Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Review

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.

L x

 

Comments