(Discworld Novel 14) (Discworld series) - Lords And Ladies

The two novels that preceded LORDS AND LADIES -- WITCHES ABROAD and SMALL GODS -- are among my favorite in the entire series, so it isn't a terrible thing at all to say that this was not quite excellent as either of those. Nonetheless, the book is further testimony of how extraordinarily consistent (in a completely excellent sort of way) Pratchett is. Through the first fourteen novels there really isn't a clunker in the bunch and based on the eight or nine other novels in the series that I've read, the probably aren't any.

The one really sad part for me in my project of reading all of the Discworld novels from beginning to end is that I now have read over half of all of them, whether factoring in the young adult novels or not. I've now read the first fourteen novels as well as all of the City Watch and Moist von Lipwig novels, which means that pretty soon I'm going to run out. Now, mind you, I love the Discworld books the second time through as much as the first time, but there is nothing quite the same as reading a book for the first time. So even though I have over half the series in front of me in this reading/rereading, I have a decreasing number of first-reads, and the sadness is setting in.

One last comment on how much I love Terry Pratchett. A couple of years ago I had to spend a few days in the hospital. One of my closest friends offered to pick up some reading material at the local Borders. I asked her to pick up a few Discworld books. They were the only books I could think of that I felt would cheer me up while in the hospital.

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 her suitor is growing a crop circle on his head.

For anyone who reads the Discworld books out of order (like me), Lords and Ladies will probably remind you a little of Carpe Jugulum(even though it came first, and Jugulum should really remind you of Lords, but let's not argue over chronology, shall we?). And yet, while Jugulum is good but a bit muddled, Lords takes what is essentially the same story (a malevolent force attempts to take over Lancre and the witches are all that stand in its way) and does it better, tightening the focus and giving the characters more room to breathe. It doesn't hurt things that the threat here is handled more strongly; while the vampires in Jugulum seemed like ineffectual boors, the elves here seem legitimately malicious, and Pratchett does a masterful slow burn working up to their appearance. Add to that a fascinating look at Granny Weatherwax's one true love, more wonderfully surreal philosophical conversations between Ridcully and Stibbons, more Librarian, and a great Shakespeare riff, and you have another wondrous Discworld novel. It's my favorite novel of the witches so far, and while I don't love them the way I love the Watch, there's no denying that even Pratchett's minor characters are more fully realized and complex than some writers will ever manage in their whole career, and the witches are no exception.

One of Pratchett's favorite comedic tools is inversion; in Lords and Ladies, he inverts the elves of Shakespeare and Tolkein. In Pratchett's hands, they are far from noble and dangerously evil.

For decades, the Elves have been kept out of the little kingdom of Lancre by a circle of stones called the Dancers, made of meteor iron. But while the Lancre witches, Esme Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick, have been away (as described in "Witches Abroad"), a few young gels have been playing at witchcraft, dancing up by the Dancers with their knickers off. That's always dangerous. It could let the Elves back in. Especially since it is Circle Time, when all those universes line up and the walls between them get thin.

Can Granny, Nanny and Magrat protect Lancre from the Lords and Ladies? They'll need help, not just from Hodgesaargh, master of the mews and Mr. Brooks, the Royal Beekeeper. It may take Wizards Archchancellor Ridcully (former suitor of Esme Weatherwax!), Ponder Stibbons, the Bursar and the Librarian; and the Lancre Morris Dancers, who, despite their vows, may have to do the Stick and Bucket Dance just one more time. It may even take Ynci, the half-mythical former queen of Lancre. After all, the wedding of King Verence and Magrat is supposed to happen.

What makes this and almost all of the Pratchett books extraordinary isn't just his lampooning of myth, comedic inversions, literary allusions, spoofs of physics and hysterical dialog; Pratchett give you something to think about. The power of myth, for example, and why glamour, good looks and style may be dangerous. A Pratchett novel makes you thoughtful.

The Witches series isn't my favorite, but among the Witches stories this is one of the best. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are among the best-developed of Pratchett's regular characters. They are fully realized here - warts and all.

A book to read and re-read with pleasure. Very highly recommended.

