Wyrd Sisters
(Discworld Novel 6)
📘 About This Book
Discover the gloriously inventive and funny fantasy novel from bestselling author Terry Pratchett, the second book in the Witches series, part of the Discworld novels. 'Pratchett's Discworld books have made millions of people happy' Guardian ‘Comedy fantasy at its very best’ 5-star reader review 'Destiny is important, see, but people go wrong when they think it controls them. It's the other way around.' Three witches gathered on a lonely heath. A king cruelly murdered, his throne usurped by his ambitious cousin. A child heir and the royal crown, both missing. Witches don't have these kinds of leadership problems themselves - in fact, they don't have leaders. Granny Weatherwax is the most highly regarded of the leaders they don't have. But even she finds that meddling in royal politics is a lot more complicated than certain playwrights would have you believe. Particularly when the blood on your hands just won't wash off . . . Wyrd Sisters is the second book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order. Praise for the Discworld series: '[Pratchett’s] spectacular inventiveness makes the Discworld series one of the perennial joys of modern fiction' Mail on Sunday ‘Pratchett is a master storyteller’ Guardian 'One of our greatest fantasists, and beyond a doubt the funniest' George R.R. Martin 'One of those rare writers who appeals to everyone’ Daily Express ‘One of the most consistently funny writers around’ Ben Aaronovitch ‘Masterful and brilliant’ Fantasy & Science Fiction ‘Pratchett uses his other world to hold up a distorting mirror to our own... he is a satirist of enormous talent ... incredibly funny ... compulsively readable' The Times ‘The best humorous English author since P.G. Wodehouse' The Sunday Telegraph ‘Nothing short of magical’ Chicago Tribune 'Consistently funny, consistently clever and consistently surprising in its twists and turns' SFX ‘[Discworld is] compulsively readable, fantastically inventive, surprisingly serious exploration in story form of just about any aspect of our world...There's never been anything quite like it’ Evening Standard
📖 Summary
Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters is a gloriously inventive and funny fantasy novel, serving as the second book in the beloved Witches series and a standout installment within the expansive Discworld universe. Clocking in at 271 pages and published in 2008, the story playfully subverts classic theatrical and literary tropes, most notably drawing inspiration from Shakespearean tragedies like Macbeth and Hamlet. The narrative begins on a lonely heath where three witches gather amidst stormy weather. A king has been cruelly murdered, and his throne has been usurped by an ambitious cousin. Amidst this treacherous political landscape, a child heir and the royal crown both go missing, setting the stage for a grand theatrical and political upheaval. Witches on the Discworld do not traditionally grapple with leadership problems because they do not have leaders at all. However, Granny Weatherwax, the most highly regarded of the leaders they technically do not have, finds herself reluctantly pulled into the messy world of royal politics. Alongside her eccentric coven sisters, she must navigate a plot involving ghosts, dramatic troupes, and the very fabric of destiny itself. Pratchett masterfully explores the nature of storytelling and fate, famously noting that destiny is important, but people go wrong when they think it controls them, as it is actually the other way around. As the plot unfolds, the witches realize that the future of the kingdom depends not on the prophecies spoken by ghosts, but on the power of narrative and human agency. The novel blends sharp satirical wit with deeply human characters, offering a hilarious yet surprisingly profound look at power, ambition, and the stories we tell ourselves. Through witty dialogue, absurd situations, and brilliant world building, Pratchett crafts a comedy fantasy at its very best that continues to captivate readers and bring joy to millions across the globe.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Brilliant and hilarious satirical wit throughout the narrative
Engaging subversion of classic Shakespearean tropes and themes
Memorable, well-developed characters like Granny Weatherwax
Inventive world building that expands the Discworld universe
⚠️ Cons
The heavy reliance on British theatrical and literary references might occasionally require extra context for some readers
The fast-paced comedic style may not appeal to those looking for traditional high-fantasy seriousness
✍️ About the Author
Terry Pratchett (1948-2015) was an English author celebrated for the 'Discworld' series, a satirical fantasy saga spanning over 40 novels known for its wit, social commentary, and inventive world-building.
View all books →❓ FAQ
What number is Wyrd Sisters in the Discworld series? +
It is the second book in the Witches sub-series of the Discworld novels.
Who is the author of Wyrd Sisters? +
The book was written by bestselling fantasy author Terry Pratchett.
How many pages long is this edition of the book? +
This edition of Wyrd Sisters spans 271 pages.
What classic plays does the novel parody? +
The story heavily parodies Shakespearean plays, particularly Macbeth and Hamlet.
Do the witches in the story have a leader? +
Witches on the Discworld do not have leaders, though Granny Weatherwax is the most highly regarded among them.
