and bizarre plots, then this book is for you. It is not a simple book by any means and there are gems for the reader curious enough to search for then, I guess I wasn;t really that reader.
April 17, 2011
This was a fantastic surprise. I totally underestimated this one. I've never read Pratchett before, and I had some doubt that I would like it, pre-judging the genre Discworld sits in. I knew to expect a style most British, most silly, wit and wordplay and traditional magic, and a dash of zany action. It's a little like I've never outright read Douglas Adams -- he's very very funny (and I like his work a lot when there's people making it as funny as it is) -- but would I want to rest a whole reading experience on this style? I'm not really sure.
Anyway, what do I know, because I was all, all wrong.
Truthfully, indeed, the elements here are not immensely far out of the box. So it's hard to know in advance. It's entirely the work of what Pratchett's thought and style brings to the ingredients that sets them to life, and it's wonderful.
Tiffany is fantastic, of course, an awesome little girl to hang a story upon. I really like that she is more smart than sass -- she outthinks most of those around her, and has to subvert authority plenty, but also she's often rather silly, as she is 9. (And later, 11. Which as she points out, is completely different.) Her feelings are thoughtful and complexly drawn. Her world on her farm, her shepherding culture, comes greatly to life instead of being a pat setting. I enjoyed being there so much, right away. Her love and memories of her tough grandmother, taking strength in retrospect from the things she learned from her. How she keeps remembering the day she gave Granny the china shepherdess, with such regret.
And I just gotta say somewhere, Granny's dogs named Thunder and Lightning, are you kidding me, they're so cool.
I loved Tiffany's journey through dreamland to rescue the baby brother she otherwise can't stand for another second. (He's been taken, and that's wrong -- when she uses him for monster bait, that's different! He's her brother!) Everyone I talked to about the books told me they liked this book less than the second book, but I actually disagreed. I was impressed that something as frankly unoriginal as "this is a land where dreams are real" came alive so well. Because of what happens in the second book, in a way it's Tiffany that goes missing, and I like her so much more in action as herself.
Also. This one is important. I loved the Feegles. The little magic people who help Tiffany, essentially leprechauns, who speak in a ridiculous brogue and are mostly men and are mostly there for madcap antics and, man. I CAN'T BELIEVE I LOVED THOSE GUYS. Because if I were explaining them to myself two months ago, I would say to myself, "I am going to hate those guys." Wrong, Liz! Own the facts! As much as they love kebabs, I loved the Feegles. I cracked up aloud on the subway every day at something they said. They are so funny, it's incredible. (Also particularly liked when Tiffany had to pause and take the toad out of her pocket to check if whatever they'd just said was an insult or not.)
(And once, they claim to be "bigger on the inside.")
The narration is just a total pleasure to read. It's funny, but sharp. He's not just constructing jokes, he's setting up a way to say the most excellent things. Such as an incredibly brilliant funny paragraph that culminates, "With balloons, as with life itself, it is important to know when not to let go of the string."
And more personally, Tiffany's lessons in both these books are beautiful. She learns so much from the witches she meets, about being smart and doing hard things. Probably the best thing about the entire book is the fact that being a witch has almost nothing to do with doing magic, and entirely everything to do with just being incredibly smart. Seeing the truth, keeping your head, knowing how to think, being patient with the innumerable mistakes of others, taking responsibility when it isn't anyone's. And how that sometimes prevents you from belonging, too. "She wasn't being brave or noble or kind. She was doing this because it had to be done, because there was no way that she could not do it." It's perfect.
Plus there's opportunities for really small beautiful moments that are mostly magic but not entirely, like Tiffany starting the dance with the swarm of bees. And I like when she gets to save everyone both times with some Bad Wolfin', as I like to call it. A girl taking in surprising new power and using it for good, in a great surge. That often makes a good story I like. Tiffany is learning that this power exists when it has to.
I can't wait to read more about it.
.
I am trying to make zen with the fact that Goodreads will show this as reading one book instead of two. Sigh. I can do it. I'll be ok.
ETA: NEVER MIND, I DID IT! I AM THE GOODREADS MASTER, EVERYTHING IS COOL HERE.
Anyway, what do I know, because I was all, all wrong.
Truthfully, indeed, the elements here are not immensely far out of the box. So it's hard to know in advance. It's entirely the work of what Pratchett's thought and style brings to the ingredients that sets them to life, and it's wonderful.
Tiffany is fantastic, of course, an awesome little girl to hang a story upon. I really like that she is more smart than sass -- she outthinks most of those around her, and has to subvert authority plenty, but also she's often rather silly, as she is 9. (And later, 11. Which as she points out, is completely different.) Her feelings are thoughtful and complexly drawn. Her world on her farm, her shepherding culture, comes greatly to life instead of being a pat setting. I enjoyed being there so much, right away. Her love and memories of her tough grandmother, taking strength in retrospect from the things she learned from her. How she keeps remembering the day she gave Granny the china shepherdess, with such regret.
And I just gotta say somewhere, Granny's dogs named Thunder and Lightning, are you kidding me, they're so cool.