#14 in publication order in the humorous fantasy Discworld series. We're once again back in Lancre with Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and...well, Magrat Garlick used to be the third member of their witches' coven until King Verence proposed. Now she's Queen-in-waiting, planning her wedding and bored silly, so not able to help much when Granny and Nanny make their plans to take on the Lords and Ladies--the elves--who are trying to get through to this dimension through a stone circle in the Ramtops.

They know how truly nasty elves are--nothing like the sweet, beautiful creatures they project themselves to be. As the Bursar, Archchancellor and Librarian of Unseen University make their way to Lancre for the wedding (picking up the dwarf Casanunda--an old friend of Nanny Ogg's--on the way) and the rest of the town prepare, a series of events unfolds--in at least one dimension--that makes the whole town want to crawl under their beds.

Very enjoyable--I had forgotten how much I love this book (read it years ago) and had totally forgotten Casanunda--he's now emerged again as one of my favorite Discworld characters.

This is far from my favourite Pratchett fare. It pales in comparison to the other books of his I've read, especially in direct comparison to the other Witches' adventures. "Wyrd Sisters", which Terry proclaims in the Author's Note is prerequisite reading before delving here, was a more exciting adventure for Granny Weatherwax and her curious coven to undertake. "Lords and Ladies" feels like a derivative retread. And "Wyrd Sisters", which deconstructed "MacBeth", brought more insight into its Shakespearean source than this does for "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
Witness his treatment of the character of the Fool, so strong and vibrant in "Wyrd Sisters". He is little more than background material here, a bureaucratic imminent king, indifferent to his fiancee's perspective, and caught up in the ritual of his duty. I suppose something could be said for the themes brought out by his transformation from Fool to King, but it didn't interest me one bit. Except for one bit where it is discovered that the Fool, so accustomed to sleeping curled up in a ball outside the King's door, can't truly get used to his new status and thus now sleeps curled up in a ball on the other side of the door. It's a beautiful little moment.
One character who does make a strong impression is second-Witch-in-command Nanny Ogg. Her down home malapropisms and sunny (but implicitly precarious) demeanor make her a joy to read. Late in the book, she is teamed once again with Casamunda, the self-proclaimed second greatest lover in the world and incessant liar. Watch her skillfully fend off his advances; watch him quickly get back on the horse for another go. I'd love to see what Pratchett could do with these two over a whole book. It at least broke up the (soon-to-be) monotony of watching Granny Weatherwax grouch her way through another typical adventure.
The central conceit here is that elves, previously believed to be cute and cuddly creatures in popular mythology, are really evil. Terribly evil. Unspeakably evil. When elves are around "life was certainly more interesting... but usually it was shorter. And it was more colourful, if you liked the colour of blood". Okay? So? I don't think Terry does much with this notion. The elves he concocts are not frightening at all, at least in comparison to other Discworld villains. And the final confrontation feels like every other final confrontation Granny Weatherwax has been involved in. The lack of suspense was a surprising discovery. To me, this is Terry's first true misstep in the Discworld series.
Although I thought little of the story, Terry's sense of humour remains intact. There are many fine examples to choose from, but here are a few of my favourites:
.. a delicious footnote about the naming adventures of the Carter family, ends with Hope Carter becoming a depressive, while Bestiality Carter is generally kind to animals.
.. a word that beings with 'M', that means "seein' the other person's point of view"? Empathy.
.. More fun with Latin: "Il Porcupino Nil Sodomy Est" is, I think, a nod to true hardcore Internet Pratchett fans.
.. the New York second (defined as the time between when the light turns green and the cab behind you honks)
.. "Magrat says a broomstick is one of them sexual metaphor things" (although this is a phallusy)
Terry amazes, yet again, with his verbal gymnastics. I just wish he'd tacked them on a worthwhile story. I guess one sub-par book in fourteen (so far) is not a bad ratio. Don't worry about skipping "Lords and Ladies" on your way through the Discworld catalog. You won't miss much.

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.

David Roy

This is my first Terry Pratchett novel. I must admit that I was amused by the bizarre world he has created. While this is typically not the genre I read most, I would enjoy reading some of his other work after this one.

