Bookshelf >>The Pratchett Review<<
                          >>with<<
                  >>Andrew Wielochowski<<

In this bi-month's review we focus on:  Reaper Man and Witches
Abroad
                        >Reaper Man<

>Morris Dancing is important in the Discworld, like time. "Reaper
Man" is a book about time and what it is to have time.

Death is about to retire, although he doesn't want to. He is being
told to leave and he'd be replaced. He has a present ... time. A
when his sand runs out he'll die. So he leaves to spend his time.
People still die, but Death isn't coming. The life force is
building up, this will lead to havoc in the spirit world.

Windle Poons is or was a 130 year old wizard who was about to
"meet his maker" (metaphorical). He dies and comes back because
Death didn't come for him and so he re-awakes in a coffin in a
small Chapel in the Unseen University. He's undead. Death just
isn't what it used to be.

Bill Door is alive, for once he can feel things and have dreams.
He is also pretty good with a scythe.

Ankh-Morpork too is under attack thanks to the wide distribution
of pretty little globes.<

*************************************************************

                      >Witches Abroad<

>Is a story of stories of more importantly what it means to be a
fairy godmother.  The witches of the Ramtops were meeting, two
were not present and they were Desiderata Hollow and Magrat
Garlick.  Desiderata Hollow was not there because she was about to
die. She was also a fairy godmother and everybody knows that fairy
godmothers have a wand.  Desiderata was packaging that wand off to
Magrat Garlick.

In Genua there is a girl who is going to marry a Duke who is
really a frog and she doesn't want to, but her other godmother
wants her to and Magrat Garlick has been informed to make sure
that she doesn't marry the frog, I mean Duke.  Doesn't sound that
hard ... does it?

Magrat joined by Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Greebo set off
on their journey to Genua, the fairy tale country. On the way they
meet pumpkins, dwarves and certainly play Cripple Mister Onion and
Esme is not at all happy. It involves Mirrors.<

<<WHO'S WHO IN TODAY'S REVIEW>>

DEATH >>> When things die in the Discworld their souls are taken
away from the spirit world by a 7 foot Skeleton in a robe of
absolute darkness.

WINDLE POONS >>> Is a 130 year old wizard from the Unseen
University and had previously gone through life being crippled,
short-sighted and deaf. However he becomes undead due to an
unfortunately lapse in a public service and life changes.

BILL DOOR >>> Is the redundant Death the main difference is that
he can sleep, dream, feel wind on his face and he has time.

DESIDERATA HOLLOW >>> A kindly witch and fairy godmother who is
approaching the end of her life. Travelled a lot.

MAGRAT GARLICK >>> Not a type of rodent, but the Ramtops'
youngest witch. Runs self-defence classes and inherits the title
of "Fairy godmother".  Prefers magic to headology.

A GIRL >>> A servant girl who is really a sort of princess and she
doesn't want to marry the Duke who is really a frog.

THE DUKE >>> A mysterious ruler of the fairy tale city of Genua,
wears dark glasses and every one knows what he does at night.


GRANNY WEATHERWAX >>> or Esmeralda Weatherwax. Is a witch who
believes in headology because she is too good at magic. Very firm
in her beliefs.

NANNY OGG >>> or Gytha Ogg. Is yet another witch but of the merry
gambling drinkin' and singing rude songs sort, always cheerful and
looks on the bright side.

CRIPPLE MISTER ONION >>> Not a person but a game (SEE EARLIER
ISSUES)

>>NEWS FROM THE DISC<<

The new Discworld novel starring Rincewind is now out, called
'The Lost Continent' - RRP œ16.99 but Ottakers and Smiths have
it for œ12.99

MAY (7th) > 'A Tourist Guide to Lancre' will come out with a map
of the Ramtops and feature artwork from Paul Kidby and text from
Terry and Stephen Briggs. œ6.99

(MAY 15th) > June's* Edition of SFX magazine promises to have a
colour poster of the Novel's cover.

UNKNOWN 1998 > Look out for Soul Music on Channel 4

OCTOBER 1998 > A Pratchett short story featuring Granny Weatherwax
will be published in "Legends, Masters of Fantasy"

"The future's bright, the future's disc-shaped"
- - Andrew Wielochowski






* That's magazines for you.

                              - o -