I loved Tiffany's journey through dreamland to rescue the baby brother she otherwise can't stand for another second. (He's been taken, and that's wrong -- when she uses him for monster bait, that's different! He's her brother!) Everyone I talked to about the books told me they liked this book less than the second book, but I actually disagreed. I was impressed that something as frankly unoriginal as "this is a land where dreams are real" came alive so well. Because of what happens in the second book, in a way it's Tiffany that goes missing, and I like her so much more in action as herself.
Also. This one is important. I loved the Feegles. The little magic people who help Tiffany, essentially leprechauns, who speak in a ridiculous brogue and are mostly men and are mostly there for madcap antics and, man. I CAN'T BELIEVE I LOVED THOSE GUYS. Because if I were explaining them to myself two months ago, I would say to myself, "I am going to hate those guys." Wrong, Liz! Own the facts! As much as they love kebabs, I loved the Feegles. I cracked up aloud on the subway every day at something they said. They are so funny, it's incredible. (Also particularly liked when Tiffany had to pause and take the toad out of her pocket to check if whatever they'd just said was an insult or not.)
(And once, they claim to be "bigger on the inside.")
The narration is just a total pleasure to read. It's funny, but sharp. He's not just constructing jokes, he's setting up a way to say the most excellent things. Such as an incredibly brilliant funny paragraph that culminates, "With balloons, as with life itself, it is important to know when not to let go of the string."
And more personally, Tiffany's lessons in both these books are beautiful. She learns so much from the witches she meets, about being smart and doing hard things. Probably the best thing about the entire book is the fact that being a witch has almost nothing to do with doing magic, and entirely everything to do with just being incredibly smart. Seeing the truth, keeping your head, knowing how to think, being patient with the innumerable mistakes of others, taking responsibility when it isn't anyone's. And how that sometimes prevents you from belonging, too. "She wasn't being brave or noble or kind. She was doing this because it had to be done, because there was no way that she could not do it." It's perfect.
Plus there's opportunities for really small beautiful moments that are mostly magic but not entirely, like Tiffany starting the dance with the swarm of bees. And I like when she gets to save everyone both times with some Bad Wolfin', as I like to call it. A girl taking in surprising new power and using it for good, in a great surge. That often makes a good story I like. Tiffany is learning that this power exists when it has to.
I can't wait to read more about it.
.
I am trying to make zen with the fact that Goodreads will show this as reading one book instead of two. Sigh. I can do it. I'll be ok.
ETA: NEVER MIND, I DID IT! I AM THE GOODREADS MASTER, EVERYTHING IS COOL HERE.
August 23, 2024
This was the first and second Tiffany Aching books in one and I loved the second story so much! It had the vibe of a DWJ tale but with more philosophizing about life and our place in it. There were so many kernels of wisdom and it was just a lovely sweet coming of age story that moved me to tears.
Anyway, the bit that really got me was this:
Anyway, the bit that really got me was this:
September 14, 2013
Absolutely loved this book about a young girl who finds her way in the world and embraces who she is. Also, what's not to love about witches who help you on your journey and little tiny blue men with their own issues to deal with. Loved it! Tiffany Aching is the kind of hero I'd like to be.
Terry Pratchett certainly has a way with words... found myself chuckling out loud with some of his clever phrases and how he presents a view of the world.
"Are you listening?"
"Yes," said Tiffany.
"Good, Now...if you trust in yourself..."
"Yes?"
"...and believe in your dreams..."
"Yes?"
"...and follow your star..." Miss Tick went on.
"Yes?"
"...you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and leaning things and weren't so lazy. Good-bye." pg. 40
"People didn't starve on the farm, but even when food was plentiful at Hogswatch or after harvest, it never looked like this. The farm food was mostly shades of white or brown. It was never pink and blue, and never wobbled.
There were things on sticks, and things that gleamed and glistened in bowls. Nothing was simple. Everything had cream on it, or chocolate whirls, or thousands of little colored balls. Everything was spun or glazed or added to or mixed up. This wasn't food--it was what food became if it had been good and had gone to food heaven." pg. 173
And finally,
"Because she likes people," said the witch, striding ahead. "She cares about 'em. Even the stupid, mean drooling ones, the mothers with the runny babies and no sense, the feckless and the silly and the fools who treat her like some kind of a servant. Now that's what I call magic--seein' all that, dealin' with all that, and still goin' on. It's sittin' up all night with some poor old man who's leavin' the world, taking away such pain as you can, comfortin' their terror, seein' 'em safely on their way ...and then cleanin' 'em up, weeping widow strip the bed and wash the sheets--which is, let me tell you, no errand for the fainthearted--and stayin' up the next night to watch over the coffin before the funeral, and then going home and sitting down for five minutes before some shouting angry man comes bangin' on your door 'cuz his wife's havin' difficulty given' birth to their first child and the midwife's at her wits end and then gettin' up and fetching your bag and going out again....That is the root and heart and soul and center of witchcraft, that is. The soul and center!" pg. 470
Terry Pratchett certainly has a way with words... found myself chuckling out loud with some of his clever phrases and how he presents a view of the world.
"Are you listening?"
"Yes," said Tiffany.
