A Hat Full of Sky
Encyclopedia
A Hat Full of Sky is a novel written by Terry Pratchett
set on the Discworld
, written with younger readers in mind. First published in 2004, it is set two years after The Wee Free Men
, and features an 11-year old Tiffany Aching
.
The book is also a sequel to the Discworld
short story "The Sea and Little Fishes
", which introduced the Witch Trials and Mrs Earwig. It is followed by Wintersmith
.
, a spirit that is an obsessive cleaner. She takes dislike to her studies, finding the work of the witches to be thankless, dull and pointless. They work long hours helping the sick, young or elderly who are not self-sufficient.
A Hiver, a mysterious and dangerous creature, enters Tiffany's mind causing her to abuse her powers of magic. It is explained that the Hiver does not change the way she acts, merely allows her to do what she would do without a conscience. Her fellow witches are worried by Tiffany's strange behavior and try to bring her back to herself.
The Nac Mac Feegle
arrive to help Tiffany and, along with Miss Level, enter Tiffany's mind in order to drive off the Hiver. With the help of Mistress Weatherwax
, Tiffany traps the Hiver and learns its true purpose, which is to seek shelter from the world, where it is aware of everything, or, as Tiffany calls it 'opening your eyes and opening them again'. Tiffany eventually leads it to Death
where it finally crosses the desert to the afterlife.
At the end of the novel, Tiffany returns to her home to take the place of her grandmother as witch for the people. A witch's hat is very important, because it lets other people know that you are a witch. However through the story it is revealed Tiffany does not need the traditional hat that she had been wearing as the sky forms her hat.
, based on 9,122 ratings. It has also received a Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2005), a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adolescent Literature (2005), an ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers (2005) and a Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award for Senior (2007).
! colspan="3" | Reading order guide
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
set on the Discworld
Discworld (world)
The Discworld is the fictional setting for all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld fantasy novels. It consists of a large disc resting on the backs of four huge elephants which are in turn standing on the back of an enormous turtle, named Great A'Tuin as it slowly swims...
, written with younger readers in mind. First published in 2004, it is set two years after The Wee Free Men
The Wee Free Men
The Wee Free Men, first published in 2003, is the second Story of The Discworld book for younger readers. A sequel, A Hat Full of Sky, appeared in 2004 , a third book, Wintersmith appeared in 2006, and the fourth, I Shall Wear Midnight, was released in September...
, and features an 11-year old Tiffany Aching
Tiffany Aching
Tiffany Aching is a fictional character in Terry Pratchett's satirical Discworld series of fantasy novels.Tiffany is a trainee witch whose growth into her job forms one of the many arcs in the Discworld series. She is the main character in The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, and I...
.
The book is also a sequel to the Discworld
Discworld
Discworld is a comic fantasy book series by English author Sir Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. The books frequently parody, or at least take inspiration from, J. R. R....
short story "The Sea and Little Fishes
The Sea and Little Fishes
The Sea and Little Fishes is a short story by Terry Pratchett, written in 1998. It is set in his Discworld universe, and features Lancre witches Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. It was originally published in a sampler alongside a story called "The Wood Boy" by Raymond E...
", which introduced the Witch Trials and Mrs Earwig. It is followed by Wintersmith
Wintersmith
This article is about the novel. For the Wintersmith himself, see the WintersmithWintersmith is the title of the third Tiffany Aching novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, published on the 21 September 2006...
.
Synopsis
A Hat Full of Sky revisits the young witch Tiffany Aching, who is preparing to leave home and learn witchcraft. Working with Miss Level to learn the use of plants, Tiffany becomes worried by a mysterious presence in the cottage. It turns out to be Oswald, an ondageist which is a sort of reverse poltergeistPoltergeist
A poltergeist is a paranormal phenomenon which consists of events alluding to the manifestation of an imperceptible entity. Such manifestation typically includes inanimate objects moving or being thrown about, sentient noises and, on some occasions, physical attacks on those witnessing the...
, a spirit that is an obsessive cleaner. She takes dislike to her studies, finding the work of the witches to be thankless, dull and pointless. They work long hours helping the sick, young or elderly who are not self-sufficient.
A Hiver, a mysterious and dangerous creature, enters Tiffany's mind causing her to abuse her powers of magic. It is explained that the Hiver does not change the way she acts, merely allows her to do what she would do without a conscience. Her fellow witches are worried by Tiffany's strange behavior and try to bring her back to herself.
The Nac Mac Feegle
Nac Mac Feegle
The Nac Mac Feegle are a type of fairy folk appearing in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels Carpe Jugulum, The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear...
arrive to help Tiffany and, along with Miss Level, enter Tiffany's mind in order to drive off the Hiver. With the help of Mistress Weatherwax
Granny Weatherwax
Esmerelda "Esme" Weatherwax is a fictional character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. She is a witch and member of the Lancre coven. She is the self-appointed guardian of her small country, and frequently defends it against supernatural powers...
, Tiffany traps the Hiver and learns its true purpose, which is to seek shelter from the world, where it is aware of everything, or, as Tiffany calls it 'opening your eyes and opening them again'. Tiffany eventually leads it to Death
Death (Discworld)
Death is a fictional character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and a parody of several other personifications of death. Like most Grim Reapers, he is a black-robed skeleton usually carrying a scythe...
where it finally crosses the desert to the afterlife.
At the end of the novel, Tiffany returns to her home to take the place of her grandmother as witch for the people. A witch's hat is very important, because it lets other people know that you are a witch. However through the story it is revealed Tiffany does not need the traditional hat that she had been wearing as the sky forms her hat.
Reception
The book currently has an average of 4.21/5 on GoodreadsGoodreads
Goodreads is a privately run "social cataloging" website started in December 2006 by Otis Chandler, a software engineer and entrepreneur. The website permits individuals to sign up and register books to create their library catalogs and reading lists. It also allows users to create their own...
, based on 9,122 ratings. It has also received a Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2005), a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adolescent Literature (2005), an ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers (2005) and a Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award for Senior (2007).
External links
! colspan="3" | Reading order guide