Once upon a time, in a small town called Willowbrook, there lived a witch named Agatha. Agatha was not your typical witch, as she had a penchant for modern technology and gadgets. She spent hours tinkering with various devices and was especially fond of her latest creation - a witch on a vacuum cleaner. Agatha had always been fascinated by the idea of combining magic with mundane objects, and the idea of riding a vacuum cleaner through the town seemed too good to pass up. She had enchanted a regular household vacuum cleaner to hover above the ground and move at incredible speeds. It was a sight to behold, a witch flying on a vacuum cleaner! Every afternoon, as the sun began to set, Agatha would mount her enchanted vacuum cleaner and zoom through the streets of Willowbrook.
A non-Discworld book, Good Omens, his 1990 collaboration with Neil Gaiman, has been a longtime bestseller and was reissued in hardcover by William Morrow in early 2006 (it is also available as a mass market paperback - Harper Torch, 2006 - and trade paperback - Harper Paperbacks, 2006).
Regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire OBE for services to literature in 1998, and has received honorary doctorates from the University of Warwick in 1999, the University of Portsmouth in 2001, the University of Bath in 2003, the University of Bristol in 2004, Buckinghamshire New University in 2008, the University of Dublin in 2008, Bradford University in 2009, the University of Winchester in 2009, and The Open University in 2013 for his contribution to Public Service. Born Terence David John Pratchett, Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter.
It was a sight to behold, a witch flying on a vacuum cleaner! Every afternoon, as the sun began to set, Agatha would mount her enchanted vacuum cleaner and zoom through the streets of Willowbrook. The townspeople would gather at their windows, amazed at the sight of a witch flying so effortlessly on a household appliance. Children would cheer and wave, hoping for Agatha to perform a spell or display some magical trick.
Review: The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find there is nothing better than to read a short story. You get the complete reading experience – from the curiosity at the beginning that peaks your interest, to the adventurous middle that just won’t let you put a story down, to the (hopefully) satisfying conclusion – and you can do it in one quick sitting. Sometimes it is just nice not to have to wait. Since May is Short Story month, I’ve been looking for just such stories to share.
If you are looking for some magical stories – but nothing in the line of the dark and disturbing, then Terry Pratchett’s stories compiled in this volume, will fill the need perfectly. It is lovely pure silliness. As the title informs, we learn about a witch that rides a vacuum cleaner. There are miniature people riding about in walnut-shell submarines. Ant #4179003 wonders about the meaning of life.
Pratchett gives us all the popular themes – cowboys and pirates; witches and magicians. However, each time we enter a story, we get something unexpected and fun. I also like that in several of Pratchett’s stories, we are reunited with familiar characters. I happen to love when short stories, which I expect to be able to stand as a story alone, also intertwine with one another. It’s like getting the best of both worlds. You get the quick satisfaction of a short story along with the deeper involvement and emotional connections of a novel.
You can learn more about Terry Pratchett’s works at: https://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/
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It’s becoming a real nuisance – and he’s allergic to rabbits.
The witch on a vacuum cleaner quickly became a beloved fixture of the town. Agatha would use her powers to put on shows for the townspeople, conjuring fireworks in the night sky or creating colorful illusions that would dance along the streets. She brought a sense of magic and wonder to what was otherwise an ordinary town. But beyond the entertainment factor, Agatha had a greater purpose for her contraption. She used the vacuum cleaner to help keep the town clean and free from any magical messes. With a wave of her wand, she would suck up any mystical residue or potion spills, leaving the streets sparkling and pristine. Agatha's witch on a vacuum cleaner became an inspiration for others in the town. She showed that magic and technology could coexist, and that one's passion and imagination can lead to incredible things. Many townspeople began their own experiments, merging old traditions with modern innovations. Years went by, and even as Agatha grew older, she continued to ride her vacuum cleaner through the town of Willowbrook. The children who first marveled at her became adults, passing on the stories of the legendary witch on a vacuum cleaner to their own children. Agatha's legacy lived on, and her creation remained a symbol of magic, innovation, and community. The town of Willowbrook would forever remember the witch on a vacuum cleaner as a reminder that even the most ordinary objects can be transformed into something extraordinary with a little bit of magic and imagination..
Reviews for "Spellbinding Tricks: Become a Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner" based on all the rave reviews, but I was left sorely disappointed. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also a bit clunky and awkward, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner" because the plot was so convoluted and confusing. It seemed like the author was trying to cram too many ideas into one book, resulting in a jumbled mess. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of action that didn't make much sense. I found myself constantly having to reread paragraphs just to understand what was going on. Definitely not a book I would recommend.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner" started off promising, but quickly lost my interest. The main character was supposed to be this powerful witch, but she was portrayed as weak and constantly needing rescuing. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. The overall story felt disjointed, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout. I was really hoping for a fun and magical read, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While "Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner" had an intriguing premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers. The pacing was also slow, with long descriptive passages that didn't add much to the story. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me wanting more resolution. Overall, it had potential, but didn't quite deliver the magical experience I was hoping for.
5. David - 2 stars - I struggled to connect with any of the characters in "Witch on a Vacuum Cleaner". They lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The writing style felt amateurish, with awkward sentences and repetitive phrases. The plot also seemed predictable and uninspired, with no real surprises or twists. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.