"Good, Now...if you trust in yourself..."
"Yes?"
"...and believe in your dreams..."
"Yes?"
"...and follow your star..." Miss Tick went on.
"Yes?"
"...you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and leaning things and weren't so lazy. Good-bye." pg. 40
"People didn't starve on the farm, but even when food was plentiful at Hogswatch or after harvest, it never looked like this. The farm food was mostly shades of white or brown. It was never pink and blue, and never wobbled.
There were things on sticks, and things that gleamed and glistened in bowls. Nothing was simple. Everything had cream on it, or chocolate whirls, or thousands of little colored balls. Everything was spun or glazed or added to or mixed up. This wasn't food--it was what food became if it had been good and had gone to food heaven." pg. 173
And finally,
"Because she likes people," said the witch, striding ahead. "She cares about 'em. Even the stupid, mean drooling ones, the mothers with the runny babies and no sense, the feckless and the silly and the fools who treat her like some kind of a servant. Now that's what I call magic--seein' all that, dealin' with all that, and still goin' on. It's sittin' up all night with some poor old man who's leavin' the world, taking away such pain as you can, comfortin' their terror, seein' 'em safely on their way ...and then cleanin' 'em up, weeping widow strip the bed and wash the sheets--which is, let me tell you, no errand for the fainthearted--and stayin' up the next night to watch over the coffin before the funeral, and then going home and sitting down for five minutes before some shouting angry man comes bangin' on your door 'cuz his wife's havin' difficulty given' birth to their first child and the midwife's at her wits end and then gettin' up and fetching your bag and going out again....That is the root and heart and soul and center of witchcraft, that is. The soul and center!" pg. 470
July 13, 2014
Here is what I believe -- the power of place and time plus the magic of observation -- along with great characters, humor and tiny, wild Highlanders. I haven't consumed a book so quickly, while marking pages and giggling, in ages.
"Somewhere, all stories are real and all dreams come true."
"'Tis a wee gift an' a big curse to ye. You see and hear what others canna, the world opens up its secrets to ye, but ye're always like the person at the party with the wee drink in the corner who canna join in. There's a little bitty bit inside ye that willna melt and flow."
"Them as can do has to do for them as can't. And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices."
"We look to . . . the edges. There's a lot of edges, more than people know. Between life and death, this world and the next, night and day, right and wrong . . . an' they need watchin'. We watch em, we guard the sum of things."
"Somewhere, all stories are real and all dreams come true."
"'Tis a wee gift an' a big curse to ye. You see and hear what others canna, the world opens up its secrets to ye, but ye're always like the person at the party with the wee drink in the corner who canna join in. There's a little bitty bit inside ye that willna melt and flow."
"Them as can do has to do for them as can't. And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices."
"We look to . . . the edges. There's a lot of edges, more than people know. Between life and death, this world and the next, night and day, right and wrong . . . an' they need watchin'. We watch em, we guard the sum of things."
January 3, 2022
Absolutely Delightful! Aside from the wonderful characters, Pratchett has a way of putting into words truths we know, but often fail to verbalize. A few favorites include:
It doesn't stop being magic just because you know how it works.
It doesn't look like a horse looks, it looks like what a horse *is*.
It doesn't stop being magic just because you know how it works.
It doesn't look like a horse looks, it looks like what a horse *is*.
June 12, 2017
A wonderful, fun filled read. It was nice to have a laugh and enjoy a good yarn.
October 9, 2022
I want more from this Author.
August 27, 2018
Terry Pratchett strikes again. Wait, that didn’t sound right.
In this two-part book, Mr. Pratchett gives us one of his funniest creations: the Wee Free Men, aka the Nac Mac Feegle. A bunch of rowdy, red-headed, crazy, drunken, thieving, violence-loving pictsies, they bow to no man or woman. However, when they spy a nine-year-old girl kill a vicious nixie with only a frying pan, they discover the one bigjob (human) they fear. Enter Tiffany Aching, a girl who wants to be a witch.
Tiffany has an inquisitive, knowing and probing mind. This makes her both a girl you’d want to know and an annoying know-it-all. She’s not always a good person but she is a fascinating one, questioning everything and not allowing people to get away with anything (especially bad spelling).
Mr. Pratchett makes her journey into witchery perilous, funny and frustrating. Tiffany is discovering that not everything is what you read in books, especially the silly fairy tales that are dished out to the unsuspecting. Why would any woman in her right mind marry a prince she meets at a ball simply because he’s a good dancer who retrieves a lost shoe? How could any girl mistake a hairy wolf for her grandmother unless the girl was utterly daft? Who writes this nonsense, anyway?
Along with Tiffany, we get a plethora of weird and wondering creatures. The Wee Free Men become individuals, not just a blue horde of butt-kicking loudmouths. Her relationship with the Nac Mac Feegle is hilarious but with an underlying sweetness. Negotiating with their tendencies to fight and steal isn’t easy but Tiffany takes them as they are not as what she’d wish them to be.
Tiffany meets up with witches as unique and special as she is and they all have valuable lessons to teach, even if their level of magic varies. The hardest thing for Tiffany isn’t learning magic; it’s learning not to use it.
