Lords and Ladies

Rating:
Summary: Where'd all these Elves come from?
Review: Lords & Ladies, the 14th novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, is a wonderful return to Pratchett form for me. It is laugh-out-loud funny and a wonderful parody of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The Shakespeare allusions aren't quite as bewildering as they were in Wyrd Sisters either, which makes it a bit more accessible for the non-Shakespeare fan.

This book was fantastic. It was a very interesting blend of comedy and grimness. In fact, it was probably the most mainstream plot that I've seen Pratchett produce. The conflict between the Elves and Magrat (and the Elf Queen and Granny) is very straightforward and almost chilling. The Elves are relentless in their pursuit of their victims. Magrat has to do some very harsh things to save herself from them. The Elves are almost unstoppable. Then, there is the Granny's confrontation with the Queen, which is very much like other confrontations between heroes and villains. Granny is captured and the Queen is just playing with her. They discuss what's going to happen to Lancre when the Elves take over. The Queen threatens her life. That sort of thing. These scenes are almost terrifying, and that's the first time I can ever say that Pratchett has done that to me.

However, that doesn't take away from the comedy. There are some truly funny scenes in this book that will make you laugh hard. The Archchancellor of the the Unseen University of wizards decides that he should come to the wedding along with a few colleagues (including the Librarian, an orangutan that used to be human before a magical accident). The scenes with the wizards, as usual, are just hilarious. This includes everything from attempting to hire transport (they don't have enough money, so they have to say that the Librarian is a pet) to the Archchancellor's attempts to woo Granny. As they say, hilarity ensues.

The characters are simply wonderful. It is such a difference between this book and Equal Rites. Not only are they very funny, but you start to care for them as well. Great strides are made in character development. Magrat finally learns what she can do when she's pushed, when she stands up to the Elves. Granny learns to respect Magrat just a little bit. Nanny learns about Casanunda, the world's second greatest lover ("I try harder"). All of the witches seem a bit less testy, but still well within the character established for them in earlier books. Even the wizards get some development, which doesn't happen very often. You learn a bit about the Archchancellor in this one as well. Usually, the wizards are just around for comedy relief.

Probably the best character, though, is Simon. He's one of Nanny Ogg's sons, and he's basically everything at the castle. He's the army, he's the servant, he's the herald, etc. His attempts to get his mother and the other witches to follow royal protocol (like letting him announce their presence to the King) are very funny. Even he gets some development, though, as he learns what it is to be a leader when he has to lead a rag-tag band against the Elves.

There is only one thing wrong with this book. The ending, again, is a bit lack-luster. This time, it's also a bit anti-climactic. It doesn't exactly come out of nowhere, as there is a bit of a set-up. However, I think it still needed a bit more. I applaud Pratchett for trying to turn the clichéd ending to something like this on its head, but I think it needed a little more support.

As far as the characters and the plot go, though, this was a classic book. Not quite as good as Reaper Man (I don't know if he'll ever be able to top that), but still very high up on the list. And ignore what Pratchett says at the beginning of the book. While it does continue straight on from the previous book (which I haven't read), it is still very understandable without that. In his little blurb at the beginning, Pratchett gives you all of the information you will need to understand this one.

If you can't find Reaper Man, this one also makes an excellent entry into the Discworld universe.

Rating:
Summary: A witche's tale...
Review: Even though this might not be one of Pratchett's best books- it is still great to read. It was already mentioned that this is another story "borrowed" from Shakespeare, but I must say that this wasn't the main reason why I enjoyed this book.
Of course, the midsummer night dream turned into a story about Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and "One happens to be queen soon" Magrat fighting evil elves who want to take over the ramtop- kingdom Lancre is somewhat funny. No doubt Terry could have made a lot more out of this material, but he makes up for it.
Nanny Ogg meets Casanunda again and the "romance" between the witch and the self- announced second best lover of the discworld will have you roar with laughter (unbelievable what Nanny can turn a candlelight dinner into..). Another highlight is surely Archchancellor Ridcully who has been invited to the royal wedding (remember Witches Abroad- Magrat and Verence finally made it to the point, and Verence is already ordering "special" books from Ankh Morpork : "Martial Arts? I'm sure I ordered.. uh, never mind.."). Returning to the ramtops Mustrum Ridcully finds his teenage-love (Granny Weatherwax!!) but he doesn't have a lot of time for romantic memories as the elves keep Granny busy.

After all, Lords and Ladies could have been more than it is, but it still will make you laugh.

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice
Review: What's better than Pratchett? More Pratchett! "Lords and Ladies" sports a heftier page count than earlier Discworld novels, but our man uses the space well. The signs are ominous. Crop circles are appearing everywhere, including in Ridicully's hair. Bratty teenage witches are defying authority. Cold winds are blowing around that circle of gigantic stones. Granny Weatherwax knows it can only mean one thing. The Elves are coming. Not the Elves that most fantasy fans are familiar with. These Elves are based on the depictions in classic fairy tales and other traditional sources. They are not nice. And it will take quite a collection of strengths and talents to defeat them.

