Reaper Man

Lore & Background

The Auditors of Reality are formless entities ensuring the universe operates efficiently. They decide Discworld's Death must be replaced because he has developed a personality. They get permission from Azrael, the Death of all things across the Universes, to force this retirement. In his absence, dead humans' life forces build up with no place to go, causing paranormal phenomena like poltergeists and ghosts. A parasitic life form invades Ankh-Morpork, feeding on cities until it becomes a giant shopping mall. Humankind's collective fear eventually creates a New Death without any form or personality.

In Their Own Story

Death takes the name Bill Door and works as a farmhand for elderly Miss Flitworth in the Octarine Grass Country. In this village community, he learns about friendship and living. The recently deceased wizard Windle Poons becomes a zombie in Ankh-Morpork. He attends the Fresh Start Club, an undead-rights group, while his peers investigate strange phenomena. Together with wizards from Unseen University, they destroy the parasitic invader. When Bill Door's time runs out, the New Death comes for him, but he had planned for this moment and destroys it. After defeating the New Death, Death confronts Azrael. He pleads that Deaths must care or there is nothing but Oblivion. Death receives more time, meets Miss Flitworth again with gifts, and offers to take her anywhere. She asks to go to the local harvest dance, realizing she had died hours before it started. Death escorts her to her old fiancé, who died in an accident before their marriage, and they are reunited for their final rest.

Reader's Guide

This is the 11th Discworld novel and the second to focus on Death. The Auditors force Death to retire due to his developed personality. Key characters include Bill Door (Death), Miss Flitworth, Windle Poons, Azrael, and members of Unseen University like Mustrum Ridcully. A fragment was adapted in 1996 into a short animated movie called Welcome to the Discworld, featuring Christopher Lee as Death.

Did You Know?

• The title references Alex Cox's movie Repo Man.
• Death works under the name Bill Door in the Octarine Grass Country.
• Windle Poons becomes a zombie and joins the Fresh Start Club.
• A parasitic life form invades Ankh-Morpork and turns into a giant shopping mall.
• Christopher Lee voiced Death in a 1996 animated adaptation of the book.