Witches Abroad is about three formidable witches: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. The trio embarks on a journey to stop a fairytale from unfolding in the city of Genua. As they travel, they confront their own destinies and the nature of stories.
Table of Content
Witches Abroad Book Summary
Three witches, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick, set out to stop a servant of fortune from manipulating stories in the city of Genua.
They travel to foreign lands and encounter a variety of fairy tale characters, from talking animals to card-playing dwarfs.
Granny Weatherwax, with her unyielding spirit, faces her nemesis, Lily Weatherwax, who has embraced her dark side and seeks to control Genua through stories.
The trio confronts the power of narrative as they interfere with the fates of Emberella and the city's inhabitants.
Magrat, often the voice of empathy, grapples with her new role as a queen due to a series of fairy tale events.
The Witches uncover the manipulations of stories by the servant and work to restore balance by allowing people to choose their destinies.
Nanny Ogg's cat, Greebo, a shape-shifting menace, becomes pivotal in the fairy tale disturbance.
As the tale unfolds, the witches question the morality of interfering with stories and the nature of good and evil.
Emberella's wedding to the wrong prince seems inevitable until the witches confront Lily Weatherwax at the city's Grand Opera House.
A magical duel ensues between Granny and Lily, with the fate of Genua hanging in the balance.
In a twist, the servant of fortune is revealed as Lilith, Lily and Granny's mother, who has been manipulating events from afar.
A final showdown with Lilith, who represents the force of narrative, results in her defeat and the restoration of free will for the people of Genua.
Witches Abroad Quotes
- Evil is always human, and it is always sad.
- The common people, well, they are nothing special.
- It's not worth doing something unless someone, somewhere, would much rather you weren't doing it.
Witches Abroad Ending Explained
At the end of Witches Abroad, the battle between Granny Weatherwax and her cousin, Lily Weatherwax, reaches its climax at the Grand Opera House in Genua.
The witches manage to stop Emberella's forced wedding, confronting the false prince and the true nature of the stories that have been manipulated.
The book concludes with the defeat of the servant of fortune, the restoration of Genua's inhabitants' free will, and a reflection on the power and dangers of storytelling.
Characters in book Witches Abroad
- Granny Weatherwax: The oldest and most powerful of the witches, she is stern and assertive, often portrayed as the leader of the trio.
- Nanny Ogg: A jovial and earthy witch who enjoys a good time, with a large family and a fondness for a good drink.
- Magrat Garlick: A young, idealistic witch who is often the voice of compassion and tends to see the best in people.
- Lily Weatherwax: Granny Weatherwax's mirror-image cousin who has embraced her darker side and is the antagonist of the story.
- Greebo: Nanny Ogg's pet cat, who is under an ominous curse and has a penchant for violence and transformations.
- Emberella: The fated girl who is supposed to marry the prince and the focus of the fairytale the witches are trying to prevent.
Key Lessons
- Question Authority: Don't accept events at face value; always challenge the status quo and investigate the truth.
- Guard Free Will: The freedom to make choices is paramount; guard against those who seek to manipulate or control it.
- Embrace Change: Change is inevitable and can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of the world.
- Use Power Wisely: Those in positions of power must exercise it with wisdom and compassion, for power can easily corrupt.
- Seek Your Own Path: Don't be confined by expectations; forge your own destiny and resist being led solely by the narratives of others.
My Personal Opinion
Is Witches Abroad worth reading? Absolutely yes, I found its blend of humor and insight into the nature of stories to be delightful.
I particularly enjoyed the exploration of narrative manipulation and the role of 'destiny' in people's lives. On the downside, some sections felt a bit meandering, which slowed the pace of the story. But overall, the clever wordplay and the deep themes make this an engaging read.
I would recommend Witches Abroad to anyone who appreciates a good fantasy story and has an interest in how stories shape our world. It's especially suitable for readers who enjoy the works of Terry Pratchett and are familiar with his Discworld series.