As I long suspected them to be evil, this book is centered on the evil of elves. Margat, one of the three witches, is about to marry the somewhat doltish prince. Before the wedding can occur, Discworld is overrun by evil elves. A large cast of characters battles the vertically challenged foes to rid the world of this evil menace and rescue the prince. One of the criticisms I would give the book, is that there and too many characters with to vague of descriptions to their characters. Because many of the characters recurr throughout Pratchett's work, I suspect I would not have this problem if I had some of the previous books. The menace of the evil elves is eliminate through a collection of remedies hinted throughout the book. This is not to say the plot if obvious or simplistic.

I enjoyed Pratchett's humor, particularly the references to hangovers. While I can not see myself reading all of his books, I would certainly read another. After all, there is nothing wrong with a book in which elves are slaughter. Take that J.R.R. Tolkein!

Hmmm..., vicious, nasty, manipulative, self-centered... Sounds like most humans I've met. Maybe cows and insects think _we're_ evil. Think about it before stuffing a burger into your mouth or squashing a bug.
I appreciate satire, even if it tweaks my own "sacred cows." I'm not afraid to reexamine my beliefs--it either strengthens them or enables me to discard those I've outgrown. However, as someone whose ancestors were persecuted and executed because of a convenient stereotype promulgated by ignorant and frightened mental/moral defectives, I cannot endorse the concept of genocide as entertainment.
One of the reasons I've enjoyed and recommended Mr. Pratchett's work is that he (usually) questions the standard fantasy truism that certain species are evil because they are that species. (Oh, god, orcs (or trolls or...)! Kill them!) Unfortunately, in order to justify his own views (anyone else remember his comments in a STARLOG interview about not hearing the "bloody elves singing" in his stories?) he conveniently and lazily resorts to the kind of stereotype he's previously debunked.
Returning to my original comments, I ask that everyone who has agreed with Mr. Pratchett's description of elves to consider that someone else may think that describes YOU. And when you try to justify the behavior that prompted such an opinion, think if the other person will still believe you are anything other than manipulative and self-serving. THEN be thankful that we really haven't seen evidence of intelligent life from other planets, because it it existed and was aware of the human species, I doubt it would think any more highly of us than this book regards elves.
In short: well-written, but disappointing.

The three witches, especially Granny Weatherwax, have always been my favorite denizens of the Discworld, and they do nothing to disappoint the reader over the course of Lords and Ladies. Add in a few of Unseen University's highest-ranking wizards, and you're guaranteed to have one wild time in the kingdom of Lancre. This novel wasn't quite as funny as Pratchett's earlier witch novels, but it shows Granny Weatherwax in a whole new light and makes for a very entertaining read all the way around.

Lords and Ladies opens with the three witches returning home to Lancre after their encounter with the Godmother in the novel Witches Abroad. They arrive just in the nick of time. A group of young girls have started doing some witching of their own; dancing around (with or without their drawers on) some of the ancient stones up in the hills isn't good for anybody, especially when the barriers between the worlds are rubbing close together and beings on the other side are just waiting to pounce on anyone capable of weakening the borders a wee bit more. The Elf Queen has set her sights on crossing over into reality, but there just isn't room in this reality for Granny Weatherwax and the Elf Queen. Granny knows what regular people forgot long ago - all that glamour and beauty that Elves project is just a mask. Elves are really nasty little buggers who care about human beings only insofar as they can torture them for their own amusement. Things are really nip and go here, as Granny Weatherwax isn't her old self these days - she can't even see the future anymore, and that doesn't bode well for anybody.

Of course, the citizens of Lancre are all distracted by the upcoming nuptials of King Verence and Magrat Garlick. Wyrd Sisters tells the story of Verence's witch-assisted rise from the king's Fool to the King of Lancre, as well as the budding romance between Verence and Magrat. Magrat is of course the third member of the witches' trio, a young lass with eternally plain looks, great interest in the traditions and proper ceremonies of witchcraft, and a naivety and generosity of nature that frequently drives Granny up the wall. She and Verence are as shy as the day is long, but they are to be married on Midsummer's Eve. Granny and Nanny Ogg tend to treat Magrat as a child, and she finally gets so perturbed she abandons the coven and settles in to learning the ways of being a Queen - which mostly involves being incredibly bored.

