Advantages: Rip roaring side splitting fun from start to finish Disadvantages: Not everyone can get Pterrys style.
Mort - Terry Pratchett.
~ About the Author ~
Terry Pratchett is one of the best known of Fantasy writers out there. He began writing in 1983, and when I first began reading his books (I read his second novel The Light Fantastic just after publication) no-one really knew who he was! It couldn't be more different today, and this has lead to one bizarre claim to fame - In the UK, he holds the record for the greatest number of books that are shoplifted! ... ...being dead was not compulsory, Mort accepted…….
Yes I know, this is straight off the back cover of the book - But it is one of those immortal lines that you just can't help but use when being asked about Mort! So I put my hands up and admit I've used it - But I just couldn't ignore it! Okay then, now onto my own words about it all….. This is a book set on the mythical Discworld, of which there are now at least 37 titles belonging to this series! ...
runetune 16.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mort - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Good characters | Stronger Story | Very Readable | Many Layers | Disadvantages: Not as funny as some of the books
...again he might just send Mort (his new apprentice) instead…..
As this, the fourth of the Discworld series begins, we meet Mortimer, a gangly lad who not only appears to be all elbows and knees, but also thinks about things rather more than is good for him. He's not a bad lad, just not the type his father wants working on the farm, and so he is taken to the hiring fare, in the hope that he might be suitable for a trade, any trade. Sadly, as the clock ... ...not (as you might think) Mort (although he obviously plays an important part), indeed it is that ultimate in undertakers, DEATH, who steals the show. In the three books previous to this one, we had only be shown glimpses of DEATH's character, in fact just enough to whet our appetites. In this book, however, DEATH comes into his own, his naivety, and lack of understanding of human emotions really shines through. I found DEATH to be such a complex ...
sandemp 02.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mort - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Will make you laugh and cry - possibly both at once Disadvantages: Not a lot
...the name of Mortimer, or Mort for short ("HOW APPROPRIATE"). After a short discussion, he is taken on.
So far, so good, and Mort's early days in Death's domain pass reasonably pleasantly, if you can call shovelling barrowloads of horse manure pleasant. The real problems set in when he is entrusted with THE DUTY, which is to say the nitty-gritty of actually separating souls from their erstwhile owners. He is given three jobs to do - the first is ... ...all the more so.
Mort works so well because the characters are well-rounded and eminently believable. Death is in many ways a desperately sad figure, always striving to understand the world of humans, but always falling that little bit short. He is hated and feared for what he is not, rather than accepted for what he is, and it is that difference that means he can never truly understand the human mind. Mort himself evolves convincingly as time goes ...
davidbuttery 22.07.2001 (23.07.2001)
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Advantages: Funny, fast paced, interesting side characters. Disadvantages: Silly?
Mort stands silently next to his father, the last remaining boy at the hiring fair. Approaching midnight it appears that no one is willing to take him on as an apprentice. His father told him all that thinking and reading of books put people off and perhaps he was right. Suddenly, a horse appears with a hooded figure aboard. Perhaps things will turn out all right after all…
"Mort" is Terry Pratchett's fourth Discworld novel. Sat on a flat, disc ... ...From the moment DEATH meets Mort and says the immortal line, "I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, he said, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY." You are hooked. Pratchett has a way of taking fantastical characters and giving them conventional situations that entertains even the most hardened of readers.
At 320 pages this a short but oh so funny novel packed with quotes. It is ideal for those yet to acquaint themselves with the Discworld phenomenon as no prior knowledge ...
Shortsharpshock 30.09.2005
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Advantages: Superbly written, very engaging, main focus is on Death, which is always nice. Disadvantages: Shorter than many of the later books
...say "Here, read this."
Mort is the book that I tend to chuck. In the eyes of most officiandos, Mort, the fourth book in the series, is where the Discworld really starts to pick up pace, and become what we now know it to be. And it's still a hell of a lot of people's favourite, even twenty-two books later.
Which says a lot for what an accomplished piece of work it is, as some of the later books have been stunning.
Mort tells the story of a young, ... ...next few weeks and months, Mort is gradually introduced to all aspects of the job, and is doing well, until one trip causes him to see the Princess Keli, with whom he falls immediately in love.