The entirety of witchery is a slow learning process for Tiffany, filled with tests of courage, honor and competence. Magic isn’t something you wield; it’s something you give. True witches shy away from grasping for power for the end of that road is loneliness, madness and living in houses made from candy and trapping unsuspecting children.
Humor with a sobering message beneath it is a Terry Pratchett trademark. But don’t worry. He doesn’t go in for cheap moralizing. So come lift your glass with the Wee Free Men. They may be bad at washing dishes but their loyalty can’t be questioned.
In this two-part book, Mr. Pratchett gives us one of his funniest creations: the Wee Free Men, aka the Nac Mac Feegle. A bunch of rowdy, red-headed, crazy, drunken, thieving, violence-loving pictsies, they bow to no man or woman. However, when they spy a nine-year-old girl kill a vicious nixie with only a frying pan, they discover the one bigjob (human) they fear. Enter Tiffany Aching, a girl who wants to be a witch.
Tiffany has an inquisitive, knowing and probing mind. This makes her both a girl you’d want to know and an annoying know-it-all. She’s not always a good person but she is a fascinating one, questioning everything and not allowing people to get away with anything (especially bad spelling).
Mr. Pratchett makes her journey into witchery perilous, funny and frustrating. Tiffany is discovering that not everything is what you read in books, especially the silly fairy tales that are dished out to the unsuspecting. Why would any woman in her right mind marry a prince she meets at a ball simply because he’s a good dancer who retrieves a lost shoe? How could any girl mistake a hairy wolf for her grandmother unless the girl was utterly daft? Who writes this nonsense, anyway?
Along with Tiffany, we get a plethora of weird and wondering creatures. The Wee Free Men become individuals, not just a blue horde of butt-kicking loudmouths. Her relationship with the Nac Mac Feegle is hilarious but with an underlying sweetness. Negotiating with their tendencies to fight and steal isn’t easy but Tiffany takes them as they are not as what she’d wish them to be.
Tiffany meets up with witches as unique and special as she is and they all have valuable lessons to teach, even if their level of magic varies. The hardest thing for Tiffany isn’t learning magic; it’s learning not to use it.
The entirety of witchery is a slow learning process for Tiffany, filled with tests of courage, honor and competence. Magic isn’t something you wield; it’s something you give. True witches shy away from grasping for power for the end of that road is loneliness, madness and living in houses made from candy and trapping unsuspecting children.
Humor with a sobering message beneath it is a Terry Pratchett trademark. But don’t worry. He doesn’t go in for cheap moralizing. So come lift your glass with the Wee Free Men. They may be bad at washing dishes but their loyalty can’t be questioned.
May 7, 2016
Review: The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett.
This book contains two books. The first is “The Wee Free Men: The Beginning” and the second is “A Hat Full of Sky”, Terry Pratchett is a wonderful writer of fantasy. However, enjoyable as it was I thought it was more for the young teen group. I have always liked young adult books but this one was somewhat immature for me. Young readers will love the book. I only read the first book and plan to return to the second book at another time. With plenty of witty humor and the hyper activity from Tiffany Aching and the wee blue pixies men… it was an adventure I’ll never forget.
The story starts out with Tiffany Aching, a nine-year-old, planning her adventures and lessons of becoming a witch. She has a family and they live on a farm and she works for her parents making cheese, watching her younger brother, and help taking care of the livestock. One day she was down by the river with her brother and they were attacked by a river goblin named Jenny Greenteeth. She protected herself and her brother by defeating the goblin with a frying pan. Within view, a woman named Miss Tick, a witch and her talking toad were watching the action curiously because she would soon become Tiffany’s instructor with lessons to become a witch.
Some time later Tiffany faces threatening enemies and meets unexpected allies. This is when she meets Wee Free Men and their captivated by her behavior of bravery when it came to her brother, which most of the time she ignores him but would miss him always screaming he wanted “candies“….. She learns the Queen of Fairies has taken her brother for the pleasure of being in control and staying in control of the area. Tiffany takes it upon herself to rescue her brother and the Wee Free Men are going to help her. She went to confront the ancient, bodiless evil Queen with her supporters. The wee free men traveled right along side of Tiffany, sometimes carrying her, strength wasn’t one of their flaws and they are only six inches high known for fighting, stealing, and drinking but they follow her through a lot of adventure by moving through dreams that she can control and not control. They somehow get separated but the Wee Free Blue pixies show up in time to help her but some were not feeling so good with massive hangovers…..
This book contains two books. The first is “The Wee Free Men: The Beginning” and the second is “A Hat Full of Sky”, Terry Pratchett is a wonderful writer of fantasy. However, enjoyable as it was I thought it was more for the young teen group. I have always liked young adult books but this one was somewhat immature for me. Young readers will love the book. I only read the first book and plan to return to the second book at another time. With plenty of witty humor and the hyper activity from Tiffany Aching and the wee blue pixies men… it was an adventure I’ll never forget.
