I read my first Discworld book when I was 18, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be reading them for my whole life. They’re a complete joy. Equal Rites is the third book in the series, and also in my 2021 reread of them from beginning to end.

The eight son of an eight son is destined to become a wizard – but what happens when that son unexpectedly ends up being a daughter? Well, when Terry Pratchett is in charge, you get the fantastic first witches book of the series, and the epic and hilarious examination of the differences between men’s and women’s work as represented by witchcraft and wizardry on the Disc. Granny Weatherwax is a delightfully eccentric and pragmatic witch from Lancre, who somewhat reluctantly takes on the training of Esk, the 8th daughter of the 8th son who shouldn’t really be a wizard (because, you know, she’s a girl) but the wizard’s staff and her magical skills don’t seem to agree with that piece of logic! Granny Weatherwax eventually decides that perhaps the Unseen University in Ankh Morpork might be the best place for her after all – but sadly, the wizards don’t agree either.

It’s a joy of a book, and the narration of the audiobook by Celia Imrie was excellent. I listened to this back in February, so this is another “Tamara is a slackarse in updating her book challenge” post. More to come soon