Welcome to our review of the unique and enchanting novel, “Soul Music” (1994) by renowned author Terry Pratchett. This book, part of the globally popular Discworld series, offers its readers an engaging blend of fantasy, satire, and adventure. But who exactly is this book for? Is it for the die-hard fantasy aficionados, the casual comedy lovers, or perhaps, music enthusiasts with a taste for the extraordinary? This article seeks to explore the potential audience who would most enjoy this literary masterpiece, examining its appeal to various groups of readers. From fans of Pratchett’s other works to new readers seeking a captivating and humorous novel, we will delve into the kind of reader who might find “Soul Music” most intriguing.
What’s the Plot of Soul Music (1994)?
In “Soul Music,” the sixteenth book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Death becomes despondent after his adopted daughter Ysabell and her husband Mort die in a carriage accident. He disappears, leaving his duties to his granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit. Meanwhile, a young man named Imp y Celyn comes to Ankh-Morpork to become a musician. He joins a troll named Lias Bluestone and a dwarf named Glod Glodsson to form a band, unknowingly becoming the vessel for Music with Rocks In, a sentient manifestation of rock music.
Their music causes a cultural revolution in Ankh-Morpork, with the populace becoming obsessed with it. The band, now known as The Band With Rocks In, gains massive popularity but also becomes the target of the Musician’s Guild, which feels threatened by their revolutionary sounds. Meanwhile, Susan struggles to fulfill her new duties as Death and becomes involved with trying to save the band from their inevitable destruction by the music they play.
Death, having explored what it means to forget and be forgotten, returns just in time to save Susan and the band from their fates. Imp, having died but returned to life, leaves Ankh-Morpork to spread Music with Rocks In, while Susan decides to return to her normal life. The novel ends with a new understanding of music and its power to influence and change.
Main Characters
“Soul Music” by Terry Pratchett features a colorful cast of main characters, each bringing their own unique charm to the narrative. The key characters include:
1. Imp y Celyn: He is the main protagonist of the book. Imp is a young, hopeful bard from a small town named Llamedos, who comes to Ankh-Morpork to find his fortune. He becomes the lead singer and guitarist of a band called ‘Music With Rocks In’, unknowingly playing a magical guitar possessed with the spirit of the late musician Buddy.
2. Death: As in other Discworld novels, Death is a central character with a pivotal role. In ‘Soul Music,’ Death, disillusioned with his eternal duty, takes a temporary leave of absence, leaving his duty to his granddaughter, Susan.
3. Susan Sto Helit: She is Death’s strong-willed and pragmatic granddaughter, who is forced to take over her grandfather’s duties. Susan, a sixteen-year-old student at a finishing school, has to balance her ordinary life with the extraordinary responsibilities of being Death.
4. The Band (Music With Rocks In): The band members include Cliff (a troll), Glod (a dwarf), and the Librarian (an orangutan) from Unseen University. Together with Imp, they revolutionize music in Discworld.
5. Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler: Known as C.M.O.T. Dibbler, he is a savvy, opportunistic salesman who becomes the band’s manager. His aim is to exploit ‘Music With Rocks In’ for monetary gain, leading to some hilarious and chaotic situations.
6. The Death of Rats and Quoth the Raven: These characters assist Susan in her new role. The Death of Rats, a small skeletal rat, and Quoth, a witty raven, provide guidance and comic relief throughout the story.
The intricacies of these characters, their interactions and conflicts, create the core of the plot, and their development is central to the narrative and charm of ‘Soul Music’.
Main Themes of Soul Music (1994)
“Soul Music” by Terry Pratchett is an engaging novel that explores several profound themes. One key theme is the transformative power of music. In this book, music is not just an art form but a powerful entity that can influence the course of events and change lives. The music in this novel, specifically “Music With Rocks In,” represents rebellion and a break from tradition, reflecting the sentiments of the youth and the continuous evolution of culture.
Another prominent theme is the inevitability of change. As the “Music With Rocks In” sweeps over the Discworld, it brings about major changes, highlighting that change is a necessary part of life. This is paralleled with the character of Susan, who must adapt to her newfound responsibilities as the temporary personification of Death.
The book also deals with the theme of identity. Each character struggles to understand who they are and their place in the world. Susan grapples with her inherited role of Death, while the members of the band struggle with fame and their individual identities within the group.
Lastly, the theme of mortality is central to the novel. Death, one of Pratchett’s most beloved characters, is confronted with the concept of mortality when his granddaughter Susan must take over his duties. The perception of death, the fear of it, and the acceptance of its inevitability are all explored in depth.
In conclusion, “Soul Music” delves into complex themes such as the power of music, the inevitability of change, struggles with identity, and the concept of mortality, all with Pratchett’s characteristic wit and humor.
If you enjoyed this, Try these.
If you’re a fan of Terry Pratchett’s “Soul Music,” there are plenty of other books that are likely to tickle your fancy. Here are a few recommendations:
1. “Mort” by Terry Pratchett – This is another book from the Discworld series, featuring Death as a central character. The humor and fantasy elements are very similar, and the story revolves around a human boy who becomes Death’s apprentice.
2. “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – This collaboration between two giants of fantasy literature is a hilarious take on the apocalypse, featuring an unlikely alliance between an angel and a demon.
3. “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams – If you enjoy the humor and satirical elements of “Soul Music,” you’ll likely appreciate Adams’ quirky, intergalactic romp.
4. “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman – A darkly humorous and imaginative urban fantasy, “Neverwhere” bears similarities to Pratchett’s work in its blending of the mundane and the magical.
5. “Going Postal” by Terry Pratchett – Another Discworld novel, this one focuses on the Ankh-Morpork Post Office and its eccentric new postmaster. It’s filled with the same kind of wit and satire that makes “Soul Music” so entertaining.
6. “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman – This novel combines mythology, fantasy, and contemporary American culture in a unique and compelling way, much like Pratchett does in his Discworld series.
7. “The Color of Magic” by Terry Pratchett – As the first book in the Discworld series, it introduces readers to Pratchett’s unique world and its eccentric inhabitants. If you enjoyed “Soul Music,” it’s worth going back to the beginning.
8. “Wyrd Sisters” by Terry Pratchett – This Discworld novel is a parody of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and features three witches as its main characters. If you liked the satirical elements of “Soul Music,” you’ll likely enjoy this one.
All these books share Pratchett’s keen eye for satire, his unique blend of humor and fantasy, and his ability to create complex, memorable characters.