This fifth Discworld tale ( Mort ), about a barely averted apocalypse there, reasserts Pratchett's adroitness as a storyteller. Inventive, satirical of the contemporary scene, Pratchett does not merely play with words, he juggles shrewd observations with aplomb. His creations are gently allegorical: for instance, the Unseen University Library is the repository of magic, its librarian an orangutan and its archchancellorship reserved for the most powerful magician, a "sourcerer" named Coin. But the author never takes himself or his message too seriously, and maintains a feather-light touch throughout. Even Death, an important minor character here, receives a distinctive voice. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Superb popular entertainment. -- _-- _Washington Post Book World
"Think J.R.R. Tolkien with a sharper, more satiric edge." -- _-- _Houston Chronicle
Description:
From Publishers Weekly
This fifth Discworld tale ( Mort ), about a barely averted apocalypse there, reasserts Pratchett's adroitness as a storyteller. Inventive, satirical of the contemporary scene, Pratchett does not merely play with words, he juggles shrewd observations with aplomb. His creations are gently allegorical: for instance, the Unseen University Library is the repository of magic, its librarian an orangutan and its archchancellorship reserved for the most powerful magician, a "sourcerer" named Coin. But the author never takes himself or his message too seriously, and maintains a feather-light touch throughout. Even Death, an important minor character here, receives a distinctive voice.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Superb popular entertainment. -- _-- _Washington Post Book World
"Think J.R.R. Tolkien with a sharper, more satiric edge." -- _-- _Houston Chronicle