Soul Music – Summary
Soul Music, the 16th novel in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, introduces rock and roll to the magical realm of the Disc. The story begins with the death of Mort and Ysabell, which causes Death to abandon his duties and embark on a quest to understand human emotions. This leaves his granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, to reluctantly take up the mantle of the Grim Reaper.
Meanwhile, a young bard named Imp y Celyn (which means “bud of holly” in his native language) arrives in Ankh-Morpork with dreams of musical stardom. Unable to afford the steep fees of the Musicians Guild, Imp forms an illegal band with Lias Bluestone, a troll percussionist, and Glod Glodsson, a dwarf hornblower. They call themselves “The Band with Rocks In”.
When Imp’s harp is destroyed, he acquires a mysterious guitar from a shop that wasn’t there the day before. This instrument contains the essence of “Music with Rocks In”, a primordial force that shaped the universe. As Imp adopts the stage name “Buddy”, the guitar begins to possess him, turning their music into a phenomenon that sweeps across the Discworld.
The band’s manager, the ever-opportunistic Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, books them on a whirlwind tour. As their fame grows, so does the music’s influence, causing people across the Disc to form copycat bands and adopt behaviours associated with various musical movements from our world.
Susan, struggling with her new role as Death, becomes intrigued by Buddy when she fails to collect his soul during a near-death experience. She tries to protect him from the music’s influence, developing feelings for him in the process.
The story culminates in a massive free concert organised by Buddy, against Dibbler’s profit-driven instincts. The music, seeking immortality through legend, attempts to orchestrate a tragic end for the band. Susan intervenes, leading to a confrontation with Death, who has returned from his sabbatical. In a tense showdown, Death plays an “empty chord” on the guitar, stopping the music but leaving Buddy with the choice to restart it. Ultimately, the guitar is destroyed, and the “Music with Rocks In” fades from the Discworld, leaving only memories and a changed cultural landscape.
Key Themes:
- The power and influence of music on society and individuals
- The struggle between fate and free will
- The nature of death and the role of Death as a character
- The conflict between tradition and innovation
- The price of fame and the music industry’s commercialisation
- Family relationships and inherited responsibilities
Character Details
Death
Death is the anthropomorphic personification of the end of life on the Discworld. In Soul Music, he grapples with grief over the loss of his adopted daughter and son-in-law, leading him to abandon his duties temporarily. Death’s journey to understand human emotions adds depth to his character, showcasing his struggle to comprehend the very concept of mortality that he embodies. His return and intervention in the climax of the story highlight his ultimate responsibility to maintain the natural order.
Susan Sto Helit
Susan is Death’s granddaughter, a pragmatic and no-nonsense young woman who initially has no memory of her supernatural heritage. Thrust into the role of the Grim Reaper, Susan approaches her newfound duties with a mix of reluctance and determination. Her logical mind often clashes with the illogical nature of the Discworld, leading to humorous and insightful moments. As she becomes involved with Buddy and the band, Susan’s character develops, exploring themes of destiny, free will, and the balance between duty and personal desires.
Imp y Celyn (Buddy)
Imp, later known as Buddy, is a young musician from Llamedos with dreams of becoming famous. His journey from a naive aspiring harpist to the possessed frontman of the Discworld’s first rock band forms the core of the novel’s plot. Buddy’s struggle against the controlling influence of the guitar and the music itself reflects themes of artistic integrity versus commercial success. His character embodies the archetypal rock star, complete with the rise to fame and the potential for a tragic fall.
Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler
Dibbler is the quintessential opportunistic businessman of Ankh-Morpork. As the band’s manager, he exemplifies the commercialisation of art, always looking for ways to profit from the music phenomenon. His schemes and marketing ploys provide much of the novel’s commentary on the music industry, often with hilarious results. Dibbler’s character adds a layer of satire to the story, highlighting the often absurd nature of show business and merchandising.
Glod Glodsson
Glod is a dwarf hornblower who becomes part of The Band with Rocks In. His practical nature and focus on financial gain provide a counterpoint to Buddy’s artistic idealism. Glod’s character offers insights into dwarf culture in the Discworld and how it interacts with the new musical movement. His scepticism and grudging acceptance of their success add depth to the band’s dynamic.
Lias Bluestone (Cliff)
Lias, also known as Cliff, is a troll percussionist and the third member of the band. His literal interpretation of “rock” music, using tuned rocks as instruments, adds a uniquely Discworld twist to the concept of rock and roll. Cliff’s simple yet insightful observations often cut through the chaos surrounding the band, providing moments of clarity and humour.
Reader Fit
Soul Music is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy with a healthy dose of humour and satire. Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series will appreciate the return of familiar characters and the introduction of new ones. The novel particularly appeals to music enthusiasts, especially those fond of rock and roll, as it cleverly parodies various aspects of music history and the industry.
Readers who enjoy stories that blend the magical with the mundane, exploring how fantastical elements would interact with societal norms, will find much to love in this book. It’s also an excellent entry point for newcomers to the Discworld series, as it stands well on its own while offering a taste of the wider universe.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Comic Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1994
- Reading Time Estimate: 8-10 hours
- Notable Awards: None specific to this book, but Terry Pratchett was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 2001 for “The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents”, another Discworld novel.
Related Books
- “Mort” by Terry Pratchett – Another Discworld novel featuring Death as a main character.
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – A collaborative novel that shares Pratchett’s humorous take on the supernatural.
- “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams – While not a Discworld novel, it shares a similar style of British humour and absurdist science fiction/fantasy.
