Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 3 Questions

Q11. Do you think Mort is physically changing? When it says, "The gargoyle looked up into his face and suddenly felt like a very frightened doorknocker indeed, Mort's eyes glowed like crucibles, his expression was a furnace, his voice held enough enough to melt iron. It didn't know what he could do, but felt that it would prefer not to find out." - it seems these may be actual physical manifestations. With the photo Mort sees soon after with the wizard Cutwell, do you think that was originally Death in the photo before a transformation?
Yes, he's physically changing as well as mentally it seems. He's quite different than at the beginning of the story.
I didn't think the photo was one of Death; I had another suspicion at the time...

Q12. What do you think about the plot point where Keli is dead, but is not? Do you think this was a clever twist of the author or do you find it a confusing jumble? How will this affect the story and will Death find out what actually happened and react?
It's a pretty clever way to show that you can't best not trifle with history haha. I'm sure Terry Pratchett will end the story with a point he wants to make.

Q13. There suddenly seems to be sign that Death may be playing matchmaker of sorts with Mort and his 'daughter'. Are you surprised, and what do you think will happen with the relationship between him and Ysabel?
No, I'm not surprised since I'm sure he can relate with Ysabel's loneliness. However I agree that Mort and Ysabel's relationship feels more like how siblings would interact.

Q14. Do you think that before Mort was chosen by Death, that he was a normal boy? Do you think he must have some wizard properties buried or are his "abilities" gathered from being Death's apprentice? What do you think about Mort attracting death's attention - what is so special about him?
I had questions about that too. It's not a coincidence that Mort's name is Mort. I think Death chose him on purpose.

Q15. Mort seems to be getting a bit homesick after his day off, and Death is changing his tune as well. What do you think about Death's new adventures to experience some human experiences, try to understand fun and how humans behave?
It's funny but also relatable in the sense that some activities humans do for fun are quite ridiculous if you think about it. I like Death's rational/down-to-earth's approach, it makes it funny.

DQs Day 2

Q6 - Mort walked through the walls a few times but couldn't when he tried to get into the castle. Why do you think this happened?
I agree with everyone here. He can do it subconsciously but when he actually wants to do it and concentrates, it doesn't work. I find that's quite typical in life.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
What I've noticed so far in the Discworld is that wizards' skills are quite unreliable. They're all pretty clumsy but quite funny. Witches have been proven to be a bit more effective with their "headology" so far.

Q8 - The Abbot has been reincarnated 53 times. The concept of reincarnation is an interesting one. If you were to be born again what life would you choose?
I had the impression that he found it exhausting going through it over and over again. I'm content with one life, however if I really have to I would preferably be reincarnated in a solitary animal far away from human civilization and their pollution. Sammy's suggestion of a bear seems a good option.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
No, but are we ever ready when we do something that's completely new to us? He was baptized by fire but it was inevitable. By making mistakes he will learn. I'm pretty sure after what he did, he won't do it again.

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
She's just lonely and she's living vicariously through other people's lives.

Captains, you may put me down for task #165 if no one else claims it. I will pick up Paladin's Grace after my current reads for rodent on cover :)

DQs Day 1: (end: "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'"19% / Page 52)

1. Mort is nothing if not determined. He refuses to give up on being a “prentice” until the last stoke of midnight. Then at the very last second, Death arrives for him. Do you think Mort was quick to take the apprenticeship perhaps from feeling humiliated at the days events or was it something that truly intrigued him? Would you have been willing to work for Death?
I agree with what has been mentioned in the previous answers. It was a combination of the offer of apprenticeship being a last chance and him being intrigued by the job. I wouldn't be able to pass that kind of opportunity, I'm way to curious so yes, I would.

2. Death has a sarcastic tone during this first section. What do you think of his fawning over Mort to ensure he gets new clothes and food and Death eating with him like a regular guy? Is he up to something sinister or does he just want to make Mort comfortable?
Death is basically a good "person" and wants people to feel comfortable around him. Additionally he likes cats so in my book that makes him pretty awesome lol

3. Mort may be a bit gangly and lost in his own head at times, but he seems to have a lot of compassion. Upon realizing that he was talking to Death, he asked him to spare his Dad. Later he tries to intervene and warn the King that he was about to be killed and finally on that same trip he wanted to tell the King’s daughter not to trust the Duke. What did you think of all that? Are these normal reactions to someone who is the apprentice to Death? Do you think it will continue as Mort sees more and more of Death’s duty?
That's completely understandable from Mort, as someone who feels empathy and wants justice. However in the long term, as Death pointed out, dying is an inevitable fact of life and Mort will have to see it as such. Death teaches him that things like "justice" and "fairness" are not taken into account.