When Death finally entrusts Mort with what is onerously known as THE DUTY for the first time, Mort is distraught to learn that one of the souls he is about to reap is that of the Princess. Against all reason, and with little or no regard for the time-space ...
spacemonkey 07.11.2001
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...book I’m reviewing is called Mort and tells the story of a young lad who ends up being the apprentice of Death.
But first let me tell you a bit about Terry Prachett.
He lives in Somerset with his wife and daughter and grows carnivourous plants as a hobby. He was born in Buckinghamshire in 1948 and chose his career in writing, some other books he’s famous for are The Carpet people, mean’t for children but an excellent read if you get your hands ... ...you how great this book Mort is.
Mort is a young lad who is at the age where all young lads are taken into apprenticeship to learn a trade which will help them to get on in life. The only trouble is Mort is a gangley, clumsy and strange the sort of a child who seemed to think too much and didn’t get on with the job in hand.
He had a mind to discover the underlaying logic behind the universe which worried his parents, he should be grafting and working ...
Aquarian 18.01.2003
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Advantages: Humour throughout, solid characters, imaginative plot Disadvantages: You won't want to put it down!
...you are". Of course Mort (the apprentice who wonders why the sun doesn't come out at night when it would be more useful) makes rather a mess of separating souls from their bodies, at least at first. In particular, that of the Princess Keli who he would much rather die for than help die. It just doesn't seem fair to Mort, even though, as Death says, "There's no justice - just us". In the Great Library in Death's cottage Mort finds out what should ... ...or is it? When Death goes missing, it just adds to Mort's woes. Can he change the course of History?
This a superb book, highly entertaining, and not to be missed. If you've never read Pratchett before and wonder what all the fuss is about, start here. ...
TallTone 07.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mort - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: An excellent book especially for newcomers to Terry Pratchetts Discworld Disadvantages: not a one!
...I am truly addicted.
Mort was your typical country teenager all elbows and knees. His Father decided it was high time Mort found some useful employment and took him off to the Apprentice fair in Sheepridge. As the clock began to chime midnight, poor Mort was the only lad left, He and his father were about to leave when a mysterious man on a white charger rushes in and offers Mort a job. His father thinks he’s letting him go to a reputable undertaking ... ...everything pink and lacy. Mort has even been on a few “jobs” with Death and although it all seems a little well, morbid really, he reckons he can do a pretty good job with that scythe.
When Death lets Mort take a few easy jobs on his own that is when things start to go really wrong. In a misguided attempt to do good he decides not to send Princess Keli on to her next life as he thinks that a pretty young lady shouldn’t be murdered in her own bed. ...
VickyVickster 03.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mort - Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Some interesting characters (some more than others) Disadvantages: Bit silly in places but it's fun
Mort is the fourth book in the Discworld series.
The principal character is Death, as in the Grim Reaper. He doesn't kill people, he just helps the said person's soul into the afterlife (and there appears to be more than one afterlife depending on who dies) One thing needs to be made clear here - Death does *not* kill people. Well, not now, anyway - he was considerably less conscientious in the earliest novels. What he does do is the donkey work ... ...no one wants to take Mort on. His father told him that thinking and reading would put people off and it starts to make Mort think that he was right, but then a horse appears with a hooded figure who happens to be Death. After a brief discussion Mort becomes Death's appentice.
The early days of being with Death pass ok but clearing out the stables continuously is a bit too much for Mort. The problems arise when he is entrusted with the duty, which ...
foxymadam 03.02.2006
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Advantages: Terry's humour will keep you laughing for ages Disadvantages: some bits of the story gloomy
Mort is part of a series of different stories that all take place on the discworld. A planet as you guessed it in the shape of a disk which is held on top of a giant turtle named great A tuin. Most of the books have a lot of humor in them and Mort has a bit of gloom in it as well as humor. The book starts off when Mort who is not the smartest person in the world goes looking for work.When no one else will take him the grim reaper aka death decides ... ...Through out the book Mort goes through a transformation and almost slowly becomes death. He does not actually need to die in order to become death. One character I don't like is very much like the queen from black adder. Although I do enjoy terry humor in most the books I have read so far I found this a bit of a hard read. I would recommend you read this even though have given some disadvantages it still has a lot of funny lines in it. Please not ...
