Mort/YMMV

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
(Redirected from Discworld/Mort/YMMV)


These things about Mort are subjective - not everyone will agree with all of them.

  • Fridge Brilliance: At first the ending of the book seems like a Deus Ex Machina, or even a bit of an Ass Pull. However, it makes perfect sense if you're willing to accept Death as a Magnificent Bastard. Ysabell had said earlier in the novel that Death had only brought Mort on board to marry her, and never had any need of an apprentice. Having secured Mort, Death gave him just enough responsibility to screw up royally, then moved in to fix the problem by having Mort marry Ysabell. More of a Batman Gambit, since it could have gone either way, but things things turn out suspiciously well for Death despite his apparently laid-back attitude.
    • In fact, once we read Soul Music it turns out this is most definitely the case: Remember that Death has a non-linear view of time. And when he saw Susan immediately before turning Mort's hourglass and saving him, he winked at her, indicating he was aware of her significance in these events. Death knew what was going to happen the whole time. In fact, it may well be that he decided to spare Mort simply because he knew he was going to, creating a Stable Time Loop.
  • Growing the Beard: many fans consider this book to be when the Discworld books started getting really good.
  • Magnificent Bastard: We don't get to see him much, but it's pretty well implied that the Duke of Sto Helit is one. Certainly given that when he arranged King Olerve's assassination, Olerve can only admire the elegance of his method...
  • Stealth Pun: Cripple Wa is dicing with Death. (Probably a Type 2.)

Back to Mort