Carpe Jugulum

One of my favorites of the Discworld Witches subseries. In no small part because it revolves around Anges, my favorite young witch and introduces my two favorite races, the Nac MacFeegles and Igors. Great story with fun humor. Pratchett loves taking on these pop culture phenomenons, and this was published during the run of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. I love it when Discworld puts their characters up against classic horror monsters, phantom of the opera, vampires, werewolves and so on.

Among the themes of the book, this one is directly stated: Evil begins when you treat people as things. This has an anti-corporate message, as in corporations using the masses to drain their money, for cheap labor, etc. Other themes are the idea of being reborn (the phoenix, Granny Weatherwax returning, the life cycle of the vampire, the notion of what faith is (all conversations with Granny and Oats) and duality or contradiction of mind (Agnes vs. Perdita and Oats knowledge of what he's supposed to believe in vs. what he actually thinks).

Though Granny remains the problem solver, the story is observed through the younger characters, Agnes and Mightily Oats. Granny Weatherwax spends some time dealing with fears of being obsolete, with there technically being four witches in Lancre these days.

Carpe Jugulum's biggest conflict comes out in favor of a traditional approach, which is unusual for the series that generally favors not sticking to tradition. For instance, main villain County Magpyr took a “modern” approach of contracting with his victims, making them into docile farm animals instead of the traditional monstrous approach of hiding in the shadows and coming to his victims at night. Verence's attempts to be a “modern” king and improve the kingdom were largely ignored by the Lancrastrians, who take what they see as a sensible approach at all times.

Perhaps even Pratchett was not immune to being in a contradictory state of mind.

It's a real pleasure to read and reread this series and get more from it each time.

Of the witch books in the Discworld series, (acknowledging I may not have read them all but don't include Equal Rites or Lords and Ladies among my faves) Witches Abroad, Wyrd Sisters and this one are now tied for favourites.

Terry Pratchett loved to sneak in the profound. 

I had a much better time reading Weatherwax in this book, I feel like it gave a bit more inner life, an actual personal journey for her character, rather than just identifying her as standoffish problem solver/one-of-the-crew with added wisdom.

Not mandatory but I think reading Small Gods first (as well as the other witch books mentioned chronologically) enriches the references provided.

There's something incredibly human in the fact that even as they work to defeat a greater threat/evil, there's a bit of judginess and pettiness towards the other party on behalf of the witches and the priest, but it doesn't stop them from helping each other/working together, and maybe coming out more understanding in the end. 

Igor and Scraps were such essential charming additions, and Death cameos were perfect as usual.

Warning for fatphobia throughout, even if most of it seems to come from the villains.