Summary
Mort is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the journey of a young, awkward farm boy named Mortimer (Mort) who becomes Death’s apprentice. The story begins when Mort’s father takes him to a local hiring fair, hoping to secure an apprenticeship for his son. Just before midnight, Death arrives and selects Mort as his new apprentice. Mort is whisked away to Death’s domain, where he meets Albert, Death’s elderly manservant, and Ysabell, Death’s adopted daughter.
As Mort begins his apprenticeship, he accompanies Death on soul-collecting duties. During one of these outings, Mort witnesses the assassination of the King of Sto Lat. Despite Death’s warnings about interfering with fate, Mort’s compassion gets the better of him during his first solo assignment. He saves Princess Keli from assassination, inadvertently creating an alternate reality where she survives.
This act of defiance sets off a chain of events that threatens the fabric of reality. The world begins to forget Keli’s existence, and a “Dome of Reality” slowly advances to correct the timeline. Mort, along with the wizard Cutwell, attempts to maintain Keli’s existence and prevent the alternate reality from collapsing.
Meanwhile, Death, curious about human experiences, takes a holiday. He indulges in various activities such as drinking, dancing, gambling, and even working as a short-order cook. As Death explores humanity, Mort gradually takes on Death’s characteristics and responsibilities.
The situation escalates when Mort discovers that Albert is actually Alberto Malich, the founder of Unseen University, who has been hiding in Death’s domain to avoid his own demise. Mort and Ysabell force Albert to provide a spell to slow down the destruction of the alternate reality.
As the story reaches its climax, Death returns to find his domain in chaos. He challenges Mort to a duel for the souls of Keli and Cutwell. Although Death wins, he spares Mort’s life. The gods are convinced to alter reality, allowing Keli to rule in place of the scheming Duke.
The novel concludes with Mort and Ysabell, who have fallen in love, getting married and becoming the Duke and Duchess of Sto Helit. Death attends their wedding, gifting Mort the alternate reality he created, now shrunk to the size of a pearl.
Key themes:
- The nature of death and mortality
- The consequences of interfering with fate
- The complexities of duty and responsibility
- The exploration of human experiences and emotions
- The power of choice and free will
Character Details
Mort
Mort is the protagonist of the novel, a tall, lanky teenager with a tendency to get lost in his thoughts. Initially deemed unfit for farm work by his father, Mort is chosen as Death’s apprentice. Despite his initial awkwardness, Mort demonstrates depth of character and a strong moral compass. His compassion leads him to save Princess Keli, setting off the main conflict of the story. Throughout the novel, Mort grows in confidence and ability, gradually taking on Death’s characteristics while struggling to maintain his humanity.
Death
Death is the Grim Reaper of the Discworld, portrayed as a skeleton in a black robe carrying a scythe. Despite his intimidating appearance, Death is a complex character with a fascination for humanity. He takes Mort as an apprentice and later goes on a holiday to experience human life. Death is portrayed as dutiful, sometimes perplexed by human behaviour, and possessing a dry sense of humour. His journey throughout the novel explores themes of humanity and the nature of existence.
Princess Keli
Keli is the daughter of the assassinated King of Sto Lat. Saved from her fated death by Mort, she struggles with a world that increasingly forgets her existence. Keli is determined and resourceful, working with the wizard Cutwell to assert her right to rule. Her character arc explores themes of destiny and the struggle against predetermined fate.
Ysabell
Ysabell is Death’s adopted daughter. She lives in Death’s domain and initially has a contentious relationship with Mort. As the story progresses, Ysabell becomes an ally to Mort in his efforts to save Princess Keli. She and Mort eventually fall in love, leading to their marriage at the end of the novel.
Albert
Albert is Death’s manservant, later revealed to be Alberto Malich, the founder of Unseen University. He has been hiding in Death’s domain for 2,000 years to avoid his own death. Albert is cunning and self-serving but ultimately plays a crucial role in the story by providing the spell needed to slow down the destruction of the alternate reality.
Reader Fit
Mort is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy fantasy with a humorous twist. Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series will find this book particularly appealing, as it delves deeper into the character of Death and introduces several key recurring characters.
The novel’s blend of comedy, philosophy, and fantasy makes it suitable for both young adults and older readers who appreciate witty, thought-provoking narratives that explore existential themes in an accessible way.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Comic Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1987
- Reading Time Estimate: 6-8 hours
- Notable Awards: Nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1988
Related Books
- Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett (another Discworld novel featuring Death as a main character)
- Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (a humorous fantasy with similar themes)
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (a novel narrated by Death, offering a different perspective on the character)