All kinds of folks arrive for the royal wedding, including Giamo Casanunda, the world's second greatest lover ("he tries harder," a process which invariably involves the use of a stepladder), and a caravan of wizards from Unseen University. Archchancellor Ridcully is extremely excited about it because he used to live in Lancre. He goes on and on about this girl he once knew and wanted to marry, a girl who happens to be Granny Weatherwax. It's hard to imagine Granny as a young woman, but Lords and Ladies shows us a side of the old crone we've never seen before. Magrat really starts to come into her own, as well, after the Elves capture Verence. Of course, everything comes down to a big fight with the Elves, but that's the least exciting part of the novel, as far as I'm concerned. It's much more fun just watching Pratchett put all his players in place for the ending.

Pratchett is absolutely on fire in a number of passages here, especially when young Ponder Stibbons tries to explain his theory of parallel universes and multiple forms of existence to Archchancellor Ridcully. Granny and Nanny Ogg are always hilarious, the whole makeup of Lancre sets up many a joke, and Verence's dependence on book knowledge sets up one of the funniest bits in the whole Discworld series. Lords and Ladies is enough to get a new reader hooked on Pratchett's unique genius, but you won't truly appreciate this novel unless you read Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad first.

The witches are back! After their disc-spanning adventures in "Witches Abroad" Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and the young Margrat return to the hilly Kingdom of Lancre. Not only is Margrat about to be wed to King Verence, also it is the period where the gates to the other world are not so tightly locked: Circle Time has just started. And everybody knows that one should not start dancing around old stones when during this period, if one is to avoid getting their head in a deep mess. And deep mess you are in if the Lords and Ladies break through to this world, because these Elves may be cute, but they can kick quite some ass and more…
Lords and Ladies is the fourteenth Discworld novel and the fourth time the three witches appear on the stage. This book is a bit of a slow starter, but once the stage is set nothing Terry’s imagination goes completely wild. This time maybe a bit too wild, because it clearly results in a rather clumsy ending. Not that this will bother the reader much, because some of the settings really compensate for this flaw: one of the most refreshing scenes is surely the almost love-affaire between our dearest Granny Weatherwax and Arch-Chancellor Ridcully. Nanny Ogg also gets a stalker: Casanunda, the world’s second greatest lover. The appearance of the “ook ook” Librarian and the cameo of DEATH makes this book an all-round classic episode in the Discworld saga. Sadly enough it lacks behind in comparison to its remarkable predecessors: “Weird Sisters” and “Witches Abroad”.
The book is a parody on Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and if you are not acquainted with this work – like me, I must admit -, be prepared to miss the clues of quite a lot of jokes (I read it in combination with the annotations available on the internet).

As with any Discworld book, Lords and Ladies is most enjoyable if you already have some grounding in the Discworld series. L&L also assumes some knowledge of its predecessor, "Traveling Abroad." I hadn't read that one, but Pratchett was nice enough to include a little synopsis at the beginning. Finally, L&L is probably best if the reader is familiar with Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

No single aspect of this book stands out as "outstanding": the plot is "good," the subplots are "good," the characters are "good," the humor is "good," etc. But like the title of this review says, "the total is greater than the sum of the parts" making the overall effect quite worthwihile and enjoyable. All in all, a solid effort.

If you're a Pratchett fan, definately give it a go. If you're new to Discworld, it's still enjoyable, though you'll (correctly) get the sense that there are a LOT of references and inside jokes going on you're not privy to; still, it'll probably pique your interest enough to check out more in the series.

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.

OK. You have to fight the badest, meanest and glamorous representation of evil: AN ARMY OF ELVES! Yes, you read right. How would you do such a thing? Well, you can rally a bunch of men armed with iron that are more afraid of Nanny Ogg (protected by her dwarf date, who knew, huh?) that of beautiful elves; in front you put the "queen to be" Magrat in full iron armor and chain mail and a battle axe (who wants to save her future captured husband and King), bodyguarded by three seniors wizards from Unseen University, (who where invited to the wedding, and went only to breath some fresh air), one fo them the oragutan librarian himself. Maybe you think that's chaotic enough. THINK AGAIN. Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully is shooting arrows from its magical crossbow trying to save the greatest witch in Discworld and his only love: Granny Weatherwax, who happens to be involved in a word debate with the Elf Queen. And just to put some flavour on the mix, millions of bees are very, very angry and are looking for something to sting, while a lonely unicorn is hunting Granny to introduce her to Death itself. And to finish, a Horned God finally return to the surface. Need I say more?

