Today is the final part of our readalong of the Wee Free Men, part of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books.  The readalong has been hosted by The Little Red Reviewer and Dab of Darkness and although it’s the last week for this book dinnae fash yerself because we’re going to move onto the next book : A Hat Full of Sky.  If you haven’t read any of these books yet, firstly, seriously what are you waiting for and secondly – the rest of this will contain spoilers – so don’t be saying you weren’t warned!

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

Well, I liked where she dreamed herself out onto the sea with the lighthouse and the big fishy!  I didn’t see any of that coming – but then I don’t think TP writes stories in a way that allows you to second guess.  It all feels very spontaneous almost as though he just starts writing and sees what happens!  The bit I really liked whilst at the same time feeling it was a bit sad was where the Drome was sat dangling it’s feet in the water looking all forlorn and reflective.  Maybe the Dromes are not really as bad as we all thought.  The thing with the queen is she didn’t really have any power – which is an unusual concept for the fae.  It was all about twisted reality and Tiffany keeping hold of her own thoughts.  It’s interesting that TP doesn’t go with the ‘all powerful fae’ thing here.  I mean really when you think about it the Queen was not powerful at all – she could just make you imagine horrible things. She has to steal from another world – so what is she really Queen of?? The Queen of fenced goods! and on top of that she had to use Dromes to help her.  But all that isn’t to make light of what Tiffany achieved – she stood her ground and I think she’s a really great character!

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

Okay, I’m just going to be totally honest now and say that Roland was absolutely shagging useless.  I’m sorry but he was.  Okay, he cracked open the nut – but that was it!  And, he had to be told twice before he did it.  Then he practically failed and had to be carried around for the remainder of the confrontation and after having been rescued he took the credit.  Now, okay, I realise he came to apologise about that but it was really just a token gesture – he did the apology in private, which again, I admit, Tffany had already decided not to make more of it, but then he started acting all ‘to the Manor born’.  How about no, you would still be in fairy if you hadn’t been rescued you big jessie! Am I being too harsh?  I can just see these two growing up and having a romance now I’ve said all that!

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)? 

They just cheer me up.  Nothing phases them.  They’re a great big bunch of hard nuts who are actually as soft as butter.  All that raging into battle and talk of kebabs.  Head butting everything with a head – and then being petrified of lawyers.  They.  Are.  Brilliant.  Plus the language is great.  I kept reciting bits to the hubby, as I do when I get all giggly – not at all impressed – although I’m sure that was just my terrible accent!  Drinking parafin – then saying ‘I told you the wee skull on it meant we shouldnae touch it.  But, I really loved the whole scene with the frog – remembering he was a lawyer and that’s why he’d been turned in the first place.  The scene where he negotiates his pay (or lack of it) was hilarious:

‘…in the circumstances I’ll take this case pro bono…’

*The swords didn’t move*

‘…that means free…’

*The sound of swords being sheathed*

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? 

This is my first disc world book so the answer is no to the latter part.  I liked the way that they respected Tiffany – which Ms Tick didn’t really seem to do – I liked her but she was a bit of a smarty pants whereas the other two just got down to brass tacks to find out what had actually happened.

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? 

I did.  It was probably the only thing that I’d almost predicted in response to any of the questions – I just knew that Shepherdess was going to come into the story somewhere.  Granny Aching is an amazing character.  The backstories of her and her dogs were great and I think she could have a book of her own.