The 20th Discworld Novel "Hogfather" is one of my favourites. It's a most felicitous piece of work ... and I simple love Terry Pratchett's Death, who ONLY TALKS IN CAPITAL LETTERS.Death in person did not turn up upon the cessation of every life. It was not necessary. Governments govern, but prime ministers and presidents do not personally turn up in people's homes to tell them how to run their lives, because of the mortal danger this would present. There are laws instead.
In "Hogfather" Death undertakes a quite different commitment, and that's why his granddaughter, Susan Sto-Helit, suffers from severe "scythecism".
Although she hates both her gentility (which got her some good education) and her supernatural heritage someone has to do the job ... otherwise the sun won't rise again.
Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.
She'd become a governess. It was one of the few jobs a known lady could do. And she'd taken to it well. She'd sworn that if she did indeed ever find herself dancing on rooftops with chimney sweeps she'd beat herself to death with her own umbrella.
I've just found out that there is even a movie ... but if you like Fantasy please read the book, it's absolutely recommendable!
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