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.

Margrat Garlick is about to have her dream wedding. She is marrying the King. The stuff fairy tales are made of. A faerie tale is what she gets. Every bride's nightmare. The faerie host have decided they would like to crash the festivities and the Queen wants the King for her husband. At least until she's tired of him. It's up to Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, the librarian and a host of others to stop them.
I enjoyed this one, but even Pratchett mentions you need some background on this one. I strongly suggest you read at least Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad prior to this. It'll give you some idea of what's going on. Pratchett plays with most of the British elven legends as well as few of the Pagan Pantheon to bring this one off. (Actually, he sticks pretty close to the old legends and humorously traces their evolution into modern conception). I liked this novel not only for the usual humor, but also for the suspense aspect of it. I recommend this one if you like the fairy tales

I recently had an opportunity to chat with a number of other people who have read most of Pratchett's books. I found each reader had a definite dislike. Some could not stand any of Pratchett's books that involve Granny Weatherwax, but liked all the others. Some could not stand any of Pratchett's books that involve Rincewind, but liked all the others. Some could not stand any of Pratchett's books that involve Death as a major character, but liked all the others. When it was my time to chime in, I could only say, "Ditto!" Any book with Weatherwax, Rincewind or Death as a major character has a major hurdle to overcome. Yet INTERESTING TIMES, which invoves Rincewind, is one of my favorite Pratchett books. LORDS AND LADIES has Granny Weatherwax facing an invasion from fairyland, and it is far from my favorite Pratchett novel, but it has its points. The plot is interesting, the characters are well-developed and have something to do, and the novel comes to a climax instead of dwindling away with a whimper, as some of the Pratchett opi tend to do.

This Pratchett book picks up on something that Shakespeare missed; if elves are GOOD, why were they so careless with the humans in Midsummer Night's Dream? Pratchett reveals why; "elves are BAD". They're chilling enemies but they've met their match in Weatherwax's coven!
This is not only epic and creepy, but has a lot of character development. We see Weatherwax starting to become afraid of death... only to make a final and tragic stand against the elves.
" You try to frighten me with becoming OLD? "
It's a great book, full of action, drama, humour and orang-utans. And with that, I'll leave with the Nanny Ogg to "Oberon" quote:
" Now, I have a soft spot for you. But I have kiddies, you see, and they don't leave milk out for elves or hide under the stairs because of thunder or run home because they're scared of the night, and before we return to those dark days I'LL SEE YOU NAILED. "

This is the 14th of Pratchett's Discworld series. Alternatively, it's the 3rd book in the Witches subseries ("Wyrd Sisters," "Witches Abroad," "Lords and Ladies," "Maskerade," and "Carpe Jugulum"). It picks up practically where the last Witches book ("Witches Abroad") left off (arriving back from their trip abroad). This book is based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." What's nice about this book is the linkage between the Witches and the Wizards. Along with Granny, Nanny, and Magrat, a good part of the book is based on Arch-Chancellor Ridcully's and Granny's youth. There's also some work with the Librarian, Ponder Stibbons and the-now-medicated Bursar. Also, this is Magrat's swan song. The book's not quite as good as "Witches Abroad," but I still had tears in my eyes from laughing so much. Excellent book: 5 stars out of 5.

[For context's sake, I have been reading the Discworld books in publication order. Lords and Ladies is #14.]

Unlike some of the Discworld books to this point, Lords and Ladies really gripped me from the beginning. I liked the fairly unique take on elves and inter-species relations on Discworld. As always, I loved the character interactions and dialogue, especially when any witch was involved. I found Lords and Ladies to be highly engaging and very difficult to put down, and the deep development of Granny Weatherwax's character cements her as one of my favorite fantasy characters. Definitely one of my favorites so far.

