Mort by Terry Pratchett - TT8 June BOM (starts 22 June)

[Maddy]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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, it is clear he is changing. the more he becomes Death, the more Death becomes him. His outward appearance and bearing become more similar to what Death is, or what Death is supposed to be

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 was an interesting Twist, but also a very confusing one. It created one more place of existence almost, which was confusing

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?

I do not think Death is playing a matchmaker exactly. More like he knows how isolated his daughter is and does not want her to become bitter and alone. I think he wants them to be friends so his daughter wouldn't feel like she is lacking something in life while living with him or resentment towards him. Purely selfish

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?

His name for one. Mort is French for death, so of course he was interested in someone named after himself. And there is definitely some hidden magic in the boy.

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?

I think he is taking a vacation :D

[Ashlee]

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


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 think it has to do with his focus. The first few times he did it, he didn't have to think about it. Now that he wants to do it, he has to focus.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
Umm...why don't I remember this character? oops...

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?
If I were reincarnated, I think I would want to go back to my late teens and start again from high school graduation.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
I don't think Mort will ever be ready for the job. He reminds me of that child that will do anything to please the parent; so much so that he doesn't think before he acts.

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
I imagine it is pretty boring to be in Death's home. What else can she do to pass the time?

[Judy]

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


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?

He doesn’t seem to be noticing it but he’s becoming closer and closer to death.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?

He’s pretty funny! Kind of the self-important wizard I keep expecting to see in these books, feels very appropriate.

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?

My mom believes in reincarnation so we’ve talked about it a bunch. I’m not sure I’m convinced though! And to be honest, my life this way is pretty good and I’m satisfied, I don’t really have a longing to be on a very different path.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?

Clearly not cause that Keli move was just stupid, but also he seemed to do well enough with the other two - or more like, the first two were pretty much perfect practice candidates (and maybe Death should’ve known Keli wasn’t a great idea…)

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?

Her life with Death is pretty lonely…

[Judy]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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?

All of these descriptions of Mort being somehow more present or whatever while becoming more surreal were so interesting! I’ve finished the book so I know who Mort has seen in that picture.

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 was very confusing to be honest but also kind of entertaining! The way she reacted to it made me question her fitness for reign though hahaha

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?

I wasn’t surprised! While he can’t feel normally, he must’ve known Ysabel was lonely and it always felt like he picked Mort as a companion for her.

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 think he was just a normal lad, which was probably what Death saw in him! You need a normal kind of guy who’s pretty chill for this job, I think.

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 a good idea! He lives with a bunch of humans, is father to one and teacher to another – would be good for him to know some of what they’re going through! That whole “IS THIS FUN” scene was amazing.

[Christina]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

I missed the end of this one on audio so continued on a little further but oh well.

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?

It's possible that that was Death originally. He can't have always been a skeleton.... Strange that Mort is changing so soon/quickly, but then again he is at least partly doing Death's job now...

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?

I think it's really fun to read and also quite unique as far as I know... I'm not sure how this is going to continue but I'm intrigued
to find out! Death will definitely find out sooner or later and he's not going to be happy.

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?

Well, I have felt like this was happening ever since Death asked Mort if he had already met Ysabel, so it wasn't that sudden to me. It kinda seems like Death wants to give up his occupation, so it would be great for Mort to marry her and inherit the business, but I don't think either Mort or Ysabel want to get married to each other...

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?

He has always been smart and curious, but I assume(d) his "abilities" come from being an apprentice to Death. Mort was the only one left trying to get an apprenticeship, so Death didn't have much choice lol. But Mort still being around definitely showed his stubborn (and proud) side imo.

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?

I think Death may have something like a "burn out", and like I said might even be thinking about giving up his occupation to get on with his life or death or whatever would come next for him.

[Briana]

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


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 think it was to give him a way to remain safe. Getting into the castle had nothing to do with safety and everything to do with his wanting to get inside.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
Well he's certainly as greasy as he was when he was introduced in Equal Rites. He just feels very much like a snake oil salesman to me and looking for things that make him look better and give him status and less about helping people.

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 think I'd pick a life where everything was provided. To live high in society with power and privilege for a change. But maybe it isn't all it's cracked up to be either. It'd still be interesting to experience even if I wouldn't know the difference until I died again.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
Goodness not in the slightest. Seeing Death reap souls once does not make him ready in the slightest to work solo. If anything he should have gone out a few more times, reaped a soul or two with Death at his side to coach him through it and then be allowed to go on his own.

