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Book Review of The Wee Free Men

The Wee Free Men
althea avatar reviewed on + 774 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This was marketed as a Discworld novel for 'younger readers,' but I
found the story and style to be no more (or less) juvenile than that
of any of Pratchett's other books. It's the 30th Discworld book, and
the first to feature the character Tiffany Aching (although i was
already familiar with her from reading 'Wintersmith' - I've never
tried to read Pratchett in order.)
Nine-year-old Tiffany's baby brother is kidnapped by the Queen of the
Elves - an antagonist who spreads winter where ever she goes. The
brother, Wentworth, is a pain-in-the-butt, continually sticky brat,
but Tiffany is determined to rescue him. It's lucky that Tiffany is
the granddaughter of a witch, and definitely has inherited the talent
to realize her aspirations of becoming one herself. Also on her side,
somewhat mysteriously, she seems to have a horde of miniature Scotmen
- the Nac Mac Feegle. Although the premise is certainly not one we've
never heard before, the talents of Pratchett make the story both
original and hilarious. The tribe of the Nac Mac Feegle (troublemaking
Pictsies!) are definitely one of his best inventions.