jonathan21 13.09.2009
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Advantages: Hilarity and suspense. Disadvantages: None
...apprentice, the aptly named Mort. Mort is a gangly youth, given to too much thinking, but he develops well under Deaths tutelage. In fact he becomes more and more Death-like while Death becomes more and more human - leading to the inevitable problems and final confrontation. With a supporting cast of royalty, wizards and even a sacrificial elephant the laughs come thick and fast, but the drama is there too. Pratchett makes the ridiculous come alive, ... ...less fantastic books. There are many wonderful books in this series, but Mort is one of the best. An ideal starting point if you've never read a Discworld novel. Even if you've never read a fantasy novel, so long as you have a sense of humour you'll love this book. ...
SallyAA 28.01.2001
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Advantages: unputdownable, funny, great style, strong characters Disadvantages: none
...around for a drink!
Mort is a young lad who needs an apprenticeship. He is totally inept at everything he does. In the end, he travels - with his father - to the local town to see if he can become an apprentice. As the day wears on, it becomes obvious that he is being overlooked by everyone.
I do not want to spoil the book for anyone, so I will not tell you much more, except that Mort becomes Death's apprentice and that is where the fun really ... ...to walk through walls, "kill" a few people, and even get married. Timelines are all over the place (intentionally) and confusion does reign at times.
I would suggest that this is actually a very good book in the series to start with. If you do enjoy this book, you will love Reaper Man (Death is missing, presumed.... missing!).
Something needs to be said about Pratchett's style of writing. It is extremely fluid and graceful, and it is very easy ...
pob0782 04.10.2003
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...to hire some help, and MORT happens to be looking for a apprentice job, which in the end DEATH offers to him, this is the basics of the story how ever along the way DEATH happens to go missing for a short time leaving MORT in charge of collecting the souls of the dead a job he actually really doesnt like doing. The story is full of funny momnets along the way and DEATH is a marvel in this book you really get to love him.
CHARACTERS:
Well in this ... ...books of course we meet MORT not to mention DEATH and his adoptive daughter YSABELL and there chef ALBERT and deaths horse BINKY.
MORT - in this book the main character is MORT well i mean the book is named after him so he must be important, he becomes DEATH apprentice and really doesnt seem to like the job all that much, not to mention the fact hes all ways curious about most things which winds DEATH up.
DEATH - weve read about him in the previous ...
grimworld 13.08.2005
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Advantages: Exiting and fast paced Disadvantages: Not as funny as it could be
...he offered him a job. Mort waited until almost midnight on the night where workers chose thier apprentices. Desparately hopeful waiting until the last chime and finally Death came along. After being assured that being dead is not compulasry he takes the apprentiship once Death has cleared it whith his father.
He goes for the rounds with Death until he finally has gained enough trust to go alone, then things start to go wrong.
His first 'charge' ... ...In the mean time, Mort is to afraid to tell Death of his mistake, so makes it his personal mission to put things right. With the help of Deaths adopted daughter and his butler they try to sort their way through the mess that Mort has created.
This is an inderesting story, not the most exiting characters, but you get to know Death well through the others. His daughter Ysabell seems to bring out the traits of Mort and enhance his character as the ...
suzieisme 28.05.2007
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Quick review of Mort - Terry Pratchett
My husband introduced me to Terry Pratchett's Disc World books and this one was the 1st one that I read. It was very slow for me to understand (Im not a great reader), but once I did, it had me captivated & lost in my own imagination. I was imagining being part of the book, what the characters looked like, sounded like.......... I read this book in 2 days (which for me is really good, because I dont really read books), I just couldnt put it down. Its the first book that Ive finished in years.
Ive actually loaned the book to one of my friends, who is currently enjoying it too. Like myself she isnt really a big reader, but it has her captivated too.
So if you are considering reading or buy this book, I would highly recommend you do. ...
sweetmummy 05.10.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mort - Terry Pratchett