Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Victor Gollancz (London, 1995). 1st edition, 1st printing. 285 pages. £15.99.
Description
The Ghost in the bone-white mask who haunts theAnkh-Morpork Opera House was always considered a benign presence -- some would even say lucky -- until he started killing people. The sudden rash of bizarre backstage deaths now threatens to mar the operatic debut of country girl Perdita X. (nee Agnes) Nitt, she of the ample body and ampler voice. Perdita's expected to hide in the chorus and sing arias out loud while a more petitely presentable soprano mouths the notes. But at least it's an escape from scheming Nanny Ogg and old Granny Weatherwax back home, who want her to join their witchy ranks. Once Granny sets her mind on something, however, it's difficult -- and often hazardous -- to dissuade her. And no opera-prowling phantom fiend is going to keep a pair of determined hags down on the farm after they've seen Ankh-Morpork.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member pwaites
Maskerade‘s the eighteenth Discworld novel and follows the witches. It would help to have read the other witches books – you can start with Wyrd Sisters – but you can probably go without if the idea of a comedic story centered around opera has a specific appeal to you.
Maskerade is a mystery
“There’s a kind of magic in masks. Masks conceal one face, but they reveal another. The one that only comes out in darkness. I bet you could do just what you liked, behind a mask … ?”
Maskerade is a story about masks, identities, and hiding who you are. The Ghost hides behind a white mask, and Agnes herself hides behind the name Perdita.
“Oh yes? Can you identify yourself?”
“Certainly. I’d know me anywhere.”
Like the rest of the witches books, Maskerade is focused around the female characters, which makes it unusual and enjoyable. Granny and Nanny continue to be wonderful. Agnes is a capable heroine in her own right. Some of the language surrounding Agnes’s weight is troubling, but she’s one of the only female protagonists I’ve encountered who isn’t skinny.
The plot of Maskerade is really a mystery story. I’d actually forgotten the solution, so I had the pleasure of rediscovering it this time around. It’s well woven, and the pacing’s on point. There’s also references to opera and musical theater, and I’m sure there’s even more I didn’t catch.
“You can either be on the stage, just a performer, just going through the lines… or you can be outside it, and know how the script works, where the scenery hangs, and where the trapdoors are.”
Although set in a fantasy world, Maskerade‘s one of those Discworld books that doesn’t have much magic or fantasy elements. There’s Death, a troll appears in one scene, a cat changes into a human, Agnes has a magically gifted singing voice… that’s about it really. I think this lends it to working well for people who aren’t generally interested in fantasy. As far as I know, my grandmother doesn’t read much speculative fiction, but she loved Maskerade.
So I’d recommend Maskerade to anyone looking for a funny book, particularly if it involves female characters and the opera.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Maskerade is a mystery
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story that riffs off The Phantom of the Opera. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are missing Magrat and sorely feel the need for a new witch to take her place in the coven (to be in charge of tea making duties if nothing else). Nanny Ogg remembers that Agnes Nitt from Lords and Ladies had a talent for witchcraft, but Agnes has left Lancre to join the opera in Ankh-Morepork, where people are mysteriously dying at the hands of the “Ghost.”“There’s a kind of magic in masks. Masks conceal one face, but they reveal another. The one that only comes out in darkness. I bet you could do just what you liked, behind a mask … ?”
Maskerade is a story about masks, identities, and hiding who you are. The Ghost hides behind a white mask, and Agnes herself hides behind the name Perdita.
“Oh yes? Can you identify yourself?”
“Certainly. I’d know me anywhere.”
Like the rest of the witches books, Maskerade is focused around the female characters, which makes it unusual and enjoyable. Granny and Nanny continue to be wonderful. Agnes is a capable heroine in her own right. Some of the language surrounding Agnes’s weight is troubling, but she’s one of the only female protagonists I’ve encountered who isn’t skinny.