Lords and Ladies is a warning about fiddling with mythologies you know
nothing about. Mythology is about life, living and death, not
some saccrine coated Disney recreation designed to "protect children"
and get you to spend money.
Life is dangerous, and the current neo pagan trend to rewrite
mythologies to suit some politically trendy slant will not make
it any less dangerous. At no time does the original lore indicate
that fairies and elves are anything less than vicious,cunning creatures
who have a disregard for anything other than their species.
I liked Lords and Ladies because it showed how dangerous it was
to interpret something to suit yourself rather than dealing with
reality. That Pratchett manages to get everyone to giggle every
third line makes him a genius.

Few authors have offered quite as much as Pratchett--he takes on complex concepts, wraps them up in humour, and delivers them via characters like Granny Weatherwax. (And Nanny Ogg--the Hedgehog's Song is one of those underrated literary classics of all time.) Wonderful meeting them again in Lords and Ladies--do yourself a favour, pick this one up even though it's considerably darker, and angrier, than Pratchett's usual stuff. I read Lords and Ladies around the same time I browsed through a short story by David Brin. Brin's story speculated, like Pratchett, that fairies were actually nasty, inhuman creatures--pushing the thesis to its logical conclusion, he postulated that fairies were actually the original aliens. Brin's almost certainly the more rigorous thinker; but Pratchett has a helluva lot more fun.

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.

Pratchett's Discworld continues in fine style. It combines his signature combination of incredible characters, groanable puns, wild adventure and maybe, just maybe a little serious reflection. I'm not sure that Pratchett would admit to that last, though.
And no, no one is quite what you expected. There's the king, elevated from his former role as jester (or was he?). The queen is shy, uncertain, and naive (or is she?). The witches' contest of power ends when one looks away (or does it?). The elves are wondrous and glamorous - or are they?
The serious side flirts with the many-worlds ideas from physics, serious science sure to warm the soul of any comedic writer. It also raises some symbols of a long-gone warrior queen, and leaves with some pointed observations on symbols being what you let them. Mostly, though, it's just more of Pratchett's laugh-out-loud history of a world that's even more ridiculous than our own - or is it?
//wiredweird

Terry Pratchett's books seem to function like a satyr play at the end of a day of tragedies - they poke not too subtle fun at the themes and concerns which lie deep in the psyche.
This may seem a bold claim, but there has to be some reason for popularity of the discworld books.
In this one, "Lords and Ladies", Shakespeare's fairies from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' are combined with Tolkein's elves to create a sort of negative beautiful people - not too unlike some of the interpretations given to the darker side of the Shakespeare original.
This has a logic behind it which, when you throw in the stable discworld characters, give it a harsh flavouring of socialism (or perhaps peasantism?) and let loose Mr Pratchett's wicked play on words, produces an energetic romp guaranteed to tickle not only the intellect but also the funny bone.
You can enjoy the book without knowing the Shakespeare, but you'd miss a lot if you did.

This Discworld novel, part of the Witches subset, 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 and Nanny Ogg; Nanny is very funny in this one. 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 well. Still, it is part of the Witches sequence, and these, along with the City Watch sequence, are some of the better Discworld books, and Pratchett should get credit for bringing in the wizards, who work better as minor characters than they do as the protagonists of the Rincewind books.

