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Amazon.co.uk Review
There are strange goings-on at the Opera House in Ankh-Morpork. A ghost in a white mask is murdering, well, quite a lot of people, and two witches (it really isn't wise to call them "meddling, interfering old baggages"), or perhaps three, take a hand in unravelling the mystery. Fans of the popular Discworld series will be happy to see some old friends again in Maskerade, the 18th novel in the series.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
Independant
Pratchett is as funny as Wodehouse and as witty as Waugh.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Maskerade is a take on the Gaston Leroux story ‘Phantom of the Opera’. In the opera house of Ankh-Morpork dastardly deeds are afoot. Christine, the blonde Prima Donna who cannot sing, is being ‘courted’ and taught by the opera ghost. What he doesn’t realise is the real star is really one Agnes Nitt, (also known as Perdita X). She is the voice that Christine mimes to. Agnes's talent includes being able to sing in thirds with herself…she also, unbeknown to herself, has a talent for witchcraft.
Lancres famous witches, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are on the hunt for a third witch for their coven since Magrat Garlick very inconsiderately left them to marry the King. After all, everyone knows there has to be three witches…two just won’t do. So, Granny and Nanny take a trip to Ankh-Morpork for a night at the opera and to press gang Agnes back to Lancre. In true Terry Pratchett style, mayhem and madness follow. Death makes his appearance as does the Death of Rats, and Greebo, Nanny’s evil but hilarious cat will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
This audio book is an abridged version of Maskerade, but has been so skilfully edited that it seems complete. Having read the book I can say I didn’t notice any obvious omissions. Tony Robinson (best known as Baldrick in Blackadder) was a perfect choice to narrate this book; he injects the right amount of humour and his ‘voices’ for each character are spot on. This is a truly funny tale and well worth every penny.
Lancres famous witches, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are on the hunt for a third witch for their coven since Magrat Garlick very inconsiderately left them to marry the King. After all, everyone knows there has to be three witches…two just won’t do. So, Granny and Nanny take a trip to Ankh-Morpork for a night at the opera and to press gang Agnes back to Lancre. In true Terry Pratchett style, mayhem and madness follow. Death makes his appearance as does the Death of Rats, and Greebo, Nanny’s evil but hilarious cat will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
This audio book is an abridged version of Maskerade, but has been so skilfully edited that it seems complete. Having read the book I can say I didn’t notice any obvious omissions. Tony Robinson (best known as Baldrick in Blackadder) was a perfect choice to narrate this book; he injects the right amount of humour and his ‘voices’ for each character are spot on. This is a truly funny tale and well worth every penny.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Pratchett has an outstanding capacity to research a topic, then present his findings with peerless clarity and wit. This book presents so many aspects of theatre production, operatic lore and, amazingly, book publication they're nearly overwhelming. His prose and humour leave us breathless with mirth and astonishment. Still, one has to wonder what motivated the writing of Maskarade. It's a departure from previous Discworld efforts.
Magrat Garlick's married and out of the coven. This imbalance must be restored. Her potential replacement is a new Pratchett character, Agnes Nitt. Agnes, however, has a different career in mind. She wants to be a diva in the opera troupe in Ankh-Morpork. A lofty ambition, indeed. And a voice lofty enough to project throughout the hall - right up to the loft, in fact.
As always, the opera business is fraught with problems. Underpaid [and underfed] choir girls, prima donnas who consider their voice grander than its quality justifies, eccentric crew, and the ever present issue of money. Oh yes, and there's a ghost - with a reserved box seat.
If the Ankh-Morpork's opera team wasn't having enough to deal with, they are about to be confronted with the remnants of Lancre's witches' coven, Esme Weatherwax and Gytha Ogg. Nanny Ogg's become the Julia Childs of the Ramtops, but with variations on a particular theme. She's published a book about it, but Granny Weatherwax isn't convinced the payment justified. Esme Weatherwax as an author's agent is a formidable figure. As if this transformation wasn't enough, she also becomes a patron of opera.
Pratchett's gone slightly awry from his usual path with this book. He raises a host of pretty serious questions with the characters and the plot. It's still in the best of PTerry's style - his wit through the persona of Granny and Nanny Ogg has, if anything, improved. But there are some issues uncommon in Discworld books, and the reader is left more than just entertained. There's some post-laughter thinking required of the reader. Opera is, after all, serious business. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the first Pratchett book I've read after months of a friend of mine insisting I do so. I resisted valiently, and she promptly solved the problem by sending me a collection of his books. Being a bookworm, I simply couldn't resist. And now I regret not reading his stuff earlier!
This tale of the interfering witches, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, is a parody of the tale (and musical) 'The Phantom of the Opera', and it is simply hilarious!
You'll find yourself cringing in embaressment for poor Agnes Nitt, who is trying to make a name for herself in the Opera House of Ankh-Morpork in a bid to escape the beady eye of Nanny Ogg, who knows far more about young Agnes than she's letting on. Not to mention how you'll roll on the floor in hysterics when you read of Nanny's interesting 'cooking' book which has some rather sensual effects, and marvel at Granny's surprisingly intimate friendship with the always amusing Death.
Seriously, this is a book not to be missed, and well worth buying, since I'm positive you'll want to reread it again and again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another Discworld Winner
A Whodunnit centred on the Witches of the Discworld books, Maskerade is a great read full of the usual witty observations on human character.
Published 1 month ago by Cara H
One of Pratchett's Best
I've read many of TP's Discworld books and find them very entertaining. TP has a most amazing mind and some of his one-liners are beyond comparison. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A Banktopian
The witches are the best and this is the best of the witches
I've always enjoyed the witches books far more than any other Pratchett storyline. Pratchett is a true master at character creation and unusually for a male writer he writes... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Amazing Annie
The Opera Ghost
Lancre girl Agnes Nitt has travelled to Ankh-Morpork to make it big as a singer and gets a job in the city's Opera House. Read more
Published 10 months ago by T. R. Alexander
Another Brilliant Discworld Novel !
Another Brilliant Discworld Novel ! I love Terry Pratchett books, and I gave this one has a birthday present for an American friend. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. James Wood
The Witches are abroad once more
Maskerade is one of the many "Three Witches" series of books, although the original third witch (Magrat) doesn't feature, just Nanny Og and Granny Weatherwax. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. Kevin P. Futers
Discworld
This is my second copy of this hilarious look at Phantom of the Opera in Ankh-Morpork. Every discworld novel is a joy but this one is top of the heap.
Published on 20 May 2010 by B. Cardwell
Typical Pratchett
You buy Practchett becuase you love his style and comic genius - this doesn't disappoint.
Published on 9 May 2010 by J. Alford
The Joy of Snacks
Terry Pratchett's first novel, "The Carpet People", appeared in 1971. "Maskerade" is the eighteenth novel in his hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 1995. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Craobh Rua
Granny nanny ogg and margat
Another excellent book by Terry Pratchet on the three witches, very funny as were others, just wish there were more. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2008 by Mrs. Sybille Copp
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