The plot of Maskerade is really a mystery story. I’d actually forgotten the solution, so I had the pleasure of rediscovering it this time around. It’s well woven, and the pacing’s on point. There’s also references to opera and musical theater, and I’m sure there’s even more I didn’t catch.
“You can either be on the stage, just a performer, just going through the lines… or you can be outside it, and know how the script works, where the scenery hangs, and where the trapdoors are.”
Although set in a fantasy world, Maskerade‘s one of those Discworld books that doesn’t have much magic or fantasy elements. There’s Death, a troll appears in one scene, a cat changes into a human, Agnes has a magically gifted singing voice… that’s about it really. I think this lends it to working well for people who aren’t generally interested in fantasy. As far as I know, my grandmother doesn’t read much speculative fiction, but she loved Maskerade.
So I’d recommend Maskerade to anyone looking for a funny book, particularly if it involves female characters and the opera.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member Imrahil2001
Pretty average as far as Pratchett books go, this is in the middle of his more or less straight "parody" phase in which the plot goes something like this:
1) Take "real world" phenomenon (movies, rock and roll, opera)
2) Put it in the Discworld
3) That's it.
This one is even a bit more specific:
1) Take "real world" phenomenon (movies, rock and roll, opera)
2) Put it in the Discworld
3) That's it.
This one is even a bit more specific:
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Phantom of the Opera. In the end, it doesn't really have anything to say, and aside from a couple of funny scenes (the scene where Nanny feeds Granny and the board of directors of the opera one of her "special" recipes is hilarious), there's not really much here that will stay with you. Slightly better than Soul Music (which I rank as the worst of the Discworld books) but not as good as either of the nearby books (Interesting Times and Jingo). Show Less
LibraryThing member jnicholson
Agnes Nitt tries to escape the fate of becoming a witch in the Ramtops by running away to Ankh-Morpork to become an opera singer. A few murders, a ghost and Granny Weatherwax mean that Agnes' life will never be simple. For best results, be familiar with the Phantom of the Opera before you read it.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
A wonderful homage to Phantom of the Opera and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Og must go to Ankh Morepork because they see dire things in a teacup in store for Agnes/Perditta X Nitt. Of course they are compassionate women, but their agenda reaches further than helping Agnes, they
Pratchett always manages to to keep the idea of magic a mystery. Is it special skills, tricks or something other? Just when you think you have it figured out, the story twists a bit and leaves you pondering. The relationship between Nanny and Granny is something special to behold. This story will certainly be reread, it combines so much that I love.
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want her to make a threesome of witches with them. When they arrive, they find more than the drama of the opera in store for them. A tangled web of story lines and characters await their skills.Pratchett always manages to to keep the idea of magic a mystery. Is it special skills, tricks or something other? Just when you think you have it figured out, the story twists a bit and leaves you pondering. The relationship between Nanny and Granny is something special to behold. This story will certainly be reread, it combines so much that I love.
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LibraryThing member cmbohn
Themes: music, magic, opera!
Setting: Ankh-Morpork
*Cue the dramatic music*
Lots of singing. Some ballet.
Enter the guy in the mask.
And the witches. That would be Nanny Ogg and Esmerelda Weatherwax.
Yes, just in case you hadn't guessed, this is the inspired twist of Phantom of the Opera, or just about
Setting: Ankh-Morpork
*Cue the dramatic music*
Lots of singing. Some ballet.
Enter the guy in the mask.
And the witches. That would be Nanny Ogg and Esmerelda Weatherwax.
Yes, just in case you hadn't guessed, this is the inspired twist of Phantom of the Opera, or just about
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any other opera type thing, and Discworld, courtesy of Terry Pratchett. If you have tried his humor, I don't really have to tell you anymore than this. If you haven't, and you like comedy, magic, or opera, then you ought to give it a try. Stinking hilarious. 5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member Helenliz
Terry Pratchett takes on the opera.
