The Wee Free Men

As I have noted before Terry Pratchett tends to produce his best work when playing with new main characters. This is true of Tiffany Aching and The Wee Free Men. This is Pratchett’s second Discworld novel aimed at young adults. However, other than having a protagonist that is a child and being slightly shorter than a full length novel, it is little different from any other entry.

One minor, but noticeable difference is the lack of hard evidence that the story is set in the Discworld. There is no mention of the larger world, which is understandable as the protagonist is a 9 year old whose whole world view encompasses the few miles surrounding her family's sheep fields at the start of the novel. Of course, a veteran reader of Pratchett novels can immediately feel the Discworld filling out the boundaries of the story.

Having read this story out of the publishing order I am not sure if this is the first time the Nac Mac Feegle have come into play or not. This is certainly the first situation in which they have played such a major role. Tiffany Aching is a witch, who doesn’t really know it yet, and doesn’t know how to go about being a witch. This provides Pratchett with ample room to do what he does best; turn things on their heads and provide philosophy through sarcasm.

Characters we have certainly met before, the Faeries (from Lords and Ladies), come into play giving us another hint that this is truly the Discworld. Tiffany, of course, has no idea how vicious these creatures are and believes that she can overcome them. The Nac Mac Feegle aren’t so sure about this, but as they are always ready to fight anyone or anything, they go along quite happily.

One of the highlights of this novel is Tiffany’s development as a witch. Since Tiffany is a child and just learning she doesn’t hide her thoughts and actions the way Granny Weatherwax does. Tiffany will grow up into a witch very much like Granny Weatherwax, so the glimpses we get inside Tiffany’s head demystify both witchcraft in the Discworld and Granny Weatherwax. Near the end of the story we get definitive proof that this is, indeed, the Discworld as Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg come to check up on Tiffany.

While this story is intended as a young adult work, it is very much readable by adults. In fact, The Wee Free Men is one of the stronger entries in the Discworld saga. Tiffany is an enjoyable protagonist, and the Nac Mac Feegle are great, possibly even the best sidekicks in any of the novels. I give The Wee Free Men a 4.5/5.