Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4)

Title: Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 1992

Date read: 20th November 2007

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Mystery

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Lords and Ladies" by Terry Pratchett is the 14th novel in his Discworld series, and the fourth to feature the witches of Lancre: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. Published in 1992, it's a darker, more unsettling exploration of folklore, directly confronting the traditional (and often terrifying) nature of elves, while also offering a satirical take on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The story begins with the three witches returning to their home in Lancre after their adventures abroad in "Witches Abroad." Magrat Garlick is looking forward to her impending marriage to King Verence II, who, to her slight annoyance, has already made extensive wedding preparations without consulting her.

However, the joyous occasion is quickly overshadowed by strange occurrences. Crop circles begin appearing, and more ominously, a group of local young women, led by the impressionable Diamanda Tockley, start practicing a more "modern" and superficial form of witchcraft. Their activities, including dancing naked around the ancient Dancers (a circle of standing stones in the Lancre hills), inadvertently weaken the protective barrier between Discworld and the realm of the Elves (Faerie).

Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg immediately recognize the danger. These are not the whimsical, pretty elves of children's stories; Pratchett's elves are the cruel, arrogant, and amoral creatures of true folklore – beings of "glamour" who find humans to be playthings, fit only for torment and abduction. They are beautiful, yes, but their beauty is a mask for pure, cold malice. They cannot comprehend concepts like mercy or empathy.

As Midsummer Night approaches, the veil between worlds thins further, and the Elves, led by their powerful and malevolent Elf Queen, begin to infiltrate Lancre. Their aim is to reclaim the Discworld, which they believe is rightfully theirs, and to resume their cruel games with humanity.

The witches find themselves in a desperate battle to protect their homeland and its people. Granny Weatherwax, ever the pragmatist, understands the true nature of the threat better than anyone, and she's not above bending (or outright breaking) rules to fight them. Nanny Ogg provides her usual earthy wisdom and surprisingly potent brand of magic (and a certain amount of chaos).

A significant subplot involves the arrival of the wizards from Unseen University, including Archchancellor Ridcully and Ponder Stibbons, who have come to attend the royal wedding. This marks a rare crossover of major Discworld character groups, adding another layer of humor and magical prowess to the conflict. The interaction between the pragmatic, common-sense magic of the witches and the theoretical, often blustering magic of the wizards provides much comedic relief.

Magrat, initially focused on her wedding anxieties and feeling side-lined by the older witches, undergoes a profound transformation. As the elves pose a direct threat, she finds unexpected inner strength and courage, tapping into a more ancient and warrior-like form of witchcraft, even donning historical armour and a sword. Her journey represents a coming-of-age and an embrace of her own unique identity as a witch and future queen.

The climax of the novel involves a brutal, desperate confrontation with the Elves, particularly the Elf Queen, at the Dancers. Granny Weatherwax, in particular, faces a terrifying challenge, as the elves attempt to undermine her very sense of self. The battle is fierce and visceral, with the Elves using their "glamour" to disorient and deceive, and the humans (and Nac Mac Feegle, who join the fray with their characteristic ferocity) having to rely on raw iron (their weakness), courage, and an understanding of the elves' true, unglamorous nature.

"Lords and Ladies" is a dark yet ultimately triumphant tale about facing evil head-on, the strength of community, and the power of love and self-discovery. It firmly establishes that not all "fairies" are benign, and some old legends are terrifyingly true.

Comments:
Another wonderful addition that enriched the Discworld. I used to wonder just how many more great stories were left here and the answer was "a lot".

Books that we've read by Terry Pratchett (39):
The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) (1983), The Light Fantastic (Discworld, #2; Rincewind, #2) (1986), Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) (1987), Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) (1987), Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3) (1988), Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2) (1988), Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) (1989), Pyramids (Discworld, #7) (1989), Eric (Discworld, #9; Rincewind, #4) (1990), Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10; Industrial Revolution, #1) (1990), Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12; Witches, #3) (1991), Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) (1991), Small Gods (Discworld, #13) (1992), Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4) (1992), Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2) (1993), Soul Music (Discworld, #16; Death, #3) (1994), Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind, #5) (1994), Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches, #5) (1995), Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) (1996), Hogfather (Discworld, #20; Death, #4) (1996), Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) (1997), Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23; Witches, #6) (1998), The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6) (1998), The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24; City Watch, #5) (1999), The Truth (Discworld, #25) (2000), The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7) (2001), Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5) (2001), Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) (2002), The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30; Tiffany Aching, #1) (2003), Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3) (2003), A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2) (2004), Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) (2004), Thud! (Discworld, #34; City Watch, #7) (2005), Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3) (2006), Making Money (Discworld, #36; Moist Von Lipwig, #2) (2007), Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8) (2009), I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4) (2010), Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch, #8) (2011), Raising Steam (Discworld, #40; Moist von Lipwig, #3) (2013)