Mort was the first Discworld book where I went "Wait... that's it?" It's not that it's bad, far from it in fact, but I had heard the book talked up so much that by the time I read it, I wondered if I was missing something. Upon further reflection and the added hindsight of the other books, I can see why it gets chosen as a good starting point, and I can also see why Disney has wanted to adapt it, given how it's the most straightforward coming-of-age story in Discworld. However, it's still a far cry from what Pratchett achieves in later books, and for that, I must commit heresy and state that I find Mort to be only okay.

I see why this book was recommended as a good introduction to the Discworld series. I found it a much easier read as you said. The humour is the kind I always enjoy. I mean, I could see the humour in The Colour of Magic too but I also sensed some of it was lost in the confusion of the story for me. Yes I enjoyed this one. I have found at the moment I'm quite a slow reader. It might be the lack of time recently, but I also think I need to force myself to sit and read. When I was forcing myself to sit and read The Colour of Magic I ended up just stopping pretty quickly. With Mort I was reading for much longer before I found fatigue started to set in and I needed to stop. It does help when you really are interested to know what's going to happen next! I think I will take your advice and move onto Reaper Man next. As much as I wanted to read along with you, Mouse, it's become apparent I will enjoy this series much more if I take the advice of the people to paved the way before me! Learn from others lest you be doomed to repeat their mistakes! Or something like that :D

Im reading all the books again in sub series order and this is what I chose to start with! Im enjoying it a lot more after reading the later novels which were hindered by the Embuggerance. It's great to read some classic Terry!

Hi, Mouse. So this series of novels has more than one approach to its world. A smart idea, cause the range for the audience turns wider. Although I never read the book, I had an idea of how Mort might be (that Monty Python Death, that visits a dinner party with rotten fish). You're right - the best fantastic stories are those who relate to our real world. As in 'Meet Joe Black' sayed: "Nothing is certain, but death & taxes". bonté

Just discovering the Discworld series of books - only about 40 years after it began! I did not like the style of cover art of the books in 1980s and 1990s - and assumed incorrectly that they were just a bit of silly fun - I guess that wacky caricature style of illustration, with hordes of zany characters was the problem. Then, in January 2024, another KZfaqr @MiraManga recommended "Mort" and I discovered the beautiful Discworld Collector's Editions. So far I have read, "Mort", "The Colour of Magic", "Equal Rites", "Guards! Guards!" and am now about half way through "Pyramids". Thank you for your Discourse review series @Quiet as Mouse, I look foward to hearing your views after I finish each book.

You're the Lara Croft of literary reviews ;-)

Disc Discourses. When's Middle Earth meaningful meanderings? Wiz World word wanderings?