Wee Free Men readalong, the end.

Posted by: Redhead on: March 6, 2013

• In: Terry Pratchett
• 17 Comments

the sad news this is end of our Wee Free Men read along.  but the good news is that next week we’re jumping right into the 2nd book in the series, A Hat Full of Sky!  Click here for the schedule.  if you’re already on the mailing list, we’ll send you Pratchett questions until you tell us to quit, and if you’re not on the mailing list and you’d like to be, just leave a comment in the post and I’ll add ya.

here’s this week’s discussion questions, with answers, and spoilers after the jump.  Please leave a link to your answers in the comments so I can visit you and discuss! 🙂

1) What was your favorite part of the ‘duel of dreams’ between Tiffany and the Queen?

2) The last part of the book shows us a bit more of Roland’s character. What did you make of him?

3) The Nac Mac Feegle never cease to make me laugh. What were some of your favorite scenes or lines from the Feegle (for this segment or the entire book)?

4) The finale of the book introduces us to Mistress Weatherwax and Mrs. Ogg. These are two of my all-time favorite Discworld characters. What did you think of them? Have you read other books featuring these two ladies?

5) Tiffany’s connection with Granny Aching is one of the most poignant throughout the book. Did you enjoy Granny Aching’s brief appearance late in the book?

ahead, thar be spoilers!

1) What was your favorite part of the ‘duel of dreams’ between Tiffany and the Queen?

meh, I’m a jerk, this wasn’t my favorite bit in the book.  I mean, I got what was happening, but it moved very fast for me, the Queen just wasn’t that interesting for me. my favorite part was when the Whale shows up, and Rob Anybody and William  are just nonchalantly discussing how big and close the whale is, like they are discussing the attributes of a pint of ale or something. Tiffany is starting to flip out just a bit, and they are being completely mellow about the whole thing!  too funny!  but the Feegle haven’t got anything to worry about cuz a) they’re already dead, and b) they can manage to un-imprison themselves from any dreams they get stuck in or out of.

2) The last part of the book shows us a bit more of Roland’s character. What did you make of him?

He’s about what I expected, a snotty rich kid who steals the credit. Ok, he didn’t steal the credit, but when Roland’s father hails him as a hero, Roland doesn’t correct him. That’s just as bad.  sure, Tiffany intimidates Roland now. . .  but one day Roland is going to grow up, and he’ll have a choice between 2 paths.  he can respect Tiffany, or he can treat her like the witch she might be. do you remember what happened to Mrs. Snapperly, who every one thought was a witch? pretty chilling stuff, Mister Pratchett.  Roland has a lot of apologizing to do, now that I think about it, and I don’t yet know if he’s going to grow up to be a good person, or a bad person.

3) The Nac Mac Feegle never cease to make me laugh. What were some of your favorite scenes or lines from the Feegle (for this segment or the entire book)?

talking completely chillaxed about the big whale was hysterical! I love all their conversations between themselves, because their way of talking about things is just so weird and funny!!  anytime those lunatics open their mouths, I’m giggling. 🙂
4) The finale of the book introduces us to Mistress Weatherwax and Mrs. Ogg. These are two of my all-time favorite Discworld characters. What did you think of them? Have you read other books featuring these two ladies?

Weatherwax rocked!  I loved how she could just look around and knew exactly everything Tiffany had been up to. Feegle? Kelda!? Frying Pan??? and I can tell she sees something special in Tiffany, who isn’t intimidated by anything (including Weatherwax!).

“First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin’ out how you passed it. It’s a bit like life in that respect”.

also, that.

i haven’t read any other books with Weatherwax or Ogg, but now I’d like to!

And I’m suddenly wondering what Granny Aching’s “test” was.

5) Tiffany’s connection with Granny Aching is one of the most poignant throughout the book. Did you enjoy Granny Aching’s brief appearance late in the book?

Tiffany’s thoughts about Granny were very powerful for me through the entire book, for very personal reasons.  Dealing with death is impossible. how and went we grieve, it’s a weird thing, and you never know how it’s going to hit you until it happens.

“Now I know why I never cried for granny”, she said. “She has never left me.”

Granny was even dressed as the ceramic shephardess. Granny approves of Tiffany, approves of everything she’s ever done, of what she’s doing.  Yup, then I started weeping. couldn’t stop, didn’t want to, didn’t mind the catharsis.  Most of the book is fun and happy and amusing, but then there’s this counterpoint melody written in a minor key, and it steals the show and takes over the entire thing in a tidal wave of emotion. Music peeps, you know what I mean, right?

Tags: discworld, fantasy, read along