A Discworld novel--Pratchett's long-running cash cow that has him at the apex of the UK bestseller lists even more than Stephen King tops the NY Time list. What does that say about our two countries? America's most bought [note a] author plies his trade by staking out our fears in lengthy, brand name driven folk tales. While King has style, it always makes me think of him as a Southerner, rather than a backwoods boy from Maine. In stark contrast, Pratchett writes allusion-laden fantasies about a world propped up on the backs of four elephants on a giant tortoise (or something like that), wherein the jokes flit between Shakespeare parody and the physicality of Mr. Bean. Americans see their world as full of dangers; the British simply see it as absurd.
For all his gore, there lurks something underneath King's monstrous fiction, and the same applies to Pratchett. The absurdity means something to him--it is as if you must choose a worldview, and these are your choices.
Lords and Ladies is the third [note c] book that I've read by Pterry [note d], and I'm surprised to relay that I'm liking him more and more with each successive book. I nearly never bothered with him again after reading the first Discworld book, The Colour of Magic. It had not met its hype, and I waited five years before having a second go at the recommendation of Bob Gore. Pratchett is someone that I've always felt that I should like--I am an unabashed fan of written humor, especially of the British variety, and I like fantasy, especially when it does not take itself seriously. But, for some reason, I never clicked with the Discworld. That may be changing.
This novel concerns the witches that I met in my second attempt at Pratchett (Wyrd Sisters) returning home to the kingdom of Lancre after an eight-month absence and discovering that things have changed a little in the interim. Some gels [note e] have been dancing around the stones without their knickers on, and you know what that might bring: Her and Her court. In a subplot, the youngest witch is getting hitched to the king (who just happens to be the ex-Fool), if she can figure out just what a Queen is supposed to do (and it better not be only tapestries). There's a lot going on here--much more plot than I remembered being in a Discworld book--and it is easy to get lost. The foreword warns potential readers that this book is unlike some of the others in this series as it relies on a certain familiarity with the characters, but I did not have too much of a problem even with my relative novice status.
Finally, the best thing about reading this now (i.e., in 1999) is that I had the ability to look up the Annotated Pratchett Film to make sure I was catching all the jokes. Maybe this is what I needed nearly fifteen years ago when I sat down to read Pratchett for the first time?
[a] Remember, the bestseller list only records how many books are sold,[note b] not read.
[b] Actually, it is a measure of how many books are shipped to bookstores, many of which go unsold and are returned to publishers to be remaindered later.
[c] And a half, if we include Good Omens, which he co-wrote with Neal Gaiman.
[d] It's a fan thing, this name. Familiarity breeds weirdness.
[e] Girls.

The first Discworld book I read. I was on holiday in Italy, and so wreatchedly ill I had too stay in my tent. A fellow camper lent me "Lords and Ladies". Its cheered me up no end!
I have since read the other witches novels, but I still think this one is the best. A great parody of midsummer nights dream with extra imagination. The Ogg family are brilliant, and the morris men and Wizards make a welcome appearence. I love the bit were Magrat fights off the elves in the castle. Those elves were such chilling villians- bring them back Terry!
"Before we go back to those dark old ways I'll see you nailed!" My favourite quote- those words certainly did slice the air. If you like the Disc this novel is essential. I would also recomend "Guards,Guards!", "The light Fantastic" and the one I reading at the moment-"Soul music"- which is turning out to be the best one I've read so far!

The Witches are easily my favorite Discworld characters and I'm so glad to come back to them as they get into more trouble. I appreciate the different take on the elves, but mostly I enjoyed the laughs Granny, Nanny, and Magrat provided.

This is my first Pratchett book, and, judging from the book and some of the other reviews, perhaps that wasn't such a good choice. If one likes Tolkien, the Wizard of Oz, Hitchiker's Guide (which I don't like _that_ much), and Monty Python (really not my favorite) then Lords and Ladies could be good. It pokes fun at these other imaginary worlds, and does get you thinking about witches, magic, and even feminism in history. Very slow start, though -- no action for the first 140 pages or so. I almost gave up. Then it got exciting, albeit with drama at the level of a BBC comedy series. Satirical, but the narration, though implicit, is just too heavy-handed. If I try Pratchett again, I'll choose more carefully.

Compared with any book from any other author, this book is excellent.
Compared with Pratchetts other books, it's quite mediocre.
It's funny, and has some excellent moments, but in the middle it gets quite confusing. Furthermore, there are nearly no serious themes treated in this book, which is a shame because discussing serious themes is what Pratchett masters best. The only thing that makes me rate this book with 4 stars is the excellent character of Casanunda, the best of the book. Without him, I would have rated it 3, because it's worse than most other Discworld novels, but still better than most other things written by most other authors.

Granny Weatherwax and crew arrive home for a wedding, and the return of the Lords and Ladies (elves) to the land. But no witch is about to let a bunch of nasty, petty, pointy-ears take over their kingdom! These wonderful characters of Pratchett's make another return to satirical literature with a take on "A Midsummer's Nights Dream" with heavy nods to Irish folklore (druidic magic, mean,tall fae). This is one of the very few books that even Pratchett says clearly comes right after the one before so you might want to pick up "Witches Abroad" first.

