Synopses & Reviews
War has come to Discworld…again.
And, to no one's great surprise, the conflict centers around the small, insufferably arrogant, strictly fundamentalist duchy of Borogravia, which has long prided itself on its ability to beat up on its neighbors. This time, however, it's Borogravia that's getting its long-overdue comeuppance, which has left the country severely drained of young men.
Ever since her brother Paul marched off to battle a year ago, Polly Perks has been running The Duchess, her family's inn -- even though the revered national deity, Nuggan, has decreed that female ownership of a business is an Abomination. To keep The Duchess in the family, Polly must find her missing sibling. So she cuts off her hair, dons masculine garb, and sets out to join him in this man's army.
Polly is afraid that someone will see through her disguise; a fear that proves groundless when the legendary Sergeant Jackrum accepts her without question. Or perhaps the sergeant is too desperate to discriminate -- which would explain why a vampire, a troll, a zombie, a religious fanatic, and two uncommonly close "friends” are also eagerly welcomed into the fighting fold. Soon, Polly finds herself wondering about the myriad peculiarities of her new brothers-in-arms. It would appear that Polly "Ozzer” Perks is not the only grunt with a secret.
Review
"Pratchett takes full and unfairly hilarious advantage of the opportunity to skewer everything from military court martials to male swagger." Jennifer Howard, The Washington Post Book World
Review
"Surprisingly meaningful but never short of hilarious: a monstrous success for Pratchett." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Pratchett flexes his satirical muscles again, with the follies of war his theme....Thoroughly funny and surprisingly insightful." Regina Schroeder, Booklist
Review
"Monstrous Regiment is most often spirited and shambolic, but it has some serious heft. Pratchett is on the side of those who make very little fuss, which means he gets to shiv those who do." Kerry Fried, The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
"Wickedly satirical . . . nothing short of brilliant." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The 31st entry in Sir Terry Pratchett's internationally bestselling Discworld series about the art of war and the brave women who wage it.
War has come to Discworld. The homes and businesses throughout the duchy of Borogravia limp along, doing the best they can without their men, sent to fight their age-old enemy. Polly has taken over the lion's share of responsibility for the running of her family's humble inn, The Duchess. Her beloved brother Paul marched off to war almost a year ago, but it has been more than two months since his last letter home, and the news from the front is bad: the fighting has reached the border, supplies are dwindling, and the brave Borogravians are losing precious ground. So the resourceful Polly cuts off her hair and joins the army as a young man named Oliver. As Polly closely guards her secret, she notices that her fellow recruits seem to be guarding secrets of their own.
A novel that explores the inanity of war, the ins and outs of sexual politics, and why often the best man for the job is a woman, Monstrous Regiment is vintage Pratchett in top form.
The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Monstrous Regiment is a standalone.
About the Author
Terry Pratchett is one of the world's most popular authors. His acclaimed novels are bestsellers in the United States and the United Kingdom, and have sold more than 85 million copies worldwide. In January 2009, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Pratchett a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services to literature. Sir Terry lives in England.
Stephen Briggs lives in Oxfordshire and has been involved in the world of amateur dramatics for many years, which is how he came to discover the Discworld. Having read one book, he was hooked and read the entire canon over the next three weeks. Oxford Studio Theatre Club went on to stage his adaptations of Wyrd Sisters; Mort; Guards! Guards!; and many, many more. As well as compiling The Discworld Companion, The New Discworld Companion, and now Turtle Recall: The Discworld Companion . . . So Far, he has also coauthored the Discworld Diaries and the Mapps, and has provided the voices for the UK and US Discworld audiobooks.