Read All About It: Mort

Welcome back to the fantastically confusing and rousing Discworld, where we greet Death as an old friend, watch him struggle with the young-uns, and get a small glimpse at Rincewind once more!

I continue to enjoy these novels immensely! Recently, I saw a Twitter thread that recommended that you should not start with The Color of Magic, the first novel of the series chronologically. The series is not much changed if you start with another novel--there are some novels grouped together in character arcs, but not all, and there is no reason you have to start with The Color of Magic. I prefer reading things in order, so I did start at the beginning, and I don't regret it--but if you go into this series expecting certain things, you aren't going to enjoy it. If you sit back and let Sir Terry Pratchett's exquisite imagination wash over you, you're in for a rousing ride--so hold on, pick up a book (whichever one you like), and enjoy the roller coaster!

Death is in need of an apprentice, and he finds this in the form of Mort--and definitely gets more than he bargained for. Mort isn't the brightest, isn't the strongest, isn't particularly great at anything; Mort just really wants to make his family happy, and maybe find someone to love along the way. His new job, though? It's murder on his love life.

Mort deals with a horse name Binky, Death's adopted daughter, a princess, and a series of hard jobs in his line of work, all the while learning Death's job and helping Death get some free time.

Death is definitely one of my favorite characters, and I love how he is "human-ized" in this novel, and how we see him struggling with the pressure of his own job. Dealing with the deaths on Discworld is a heavy job, and Death is really the only one up for it. He speaks strangely (in all caps), carries a large scythe, and has a solemn duty that has been going since the beginning of life, and will continue to the end of it.

Meanwhile, Mort is interesting, because we get to see him growing as a boy into a man into an avatar of death, all the while dealing with the attention that comes with it. His situation is continuously humorous, because Mort isn't the sharpest at dealing with others, so we get a few good laughs out of his interactions with others.

This novel adds some levity to the slight insanity of Discworld, and adds some much-needed seriousness to a series that is focused on making you laugh. I really enjoyed this addition because of its characters, themes, and blink-and-you-miss-it touches, from a tiny reference to American Gods, a reunion with Rincewind, and more wizard hats than need to be mentioned. Mort is a fun, easy read, and highly enjoyable if you're looking for some light philosophy while you read about the Discworld's almost casual relationship with (D)death.

Sir Pratchett combines twisted fantasy impossibilities, humor, and uncertain subjects to create a universe that ensnares his audience and keeps them off-balance and waiting for more. His characters are complex but understandable, and Discworld is unlike any other fantasy world I've ever seen. His writing occupies an unmatched space in the realm of strange fiction, laughter, and serious subjects.

The next novel (chronologically published) is Sourcery--look forward to seeing that review very soon! In the mean time, keep your ears peeled for anyone speaking in all caps--and don't try and stop them from doing their job!