Book Reviews: “Lords and Ladies”

The+cover+of+Lords+and+Ladies%2C++a+novel+by+Terry+Pratchett.

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The cover of “Lords and Ladies,” a novel by Terry Pratchett.

Shakespeare is a notable figure all across the world. There is no surprise that his works have been heavily parodied, such as it was in Terry Pratchett’s fantasy novel “Lords and Ladies.”

The story takes on a familiar scenario regarding a marriage, a play, and the threat of the fair folk. Magrat Garlick, a witch engaged to the new King Verence, returns home with her fellow witch gals, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, to the kingdom of Lancre. There, she finds out a wedding is afoot. Fantastic! The only issue is that she has no say in anything the occasion entails.

Far out in the fields there lies a peculiar structure: a circle of stones, called the Dancers. It has been pressed by Granny Weatherwax that nobody is to go near the Dancers. Doing so could result in dangerous, occultish outcomes. Nevertheless, when a new group of witches enter the land, dancing around the stones ends up being the highlight of their nights. Thus they welcome in the terror-begetting species of Elf, who laugh quite a lot; especially when they discover just how far your arms can twist before it breaks.

“Lords and Ladies” embarks on new, original plots surrounding the beloved play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Character development is heavy within this work. Regarding Magrat Garlick, she shows that even someone at rock bottom and at the end of their wits can show the world what they are truly capable of.