Mort: Introduction by Neil Gaiman: 4 (Discworld Novels, 4) Paperback – 25 April 2019

As this review seems to be copied onto the reviews for both Mort and Hogfather I will put both reviews here.MortThe forth Discworld novel, `Mort' is the first to centre on the character of Death and is probably my favourite of the early Discworld books. The story sees Death take on an apprentice called Mort who begins to learn the trade and get to know the eccentric members of Death's household. Things get more complicated though when, on his first solo mission, Mort makes a decision that could derail the course of history but with Death becoming more human and Mort becoming less so things only go from bad to worse.The series of Discworld books that focus on Death and his family are my favourite of the Discworld series and while this book is probably the weakest of that series it is still one of the better books from the early novels. The plot is good and the characters are all as interesting as you would expect from Discworld characters. Death himself is easily the best character in the book and this book is where he first starts becoming one of the best characters in the Discworld series. The style of writing is still not as polished as some of the later books but it is still recognisably Terry Pratchett.HogfatherThe year is ending, and the Discworld is gearing up for Hogswatch, the Disc’s version of Christmas. Something is different this year as the role of Hogfather, the Disc’s Santa Claus, is being played by a certain skeleton who is more comfortable on a white horse and carrying a scythe than with riding a flying sleigh and giving out gifts. After a fateful encounter on Hogswatch Night, Susan Sto Helit is determined to get to the bottom of things, with the help of some wizards and the Oh God of Hangovers.The twentieth novel in the 'Discworld' series, and the fourth to focus on Death’s household, 'Hogfather' has been one of my favourite 'Discworld' books since I first read it and after rereading it again for Christmas this year I must say that it is still a truly excellent book. Written in Pratchett’s brilliantly easy to read style, the book is incredibly engaging and is difficult to put down in places. The characters are al very interesting and it was this book that cemented death granddaughter Susan as one of my favourite fictional characters. The main antagonist of the novel, Mr. Teatime, is also a very nicely written and totally unhinged villain. Taking place during the Discworld’s version of Christmas, the book references, deconstructs and pokes fun at many different yuletide stories, tropes and clichés in Pratchett’s typically intelligent yet irreverent manner. If I had to criticise the book at all I would say that it is somewhat slow to start, but it does more than make up for it as the book goes along and the somewhat philosophical denouncement by Death towards the end of the book is one of my favourites from any book I have read.'Hogfather' is a truly brilliant book and is well worth a full five stars at the very least.

BRILLIANT READ FANTASTIC

According to many, this is the book where the author really got into his stride with his Discworld novels, and that the first three were appetisers. I'm not sure about that. It certainly runs on well from the earlier books, and as usual, you can easily read it as a standalone, although having read the previous volumes, you have a bit of a headstart concerning Discworld, and some of its places and inhabitants. The main characters in this episode are Death - who we have met in previous stories - and Mort, to whom Death offers an apprenticeship. I won't go into the story, as it would spoil it for you, but it is well written, well paced, and had - for me - a few geniune 'laugh out loud' moments.I have enjoyed all four books I have now read in the series, and although this one is perhaps a little better plotted and paced, I would urge you to read them in order, as they make more sense that way. There are some great characters - Death is a wonderful creation - and many events do actually make you stop and think. Certainly Discworld is imaginary, but imagined worlds always allow authors to reflect on our own, real world.

Very funny excellent read

Death wants to understand humankind or at least he wants to try to understand humankind. To this end, he decides to have an apprentice and Mortimer, who goes by Mort, is the "lucky" one who accepts the offer. But maybe Death's affairs are too much for a human. After all, humans are taught to believe in justice and that pretty women shouldn't die young...I loved Equal Rites and I wasn't expecting to like this one as much, specially because the main characters have nothing to do with witches. But this book is hilarious and Death has the best lines such as "I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, he said, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY." Glutton wizard Cutwell is also a great addition and even though the end is again something that happens out of nowhere, I was too amused to be bothered by the sudden change of pace. I enjoyed this story immensely and I hope to see Death in other Discworld books. Maybe not on duty, though.

A book about Death's love for life, so there you go...

‘Death comes to us all. When he came to Mort, he offered him a job. ….‘Terry Pratchett’s ‘Mort’ was originally published in 1987. It is Book 4 of The Discworld series and Book 1 of the Death series. I had originally read its paperback edition in 1988 though have long wanted to reread. I complemented my reading with its unabridged audiobook narrated by Nigel Planer.After failing to be chosen at an apprentice fayre, Mort and his father are stopped on the road by a black-cloaked skeleton. Death, the Grim Reaper of the Discworld, offers Mort an apprenticeship. He accepts as there’s job security, free board, use of the company horse, and best of all being dead isn’t compulsory.Mort slowly adapts to his new responsibilities yet on his first solo mission gets himself into a spot of bother. He has to correct the situation before the boss finds out and receives unexpected assistance from Death’s daughter, Ysabell.Death is one of my favourite Discworld characters and this novel was just so much fun. I was frequently in tears of laughter. The banter between teenagers Mort and Ysabell was especially amusing.The Discworld always delights and Terry Pratchett was so skilled in sending up various fantasy tropes alongside social satire. I plan to reread others in the series in the near future.On a side note, I was pleased to see that the publishers have retained Josh Kirby’s iconic cover art.Highly recommended.

Such a great book, love the Story, love the pace and the action. So much to learn and so much to laught about.

First novel of Terry Pratchett in the Discworld series to focus on the character of Death, a civil servant on the Discworld. The title is the name of its main character: in French, mort means "death".Mort is a teenager who's personality and temperament makes him unsuited to the family farming business. So his father takes him to a local hiring fair in the hope that Mort will land an apprenticeship and possibly a good profession. Just before the last stroke of midnight, Death arrives and takes Mort on as an apprentice. And as the story goes, the rest is history. Great book!

I truly enjoyed this book, it's now one of my favorites from Pratchett. Many big laughs, quirky environments, and not too confusing metaphysical stuff going on. I especially love reading EVERYTHING that Death says haha, that character is amazing. I'm reading the second book in the Death series, Reaper Man, now and the character is just as good there.

It’s impossible to do justice to reviewing a classic. The Death series and character is my favourite in Pratchett’s disc world, maybe followed by the wizards. Who knew the grim-reaper’s story could be so sweet?Somehow Pratchett draws almost every character, however fearsome, as a public servant, just trying (not overly hard) to get by. Only the women are powerful and determined in these books, even when inclined to frills.You just can’t beat the scene of Death interviewing for a job, seeking something with cats and flowers.The use of capitals as Death’s voice is hilarious and so clever, adding a third dimension to two-dimensional words on a page. I wish Pratchett had lived to turn the world of texting and tweets on its head in the same way as he did with these books.Pratchett builds relationships between the characters with the barest line or two, almost incidentally or outside the narrative, yet with complete conviction.The poetic rambling writing, while seemingly leading to nowhere, other than to footnotes, builds an incredible story and powerful characters. In Pratchett’s beautifully unassuming way, this book is, simply, masterful.In this, Pratchett’s cynical witty honest world, where “there is no justice, only ME” (Death), where there is no way Mort can win, Death delivers the most unexpectedly just end. With hardly any death. Poetic justice at its finest.Only Pratchett could write about death and eternity in this way. It’s bittersweet reading this when Pratchett has passed. Few people leave behind this kind of creative, enjoyable, thought-provoking legacy.That’s the best inadequate review I can give.

Muy divertida novela de Pratchett, excelente historia y desarollo. ¿De las mejores del universo? No lo creo, pero ciertamente una novela que entretendrá a quien tenga la fortuna de leerla.