They are missing a witch in Lancre, now Magrat is queen, she's not witching any more, leaving Granny and Nanny in a coven of two - and it just doesn't work. So Nanny decides to recruit a new witch in the shape of Agnes Nitt. Only Agnes (who decides that Perdita is
At the same time some post arrives relating to Nanny's recently published cookery book - and this is the excuse needed to get Granny on the road to Ankh.
All sorts of dramatic interludes follow, referencing musicals and operas the world over. There is lots of singing in foreign languages, a ghost, a mask, and a large chandelier that hangs ominously above the theatre...
They are missing a witch in Lancre, now Magrat is queen, she's not witching any more, leaving Granny and Nanny in a coven of two - and it just doesn't work. So Nanny decides to recruit a new witch in the shape of Agnes Nitt. Only Agnes (who decides that Perdita is
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far more interesting name and has a far more interesting life) has decided to try her hand at something else and has left Lancre to seek her future in the Opera in Ankh Morpork. At the same time some post arrives relating to Nanny's recently published cookery book - and this is the excuse needed to get Granny on the road to Ankh.
All sorts of dramatic interludes follow, referencing musicals and operas the world over. There is lots of singing in foreign languages, a ghost, a mask, and a large chandelier that hangs ominously above the theatre...
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LibraryThing member rdyornot
I try not to read on the subway, because people stare at me when I start laughing out loud. Of all of the Discworld novels, those which center upon the witches tend to be my favorites. This one certainly holds up for it's 3rd or 4th read. I highly recommend it, and the rest of the series, to anyone
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who likes fantasy, satire, or just laughing out loud in front of total strangers. Show Less
LibraryThing member ironicqueery
Another fabulous Pratchett book set in Discworld. This book features the witches, Nanny Ogg and Granny, as they head to Ankh-Morpork and get educated on the opera.
Pratchett is at his finest with the dialogue of the witches; they are incredibly funny, wry, and smart.
Pratchett is at his finest with the dialogue of the witches; they are incredibly funny, wry, and smart.
LibraryThing member bastet
This time Pratchett takes on opera--with withches. A laugh riot.
LibraryThing member isabelx
'Er, excuse me.' said the man as Nanny Ogg turned away, 'but what is that on your shoulders?'
'It's . . . a fur collar.' said Nanny.
'Excuse me, but I just saw it flick its tail.'
'Yes. I happen to believe in beauty without cruelty.'
Enjoyable, but somehow not as laugh-out-loud funny as most of the
'It's . . . a fur collar.' said Nanny.
'Excuse me, but I just saw it flick its tail.'
'Yes. I happen to believe in beauty without cruelty.'
Enjoyable, but somehow not as laugh-out-loud funny as most of the
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Discworld books I've read before. Show Less
LibraryThing member tronella
I reread this just after I watched The Phantom of the Opera for the first time, and it made a lot more sense. I'm still in love with Lady Weatherwax.
LibraryThing member eddy79
A run-around with the Witches, and re-telling of the Phantom of the Opera. A standard Discworld, but then Witches aren't my favourite...
LibraryThing member tundranocaps
One of the better Witch books, I think. Maybe because I'm more appreciative of the story it's based on.
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Just ridiculous, but in the nicest way possible.
LibraryThing member RogueBelle
Certainly witty and entertaining, but I think this is the weakest of the Witches novels -- it's just a little pale by comparison. As usual, the "in-jokes" for the theatre crowd are appreciated. ;) I particular enjoyed Christine's punctuation problem. Granny Weatherwax, as usual, steals the show,
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and ultimately is what makes the novel worth it. Show Less
LibraryThing member keristars
This is one of the better Discworld novels I have read so far (I'm going in publication order, so this is #18 for me). While it had a strong and very obvious theme for parody/satire in the opera, with "Phantom of the Opera" as the focus, it didn't feel like the first 80% of the book was simply a
Maskerade was very satisfying to read, and it might be my second favorite witches novel yet - only outdone by Witches Abroad simply because that one panders to my special interests. The pacing was good here, and there weren't so many spots where I groaned a the handling of humor as I've done in some of the other books that took on a very specific subject, like Moving Pictures or Soul Music. I think I was actually expecting a different sort of theme, after Lords and Ladies and the title this one has.
