Ov Mice and Magic is a fantasy novel written by Terry Pratchett. The book is part of the Discworld series, which is set on a flat world that is balanced on the backs of four elephants, which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle that is swimming through space. Ov Mice and Magic takes place in the city of Ankh-Morpork, a bustling and chaotic city filled with all manner of magical creatures and eccentric characters. The novel follows the adventures of a young boy named Maurice, who leads a group of intelligent rats. Maurice and the rats are involved in a scam where they pretend to be a magical piper, offering to rid towns of their rat infestations. However, the rats are not ordinary rodents - they have gained sentience and the ability to speak due to a magical accident.
However, the rats are not ordinary rodents - they have gained sentience and the ability to speak due to a magical accident. As the story progresses, Maurice and the rats end up in the town of Bad Blinheim, where they encounter a young girl named Malicia who dreams of becoming a wizard. Together, they uncover a plot by a group of evil rat catchers who are using magic to control and manipulate the rats.
I Married a Witch Is an Underrated Halloween Gem
If you’ve seen Hocus Pocus a million times, consider falling under the spell of this charming 1942 romantic comedy starring Veronica Lake.
October 30, 2017 Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch, 1942. From Everett Collection. Save this story Save this storyOn October 30, the spooky romantic comedy I Married a Witch celebrates its 75th anniversary. It’s a gem of a film that’s long been overlooked in favor of its witchy successors—yet much of its charm still sparkles all these decades later, thanks largely to the performance of its star, the sultry Veronica Lake.
Prior to the film’s release, Lake was one of Paramount’s newest starlets, with her instantly iconic blonde hair styled in a peek-a-boo part, and her leading roles in dramas like I Wanted Wings and Preston Sturges’s comedy Sullivan’s Travels. In I Married a Witch, helmed by the fantastical French filmmaker René Clair, Lake plays a colonial Salem-era witch named Jennifer who is burned at the stake alongside her father, then re-awakened hundreds of years later. Before her death, she casts a spell on the family of the man who burned them, cursing his descendants to always have rotten romances. Once she and her father’s spirits are free, they set forth to seek even more revenge. Jennifer tries to seduce the latest descendant, an aspiring politician named Wallace Wooley (Fredric March), with a love potion so that he will fall hopelessly in love with her. “I’ll treat him like a slave! I’ll make him suffer, body and soul!” she exclaims. Of course, her wicked plan goes awry almost instantly.
Lake’s performance is reason enough to revisit I Married a Witch all these years. She’s buoyant and effortless, with a deft ability to add just the right punctuation to all her punchlines. The dialogue is rife with easy but clever wordplay as well, thanks to its source material, an unfinished novel by Thorne Smith, and its screenwriters, Oscar winner Robert Pirosh and Pulitzer Prize winner Marc Connelly. (Preston Sturges was also a producer, initially, but left the project due to creative differences.) Lake makes the role her own, as does the rest of the knockout cast, which includes Susan Hayward as Wooley’s testy fiancée. Her shrewish characterization is a little sexist by modern standards, but Hayward—who went on to land five Oscar nods and one win in the years that followed this film—owns her scenes, grounding her character with sharp humor.
Contemporary viewers may also find themselves rolling their eyes a bit at Jennifer’s manic-pixie-dream-witch characterization—a slight offense to anyone allergic to mansplaining. Still, Lake holds and drives the picture, rather than March. He’s plenty charming, but stiff by comparison. (Lake would be pleased to hear that; the duo apparently did not get along off-screen, with March reportedly dubbing his co-star a “brainless little blonde sexpot.” Lake retorted by pulling pranks and calling him a “pompous poseur.”
The film is also brimming with classic witchy tropes, the sort that should be irresistible to anyone who counts kitschier later works like Hocus Pocus, The Witches of Eastwick, and Practical Magic among their favorites. Witch trials? Check. Cauldrons? Of course. Brooms flying through the night? Naturally! Considering the time it was produced, René Clair also did a fabulous job with the film’s minor special effects. There are charming little sight gags here and there—sentient brooms zipping along the floor; floating cars; huge, crackling fires that flare on and off with ease, thanks to Jennifer’s olde magick spells (which all rhyme, of course).
Ov Mice and Magic explores themes of identity, friendship, and the power of storytelling. The novel delves into questions about what it means to be intelligent and the ethics of using power for personal gain. Pratchett's witty and satirical writing style adds layers of humor and social commentary to the story, making it enjoyable for readers of all ages. Overall, Ov Mice and Magic is a charming and entertaining book that combines fantasy elements with deep and thought-provoking themes. It is a testament to Terry Pratchett's talent as a writer and his ability to create rich and vibrant worlds that draw readers in and keep them captivated until the very end..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of Ov Mice in Mythology and Magic"
1. Mark - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy reading "Ov Mice and Magic". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, with too many irrelevant subplots that didn't add anything to the overall story. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and inconsistent, making it hard to follow the flow of the narrative. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Ov Mice and Magic" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The writing was incredibly dull and lacked any creativity or originality. The story was incredibly predictable, with no surprises or twists to keep the reader engaged. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end, as I couldn't stand the slow pace and lack of excitement. Avoid this book if you are looking for an enjoyable and captivating read.
3. David - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ov Mice and Magic" but was ultimately disappointed. The world-building was sloppy and inconsistent, with too many unanswered questions. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the attempts at humor fell flat. The author's writing style was also quite repetitive, using the same phrases and descriptions over and over again. Overall, the book lacked originality and failed to live up to its potential.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - I was not a fan of "Ov Mice and Magic". The character development was weak, and it was difficult to feel invested in their journey. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in certain parts while rushing through others. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. I was hoping for a more engaging and fulfilling reading experience, but unfortunately, this book fell short.