I don’t remember if it was during my first CBR or a pre-CBR year that I read the first Discworld book, The Color of Magic. It wasn’t my jam. I just didn’t get into it. My sister, an avid reader of Pratchett, suggested that I would *really* like the Tiffany Aching books, and said, “Start with The Wee Free Men.” So I did, in honor of Sir Pratchett’s recent passing, and I am delighted with this new encounter.
Tiffany Aching is a nine-year-old girl who lives on the Chalk, a most inauspicious land for magic to occur. But it does. Armed with only a frying pan, she knocks out a water beast, only to find out that worlds are colliding. Her younger brother Wentworth goes missing, and she finds out that she is a witch, like her departed Granny Aching. And then, she encounters a bizarre set of tiny men, Scottish, tattooed all over til they appear blue, kilted, and foul of mouth. The Nac Mac Feegle (or Wee Free Men) are feared by all, but they have a grudge against the elven Queen who captures children. It will take their help and Tiffany’s own bravery to figure out a way to defy the scary dreams and magic of the Queen.
First of all, as I was reading about dreams-within-dreams, I could not help sounding the Inception noise in my head (BRAAAAAAAHHM!!!) or thinking about this delightful scene:
I mean, seriously, if I could dream-within-a-dream, these two would be stars, not some silly dance. Dream a little bigger, Queen. ;)
On a more serious note, Tiffany Aching is everything. She’s innovative, resourceful, independent, and HERSELF. If I have kids, I want them to be like her. If you’ve never given Discworld a shot and aren’t sure you’ll like the books, start here. That’s what I’m doing, and I plan to read the next Tiffany book next (it’s A Hatful of Sky, I believe). Plus, who doesn’t like a bunch of swearing, obnoxious wee Scotsmen?
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