4. What is up with the constant utterance of “Mort” every time someone calls our MC anything other than Mort or Mortimer after arriving at Death’s House and meeting Yasbell? Is there some significance to this or is it just rather annoying?! Lol!
I didn't think anything about it really. However like Redshirt mentions, "Mort" means death in French. Because of this before starting the book I thought the title referred to the character DEATH (Mort being another nickname for him). While reading it I was thinking Mort might eventually take DEATH's place or act as a 2nd grim reaper.

5. Mort, surprisingly, asked Death for an afternoon off. I think our dear Mort is growing up! He explains to Death that he wants to meet people for more than a few minutes. When he arrives in his own time and finds out where he is, he asks if he is near Sto Lat. He seems to have a plan when he says he wants a very fast horse. What do you think he intends? Will it work out like he plans?

Won't answer because I want to avoid spoilers :)

The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry

Edinburgh, 1847. Will Raven is a medical student, apprenticing for the brilliant and renowned Dr Simpson. Sarah Fisher is Simpson’s housemaid, and has all of Raven’s intelligence but none of his privileges.

As bodies begin to appear across the Old Town, Raven and Sarah find themselves propelled headlong into the darkest shadows of Edinburgh’s underworld. And if either of them are to make it out alive, they will have to work together to find out who’s responsible for the gruesome deaths.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

This heartwarming story has beckoned generations of readers into the special world of Green Gables, an old-fashioned farm outside a town called Avonlea. Anne Shirley, an eleven-year-old orphan, has arrived in this verdant corner of Prince Edward Island only to discover that the Cuthberts—elderly Matthew and his stern sister, Marilla—want to adopt a boy, not a feisty redheaded girl. But before they can send her back, Anne—who simply must have more scope for her imagination and a real home—wins them over completely. A much-loved classic that explores all the vulnerability, expectations, and dreams of a child growing up, Anne of Green Gables is also a wonderful portrait of a time, a place, a family… and, most of all, love.

Book: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Date Read: 20th of June
Pages: 286

Jackanory:
Describe your protagonists or antagonists - overbearing/smothering mother
Describe your secondary characters - the annoying uncle telling lame jokes
How do the protagonists react? - living a mysterious & isolated life on a secluded island

Louise wrote: "The House on the Shore by Victoria Howard
The House on the Shore by Victoria Howard
Date Read: 6/9
Pages: 360"


I love these kind of covers ! The Scottish highlands have a special place in my heart; just magnificent. Hope to be able to go back soon.

Book: The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher
Date Read: 13th of June
Pages: 237

Tasks:
76. O - Features a religious zealot (One of Crevan's wives, Ingeth)
156. D - Features a watch or clockmaker (MC knows a clockmaker. Mentioned 2x times)
243. TA - fossil / skeleton on cover

BINGO:
G2 - Golem (Appears in the story. Mentioned 82x times)
G8 - Hedgehog (MC has a pet hedgehog)

Team Rob volunteering as backup for DQ.

Volunteering for Team Rob as backup !

Louise wrote: "Jammin Jenny wrote: "Of course, I've already read these books earlier in the year :)"

I’ve volunteered for DQs for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but I only read

I was hesitant to add/read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but it seems everyone here enjoyed it so will join you for the BOM discussion.

Louise wrote: "For those of you that have read The House in the Cerulean Sea already for this challenge you can still claim BOM points in the usual way."

That's great! I was wondering what would happen if that one won since I read it in May; so I intentionally didn't vote for it. Glad we still can claim discussion points.

After reading the BOMs I can read for task #206 with Wintersmith which mentions "morris dancer/dancing" a couple of times.

Book: The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
Date Read: 7th of June
Pages: 320

Bingo:
B1 - character screams when she finds dead body of her father

Jackanory :
Describe your protagonists (MC is Amish)
What is DEATH up to ? (Making sure that The Dead Will Tell (title))
How do the protagonists react? (planning revenge/payback for a previous murder)

The past couple of weeks passed by so fast I didn't realize that the June BOMs have already started. I will join the BOM discussion for The Midnight Library next week.
The summer weather is finally here so time to read outside ! This year mother nature decided to skip Spring season.

Book: Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
Date Read: 5th of June
Pages: 332

Tasks:
189. TA - hat on cover
237. IR - features an epic journey (MC goes from being a doctor in England and gets shipped to the Carribean and becomes a pirate)

Jackanory - setting of your story : Barbados

Updated #7 - one book short of completing. Thank you for this challenge.

Loved this year's edition of Eurovision ! Still listening to some of the songs on repeat. Hope everyone had fun watching it :)

Book: A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong
Date Read: 29th of May
Pages: 336

Tasks:

19. D - horse on cover
20. D - Romance MPG
86. CW - river on cover
191. TA - Spell out Sky - K (author's first name)

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Cilla !