Not bad for a Pratchett ( )

My first non-Watch Discworld book. I really like Death as a character but none of the others really did it for me. Some things happened pretty abruptly, or too much off-camera. I also got lost for a bit because I mixed up two cities with very similar names. And it's not the book's fault, but I've never cared for that particular plot trope (the dramatic one, not the apprentice set-up). The development of the apprenticeship itself was very well done, however. ( )

Having read this many years ago and remembering little about it other than that I thought it was one of the best of the early discworld books, I decided that Mort was up for a re-read. The basic plot revolves around one of my favourite dsicworld characters - Death - who takes on an apprentice to whom he hands over the grim job of reaping souls. Overall I found the characterisation more superficial than in Pratchett's more reccent works. The storyline, once the plot device of Death taking on an apprentice is put into play, is rather mediocre (with a rather disappointing resolution to the story at the end). Pratchett is on song as far as the humour and the jokes are concerned. Overall this doesn't stand in the top rank of discworld novels, but in delving in the character of Death its still an essential read for Pratchett fans. ( )

Terry Pratchett here came up with one his three best characters. Ok, he didn't make him up, but the earnest deadpan characterisation, and the use of capitalisation to signify Death speaking works wonderfully well, and is a lot of fun.

Throw in one of his other best characters, the Librarian, and guaranteed to be decent.

A seemingly useless young boy becomes Death's apprentice. Silliness and adventure ensue.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/01... ( )

Death is looking for an apprentice. He ends up with an awkward, gangling lad, whose name happens to be Mort. Walking through walls, falling in love with princesses, interacting with Death's daughter, cook and horse, and interfering with the basis of reality are all part of Mort's new life with Death.

Not as hilariously funny as some of the Discworld books, but still pretty good. As always, Pratchett manages to comment obliquely on various aspects of our world with a dry humour. ( )