Although it starts slowly, "Lord and Ladies" soon builds into one of the best Discworld novels. There's humor aplenty here, in enough varieties to satisfy anybody. There also a huge cast of characters, and the interplay between them is handled expertly. Even concepts that sound too farfetched, such as the great dwarf lover Casanunda, somehow get integrated into the story successfully. Throw in generational conflict, heavy Shakespeare allusions, lots of wordplay, and some rousing actions scenes, and you've got one of Mr. Pratchett's finest achievements.

Rating:
Summary: Not the Best of the Witches Books
Review: Plays off of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lancre is invaded by elves, and the only good elf is a dead elf. (In other words, they are uninteresting, unconvincing characters). This book features Magrat. The elves show up too late in the story, and the subplots tend to derail the action. The wizards show up in Lancre along with the Librarian (in orangutan form). The dwarf Casanunda has a candlelight dinner with Nanny Ogg and the Arch-chancellor has a heart-to-heart talk with Granny Weatherwax: these parts are very funny, but they can't make the whole book work.

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice
Review: What's better than Pratchett? More Pratchett! "Lords and Ladies" sports a heftier page count than earlier Discworld novels, but our man uses the space well. The signs are ominous. Crop circles are appearing everywhere, including in Ridicully's hair. Bratty teenage witches are defying authority. Cold winds are blowing around that circle of gigantic stones. Granny Weatherwax knows it can only mean one thing. The Elves are coming. Not the Elves that most fantasy fans are familiar with. These Elves are based on the depictions in classic fairy tales and other traditional sources. They are not nice. And it will take quite a collection of strengths and talents to defeat them.

Although it starts slowly, "Lord and Ladies" soon builds into one of the best Discworld novels. There's humor aplenty here, in enough varieties to satisfy anybody. There also a huge cast of characters, and the interplay between them is handled expertly. Even concepts that sound too farfetched, such as the great dwarf lover Casanunda, somehow get integrated into the story successfully. Throw in generational conflict, heavy Shakespeare allusions, lots of wordplay, and some rousing actions scenes, and you've got one of Mr. Pratchett's finest achievements.

Rating:
Summary: One of Pratchett's best...
Review: I thought this was one of Pratchett's better Discworld novels. Loved the dwarf named Casanunda (as opposed to his taller counterpart, Casan-ova, lol). I thought this one flowed more smoothly than some of his other works though that aspect of Pratchett's writing has never bothered me, just more noticeable in this one. I also loved Nanny Ogg's sons who are funny and adorabley stupid, bless them. Bravo on another great adventure from Terry Pratchett!

Rating:
Summary: Not one of his best
Review: I found this Discworld adventure a little disjointed.

Many of Pratchett's others -- in particular, WYRD SISTERS and MEN AT ARMS -- grew, sentence by sentence, chuckle by chuckle, into a delightful read. This one didn't quite match those, in hilarity or in coherency.

However, I would still recommend it. I'm reading these in order, and am having great fun in doing so. That is, after all, the whole point.

Rating:
Summary: gotta love pratchett
Review: there is really nothing one can say about this author that hasn't been said a thousand time by people more qualified than myself. and the ratings speak for themselves

Rating:
Summary: Another "Shakespeare"-esque Fable
Review: Really 3.5 stars.

Not really the best "Lancre" book, nor a match for books like "Men at Arms" or "The Last Continent" or even "Carpe Jugulum." Still, it does parody Shakespeare well, and I always liked those satires. Watching Granny and Nanny at the theater is always funny. Here you also see other favorites like the dwarf Casanunda and the archchancellor Ridcully of the wizards. Seeing their interplay is always funny.

I had little problem with the regulars - they were good as always. The elves were certainly not likeable, not even pitiable. How could a reader be anything but angry at them? Unlike the dwarves, vampires, trolls, or even some werewolves, the elves seem so mailicious: they are not even funny in any way. The only funny moment was when one elf tried to kill Hodgesaargh, but the plan backfired. You know those hawks.

I suppose the best was the fact that, due to a cursory glance at the portraits of past rulers on the wall, Queen Magrat now puts on armor and acts like the "valkyrie" queen she saw. This is good: Magrat is now no longer a wimp; she acts like a worthy witch like Granny and Nanny. Good for her! She even gets to punch the elf queen! Now that was worth it.

I'm sorry; I just didn't like reading about the elves - absolutely no humor. But the regular characters make up for it. Just finding out how Granny will solve this latest problem is worth it. Still an OK book.

Rating:
Summary: Actually give this 10 stars.
Review: I loved this book. Granny, Nanny and Magrat are as always the funniest trio ever. Granny is such a badnatured evil minded old witch that in the end always triumphs over evil anyway. I like that even tho she is the heroine in all these books, she is not a leading lady type of person. Nanny is just the funniest dirty old man in an old woman's body that ever was. She has about 20 kids and who knows how many grandkids. She has LIVED and it shows on her face and body. Magrat is the wettest noodle in the pasta pot as Granny would put it. However, she has her kicka** moments that are all the more funny because of the way she usually acts. This book was great. Usally elves are portrayed as sweet and light. Well, leave it to Terry to make them the opposite and still have the best time letting Granny, Nanny and co. kick butt. I love all Terry Pratchett's books but the witch books are my favorite of all time.