I liked this Discworld a lot. The three witches are fun characters for me, and who doesn't like weddings and resurrections? There is pretty much something for everyone here. The title of my review is my summary of the theme of this particular Discworld book. Some characters don't look anything like what they are actually like. My favorite passage from this book is too long to quote, but it is a funny play on mixing up "martial arts" with "marital arts". Typical Terry Pratchett humor, but I thought that scene was particularly funny.

This is an excellent Discworld novel. Worth a look, if only for it's interesting take on elves, which is about as far from the Tolkein version as one can imagine. Warning: the description on the back of the book is completely off in tone, making the novel sound like a fantasy genre version of "Gremlins." Nothing could be farther from the truth. This is an enjoyable, even moving reading experience- so go buy it. C'mon. You know you want to.

Most people do. They remember them for their beauty, grace, and magic. Which they do have. However this is all a matter of perception. The power of the elves lies in them making you think that they are better than you will ever be. They have Class. They have Style. And you are animals. The truth is elves are unbeliveably cruel. The only reason why they dont kill things right away is because it is so much fun to tourture them. They are cruel. They are selfish. They take and take and give nothing back except their merry laughter at how pathetic you are. But all people remember is their beauty. Granny Weatherwax is smarter than most though. She knows elves for what they are and would rather die than see them take over her town. Buy the book to see how the story turns out. I give it 5 stars :).

Terry Pratchett has as usual put up an excellent performance. I love all his other Discworld Novels, but this one is somehow different. As if Pratchett was thinking about something worrying and laid it down in this book. As always the three witches are brilliant. I especially liked the bit where they had the witch contest, and Nanny Ogg was waving her bag of sweets, so Granny would win. Fantastic. 5 Stars for your excellent work.

I really like all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld (fantasy) books, including this one. You will best enjoy reading them in the order published, but they're good on their own. They have a unique, fey humor: I expect you will like all or none, so if they're new to you, get just one to begin with.

Always wondered if Magrat Garlick was really a wet hen? If so, read Lords and Ladies. It tells you about "them". The Elves. One of Terry Pratchett's best in my opinion. Like the librarian? He is out of the UU's library and enjoying himself. Ever wondered whether Granny Weatherwax had "a past"? If so then I recommend getting Lords and Ladies. Read it!!! You won't regret it!

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.

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!

This book is a great bridge between the hilarious Discworld and the classic genre of fantasy. Another huge plus is the wonderfully down-to-earth Granny Weatherwax (who sure has changed since her first appearance in "Equal Rites")....anyone who loves stories about elves or witches in general will love Pratchett's take on them

This is easily one of the best Discworld novels to date. While trolls and dwarves have been dealt with during the series, elves have been left out...until now. The novel follows the witches just as they are returning from their journey chronicled in Witches Abroad. Magrat is faced with the prospect of actually marrying the King of Lancre, nee the Foole. Meanwhile, Granny begins to question her sanity and to feel her own mortality. Without giving too much away, the novel builds suspense to a level not yet seen in the Discworld series. To further complicate matters, Granny also finds herself face to face with a person from her past...a name which will be very familiar to avid Pratchett readers.

Lords and Ladies is literally the funniest book Terry Pratchett has written. He's written better books but this one is the funniest. To this day I continue to howl at the antics of the Lancre coven, Unseen's Wizards and a refreshing view of elves, marriage and romance. If you haven't read this one, why not?

To be perfectly honest with you, Granny is one of the only female characters in any novel that I feel like emulating. She's sharp-tongued and crabby, like me, but she's also a terrifically strong character. It's time to glorify the world's crones! I loved the Macbeth allusions, too.

One of my absolute favorite Discworld novels. Must have read this one five times so far, and I will surely read it again. Just a wonderfully well told story to take you away from it all and let you relax for a while.

I liked this Discworld a lot. The three witches are fun characters for me, and who doesn't like weddings and resurrections? There is pretty much something for everyone here. The title of my review is my summary of the theme of this particular Discworld book. Some characters don't look anything like what they are actually like. My favorite passage from this book is too long to quote, but it is a funny play on mixing up "martial arts" with "marital arts". Typical Terry Pratchett humor, but I thought that scene was particularly funny.