I really enjoyed the new addition to the witches group, which was hinted at in L&L, but given full life here. Seeing Granny and Nanny outside of Lancre was also great - I specially loved Nanny's use of her drawers as another place to carry things and the sound effects when she removed anything from them, and also the scenes when Granny makes use of Nanny's money (her outfitting as Lady Esmeralda was quite fun to read).
There wasn't much that I disliked about this one, though perhaps a few things didn't feel quite fleshed out enough as I was reading - but looking back, I don't remember any specifics. The cameo of the Watch towards the end was good and has me looking forward to the next Watch book in the series, too.
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set-up that was barreling along until it got to the pay-off giant pun/parody/groaner of an ending, the way many of the earlier novels did.Maskerade was very satisfying to read, and it might be my second favorite witches novel yet - only outdone by Witches Abroad simply because that one panders to my special interests. The pacing was good here, and there weren't so many spots where I groaned a the handling of humor as I've done in some of the other books that took on a very specific subject, like Moving Pictures or Soul Music. I think I was actually expecting a different sort of theme, after Lords and Ladies and the title this one has.
I really enjoyed the new addition to the witches group, which was hinted at in L&L, but given full life here. Seeing Granny and Nanny outside of Lancre was also great - I specially loved Nanny's use of her drawers as another place to carry things and the sound effects when she removed anything from them, and also the scenes when Granny makes use of Nanny's money (her outfitting as Lady Esmeralda was quite fun to read).
There wasn't much that I disliked about this one, though perhaps a few things didn't feel quite fleshed out enough as I was reading - but looking back, I don't remember any specifics. The cameo of the Watch towards the end was good and has me looking forward to the next Watch book in the series, too.
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LibraryThing member love2laf
One of the better witch books in Discworld, but probably, far more amusing to an opera / musical fan than for me. I'm sure I missed more than half the puns (in the wings, and in the flies???), but it's still a great fun read.
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
This was clearly a satirical version of Phantom of the Opera, and I suspect I would have found it easier to follow if I'd seen the original musical! The plot lost me by the end, but I loved the humour in this book. Christine was an excellent character ('she had long blond hair and the happy smile
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of someone who is aware that she is thin and has long blond hair'. I know several people like that!), and Agnes was Discworld's very own Susan Boyle. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
The big city - for Agnes Nitt, or say rather Perdita X Nitt, the big city is Ankh-Morport, and the reason is music. Real music, as in the opera. (Un)fortunately for Agnes, Lancre needs its third witch. When circumstances conspire to provide Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg (accompanied by Greebo)
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the excuse to visit Ankh-Morpork, murder, music, mayhem, and Chocolate Delight with Special Secret Sauce ensue. The opera may never be the same again, but the show must go on! Show Less
LibraryThing member Narilka
"The show must go on!"
There's a Ghost in the Opera house. He wears a white mask and causes trouble for the entire company. What better way to deal with a ghost than a witch? Enter Agnes Nitt, a.k.a. Perdita X, with a remarkable singing voice (she can even sing harmony with herself) but an
Maskerade is Discworld's take on opera. It is largely a parody retelling of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera with plenty of puns about opera in general and other famous works and a small mystery to solve. The build up to the end had me laughing out loud. Nanny Ogg as a ballerina was just hilarious! While not my favorite in the Witches series, it was quite an enjoyable read.
