Maskerade
by Terry Pratchett · first published 1995
4mentions
3recommended by
4HN commenters
2018–2022first – last mentioned
75% recommend25% neutral
The story begins with Agnes Nitt leaving Lancre to seek a career at the Opera House in Ankh-Morpork. When Granny Weatherwax realizes Nanny Ogg has written an immensely popular cookbook but has not been paid by the publisher, the witches also leave for Ankh-Morpork to collect the money, as well as to attempt to recruit Agnes into their coven, to replace Magrat Garlick who left the coven when she became Queen of Lancre (in Lords and Ladies). This has the side benefit of distracting Granny from becoming obsessive and self-centered, or so Nanny believes to her great relief. Agnes Nitt is chosen as
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…Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. This year, I finished (numbers in Discworld order, annotated by the series): 9. Eric [Rincewind] 10. Moving Pictures [Independent] 12. Witches Abroad [Witches] 18. Maskerade [Witches] 19. Feet of clay [The City Watch] 23. Carpe Jugulum [Witches] 32. A Hat Full of Sky [Tiffany Aching] 37. Unseen Academicals [Wizards] 38. I Shall Wear Midnight [Tiffany Aching] Brilliant…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗…was a story that grew on me. I started out finding it Meh, but after a reread I found it rather good. The witches were also something that got better as it evolved. Equal rites wasn't that good, but Maskerade was a lot better!!!!! I'd say 'The sea and the little fish' would be my prefered witch story, but it isn't even a book. For the best, I'd go with Night Watch.
on “Nobody will admit the best novel of our generation is about football” ↗…others. A good friend tried one, was ok with it, and then read Hogfather, after which he said “give me every one of these that has Death in it.” My daughters really enjoyed Tiffany Aching, I had read Maskerade earlier to them, but only when they did finish Tiffany Aching did they really want more of the witches. My opera trained daughter now counts Maskerade as one of her favorites. As others have pointed out,…
on “Yan tan tethera pethera pimp – an old system for counting sheep” ↗Interestingly I've heard this mask meme before - but from a different fantasy author, Terry Pratchett, in Maskerade. I wonder if there's a common origin. Either way it's a lovely story and empowering for some who hear it.
on “Fancy Believing in the Goblin King (2017)” ↗