Witches Abroad - Discworld Book 12

Book Overview

In Witches Abroad, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick undertake their most ambitious and far-flung journey yet, venturing far from the familiar hills of Lancre to the exotic city-state of Genua. Their mission, sparked by the death of another witch, is to stop a fairy tale from coming true—specifically, preventing Emberella (an obvious parody of Cinderella) from marrying a prince in circumstances suspiciously scripted by magical forces. The witches soon discover that narrative power, the magic of storytelling itself, is at play, manipulated by a powerful, oppressive fairy-godmother figure intent on forcing happy endings upon people, no matter the personal cost.

Their journey humorously parodies various well-known fairy tales and folk stories, highlighting the absurdity inherent in clichés, simplistic morality, and forced narratives. Granny Weatherwax’s pragmatic skepticism, Magrat’s idealistic romanticism, and Nanny Ogg’s earthy humor clash entertainingly throughout their travels. Yet beneath the surface, Pratchett thoughtfully examines the power stories have over people’s lives, critiquing the dangers of imposing simplistic ideals onto complicated realities.

Thematically, Witches Abroad explores individual freedom versus imposed destiny, emphasizing the importance of self-determination over societal expectations. It demonstrates how dangerously seductive and restrictive cultural narratives can be, particularly when wielded by individuals seeking control. Granny Weatherwax, embodying stubborn independence, repeatedly argues that people should live lives authentic to themselves rather than conforming to externally scripted narratives.

The novel also deepens the characterization of the witches, especially Granny Weatherwax, whose fierce intelligence and compassion are highlighted as she confronts a rival who represents the darker aspects of power and manipulation. The resolution underscores the value of compassion, empathy, and human agency in overcoming oppressive narratives. Witches Abroad thus continues and deepens the witches’ series within Discworld, setting the stage for more nuanced explorations of storytelling, gender, power, and identity in subsequent books like Lords and Ladies and Carpe Jugulum.