science fiction

Ah, the lovely sight of a new Pratchett novel in my mailbox....

This time, eleven year old Tiffany is leaving her beloved Chalk, off to apprentice to a real witch, the somewhat odd Mrs Level. Add in an ancient, bodyless creature who want to take over Tiffany's mind, a rather unique poltergeist, a coven of junior witches, the indomitable Granny Weatherwax, and of course the Nac Mac Feegle - four inch tall, red-haired, blue skinned pictsies who will drink, fight or steal anything.

This is, technically, a children's book, but falls into that rare but treasured class of literature that can be read with equal enjoymenet by children and adults alike. Pratchett's insightful, humorous view of human nature, if anything, comes through more clearly in his children's books, and the use of language is certainly not watered down for younger readers.

In summary, an excellent read for all ages, and a satisfactory sequel to the Wee Free Men.

And track down a copy of Only You Can Save Mankind by the same author while you're at it...

A Hat Full of Sky is the thirty-second novel in the Discworld series, following Monstrous Regiment. This novel is a sequel to the story in The Wee Free Men, wherein nine year old Tiffany Aching met the Nac Mac Feegles, or Pictsies, a less attractive kind of fairies. When their Kelda -- or Queen -- died, the Feegles chose Tiffany as her (temporary) replacement. Tiffany proved her mettle by whanging the Queen of Fairy with a frying pan and was later recruited as a witch by Granny Weatherwax.

In this novel, two years later, Tiffany goes away from the Chalk Country to discover her witch powers as the apprentice of Miss Level in the Ramtops. The Feegles are still watching out for her and note that she is being followed by a Hiver, a nonmaterial spirit who possesses humans or animals. After some moments of jealousy, the new Kelda, Jeannie, sends her husband Rob Anybody and fifty Feegles to protect Tiffany from the Hiver.

Miss Perspicacia Tick escorts Tiffany to the town of Twoshirts on the cartier's cart. Along the way, Miss Tick keeps having feelings that something is watching them. When they meet Miss Level in the woods near Twoshirts, both senior witches have the same feeling. However, nothing menacing is to be found in the vicinity, so Tiffany reluctantly climbs on the broomstick behind Miss Level and off they fly to her new residence.

Before they leave, Miss Level asks Tiffany if she is afraid of heights and Tiffany says that she is not; however, she should have told Miss Level that she is really afraid of depths. Since Tiffany had forgotten to wear woolen trousers to protect against the cold, Miss Level mostly flies just above ground level, except when she is flying straight up a waterfall. Tiffany tries to keep her eyes shut as much as possible, for the ground is just a blur as they fly over. Every time they come to a fence or hedge, Miss Level says "Here we go!" or "Ups-a-daisy!", which does not help Tiffany's queasy stomach. She throws up twice on the journey.

After they arrive, Miss Level immediately takes Tiffany to her room and lets her prepare for bed. Of course, she brings up a tray of beef stew for supper, which Tiffany manages to eat despite the efforts of an invisible sprite to take away the dishes. Tiffany discovers the next day that the invisible creature is an ondageist, who tidies up things. She also discovers that Miss Level has two (2) bodies with only a single mind.

In this story, Tiffany is attacked and possessed by the Hiver before the Feegles can reach her. The creature uses her mind and abilities to appear as a powerful witch and it scares the dickens out of Annagramma, a fellow apprentice who likes to put down her sisters. When the Feegles arrive, they cross over into her mind to fight the creature. Miss Weatherwax also comes to help with the Hiver. Together they all toss it out on its ear, but it is still around and it can't be killed. Moreover, Tiffany feels that she is missing something.

Tiffany learns a lot about herself and her beloved Granny Aching while she is residing in the Ramtops. In fact, she learns that she has a lot of Granny Aching within herself. Despite Annagramma's cuts and put-downs, Tiffany rises above petty jealousy to accomplish remarkable deeds and to accept the accolades of Granny Weatherwax herself.

Overall, this novel is as fully satisfying as the first tale about Tiffany. The scene where Tiffany dances with the bees is filled with vicarious joy! How can the author produce such a humorous book that also makes the reader feel so alive? Another winner in the Discworld series!

Highly recommended for Pratchett fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of self-reliant young ladies who are willing to face their shortcomings, but also willing to accept their strengths.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Perhaps a lot of adult fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series have come to take for granted his ability to combine fantasy, riotous humor, and a touch of "why are we here and what are we for?" metaphysics. In "Hat Full of Sky," a sequel to his kids' hit "Wee Free Men," he manages all these plus more from a pre-teen perspective. However, you'll really want to read the first volume ("Wee Free"), first, or the plot of "Hat" won't make as much sense to you.

In the previous volume, Tiffany Aching, a young independent farmgirl with witch-like powers, overcomes an evil queen to rescue her brother with the help of a clan of drunken, riotous "Pictsies"-six-inch kilt-wearing men painted blue and swearing like truckers. In "Hat Full of Sky," Tiffany goes off for formal witch training, only to be taken over by a "hiver," an evil being who stirs up all one's worst urges. Under the hiver's temporary influence, Tiffany becomes a kind of "mean girl"-pushy, self-interested, inconsiderate, and obsessed with clothes.

It strikes me as remarkable that Pratchett (a middle-aged man, after all) could get the internal struggle of the pre-teen so exactly right: wanting to be popular and able to satisfy every urge, but with a wee small voice inside, fighting those urges in favor of a better self.

As in "Wee Free Men," the pictsies are terrifically funny; the best bit is when the Pictsies climb over each other like acrobats and throw on human clothes to disguise themselves (as a single human) for a journey: they confound their fellow-travelers when the stomach complains out loud to the head, and the gloved hands walk off in opposite directions.

Both full- and pint-sized readers will laugh and enjoy this book!