While this isn't one of Pratchett's tour-de-farces, it is an excellent effort, one that you will relish for some time to come. She has a knack for seizing those opportunities that appear, and enough sense to make it through her own identity crisis. ![]() But neither does she want to be a bump on a log. Agnes doesn't want to be a witch because that is almost the only career opportunity Lancre has for someone with brains and generous proportions. Too fat to be anything else but a 'nice' girl she also has a mind almost as sharp as Granny Weatherwax. Agnes/Perdita is a great character on her own. Trust pratchett to leave no opportunity for wry humor unturned. Trust Esme Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg to find the loophole in everything the encounter, outmaneuver the villains, and bedazzle the crowds. Pratchett is merciless, as he lampoons witching, opera, publishing, cookbooks, show music, leaving home to make it in the big city, psychology, and growing up the hard way. Agnes (now Perdita) can sing, but Christine cannot, so in no time we have a voice hoax, an angry ghost, and Nanny, Granny, and Greeb, the cat with the original bad attitude. In Ankh-Moorpork, it should come as no surprise, the opera house comes complete with a whacko ghost with a white mask, a huge chandelier, and, of course, a beautiful blond named Christine. Tired of being the girl with the 'great personality' and 'beautiful hair' she has left Lancre for Ankh-Moorpark were she is trying to make her living as an opera extra. Unfortunately Agnes has had another idea entirely. Nanny decides the Agnes Nitt, a large girl with a very large voice would make the perfect replacement. "Wait," you exclaim, "Where's Magrat?" Off to be queen, of course, leaving Nanny and Granny to party alone before the marshmallow toasting fire. Even better, it's a Lancre witches tale, starring the indomitable Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg, the original Benny Hill. So now, ten years after I should have read it, I've had the delight of reading Maskerade for the first time. So the discovery of one that I've missed is a moment to be treasured. ![]() Countless years of reading him has left me patiently waiting for his next effort. Nowadays I don't get all that many opportunities to open a new Terry Pratchett book.
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