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
She has nothing else. She has no contact with anyone beyond Albert, Death, and Mort. I think it's her way to experience the world in general. Despite her attitude her reading the books makes me think of us readers, reading other people's lives to escape into other places.

[Christina]

DQ - Day 5
Start: Albert sat on his narrow bed..."

21. Wow, Albert has got quite the temper on him! The way he goes about ordering the wizards around and wanting to change the current ways of the Unseen University. Do you think the changes would have worked the way he intended, had he stayed? What do you think happened to Albert's staff though? Also, one has to commend the owners of the Drum though to have passed down a debt for generations.

That was so unexpected! Who would have thought that's who Albert is deep down! It was a hilarious scene though haha! Poor librarian! (and everyone who got bossed around lol)

22. Mort and Ysabell go on an adventure, and the changes in Mort seem to take root completely though Ysabell manages to snap him out of it. Somewhere down the line, the two of them have fallen in love. Did you expect this to happen? Do you think they are a good fit?

I really liked their adventure together, but the both of them being a couple kind of out of the blue doesn't feel right to me. Like- it happened to quickly in my opinion? It just feels.... off.

23. For someone who doesn't actually feel emotions, DEATH seems a bit put out with Mort, and it culminates in a fight between DEATH and Mort. Would DEATH have killed Mort? Or was he always planning to turn the hourglass around and have the boy start over?

Death even said he was angry! That was weird... I'm not sure what his intentions originally were though. Maybe he changed his mind beause Ysabell pleaded for Mort and said she loved him.

24. What did you make of the ending? Was it a satisfying solution to the problem of a reality slightly out of whack? Mort tells DEATH that he has certainly learnt a lot while working as his apprentice. What do you think the most important lesson might have been?

It felt kinda off to me (again, lol), but I guess that's just how it is for me. I liked the conversation Death and Mort had at the end though!

25. Don't you just adore DEATH? *grin* Which was your favourite character or appearance in this book, and why?

Albert turned out to be brilliant :D

26. Did you enjoy this book? If you've read the previous month's BOM, Equal Rites, does it compare? Or not?

I'm generally not into the writing style and the humor of these series' (or of Terry Pratchett I guess), but I have to say I did enjoy this one more than Equal Rites! Not sure what to rate it though...

[Briana]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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 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?
It definitely seems like he is. There's a lot of commentary going on about him being more solid, more present as well so it seems like he's beginning to inhabit more of the world than he ever did before in a way that most people don't. As for the photo it's seeming likely that it could very well be Death before a transformation of some sort.

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 wasn't really a twist though was it? Mort went home after and read her book and it was pretty clear that she was dead as far as the book was concerned. Even the reaction of her people to her presence made it clear that as far as the world and universe was concerned Princess Keli was dead. I find that point less confusing than the wave that's coming to Sto Lat to erase the messed up timeline. At this point I don't think Death can't not find out what happened. It seems like the sort of thing that he'd have to find out eventually and I think he'd definitely react especially after the lecture he gave Mort when he tried to save the King in the beginning of the book.

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?
I think Death was always intending to play matchmaker between Mort and Ysabel from the beginning. He's always spoken quite highly of Ysabel to Mort from the beginning and asked him to be patient with her. It just wasn't very surprising and considering how unimpressed Ysabel is with Mort I don't see much happening there especially as long as Keli is around.

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 think his penchant for thinking lended Mort with wizard potential if a wizard were to be in his part of the Disc and recognize him for what he was if Death hadn't scooped him up first. I think his mind is just so open and he wanted to have somewhere to belong so badly that it attracted Deaths attention very easily. Plus he was the only one who could see Death as he was.

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 feels like Death is just trying to find something that isn't just his job anymore. He's tired of being lonely and needs a break in the worst way from his job.

[Deanna]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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?
Mort definitely seems to be changing both physically and mentally. This is my second time reading, so it's not Death.

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?
I find it both interesting and confusing. I expect Death will be angry when he finds out.

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?
I don't think Mort and Ysabel get along well enough for a relationship. Death is horrible at matchmaking.

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?
Mort seemed fairly normal although a bit detached from the normal world. I think his abilities come from being the apprentice. I'm not sure why he attracted Death's attention.

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?
I think Death is lonely and burned out from his job.

