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graciegoldfish's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lee_anne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
crazysomethingnormal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
hairyblenny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
the_reader_mommy's review against another edition
5.0
****Long review alert!****
My first thought after I turned the last page was: why didn't I read this book earlier?
No, seriously. Mort is one of the most absurd books I have read. It made me laugh so much (and gave an "I am Iron Man" moment, too).
So, first, let me get the reasons for why I didn't read this book earlier out of the way:
1) Discworld is a series of 41 books,
2) Discworld is a series of 41 books, and
3) Discworld is a series of 41 books.
Let that sink in.
Okay, so, now that is cleared, the next issue that needs to be addressed is: why did I start reading it?
1) I have always, ALWAYS heard only positive things about Sir Terry Pratchett (and Discworld),
2) I have a penchant for reading series - the longest series I have attempted, though, is The Princess Diaries,
3) I usually pick up incomplete series and wait interminably for the next book (looking at you, GRRM) while completed series glare at me balefully. And this is a complete series!!
4) I have, sometimes, this craving to do absolutely crazy things (like reading a Chetan Bhagat novel and hoping it will be good, or reading Harry Potter and trying not to cry when Dumbledore dies, or putting my finger in my cat's mouth and wondering if he will bite, or sleeping at 4 am when I have to be up at 7 am. The list goes on, but I don't want to bore the pants off anyone now).
So, back to Mort.
I was oscillating between Discworld and Wheel of Time, both apparently top-notch. Then, because WoT has only 12 books (or is it 14?), I decided on Discworld which is the inverse of 14 (Inverse of 14 as in 41, not 1/14 or -14 or anything).
Now to the story.
Mort is a naive 16-year-old who is the dread of his father. He thinks too much and isn't too capable of working well on a farm. So, his father carts him off to the market where he hopes he can fob Mort off on somebody who will be (stupid enough or) ready to take him on as an apprentice.
And who should choose Mort than Death himself?
With Death as his master, Mort quickly learns the ways of the world ("THERE'S NO JUSTICE. THERE'S JUST ME.").
Death has a black kingdom with a black "castle", black cabbages with a hint of purple, a daughter named Ysabell (what??), and a surly-but-sometimes-helpful cook called Albert. It's cold and dark but Mort is fed and clothed and taken on Duty by Death on his horse, Binky (honestly, the name of the horse set me off giggling for around 5 minutes. Binky?? Death's horse???).
But when he thinks he has finally settled down, something crazy happens and everything goes for a toss, even Death's carefully maintained ledger. There are things happening that can be cataclysmic to the entire fabric of Reality.
I never thought I would read a book where Death was portrayed as a positive (or at least, greyish) character. It was, of course, one of the reasons I picked the book - I was intrigued by the premise of Death being a central character. But Death is beautifully flawed, just like humans are. Probably more because he is so alone.
Mort, always looking for recognition (and not getting it at all till the end - he's always "BOY" or "LAD", never "MORT"), is another sensitive character. Ysabell is a strong woman though I found her volte-face a bit intriguing. Alfred, Keli, and Cutwell are hilarious. There is also a character called Rincewind (cameo) who apparently has his own stories in the series as well.
What can I say about the book that hasn't already been said? I accept that it isn't the best of literary fiction - there are no flowing passages describing mountains as our protagonists walk along. But it is one book where the humour is spontaneous. It will make you laugh over and over again, including the footnotes at the end. I imagine this is how a protege of P.G. Wodehouse and J.R.R. Tolkien would probably write - irreverent and epic at the same time.
And if this is one of the earlier books of the series, I am bloody well going to finish the entire series, if it takes me my whole life (I am only 35. Not going anywhere soon, except if Death comes to take me).
4.75 stars!
P.S. The time it took me to read Mort has nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my procrastination and checking WhatsApp messages when I was supposed to be reading.
blog
My first thought after I turned the last page was: why didn't I read this book earlier?
