Carpe Jugulum – Summary
Carpe Jugulum, the 23rd novel in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, is a witty and engaging tale set in the small mountainous country of Lancre. The story begins when King Verence II, in a misguided attempt at diplomacy, invites a family of vampires (or as they prefer, vampyres) from Uberwald to his daughter’s christening. This invitation sets off a chain of events that threatens the entire kingdom.
The Magpyr family, led by Count Magpyr, arrives in Lancre with the intention of not just attending the christening, but taking over the entire country. Using their vampiric powers of hypnosis and mind control, they begin to influence the population, making everyone believe that their impending rule is perfectly acceptable.
However, not everyone falls under their spell. The kingdom’s witches, particularly Agnes Nitt and her inner personality Perdita, along with the Omnian priest Mightily Oats, seem to be resistant to the vampires’ mind control. This resistance catches the attention of Vlad, the son of Count Magpyr, who becomes intrigued by Agnes and attempts to persuade her to join their ranks.
As the story unfolds, we see the witches of Lancre, including the formidable Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat (now Queen of Lancre), working to counter the vampire threat. The Magpyrs, who pride themselves on being “modern” vampires, have trained themselves to overcome traditional vampire weaknesses such as garlic and religious symbols.
The conflict escalates when the vampires manage to incapacitate Granny Weatherwax, the most powerful witch in Lancre. This turn of events forces the other characters to step up and find ways to defeat the vampires without their strongest ally.
Throughout the novel, Pratchett explores themes of faith, morality, and the nature of good and evil. The character of Mightily Oats, in particular, grapples with questions of belief and the role of religion in the face of tangible evil.
The story culminates in a battle of wits and will between the witches of Lancre and the Magpyr family, with the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance. Pratchett’s trademark humour, clever wordplay, and insightful commentary on human nature are woven throughout the narrative, making Carpe Jugulum a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Key themes:
- The nature of good and evil
- Faith and religion versus pragmatism
- Tradition versus modernity
- Free will and mind control
- The power of belief and self-perception
Character Details
Granny Weatherwax
Granny Weatherwax is the unofficial leader of the witches of Lancre and one of the most powerful characters in the Discworld series. Known for her stern demeanour and uncompromising nature, Granny is a master of “headology” – a form of psychology that relies on people’s beliefs and expectations. She’s fiercely intelligent, deeply principled, and not afraid to make difficult decisions. In Carpe Jugulum, Granny faces one of her greatest challenges when she’s temporarily incapacitated by the vampires, forcing her to confront her own vulnerabilities and the legacy she’ll leave behind.
Nanny Ogg
Nanny Ogg is another senior witch of Lancre, known for her jovial nature, love of food and drink, and extensive family connections. She’s more easy-going than Granny Weatherwax but no less formidable when the situation calls for it. Nanny’s practical wisdom and ability to connect with people make her an essential part of the witches’ efforts to combat the vampire threat.
Agnes Nitt
Agnes Nitt is the youngest of the Lancre witches, possessing a powerful singing voice and a split personality named Perdita. Her dual nature makes her resistant to the vampires’ mind control, putting her at the forefront of the conflict. Agnes struggles with self-confidence issues and the tension between her two personalities, which are explored further as she becomes the object of Vlad Magpyr’s attention.
Count Magpyr
The patriarch of the vampire family, Count Magpyr is a “modern” vampire who has trained himself and his family to overcome traditional vampire weaknesses. He’s cultured, sophisticated, and utterly ruthless in his ambition to take over Lancre. His approach to vampirism is almost scientific, seeing it as something to be improved and optimised.
Vlad Magpyr
The son of Count Magpyr, Vlad is attracted to Agnes due to her ability to resist his family’s mind control. He’s charming and seemingly more conflicted about his nature than his father, but still dangerous. Vlad represents a new generation of vampires, caught between tradition and modernity.
Mightily Oats
Mightily Oats is an Omnian priest who comes to Lancre to perform the christening ceremony. He struggles with his faith throughout the novel, questioning the nature of good and evil and the role of religion in the face of real-world challenges. His journey of self-discovery and faith is a central part of the story’s exploration of belief and morality.
Reader Fit
Carpe Jugulum would appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy with a healthy dose of humour and social commentary. Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series will find familiar characters and settings, but the book can also serve as a standalone entry point for new readers.
Those interested in witches, vampires, and the subversion of traditional fantasy tropes will particularly enjoy this novel.
It’s also a good fit for readers who appreciate stories that explore philosophical and moral questions in an accessible and entertaining way.
Quick Facts
Genre: Comic Fantasy
Publication Year: 1998
Reading Time Estimate: 8-10 hours
Notable Awards: None specific to this book, but Terry Pratchett won numerous awards for the Discworld series, including the Carnegie Medal in 2001
Related Books
- “Lords and Ladies” by Terry Pratchett (another Discworld novel featuring the Lancre witches)
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (a collaborative novel that shares Pratchett’s humorous take on good, evil, and the apocalypse)
- “The Wee Free Men” by Terry Pratchett (the first in the Tiffany Aching series, which introduces another young witch in the Discworld universe)
