Maskerade by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked the humour in this book more than in other novels of the Discworld series, as it relied more on the characterisation and plot rather than regular puns, which can sometimes be a weakness in Pratchett's writing. There were numerous memorable scenes, including one in which the finances of artistic institutions are parodied. The wealthy new owner of an opera house is looking through its accounts to establish how he will be able to make a return on his investment, only to find numerous slips of paper where anonymous people are borrowing money.

The protagonists were mostly interesting, although the power of the witches stymied the plot on occasions, as their ability to force anyone to do what they want tended to reduce tension. The plot points mostly worked well, although I found the ending confusing, and not completely set up earlier in the story.

Having read many of Pratchett's books, I've noticed a curious tendency for there to be an authorial voice that insists that character should be 'what they are', which often feels mysterious, given that 'what they are' seems to relate to some metaphysical essence rather than anything they choose. This is also evident in this book, as Agnes, who leaves a life as a witch to join the opera, only to be inevitably drawn back into her old life.

Despite featuring recurring characters and broad plotlines, this novel can be enjoyed as a standalone work.



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