There's a Ghost in the Opera house. He wears a white mask and causes trouble for the entire company. What better way to deal with a ghost than a witch? Enter Agnes Nitt, a.k.a. Perdita X, with a remarkable singing voice (she can even sing harmony with herself) but an
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unfortunately traditional body. At least opera is an escape from the scheming Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax back home, who want her to be the third in their coven. Unfortunately once Granny sets her mind on something it's difficult, and often hazardous, to stop her.Maskerade is Discworld's take on opera. It is largely a parody retelling of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera with plenty of puns about opera in general and other famous works and a small mystery to solve. The build up to the end had me laughing out loud. Nanny Ogg as a ballerina was just hilarious! While not my favorite in the Witches series, it was quite an enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member polarbear123
One of the best ones so far in this series. Always a pleasure to see Ogg and Weatherwax and this time the subject is Opera. I also liked the addition this time of a real murder mystery which was deftly done I thought. Definitely superior Pratchett.
LibraryThing member jaygheiser
Two witches save the opera
LibraryThing member kaylol
It's not a good evening's entertainment...it's a great one!
LibraryThing member Aldrea_Alien
Hehe.
I adore Greebo. He reminds me of several cats we’ve had over the years. Mostly one little ball of fluff affectionately named ‘Slash’. It’s the descriptions of him that I love the most. My favourite one so far: “Greebo could, in fact, commit sexual harassment simply by sitting very
Of course, with Greebo comes Nanny and with Nanny comes Granny. This time, the pair are for Ankh-Morepork. Where there’s a Phantom – I mean Ghost – “haunting” the city’s opera theatre. Bettering the singers, destroying scenery, killing people ... or is he? It’s a guy in a white mask anyhow, and a guy in a white mask is the Ghost.
Which is where we come across Perdita X Dream – I mean, Perdita X Nitt ... uh, darn it, I mean Agnes Nitt – a young woman with an amazing voice and a wonderful personality.
I do love how I got drawn into the mystery of this one. I still couldn’t help peeking at the end, several times, but even that didn’t detract from the story here.
I adore Greebo. He reminds me of several cats we’ve had over the years. Mostly one little ball of fluff affectionately named ‘Slash’. It’s the descriptions of him that I love the most. My favourite one so far: “Greebo could, in fact, commit sexual harassment simply by sitting very
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quietly in the next room.” Now that is animal magnetism to its fullest!Of course, with Greebo comes Nanny and with Nanny comes Granny. This time, the pair are for Ankh-Morepork. Where there’s a Phantom – I mean Ghost – “haunting” the city’s opera theatre. Bettering the singers, destroying scenery, killing people ... or is he? It’s a guy in a white mask anyhow, and a guy in a white mask is the Ghost.
Which is where we come across Perdita X Dream – I mean, Perdita X Nitt ... uh, darn it, I mean Agnes Nitt – a young woman with an amazing voice and a wonderful personality.
I do love how I got drawn into the mystery of this one. I still couldn’t help peeking at the end, several times, but even that didn’t detract from the story here.
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LibraryThing member norabelle414
Ever since that Magrat Garlick ran off and married the King of Lancre, Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax have been one witch short of a coven. They have a mother and a crone, so they just need a maiden. And they have their eye on Agnes Nitt . Agnes KNOWS it, too, so she runs of to Ankh-Morpork to
Granny and Nanny Ogg are not dissuaded so easily. They follow Agnes to Ankh-Morpork and the three of them end up getting involved in a mystery at the opera house. Why has the formerly docile "Ghost" (in a long cape and white mask, of course) suddenly begun murdering members of the crew?
Hilarious. The witches and Greebo never disappoint. I would have liked an appearance by Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, though. I feel like he totally has a place at the concession stand of this opera house.
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avoid them, change her name to Perdita, and follow her dream of becoming an opera star. Granny and Nanny Ogg are not dissuaded so easily. They follow Agnes to Ankh-Morpork and the three of them end up getting involved in a mystery at the opera house. Why has the formerly docile "Ghost" (in a long cape and white mask, of course) suddenly begun murdering members of the crew?
Hilarious. The witches and Greebo never disappoint. I would have liked an appearance by Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, though. I feel like he totally has a place at the concession stand of this opera house.
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Subjects
Awards
Prix Imaginales (2002)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1995-11
Physical description
285 p.; 6.25 x 1 inches
ISBN
0575058080 / 9780575058088