[Deanna]

DQs Day 4
start: "The night shed its early casualties"
end: "'Now - are we going?'" (p200 / 76%)

16. Death trying to get drunk in the Mended Drum ! I felt for him during that scene. Do you think there's a way for Death to be human ? Assuming he wasn't human before like Mort ?
No, I don't think Death can really be human.

17. It seems Mort is not realizing he's changing and slowly becoming the 'grim reaper'. Even his behaviour is changing. People are noticing that "he's becoming more real. Nearly as real as Death". Is it possible that anyone can assume to role of 'Death' ? For example, as weird as it sounds, could Mort eventually reap Death's soul ?
If Death is right about everything being set in history, then Death can only change or be reaped if that is what is supposed to happen. I don't think it will.

18. "What is it called when you feel warm and content and wish things would stay that way?" (has to be read in capital letters ;)) Death finally finds a job that suits him and brings him happiness. Did you expect he would be offered that kind of job ?
I never imagined Death to be offered any type of other job.

19. Has your opinion about Ysabell changed in the meantime?
I think Ysabell is happy to finally have something interesting to do.

20. So it turns out Alberto Malich succeeded in postponing his death for more than 2000 years and knows exactly how long he's going to live: 91 days, 3 hours, and 5 minutes. Do you think he will move on and live what remains of his life in this book? If you had the option, would you want to know how much is left in your 'lifetime' ?
I don't think he'll move on. He won't really fit in the world after so many centuries. I wouldn't want to know.

[Deanna]

DQ - Day 5
Start: Albert sat on his narrow bed..."


21. Wow, Albert has got quite the temper on him! The way he goes about ordering the wizards around and wanting to change the current ways of the Unseen University. Do you think the changes would have worked the way he intended, had he stayed? What do you think happened to Albert's staff though? Also, one has to commend the owners of the Drum though to have passed down a debt for generations.
No, I don't think the changes would work. He was too out of step with the times. I think the staff will end up hidden somewhere in the library. I'm surprised they bothered to keep the info that long even for a wizard.

22. Mort and Ysabell go on an adventure, and the changes in Mort seem to take root completely though Ysabell manages to snap him out of it. Somewhere down the line, the two of them have fallen in love. Did you expect this to happen? Do you think they are a good fit?
Not really. I'm not sure if they are a good fit or not.

23. For someone who doesn't actually feel emotions, DEATH seems a bit put out with Mort, and it culminates in a fight between DEATH and Mort. Would DEATH have killed Mort? Or was he always planning to turn the hourglass around and have the boy start over?
I think Death always planned to turn the hourglass over.

24. What did you make of the ending? Was it a satisfying solution to the problem of a reality slightly out of whack? Mort tells DEATH that he has certainly learnt a lot while working as his apprentice. What do you think the most important lesson might have been?
I thought it was a good way to fix reality. Not sure about the most important lesson. Maybe just to stand up for himself.

25. Don't you just adore DEATH? *grin* Which was your favourite character or appearance in this book, and why?
I enjoyed watching Death go though what felt like a mid-life crisis.

26. Did you enjoy this book? If you've read the previous month's BOM, Equal Rites, does it compare? Or not?
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first time, but it is still a good read.

[Keli]

DQ - Day 5
Start: Albert sat on his narrow bed..."


21. Wow, Albert has got quite the temper on him! The way he goes about ordering the wizards around and wanting to change the current ways of the Unseen University. Do you think the changes would have worked the way he intended, had he stayed? What do you think happened to Albert's staff though? Also, one has to commend the owners of the Drum though to have passed down a debt for generations.
I was not expecting such meanness from Albert. I didn't think the changes would stick, only cos I thought he would want to return to not aging back in the realm of Death.

22. Mort and Ysabell go on an adventure, and the changes in Mort seem to take root completely though Ysabell manages to snap him out of it. Somewhere down the line, the two of them have fallen in love. Did you expect this to happen? Do you think they are a good fit?
I didn’t expect it at all. When and where did it happen? Honestly, I was actually rather surprised. And I'm not sure they're going to be a good fit. Isn't she really like 60 or something. I don't have thr book anymore but did she say she been 16 for decades?! I maybe remembering it wrong.

