Book review

Published on Saturday 29 May 2004 12:11

A HAT FULL OF SKY by Terry Pratchett

THAT Terry Pratchett is a very funny writer is now almost universally acknowledged. What is less widely mentioned is that his books often contain passages of great wisdom and terrible beauty: he may at times be whimsical but he is never trite.

When he began setting books for younger readers on his long-established fantasy planet Discworld, there was a fear he might split his talents. Thankfully, such concerns were unfounded. This is the third such Discworld book, and they have retained their lightness of touch with quite sufficient chills to provide an agreeable thrill both for Pratchett’s adult readers and for children who are not too easily frightened.

A Hat Full Of Sky is a sequel to The Wee Free Men. Concerning the training in witchcraft of 11-year-old Tiffany Aching, her battle with an ancient evil and her often fraught relationships with peers, its obvious readership would be Harry Potter fans.

The chief difference is that while JK Rowling may raise a smile at times, she seldom causes embarrassing outbreaks of giggling if read on public transport. Such dignified concerns notwithstanding, this is a gripping read which moves seamlessly between comedy, melancholy and adventure.

• Published by Doubleday, priced 12.99.