Author:Humphrey Carpenter
When old Mr Jenks retires, St Barty's School advertises for a new caretaker. Unfortunately there's only one applicant - Hamish Bigmore's Uncle Wilf who is just as rude and bad-tempered as Hamish. When Mr Majeika is hurt in an accident it becomes clear that Uncle Wilf is working for the wickedest of witches, Wilhelmina Warlock! It's up to Mr Majeika to work his magic and put things right again.
What I relish in particular is the swiftness of the telling, the vigour with which brilliant moments of perception seem to be improvised in the sheer delight of the onward rush of the story
—— Philip Pullman , GuardianA writer of wild humour and unrestrained imagination
—— Oxford Companion to Children's LiteratureA consummate story teller
—— The TimesThis is a racy tale with plenty of disgusting details
—— Orna Mulcahy , The Irish TimesCharming in every sense of the word. Beautifully written and at times highly comic, it is an extraordinary achievement
—— Books for KeepsSure to be as popular with both children and adults as all his other books
—— Croydon AdvertiserLively wit, sly wisdom and compelling narratives
—— Leicester MercuryPratchett's usual mix of uproarious comedy and deceptively serious thought
—— Southern Daily EchoHe's probably the funniest writer in English today . . . great themes with huge doses of comedy
—— South Wales Evening PostFunny and winning as ever
—— Nottingham Evening PostCrackles with energy and humour
—— Leicester MercuryPratchett's one-liners, the comic dialogue of the Feegles, the satire about teenagers and the credulousness of the ordinary folk make for a characteristically entertaining mix.
—— Nicolette Jones , Sunday TimesOodles of dry wit, imagination and shrewdly observed characters
—— Independent on SundayTerry Pratchett kicks the bejaysus out of JK Rowling...If you haven't read Pratchett before then give yourself a treat and buy this book.
—— In DublinExuberant energy and humour...
—— Children's BooksellerSure to be as popular with both children and adults as all his other books.
—— Croydon AdvertiserWintersmith is not written and does not read as a "young adult" book, and succeeds all the more for that. Very enjoyable.
—— Dreamwatch[The Discworld books] have retained the lively wit, sly wisdom and compelling narratives
—— Leicester Mercury...Pratchett's usual mix of uproarious comedy and deceptively serious thought...
—— Alex Sarll , Southern Daily EchoHe's probably the funniest writer in English today....great themes with huge doses of comedy.
—— Chris Poole , South Wales Evening Post...bookshelves everywhere would be poorer without the Discworld.
—— The Western MailFunny and winning as ever.
—— Nottingham Evening Post...charming in every sense of the word. Beautifully written and at times highly comic, it is an extraordinary achievement...
—— Books for Keeps...crackles with energy and humour.
—— Leicester MercuryA new Terry Pratchett is always a big event and true-to-form Wintersmith is crackling with energy and humour.
—— Greenock TelegraphPratchett fans would love to find this under the Christmas tree.
—— Caroline Franklin , Newbury Weekly News...a delightful tale...
—— The Lady...wonderfully inventive...
—— Liverpool EchoThis is a really good book!
—— Sigurd Torsteinson, Craigmount High , Teen TitlesWintersmith is an entertaining mix of comic characters, clever diaogue and great atmosphere. It is a witty fantasy read with heights of imaginative writing that few authors can reach. There is real magic at work in Wintersmith.
—— Sunday Morning Post