The story starts out with Tiffany Aching, a nine-year-old, planning her adventures and lessons of becoming a witch. She has a family and they live on a farm and she works for her parents making cheese, watching her younger brother, and help taking care of the livestock. One day she was down by the river with her brother and they were attacked by a river goblin named Jenny Greenteeth. She protected herself and her brother by defeating the goblin with a frying pan. Within view, a woman named Miss Tick, a witch and her talking toad were watching the action curiously because she would soon become Tiffany’s instructor with lessons to become a witch.
Some time later Tiffany faces threatening enemies and meets unexpected allies. This is when she meets Wee Free Men and their captivated by her behavior of bravery when it came to her brother, which most of the time she ignores him but would miss him always screaming he wanted “candies“….. She learns the Queen of Fairies has taken her brother for the pleasure of being in control and staying in control of the area. Tiffany takes it upon herself to rescue her brother and the Wee Free Men are going to help her. She went to confront the ancient, bodiless evil Queen with her supporters. The wee free men traveled right along side of Tiffany, sometimes carrying her, strength wasn’t one of their flaws and they are only six inches high known for fighting, stealing, and drinking but they follow her through a lot of adventure by moving through dreams that she can control and not control. They somehow get separated but the Wee Free Blue pixies show up in time to help her but some were not feeling so good with massive hangovers…..
August 8, 2013
God Bless Terry Pratchett.
Here's a funny, witty and absurd set of tales in a finely crafted world. Finally, a female protagonist that I can wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend to my (11 year old) daughter.
Our heroine, Tiffany Aching (age 9 as the story begins) isn't waiting around for her Prince Charming. In fact, there's no idiotic and vapid romance to be found here. Oh, I suppose there's Roland, the Baron's son. But he's a dolt. Tiffany knows she wants to be a witch and heads off toward her goal with a razor sharp wit, excellent common sense and a practical approach to every obstacle, large or small.
This volume contains Wee Free Men and Hat Full of Sky. In the first she meets the Wee Free Men and battles an evil fairy queen. The Wee Free Men are an army of overly aggressive, nearly indestructible, thieving, drunken six inch fairies - although if you called them "fairies" to their faces, you'd probably get a good kicking.
They'd be pleased to be called aggressive, thieving and drunken.
In the second tale, Tiffany learns more about what it means to be a witch and confronts an ageless evil. In both tales, she's the hero of her own story. Such a refreshing change to young adult heroines, who more typically flit about with an empty head, splitting time between gazing ga-ga at their cardboard cut-out boyfriends and serving as victims to the evil characters.
Tiffany is NOBODY'S victim.
Here's a funny, witty and absurd set of tales in a finely crafted world. Finally, a female protagonist that I can wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend to my (11 year old) daughter.
Our heroine, Tiffany Aching (age 9 as the story begins) isn't waiting around for her Prince Charming. In fact, there's no idiotic and vapid romance to be found here. Oh, I suppose there's Roland, the Baron's son. But he's a dolt. Tiffany knows she wants to be a witch and heads off toward her goal with a razor sharp wit, excellent common sense and a practical approach to every obstacle, large or small.
This volume contains Wee Free Men and Hat Full of Sky. In the first she meets the Wee Free Men and battles an evil fairy queen. The Wee Free Men are an army of overly aggressive, nearly indestructible, thieving, drunken six inch fairies - although if you called them "fairies" to their faces, you'd probably get a good kicking.
They'd be pleased to be called aggressive, thieving and drunken.
In the second tale, Tiffany learns more about what it means to be a witch and confronts an ageless evil. In both tales, she's the hero of her own story. Such a refreshing change to young adult heroines, who more typically flit about with an empty head, splitting time between gazing ga-ga at their cardboard cut-out boyfriends and serving as victims to the evil characters.
Tiffany is NOBODY'S victim.
February 25, 2020
2 Stars
This might actually deserve 1 star but I'm feeling generous. The book makes you think you will follow this young girl named Tiffany on a journey with some little dudes to become a witch, but that's not the case at all!!!! 90% of the book is spent talking about Tiffany's dead grandmother and sheep. IT IS BAD! 1% is about being a witch (maybe even less than 1%). And the other 9 are about the Nac Mac Feegle (the little dudes). The little guys are the only reason this book get's 2 stars. They are hilarious and crazy. It took me awhile to fully understand them (they speak weird) but once you read enough sentences from them it comes easy. What this story is really about is getting Tiffany's brother back from some dream world, sounds interesting but trust me is isn't.
THE GOODS
* Nac Mac Feegle. They are funny, exciting, and the only reason I finished this book.
THE BADS
* Tiffany's dead grandmother and sheep. WTF! We don't need to read about them every other paragraph, I don't care about her dead grandmother!!!
* Nothing to do with witches. This isn't a book about witches at all, if that's what you're looking for look somewhere else.
* The dream world. There wasn't any rules? It was all a dream but couldn't be changed by Tiffany? Was it all a dream or a real world? It was really confusing and I felt like it was supposed to be this amazing grand thing but it fell flat.
OVERALL
Not recommended, it was a waste of time unfortunately and I have been told this is Terry Pratchett's best work which makes me a little nervous.
