LORDS AND LADIES

So you think elves are handsome and high-minded, or cute, cuddly, and bring good luck? Nope. Elves are vicious and sadistic, and they stink, according to Pratchett's latest Discworld fantasy romp (Soul World, 1994, etc.), and only their magical glamour enables them to bamboozle humans into believing the opposite. So when the horrid elves threaten to invade, only the savvy witches Granny Weatherwax and Noann Ogg, somewhat assisted by the bumbling wizards of Unseen University, can save the Discworld. As always, Pratchett's brand of comedy has an agreeably wry, self-deprecating quality: "The chieftain had been turned into a pumpkin, although, in accordance with the rules of universal humor, he still had his hat on." A so-so addition to a mostly hilarious series.