Equal Rites
Score Classic
What it's about
Before he dies, the wizard Drum Billet passes his staff and his power to the eighth son of an eighth son, except the baby turns out to be a girl. On the Discworld, women can't be wizards, but nobody told Eskarina Smith. With the help of Granny Weatherwax, a formidable witch, she sets off for Unseen University to claim her place.
Why it's worth reading
It's the first Discworld novel starring Granny Weatherwax, one of Terry Pratchett's greatest characters. It's a funny, sharp fantasy about who gets to have power.
You'll love it if you liked
Hogfather, Good Omens or Night Watch
Good to know
It's the third Discworld book and stands on its own. It's an early Pratchett, short and lighthearted, and the witches' books get even better from here.
Quick answers
Is Equal Rites worth reading?
Yes. It's the first Discworld novel starring Granny Weatherwax, one of Terry Pratchett's greatest characters. It ranks #1,788 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Equal Rites about?
Before he dies, the wizard Drum Billet passes his staff and his power to the eighth son of an eighth son, except the baby turns out to be a girl. On the Discworld, women can't be wizards, but nobody told Eskarina Smith. With the help of Granny Weatherwax, a formidable witch, she sets off for Unseen University to claim her place.
How long does it take to read Equal Rites?
About 7 hours (288 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Equal Rites?
If you liked it, try Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett or Night Watch by Terry Pratchett.
By the numbers
- Readers56 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller33 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Loved by readers.
Where it ranks
- #23 of the 35 humor books we rank
- #264 of the 461 fantasy books we rank
- #513 of the 763 classics we rank
- #1788 of the 2,819 books we rank
Reads as
Adventurous, Funny, Uplifting
More by Terry Pratchett
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