This might actually deserve 1 star but I'm feeling generous. The book makes you think you will follow this young girl named Tiffany on a journey with some little dudes to become a witch, but that's not the case at all!!!! 90% of the book is spent talking about Tiffany's dead grandmother and sheep. IT IS BAD! 1% is about being a witch (maybe even less than 1%). And the other 9 are about the Nac Mac Feegle (the little dudes). The little guys are the only reason this book get's 2 stars. They are hilarious and crazy. It took me awhile to fully understand them (they speak weird) but once you read enough sentences from them it comes easy. What this story is really about is getting Tiffany's brother back from some dream world, sounds interesting but trust me is isn't.
THE GOODS
* Nac Mac Feegle. They are funny, exciting, and the only reason I finished this book.
THE BADS
* Tiffany's dead grandmother and sheep. WTF! We don't need to read about them every other paragraph, I don't care about her dead grandmother!!!
* Nothing to do with witches. This isn't a book about witches at all, if that's what you're looking for look somewhere else.
* The dream world. There wasn't any rules? It was all a dream but couldn't be changed by Tiffany? Was it all a dream or a real world? It was really confusing and I felt like it was supposed to be this amazing grand thing but it fell flat.
OVERALL
Not recommended, it was a waste of time unfortunately and I have been told this is Terry Pratchett's best work which makes me a little nervous.
December 22, 2011
Last summer, this book was stolen from under my nose by the house urchin, which is, I think, a pretty good recommendation all by itself. We are both, now, huge Tiffany fans. I love the pace of these books, and the humor. Most of all, I love the ways in which the normal weaves in with the magical. Pratchett's footnotes are some of my favorite things in the world, and I bought the series in print rather than as an ebook in order to make sure I got them correctly formatted. Then I bought a second copy for lending. And then several as gifts.
I would go on, but I refuse to spoil it for you. Get yourself some string and a frying pan, and watch out for red-headed pictsies.
'Crivens!' is now a household word.
I would go on, but I refuse to spoil it for you. Get yourself some string and a frying pan, and watch out for red-headed pictsies.
'Crivens!' is now a household word.
June 21, 2018
I can't believe that I just gave a Terry Pratchett book two starts. I found this painfully boring and confusing. Dreams within dreams, it's real, it's not real, on and on, page after page. The only real interest was the Nac Mac Feegles. They were the saving grace that made me finish this book when I didn't want to.
August 28, 2016
Моя первая книга, прочитанная в оригинале до конца. Это такой кайф! У Пратчетта невероятный слог, язык маленького народца просто улётный. Сюжет достаточно простой, самое интересное в книге - сиюминутные вещи: ситуации, диалоги, мысли героини. Продолжу читать эту серию на английском.
March 7, 2016
Two of the funniest children's books I have ever read. (And The Wee Free Men, which is the less well-known, is the funnier.)
September 22, 2012
Can't wait to read the other Tiffany Aching books. These are so funny and charming, and Pratchett is a genius with dialogue.
November 30, 2016
I personally did not find this book very enjoyable. However, I recommend this book to people who want to get their brain working and thinking about the book.
January 13, 2021
A bem da verdade, eu nem queria estar escrevendo essa resenha. Queria continuar deitada na minha rede, abraçadinha com meu Kindle, sorvendo meus últimos minutos de memória recente desse livro maravilhoso que é Os pequenos homens livres (The Wee Free Men). Mas me forcei a sair do meu transe pós-livro para aproveitar esse sentimento e transportá-lo para um texto.
Tem um tempo que não leio Pratchett. Desde Mort, que li ano passado (outro primor de livro que não cheguei a resenhar aqui).
Para variar, Terry Pratchett me arrebatando com seu brilhantismo e lucidez sobre o que é ser uma pessoa nesse mundo. Leio os livros de Discworld desde a adolescência, mas nunca li todos os quarenta e dois volumes. Sigo nessa missão, e acho que no dia em que terminar, vou ficar bem triste por não ter nada novo desse universo para ler (sim, eu sei que tem ainda os atlas, almanaques e outros livros suplementares à série… mas mesmo assim). Saboreei The Wee Free Men desde o primeiro parágrafo até a última palavra nas notas do autor, e que viagem maravilhosa foi essa! Eu já li vários livros das bruxas de Discworld (é a saga que mais li, na verdade), e foi um prazer imenso conhecer Tiffany Aching — que no Brasil virou Tiffany Dolorosa, algo absolutamente maravilhoso.
Dizer que o livro é sobre autodescoberta é pouco. Os pequenos homens livres fala sobre luto, injustiças das mais dolorosas (que não podem ser consertadas num passe de mágica), família, autoestima e, sim, autodescoberta também está lá no meio. O livro foi publicado pensando no público infanto-juvenil, mas é daqueles livros que lendo em qualquer idade você vai se deliciar e se divertir imensamente. Talvez seja até mais doloroso para adultos, que talvez possam visualizar com mais clareza os problemas da vida real que cercam a protagonista de nove anos, mas será uma viagem fantástica, como qualquer livro de Discworld. Tiffany me lembra muito Esk, de Direitos Iguais, Rituais Iguais (Equal Rites), livro que inicia propriamente a saga das bruxas de Discworld. Assim como Eskarina, Tiffany é inteligente. Não inteligente no sentido estudiosa, e nem sequer no sentido “street smart”, mas da forma mais verdadeira da inteligência: ela é curiosa e observadora. Tiffany quer entender o mundo em que vive, como ele funciona, quais as regras ocultas que os adultos não parecem falar (ou sequer entender).
