Maskerade – Summary
In the bustling city of Ankh-Morpork, the Opera House becomes the stage for a series of mysterious events and murders. Agnes Nitt, a young woman from Lancre with an extraordinary singing voice, arrives in the city to pursue her dreams of becoming an opera star. She quickly finds herself embroiled in the chaotic world of opera, where appearances often matter more than talent.
The Opera House, recently purchased by Seldom Bucket, is haunted by a mysterious figure known as the Opera Ghost. This spectral presence has long been a harmless fixture, offering critiques and demanding certain performances. However, things take a sinister turn when the Ghost begins committing murders and sabotaging productions.
Agnes joins the chorus and meets Christine, a less talented but more conventionally attractive singer. Due to her powerful and versatile voice, Agnes is asked to sing Christine’s parts from the shadows, unknown to the audience or Christine herself. Meanwhile, the witches Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg arrive from Lancre, ostensibly to collect royalties for Nanny’s cookbook but also to investigate the goings-on at the Opera House.
As the murders escalate, suspicion falls on various characters, including Walter Plinge, the seemingly harmless janitor who is unmasked as one incarnation of the Ghost. However, the truth is far more complex. It’s revealed that there are two Ghosts: Walter, the original and harmless one, and Mr Salzella, the Opera House’s Director of Music. Salzella has been manipulating Walter and using the Ghost persona to commit murders and theft, intending to frame Walter if suspicions arose.
The witches, along with Agnes, work to unravel this mystery. They help Walter overcome his fears and confront Salzella. In a climactic scene, Salzella meets his end in a manner befitting the melodrama of opera – believing the staged swordplay to be real and dying despite not being injured.
With the mystery solved, Walter becomes the new Director of Music, transforming operas into musicals. Agnes, realising she doesn’t fit into the superficial world of opera, returns to Lancre to learn witchcraft from Granny Weatherwax. The novel concludes with the Opera House finding a new direction and Agnes embracing her true calling as a witch.
Key Themes:
- Appearance vs Reality
- The power of belief and perception
- The clash between tradition and innovation
- The nature of talent and recognition
- The importance of self-acceptance
Character Details
Agnes Nitt
Agnes is a young woman from Lancre with an extraordinary singing voice. She’s intelligent and talented but struggles with self-confidence due to her weight and appearance. Agnes has a alter ego named Perdita, who represents her desire to be more daring and unconventional. Throughout the novel, Agnes grapples with her identity and ultimately chooses to embrace her true self, deciding to become a witch rather than conform to the superficial world of opera.
Granny Weatherwax
Esmerelda Weatherwax, known as Granny, is a formidable and respected witch from Lancre. She’s sharp-witted, no-nonsense and has a strong moral compass. In “Maskerade”, Granny poses as a wealthy patron to investigate the Opera House mysteries. Her keen insight and powerful personality play a crucial role in unravelling the plot and helping Agnes find her path.
Nanny Ogg
Gytha Ogg, or Nanny, is another witch from Lancre and a close friend of Granny Weatherwax. She’s earthy, jovial, and has a mischievous streak. In this story, Nanny has written a surprisingly successful cookbook and comes to Ankh-Morpork to claim her royalties. She infiltrates the Opera House staff to assist in the investigation, bringing her unique blend of common sense and humour to the situation.
Walter Plinge
Walter is the Opera House janitor and one of the two Opera Ghosts. He’s a simple, kind-hearted man with a love for music and a fear of masks. Initially suspected of being the murderous Ghost, Walter is revealed to be a victim of manipulation. With the help of the witches, he overcomes his fears and eventually becomes the new Director of Music, bringing fresh ideas to the opera.
Mr Salzella
As the Director of Music at the Opera House, Salzella is the true villain of the story. He uses the Ghost persona to commit murders and theft, manipulating Walter Plinge in the process. Salzella is cunning and ruthless, driven by a deep-seated hatred for opera. His dramatic demise, believing in the reality of staged combat, is a fitting end for a character so entrenched in theatrical melodrama.
Reader Fit
“Maskerade” would appeal to fans of fantasy, comedy and mystery. It’s particularly suited for readers who enjoy:
- Satirical takes on classic stories (in this case, “The Phantom of the Opera”)
- Strong, complex female characters
- Humorous fantasy with underlying serious themes
- Stories that blend murder mystery with comedy
- Explorations of theatre and performance
Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, especially those who enjoy the Witches subseries, will find this a delightful addition to their reading list.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Comic Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1995
- Reading Time Estimate: 8-10 hours
- Notable Awards: None specific to this book, but Terry Pratchett was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
Related Books
- “Wyrd Sisters” by Terry Pratchett – Another Discworld novel featuring the Lancre witches.
- “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux – The classic novel that inspired elements of “Maskerade”.
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – For more of Pratchett’s humorous take on the supernatural.
