| $@%&! level: Low “Bedroom” level: None Violence level: Medium-Low (mostly it's just Mr. Teatime, the assassin) Back Cover: “Who would want to harm Discworld's most beloved icon? Very few things are held sacred in this twisted, corrupt, heartless—and oddly familiar—universe, but the Hogfather is one of them. Yet here it is, Hogswatchnight, that most joyous and acquisitive of times, and the jolly old, red-suited gift-giver has vanished without a trace. And there's something shady going on involving an uncommonly psychotic member of the Assassins' Guild and certain representatives of Ankh-Morpork's rather extensive criminal element. Suddenly Discworld's entire myth system is unraveling at an alarming rate. Drastic measures must be taken, which is why Death himself is taking up the reins of the fat man's vacated sleigh...which, in turn, has Death's level-headed granddaughter, Susan, racing to unravel the nasty, humbuggian mess before the holiday season goes straight to hell and takes everyone along with it.” |
Susan and Death actually care for each other a lot, but they don't get along very easily. I guess being the anthropomorphic personification of mortality is likely to make one socially awkward at the best of times, and having a very outspoken and independent woman for a granddaughter probably exacerbates the problem. In most ways, the book is actually about Susan, since she's the one who figures out how to stop the antagonists, but Death is the one who gets her started (by expressly forbidding her to get involved, of course). And they make a pretty good team. But really the best part is watching Death trying to be the Hogfather, because he takes to it like a duck to opera.
You should also know that this book contains Mr. Teatime (which is pronounced Teh-ah-teem-eh, just to make things that one step more bizarre), who spends his spare time figuring out how to kill Death, or the Sand Man. It's a hobby. He's soft-spoken and polite, and might decide at any moment to kill you. In fact, after you've read the book, I strongly suggest you watch the movie, because Marc Warren's portrayal of Teatime is absolutely brilliant.