REVIEW: I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
While I enjoy the Discworld novels, I do have particular favourites in terms of the various story arcs. I like the stories that involve Death and his granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, the Wizards of Unseen University, Rincewind, and the con artist Moist Von Lipwig. But my least favourite were the Witches stories. The first set focus on the 'coven' in Lancre, with Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick, later to be replaced (though not forgotten) by Agnes Nitt. The second, most recent set, is about young witch Tiffany Aching, which, while enjoyable, are still not as enjoyable as other Discworld novels. But then, the fourth, and possibly final Tiffany Aching story, I Shall Wear Midnight, came along. And not only is it the best Aching story of all, but one of the best of the series, and that is saying something.
Tiffany Aching is the local witch of the Chalk, a small country area on the Sto Plains, and having finished her schooling in witchcraft, she is now responsible for looking after the people of the Chalk. But for a fifteen-year old witch, who is supposed to use more common sense and know-how than magic, it is becoming tiring. And it is about to become a whole lot worse, for an evil entity is turning the people of the Discworld against witches, making them think that witches are not to be trusted, that they should be exterminated. With friends turning into enemies, and her allies, the rowdy Nac Mac Feegle, not helping matters, Tiffany has to find out how she is going to beat the might of the Cunning Man, before he wreaks havoc on the Discworld.
Although this is a Discworld book meant for teenagers, it should be noted that very early on, we are made to understand that this is a dark book. How dark? Well, the first few chapters involves a 13-year old girl miscarrying after being beaten by her father, who is later in danger of being lynched, and tries to hang himself. And then, Tiffany is subject to paranoia and suspicion for being a witch, all of which culminates in the horrific appearance of the Cunning Man, who is one of the Discworld's most frightening supernatural villains.
And yet, such is Pratchett's skill as a writer, even in what could very well be the end of his career given his Alzheimer's, that it is never questioned as to its value in the story. It is to show that Tiffany's life as a witch is not always a happy one, and life is not always as simple and clean as some would believe.
Fans of the Discworld series in general will be glad to note a few cameos from much-loved characters, but two in particular stand out. Wee Mad Arthur, supposed gnome member of the City Watch, is, of course, revealed to be a rather unconventional Nac Mac Feegle (think Pictish warriors a couple of inches tall and able to fight off a grown human), as some fans suspected, but an interesting cameo is that of Eskarina 'Esk' Smith, the female wizard unseen since the events of Equal Rites. And yes, she plays a vital role in the story.
Tiffany Aching also seems to have come into her own. While the events of this novel are, to a degree, her fault, unlike the last couple of books, it isn't due to any naivete or lack of knowledge. The only reason why the events are her fault is hinted to be an unforeseen result of the events of the previous Tiffany Aching novel, Wintersmith. Tiffany has always been a mature and thoughtful girl, occasional stuff-ups notwithstanding, but here, with few exceptions, she truly acts like an adult.
I'll be honest. I cannot find anything truly at fault with I Shall Wear Midnight, except, perhaps, the glossing over of the later fate of Mr Petty and his daughter, Amber, the aforementioned father and daughter, although this might have been due to my style of reading. While not as complex a story as your average Discworld novel, it is still an engaging one, and as I said, I cannot find any fault in it at all.
So, if you're a Discworld fan, or new to the series, get a copy. Read it. And bask in the light of damn good reading.
10/10
First words: Why was it, Tiffany Aching wondered, that people liked noise so much?
Last words: And Tiffany said, 'Listen'
