Paperback, 269 pages
French language
Published Nov. 15, 1994 by L'Atalante.
Equal Rites is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett. Published in 1987, it is the third novel in the Discworld series and the first in which the main character is not Rincewind. The title is wordplay on the phrase "Equal Rights". The novel introduces the character of Granny Weatherwax, who reappears in several later Discworld novels. The protagonist Eskarina Smith does not return until I Shall Wear Midnight, which was published 23 years later. Pratchett based the character Esk on his daughter Rhianna Pratchett.
Review based on 2022 audiobook.
The fact that even the title is a pun should warn you what you're in for. Even so, this is the trademark Pratchett blend of humor with very serious social commentary, excellently performed by the narrators. It even shows the internalized misogyny of Granny not wanting Esk to become a wizard because it simply is not done.
J’ai moyennement accroché avec La Huitième fille, bien que j’aie été complètement charmée par le personnage de Mémé Ciredutemps, une sorcière pleine de malice. J’ai trouvé que l’intrigue était un peu molle, mais en compensation, les thèmes abordés étaient intéressants, notamment la cause féministe traitée tout au long du roman.
This perfectly ridicules the arbitrariness of gender stereotypes. Everybody knows that only men can be wizards, everybody knows it’s part of the lore, but nobody actually knows where it is written or why it should be the case. And Esk just ignoring both her role as a wizard and a witch and rescuing Simon and herself by not using magic is about the best possible ending.
