Soul Music (Discworld)
2 journalers for this copy...
I found this fair-condition paperback at a local Savers thrift shop, and nabbed it for a release copy.
While not my favorite of the "Death" series of Discworld novels, this one still has lots of wildly entertaining moments. [As with most of the Discworld books this one can stand alone, but I'd recommend reading Mort first to set up the background.]
There are two main storylines here: in one, a young bard wishes to be the greatest musician in the world, and *something* hears him; soon he's in Ankh-Morpork, where he joins up with a dwarf and a troll to form a "music with rocks in" band, and when they play, the music really does take control.
The second storyline has to do with Death confronting a very personal loss and trying to do something he's never even considered before - he's trying to forget. His search takes him to the remote mountain homes of solitary wise men, to the Klatchian Foreign Legion [which, of course, everyone joins in order to forget *something*], to the bottle, and onwards - and while he's abandoned his professional duties, granddaughter Susan is - much against her will - drafted as his replacement. She immediately decides she can do a much fairer job, especially when she sees that a handsome young bard is slated to die...
Lots of pop-culture jokes here as the band migrates through several generations of musical styles; there's also the neat blend of humor and poignancy that usually accompany Death and his doings. Since much of the action takes place in Ankh-Morpork, there are appearances by members of the Watch and by the Patrician; the wizards of Unseen University have a moderately large (and quite funny) role too.
[Side note: there's a decent animated mini-series version of "Soul Music" available on VHS/DVD; respectable performances (including Christopher Lee as Death - perfect!), and a really fabulous intro showing Great A'Tuin, with elephants and Disc, swimming by in the depths of space... There's also an entertaining TV Tropes page on the book, but do beware of spoilers!]
While not my favorite of the "Death" series of Discworld novels, this one still has lots of wildly entertaining moments. [As with most of the Discworld books this one can stand alone, but I'd recommend reading Mort first to set up the background.]
There are two main storylines here: in one, a young bard wishes to be the greatest musician in the world, and *something* hears him; soon he's in Ankh-Morpork, where he joins up with a dwarf and a troll to form a "music with rocks in" band, and when they play, the music really does take control.
The second storyline has to do with Death confronting a very personal loss and trying to do something he's never even considered before - he's trying to forget. His search takes him to the remote mountain homes of solitary wise men, to the Klatchian Foreign Legion [which, of course, everyone joins in order to forget *something*], to the bottle, and onwards - and while he's abandoned his professional duties, granddaughter Susan is - much against her will - drafted as his replacement. She immediately decides she can do a much fairer job, especially when she sees that a handsome young bard is slated to die...
Lots of pop-culture jokes here as the band migrates through several generations of musical styles; there's also the neat blend of humor and poignancy that usually accompany Death and his doings. Since much of the action takes place in Ankh-Morpork, there are appearances by members of the Watch and by the Patrician; the wizards of Unseen University have a moderately large (and quite funny) role too.
[Side note: there's a decent animated mini-series version of "Soul Music" available on VHS/DVD; respectable performances (including Christopher Lee as Death - perfect!), and a really fabulous intro showing Great A'Tuin, with elephants and Disc, swimming by in the depths of space... There's also an entertaining TV Tropes page on the book, but do beware of spoilers!]
Journal Entry 2 by 
GoryDetails
at Little Free Library, Benson Park - 19 Kimball Hill Rd in Hudson, New Hampshire USA on Monday, November 13, 2017
GoryDetails at Little Free Library, Benson Park - 19 Kimball Hill Rd in Hudson, New Hampshire USA on Monday, November 13, 2017
Released 6 yrs ago (11/13/2017 UTC) at Little Free Library, Benson Park - 19 Kimball Hill Rd in Hudson, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book in the Little Free Library on this chilly, drizzly day. Hope someone enjoys it![See other recent releases in NH here.]
*** Released for the 2017 E-less release challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2017 Movie release challenge. ***
I went to Benson Park for the first time on 11/14, just a day after this book was left there, and was thrilled to discover the Little Free Library. What a perfect place for one! And then I found this book. I haven't ever read Pratchett's solo work, but I absolutely loved Good Omens, which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman. I am starting the book today in Nashua. Where will it end up when I'm done? Hmm...