23. For someone who doesn't actually feel emotions, DEATH seems a bit put out with Mort, and it culminates in a fight between DEATH and Mort. Would DEATH have killed Mort? Or was he always planning to turn the hourglass around and have the boy start over?
Honestly, I don't know. I thought the ending very strange. It felt at odds to the whole tone of the book. Was this all just a metaphor for trying to escape responsibility and become someone else, as this is what both Albert and Death were doing. I do think if Death had been serious he would've won. Besides a winning Death would have been even more at odds with the rest of the story. So, yeah, he probably would have been planning to turn it all along. But maybe not as he let a lot of people die, get wounded and/or have near death experiences for no good reason otherwise. I don't know.🤷‍♀️

24. What did you make of the ending? Was it a satisfying solution to the problem of a reality slightly out of whack? Mort tells DEATH that he has certainly learnt a lot while working as his apprentice. What do you think the most important lesson might have been?
I thought the fight weird but the wedding scene was okay. I've no idea what Mort learnt. Coordination, maybe.

25. Don't you just adore DEATH? *grin* Which was your favourite character or appearance in this book, and why?
Death was alright.

26. Did you enjoy this book? If you've read the previous month's BOM, Equal Rites, does it compare? Or not?
I gave this book 2.5 stars. It was silly, which I liked but that was about it. All the characters were pretty flat, except Death. The story was fairly dull. I liked Equal Rites better. Not sure Id read anymore in this series. I do have two others, so maybe but not soon.

[Ashlee]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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, it does seem like he's changing; physically and mentally. As for Death, no, I don't think it is him.

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?
I do find it a bit confusing, I actually find this whole series a bit confusing. :)
I do believe that Death is not going to be happy when he finds out.

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?
I enjoyed the banter between Mort and Ysabel. I did think that Death was trying to play matchmaker, however, I found this interesting since, I mean...he's Death, does he have matchmaker abilities? :P

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 don't think Mort would ever have been a boy described as "normal." I picture him as the kid in the corner that is trying to figure out how something works.

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?
Is Death trying to find a different occupation? Has this one run its course?

[Shelby]

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 think Mort wants to do the right thing, and to please his father initially. And he'd been told that being an apprentice was the right thing. But I do think Death's offer intrigued him as well. I kind of think it'd be a hard opportunity to resist if Death approached me that way. Something strange, and new, and different to explore.

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?
I think he just wants to make Mort comfortable. He's going through the motions of what you do when you bring someone new onto a job. You set them up to succeed.

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?
Mort's a good kid. He cares about people and doesn't want to see a good person hurt. Ultimately I'm sure it'll have to be tempered by the duties of being Death, but I think those caring feelings might be why Death picked him. Mort's a good-hearted sensitive soul. I don't think Death can do what he does without caring that people aren't horrified by their deaths. He isn't there trying to scare them all, just move them on from their discworld existence.

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 think it's Mort attempting to establish himself as a real person not just a thing. He is an individual and has a name. Everyone seems to be discounting him all the time by calling him anything but his name.

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?
Oh, I think his plans were quite clear. He's going to go tell this new little queen he's got a bit of a crush on that her uncle or whatever is evil and to watch her back. He's going to do a little bit of interfering. That is if he can find his way there.

[Shelby]

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


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?
He was thinking about it. Every other time it had been instinctual so he didn't know how to recreate the event.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
I think we'll be seeing a bit more of him. ;) So far though he seems a rather ineffectual wizard.

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 don't know that I would. Maybe as a librarian somewhere that I had epic amounts of money to just get to live my life reading. ;)

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
Yeah, not quite.

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
I think she's lonely. I doubt she's left Death's domain very often. Probably hasn't spent much time with kids her own age. :)

[Shelby]

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

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?
I think Mort is changing. He's growing into himself and gaining more gravitas because of it. He's seen death and cannot remain unaffected. And no I don't think it's Death in the photo, I think it's Albert, Death's chief cook and all around factotum.

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?
I find it to be an interesting twist. I like the bit about history being absolute and you can't change it. Sorry you're just going to have to die. Of course this is Pratchett so I'm expecting a few more hijinks before any sort of resolution.

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?
Not surprised, but I'm not sure where things will end up. I lean towards friends who support each other and that Ysabel might get to actually have a life outside of Death's domain. Maybe a horse of her own to go a visiting. :D

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 think his abilities come from being Death's apprentice, but I think there must have been something about him that makes him capable of being Death's apprentice. Not just anyone would do.

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?
I'm amused by Death's little vacation. I'm sure it's been a long time since he's experienced anything but death. Go Death! Of course I'm sure it's going to be a bit of a shitstorm when he realizes how things have gone off the rails.