Granted, if this isn’t your first Witches book in the Discworld series, then you know that Granny’s headology is part of being a witch. And that conversation isn’t just with Tiffany it’s with the reader as well, WHICH IS SO FASCINATING TO ME. She pushes her to examine exactly why she wants to be a witch, and she does so by making it clear that being a witch is not exactly what Tiffany believes it is. What if Miss Tick presents herself a certain way to avoid people thinking she’s a witch?Īnd if that’s the case, does that mean there are other people out in the world who qualify as witches? Does that mean Tiffany should become a witch herself? These notions are woven together in this layered conversation, and all the while, Miss Tick tests Tiffany.
And as Tiffany questions Miss Tick, she peels away these layers. In all the stories and myths and stereotypes, witches wear all black, have pointy hats, and can do curses. That opening interrogation about whether or not Miss Tick is a witch is so fascinating because The Wee Free Men is clearly a conversation about stories. Not immediately, mind you, but it’s really satisfying to watch her work out how she feels about the world, how she uses logic and reason to arrive at her conclusions. She’s able to cut through the bullshit that she’s been fed. As it is, Tiffany is wise beyond her years, and it’s one of my favorite things about her. That’s an important distinction, though. I think we’re seeing the start of an incredible friendship, of a mentor finding a mentee who she can help come into her own. There’s an interplay here between Tiffany and Miss Tick that’s hilarious, full of nuance and meaning, and remarkably profound. I think the approach to them is very different. That’s not to suggest these two stories are the same, aside from featuring two young girls who want to be magical. And I remember how much I loved Equal Rites, and I am getting just the slightest bit of familiarity from it. These last few Discworld books have been mostly men dealing with conflicts and adventures and tragedy, so on a very basic level, it’s refreshing.
It’s women talking to one another, about one another, exchanging stories, and navigating a complicated, nuanced situation. I suspect part of it is that this whole chapter is almost entirely about women. What is it about this chapter that so thoroughly entertained me and made me want to DEFEND TIFFANY ACHING AT ALL COSTS? Holy shit, what is this book? Why is it like this? WHERE WAS TIFFANY ACHING WHEN I WAS A KID AND WANTED TO READ FANTASY BUT COULDN’T FIND THE STORIES I DESIRED? Look, y’all, there’s a sense of whimsy here that doesn’t feel quite like all the other Discworld books, and I admit I’m having a hard time nailing down why that is. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Discworld.
In the second chapter of The Wee Free Men, I AM ABSOLUTELY SMITTEN WITH HOW GREAT TIFFANY ACHING IS.
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