Isso é uma coisa que admiro muito na obra de Pratchett — suas crianças não são infantilizadas, apesar de serem crianças. Elas são pessoas. Pessoas pequenas, é verdade, e ainda não completamente donas de si, e ainda confusas sobre o mundo e sobre elas mesmas, mas com toda a riqueza psicológica que um ser humano que já sabe o básico da vida (como andar e falar) traz consigo. Tiffany é analítica, racional, curiosa: uma mistura perigosa. Uma mistura que a leva a ser identificada como uma bruxa (isso e o fato de carregar um barbante consigo para todo lado). Cercada por pequeninos homens azuis, os Nac Mac Feegles (uma subespécie muito específica do elfo folclórico britânico, criada por Pratchett e completamente inspirada no escocês histórico mais caricato que você possa imaginar), Tiffany vai em busca de seu irmãozinho sequestrado pela Rainha da Terra das Fadas, uma terra repleta de sonhos, pesadelos e miragens, e onde nada é real. Durante essa aventura, com direito a cavaleiros sem cabeça, cães infernais e criaturas que te prendem dentro do seu próprio sonho, Tiffany passa por uma outra aventura interna, que envolve o luto pela sua avó falecida, seus sentimentos conflitantes em relação à sua família (e em especial ao irmãozinho mais novo que tanto lhe dá trabalho e “rouba” o afeto dos pais), e quem é ela e qual seu lugar no mundo.
A sagacidade característica de Pratchett leva a história de forma maravilhosa. Nas primeiras páginas, já deu pra notar: esse seria um favorito meu. E realmente foi.
Tem um tempo que não leio Pratchett. Desde Mort, que li ano passado (outro primor de livro que não cheguei a resenhar aqui).
Para variar, Terry Pratchett me arrebatando com seu brilhantismo e lucidez sobre o que é ser uma pessoa nesse mundo. Leio os livros de Discworld desde a adolescência, mas nunca li todos os quarenta e dois volumes. Sigo nessa missão, e acho que no dia em que terminar, vou ficar bem triste por não ter nada novo desse universo para ler (sim, eu sei que tem ainda os atlas, almanaques e outros livros suplementares à série… mas mesmo assim). Saboreei The Wee Free Men desde o primeiro parágrafo até a última palavra nas notas do autor, e que viagem maravilhosa foi essa! Eu já li vários livros das bruxas de Discworld (é a saga que mais li, na verdade), e foi um prazer imenso conhecer Tiffany Aching — que no Brasil virou Tiffany Dolorosa, algo absolutamente maravilhoso.
Dizer que o livro é sobre autodescoberta é pouco. Os pequenos homens livres fala sobre luto, injustiças das mais dolorosas (que não podem ser consertadas num passe de mágica), família, autoestima e, sim, autodescoberta também está lá no meio. O livro foi publicado pensando no público infanto-juvenil, mas é daqueles livros que lendo em qualquer idade você vai se deliciar e se divertir imensamente. Talvez seja até mais doloroso para adultos, que talvez possam visualizar com mais clareza os problemas da vida real que cercam a protagonista de nove anos, mas será uma viagem fantástica, como qualquer livro de Discworld. Tiffany me lembra muito Esk, de Direitos Iguais, Rituais Iguais (Equal Rites), livro que inicia propriamente a saga das bruxas de Discworld. Assim como Eskarina, Tiffany é inteligente. Não inteligente no sentido estudiosa, e nem sequer no sentido “street smart”, mas da forma mais verdadeira da inteligência: ela é curiosa e observadora. Tiffany quer entender o mundo em que vive, como ele funciona, quais as regras ocultas que os adultos não parecem falar (ou sequer entender).
Isso é uma coisa que admiro muito na obra de Pratchett — suas crianças não são infantilizadas, apesar de serem crianças. Elas são pessoas. Pessoas pequenas, é verdade, e ainda não completamente donas de si, e ainda confusas sobre o mundo e sobre elas mesmas, mas com toda a riqueza psicológica que um ser humano que já sabe o básico da vida (como andar e falar) traz consigo. Tiffany é analítica, racional, curiosa: uma mistura perigosa. Uma mistura que a leva a ser identificada como uma bruxa (isso e o fato de carregar um barbante consigo para todo lado). Cercada por pequeninos homens azuis, os Nac Mac Feegles (uma subespécie muito específica do elfo folclórico britânico, criada por Pratchett e completamente inspirada no escocês histórico mais caricato que você possa imaginar), Tiffany vai em busca de seu irmãozinho sequestrado pela Rainha da Terra das Fadas, uma terra repleta de sonhos, pesadelos e miragens, e onde nada é real. Durante essa aventura, com direito a cavaleiros sem cabeça, cães infernais e criaturas que te prendem dentro do seu próprio sonho, Tiffany passa por uma outra aventura interna, que envolve o luto pela sua avó falecida, seus sentimentos conflitantes em relação à sua família (e em especial ao irmãozinho mais novo que tanto lhe dá trabalho e “rouba” o afeto dos pais), e quem é ela e qual seu lugar no mundo.
