"Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett

Equal Rites is the 4th -- or 5th?? -- Pratchett book I read of the Discworld Series. It is a slimmer than usual volume, but with the characteristic satirical humour by Pratchett.

In brief, the story is about this dying wizard who has travelled far and wide to pass his magic to a child who is the 8th son of a father who is also the 8th son among his siblings. Complications ensue when, in typical male fashion of assuming whatever the wizard says is true, the father brings said future wizard to the dying wizard, gets the rites of passing the magic done, before discovering that the baby is actually a girl. As Esk (short for Eskarina) grows up, it becomes increasingly difficult to deny the gift she was given at birth. She journeys to the Unseen University and eventually becomes the first female wizard admitted into its hallowed halls.

I can't really put a finger as to why I didn't enjoy the book. Perhaps it was the state of mind I was in (speed reading in a subterranean clinic while waiting your turn before finishing the book sprawled on the couch, all the while feeling miserable has a way of doing that), or maybe the story line just wasn't as catchy as the previous TP Discworld books. Certainly there was humour; but the exploits of Esk just didn't have the same punch as TP's usual subversive retelling of events.

I read the back cover introduction expecting TP to explore the feminist theme in an innovative way, but the actual telling fell short: Esk eventually gains admission into the university by passing herself off as a servant and by some stroke of luck she saved a neophyte wizard from the bad guys. The Archchancellor of the University relents, and history is made.

Quite predictable, and therefore disappointing.

Geek rating: 2 out of 5