Carpe Jugulum

Discworld, Book 23

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Indira Varma, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy, Steven Cree

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook of Carpe Jugulum is narrated by Indira Varma (Game of Thrones; Luther; This Way Up). BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Steven Cree (Outlander; A Discovery of Witches) voices the Nac Mac Feegles. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.

''Carpe Jugulum,' read Agnes aloud. 'That's...well, Carpe Diem is Seize the Day, so this means -'

'Go for the throat....''

Vampires have come to Lancre, but they're not what you'd expect. Sure, they drink blood and view humans as dinner, but they're modern and sophisticated. They've got style and fancy waistcoats. And they're not a bit afraid of garlic.

The Magpyr family are out of the casket and want a bite of the future. But they haven't met the neighbours yet.

Between them and Lancre stand a coven of four - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat and young Agnes - and they don't take kindly to murderous intruders....

Carpe Jugulum is the sixth book in the Witches series, but you can listen to the Discworld novels in any order.

The first book in the Discworld series – The Colour of Magic – was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.

©1998 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An enduring, endearing presence in comic literature." (Guardian)

"Incredibly funny...compulsively readable." (The Times)

great narration

The narration is absolutely perfect and trully brings the characters to life. Worth listening to the audiobook even if you have already read the books.

Wonderful Listen

I normally listen to another narrator and was a little concerned but I am glad I went for this anyway. 10/10 couldn’t be happier with it. This story is so fun and unusual and I can’t recommend it enough.

Another genius Pratchett

Pratchett somehow outdid himself every time.
It's another 10/10 story in the amazing Witches Saga.

Voices are fantastic!!!

I wish I could give more stars to Indira Varna’s performance!! She has found all the voices! Granny, Nanny, Agnes, Perdita, Magrat and Igor are amazing with the latter two among my favorite Discworld readings.

Easily one of my top 10 stories

Absolutely amazing. So many great quotes, and interesting character developments. Definitely worthy of listening too several times.

Great book, great performance!

Love the witches! This might be my favorite of the books including them. Great performance!

Think 'Small Gods,' Not 'Lords & Ladies'

Many Terry Pratchett fans see Carpe Jugulum as a recycling of Lords and Ladies. Being a Witches of Lancre book with Granny Weatherwax and her crew, there are some undeniable similarities, but for me, it is a superior book to Lords and Ladies in many ways, but most of all for the plot line surrounding Brother Oats.

The conversations between Brother Oats and Granny Weatherwax allow Pratchett to revisit some of the religious and philosophical territories he touched on with Small Gods. The role that doubt plays in faith and other similar questions are treated with a combination of both levity and seriousness.

Also, Indira Varma's reading showed an understanding of the text and characters. Part of me wishes they had just let her do the whole thing.

It really is an excellent book, whether audio, virtual, or print.

Brilliant

One of Pritchett's finest.
One of narration's best.
The mood could not have been better portrayed better with oil, canvas and a fine hand.

Loved the book….

Though the narrators did a great job, I prefer the original narrator when it comes to the voices of death, the witches and the other main characters of the story.

I hope the next book returns the original narrator.

Another enjoyable and sadly the last of the witches series

I so enjoyed this story and once again the narrator(s) took me further into the story than my mind would have. Now to choose the next line of Disc World stories to enjoy. Wish Indira could have done them all.