Granny Weatherwax takes on The Vampires.
Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal, as well as being awarded a knighthood for services to literature. He died in March 2015.
Carpe JugulumÄseize the throatÄis the motto of the family of "vampyres" who attempt a hospitable takeover of the kingdom of Lancre in Pratchett's 23rd Discworld novel. When the goodhearted king invited the Magpyrs to celebrate the birth of his daughter, he couldn't know that these modern bloodsuckers would have no intention of leaving. By controlling everyone's mind, they try to turn Lancre into a sort of farm, and no one can think straight enough to stop them. That is, until the vampyres meet up with the local witches: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat Garlick and Agnes Nitt (who is literally of two minds about everything). The perplexing skirmishes that ensue will leave readers shaking their heads in hearty dismay even as they groan at the puns and explanatory notes that pepper the tale. Death (scythe and all) and Igor (of Frankenstein film fame) provide the best gags. The novel exudes the curious feel of old-fashioned vampire and Frankenstein legendsÄfull of holy water, religious symbols, stakes through the heart, angry mobs, bad pronunciation and garlic. The vampyres, however, have risen above these clich‚s even if their servant, Igor, still has a taste for dribbly candles and squeaky hinges. Pratchett lampoons everything from Christian superstition to Swiss Army knives here, proving that the fantasy satire of Discworld "still ate'nt dead." (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
YA-In the guise of good relations with the Uberwald, King Verence sent an invitation to his daughter's christening to the Count de Magpyr and his family. The Count is a modern vampyr and he has convinced his family they need not fear crosses, garlic, running water, or sunlight. Unfortunately for the land of Lancre, he's right. Luckily, Nanny Ogg, Agnes Nitt (and her figment, Perdita), Granny Weatherwax, and an Omnian priest named Mightily Oats are on hand to save the kingdom. This, the 23rd book in the series, is a marvelous send-up of old horror movies, from the shambling, pieced-together, lisping servant Igor to the torch-wielding mobs.-Susan Salpini, Purcellville Library, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
"'He will remain an enduring, endearing presence in comic
literature'" -- Elizabeth Young * Guardian *
"'Both his inventiveness and his moral shrewdness seem
inexhaustible'" -- A. S. Byatt * Daily Express *
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