Hello Readers,
Towards the end of last year, I started dipping back into
the wonderfully absurd and clever world of Discworld. One of the highlights was
listening to Monstrous Regiment on Spotify, which clocked in at 11 hours and 26
minutes of pure joy. It reminded me just how much I adore Terry Pratchett’s
writing. This year, I’ve decided to try and reread (or relisten to) the entire
Discworld series from start to finish.
What happens when a young woman disguises herself as a
man to join the army in a war-torn, irrational nation? In Monstrous Regiment,
Terry Pratchett spins this intriguing premise into a hilarious and moving
exploration of gender, war, and identity. The 31st Discworld novel and part of
the Industrial Revolution subtheme, it’s a shining example of Pratchett’s gift
for mixing humour with biting social commentary.
The story follows Polly Perks, a clever and determined
young woman who enlists in the Borogravian army to find her missing brother.
Disguised as a boy, Polly joins a ragtag squad of misfits and faces the chaos
of war while struggling to keep her identity hidden. Polly is a wonderfully
relatable protagonist she is smart, dependable, and quick on her feet and her
squad is filled with quirky, endearing characters whose camaraderie is both
hilarious and touching.
Pratchett’s humour is ever-present but never
overwhelming, making room for poignant reflections on gender roles, war, and
religious fanaticism. The exploration of what it means to be a woman and to
defy societal expectations hits particularly hard in Borogravia, a nation
teetering on the edge of absurdity and collapse. The balance of comedy and
serious themes is masterful, delivering plenty of laughs alongside moments of
real depth.
Although it’s not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of
Discworld’s finest (City Watch or Death novels), Monstrous Regiment still
offers sharp wit, brisk action, and deeply moving moments. Longtime fans will
enjoy cameos from familiar faces like Samuel Vimes, but newcomers can easily
dive in and appreciate the novel as a standalone.
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