SOUNDTRACK: hiatus
[READ: January 2022] Maskerade
The Discworld Witches are back for another story. But things are different, and I didn’t remember this happening at all. Now that Magrat is firmly established with King Verence, she is no longer witching.
And everyone (even Granny Weatherwax) seems to now that Witches work better in trios than duos (although the duo of Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg is pretty formidable).
So who would be best to be their new third? Why, that nice Agnes (once Perdita) NItt had a lot of promise.
But Agnes has no intention of becoming a witch. She knows what the life of a Witch is like. Plus she has a VOICE! (The description of her voice is wonderful).
Agnes has set out for Ankh-Morpork to be an opera singer. Agnes is very fat and there’s rather a lot of jokes at her expense, which comes across as pretty mean, Terry. There’s a very fat man as well (this being the opera and all) and there’s jokes at his expense too. It’s surprisingly mean spirited.
But aside from that, the story is pretty great. Terry opens his book with some jokes/comments about how he never expected the opera to be a fruitful subject. Until he talked to his friend in the opera who said the opera was full of crazy stories and superstitions.
There’s not a lot of different storylines in this one–it’s more of a mystery. With a good humorous subplot of Nanny Ogg writing a book called The Joy of Snacks. It’s a cookbook….with a difference. A difference that seems to make a lot of women laugh and a lot of men uncomfortable. And it is selling like crazy!
So when Granny learns that Nanny is only getting a few dollars for the book, well, she sets out for Ankh-Morpork to have a word with the cheap man. And, if they happen to run into Agnes, well, they can probably bring her back home, too.
The Opera House proves to be a hotbed of crazy. And danger. Everyone knows there’s a Ghost in the House–that’s to be expected after all. Mostly, the Ghost has been supportive of the Opera. He (it must be a he) leaves flowers for good performances. All He asks is that he get Box 8 saved for him on every opening night.
When Agnes tries out for a role, they immediately dismiss her because she is so large. Opera-goers want thin pretty girls in the lead–like Christine. But when Christine opens her mouth it sounds like cats fighting. So they make a plan–Agnes (who is once again going by Perdita) will sing in the wings and Christine will stand on stage–and take all the credit.
Agnes is nice–she is super nice. And she doesn’t mind. Not at all. She’s fine with it. Really.
But soon, things start breaking–the expensive organ, violins, sets. And, more worryingly, people. People are getting murdered by the Ghost. But the show must go on, right?
The one suspect, Walter Plinge is also the biggest un-suspect. He’s simple, uncoordinated and sweet as anything. He also loved the Opera. He is a general handyman, so he has access to the whole building. And yet, the Ghost often seems to be in two places at once–sometimes he even seems to be across the room when Walter is standing there.
The Witches know they can’t drag Agnes home. She’ll only come if she WANTS to. But the Witches also know they need to be involved. This involves actually trying to enjoy the Opera, or at least helping out behind the scenes. Oh, and maybe Nanny’s cat Greebo can bodymorph into that oddly charismatic and repulsive human version of himself.
And just when the mystery is solved, well, the opera always has surprises in store.
Here’s the list of Discworld titles:
1. The Colour of Magic
2. The Light Fantastic
3. Equal Rites
4. Mort
5. Sourcery
6. Wyrd Sisters
7. Pyramids
8. Guards! Guards!
9. Faust Eric
10. Moving Pictures
11. Reaper Man
12. Witches Abroad
13. Small Gods
14. Lords and Ladies
15. Men at Arms
16. Soul Music
17. Interesting Times
18. Maskerade
19. Feet of Clay
20. Hogfather
21. Jingo
22. The Last Continent
23. Carpe Jugulum
24. The Fifth Elephant
25. The Truth
26. Thief of Time
27. The Last Hero
28. The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents
29. Night Watch
30. The Wee Free Men
31. Monstrous Regiment
32. A Hat Full of Sky
33. Going Postal
34. Thud!
35. Wintersmith
36. Making Money
37. Unseen Academicals
38. I Shall Wear Midnight
39. Snuff
40. Raising Steam
41. The Shepherd’s Crown
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