No, seriously. Mort is one of the most absurd books I have read. It made me laugh so much (and gave an "I am Iron Man" moment, too).
So, first, let me get the reasons for why I didn't read this book earlier out of the way:
1) Discworld is a series of 41 books,
2) Discworld is a series of 41 books, and
3) Discworld is a series of 41 books.
Let that sink in.
Okay, so, now that is cleared, the next issue that needs to be addressed is: why did I start reading it?
1) I have always, ALWAYS heard only positive things about Sir Terry Pratchett (and Discworld),
2) I have a penchant for reading series - the longest series I have attempted, though, is The Princess Diaries,
3) I usually pick up incomplete series and wait interminably for the next book (looking at you, GRRM) while completed series glare at me balefully. And this is a complete series!!
4) I have, sometimes, this craving to do absolutely crazy things (like reading a Chetan Bhagat novel and hoping it will be good, or reading Harry Potter and trying not to cry when Dumbledore dies, or putting my finger in my cat's mouth and wondering if he will bite, or sleeping at 4 am when I have to be up at 7 am. The list goes on, but I don't want to bore the pants off anyone now).
So, back to Mort.
I was oscillating between Discworld and Wheel of Time, both apparently top-notch. Then, because WoT has only 12 books (or is it 14?), I decided on Discworld which is the inverse of 14 (Inverse of 14 as in 41, not 1/14 or -14 or anything).
Now to the story.
Mort is a naive 16-year-old who is the dread of his father. He thinks too much and isn't too capable of working well on a farm. So, his father carts him off to the market where he hopes he can fob Mort off on somebody who will be (stupid enough or) ready to take him on as an apprentice.
And who should choose Mort than Death himself?
With Death as his master, Mort quickly learns the ways of the world ("THERE'S NO JUSTICE. THERE'S JUST ME.").
Death has a black kingdom with a black "castle", black cabbages with a hint of purple, a daughter named Ysabell (what??), and a surly-but-sometimes-helpful cook called Albert. It's cold and dark but Mort is fed and clothed and taken on Duty by Death on his horse, Binky (honestly, the name of the horse set me off giggling for around 5 minutes. Binky?? Death's horse???).
But when he thinks he has finally settled down, something crazy happens and everything goes for a toss, even Death's carefully maintained ledger. There are things happening that can be cataclysmic to the entire fabric of Reality.
I never thought I would read a book where Death was portrayed as a positive (or at least, greyish) character. It was, of course, one of the reasons I picked the book - I was intrigued by the premise of Death being a central character. But Death is beautifully flawed, just like humans are. Probably more because he is so alone.
Mort, always looking for recognition (and not getting it at all till the end - he's always "BOY" or "LAD", never "MORT"), is another sensitive character. Ysabell is a strong woman though I found her volte-face a bit intriguing. Alfred, Keli, and Cutwell are hilarious. There is also a character called Rincewind (cameo) who apparently has his own stories in the series as well.
What can I say about the book that hasn't already been said? I accept that it isn't the best of literary fiction - there are no flowing passages describing mountains as our protagonists walk along. But it is one book where the humour is spontaneous. It will make you laugh over and over again, including the footnotes at the end. I imagine this is how a protege of P.G. Wodehouse and J.R.R. Tolkien would probably write - irreverent and epic at the same time.
And if this is one of the earlier books of the series, I am bloody well going to finish the entire series, if it takes me my whole life (I am only 35. Not going anywhere soon, except if Death comes to take me).
4.75 stars!
P.S. The time it took me to read Mort has nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my procrastination and checking WhatsApp messages when I was supposed to be reading.
blog
lorenz32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dany_casimiro's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
johannes_z's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jsoakes's review against another edition
3.0
Discworld is rapidly becoming my go-to series for a pick-me-up. Whenever I need a laugh and a world I can lose myself in for a bit. This one hit the spot. Delightful.