A sagacidade característica de Pratchett leva a história de forma maravilhosa. Nas primeiras páginas, já deu pra notar: esse seria um favorito meu. E realmente foi.
August 19, 2022
This two-book collection starts the Tiffany Aching Books in the Discworld. The first book "The Wee Free Men" introduces us to nine-year-old Tiffany Aching who wants nothing more than to become a witch. She learns about magic and life as she teams up with the six-inch tall Nac Mac Feegle. She has to find her brother who has been stolen from her family by an evil queen. This adventure was sweet and funny. All she needs is a broom, toad, and a frying pan.
The second book "A Hat Full of Sky" is where Tiffany goes on an adventure for a year to learn how to become a better witch. Tiffany has been making up spells since she is the only one in her family with magic and she gets herself into trouble. The Nac Mac Feegle are called on to find Tiffany and save her from an enemy a person can neither touch nor see. This book was just as good as the first. It continued Tiffany's story in a thoughtful and funny way. Tiffany has to face other potential future witches and her own witch trial.
I can't wait to read more of these books.
The second book "A Hat Full of Sky" is where Tiffany goes on an adventure for a year to learn how to become a better witch. Tiffany has been making up spells since she is the only one in her family with magic and she gets herself into trouble. The Nac Mac Feegle are called on to find Tiffany and save her from an enemy a person can neither touch nor see. This book was just as good as the first. It continued Tiffany's story in a thoughtful and funny way. Tiffany has to face other potential future witches and her own witch trial.
I can't wait to read more of these books.
September 21, 2020
Five stars for original creativity and just being laugh out loud fun read. The audio was one of the best I've ever listened to, delightful and perfect comedic timing. The story is fairy- tale-ish, but non-romantic, non-glamorous. I chose this read based on a friend's recommendation, due to the author honoring female lead protagonist. I quite agree and found amongst all the silly, funny bits was a very mature, wise like girl with a practical, problem- solving, innovative mind. What is not to adore about a seven-year-old girl who carries a frying pan to bop monsters on the head?
Highly recommend to lighten your load during wild fires and Covid 19 and whatever else 2020 throws at us.
Highly recommend to lighten your load during wild fires and Covid 19 and whatever else 2020 throws at us.
December 16, 2022
My sister recommended this book to me as a lighter, unique read that she'd absolutely loved and thought I would too, and she was so right! Tiffany Aching's world felt real and lived in with its beautiful descriptions and countless absolutely charming oddities throughout. The characters themselves were delightful and vibrant with personality, and the Wee Free Men now hold a special place in my heart forever. I'll definitely be coming back for more of Tiffany Aching's adventures, and look forward to watching her continue to grow and experience more elements of the many worlds yet to be traversed, with no doubt some new witch friends along the way.
June 6, 2024
Madeleine L'Engle, Ursula K. LeGuin, Mark Stay, Robert Heinlein, J. R. R. Tolkien. And many more Fantasy writers are near and dear to readers over time. For my nickel, though, if you or someone you know is wondering about a place to start reading fantasy, Terry Pratchett's books are a grand place to start, and his Tiffany Aching series is a terrific spot in Sir Terry's canon to begin. Adventures, trials, odd, wonderful, frightening settings are graced with Sir Terry's humor. Lovely!! (Not a book to read if you need to be quiet.) I laugh out loud often with this group of tales.
August 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this tale of tiny sheep stealing men and Tiffany who must defend the family farm after her Granny dies and find out why a sinister Queen does not like her. Being a grandmother myself and also one who raises sheep I loved how she thinks of her Granny and all the adventures she is forced to face.
I have a grandson who loves to hear stories on a whim and found myself retelling parts of this book.
This is my first Terry Pratchett book and definitely not my last.
I have a grandson who loves to hear stories on a whim and found myself retelling parts of this book.
This is my first Terry Pratchett book and definitely not my last.
July 3, 2021
Good introduction to Tiffany Aiching, first witch of 'The Chalk'. Very little connection to the other Discworld stories until almost the end. Also introduces the Feegles, the titular 'wee free men'. If nothing else, this has (for a while anyway) added 'Crivens!' to my vocabulary. Highly recommended.
December 8, 2024
Genuinely one of my favorites as a kid, I love recommending this to anyone who knows late-childhood readers - such a classic and a series that really developed both my love of reading and my love for rounded, non-romance-driven female characters (because who has time for boys when you're becoming a witch). Would HIGHLY recommend.
July 6, 2018
I had a hard time understanding the Feegles' language sometimes. Interesting stories, and I liked how "witchcraft" was more of using what nature has to offer. Tiffany is a natural and does well with the life lessons she learns along the way.
July 22, 2019
These are two books in one. I thoroughly enjoyed the first, liking the feisty main character, a young girl who wants to be a witch. The second was a pleasant, easy read, but not as captivating as the first.
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