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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.
When her brother goes missing in a protracted border conflict, Polly Perks disguises herself as a man to infiltrate the army and bring him home. Polly navigates the rigid, dogmatic bureaucracy of Borogravia, a nation obsessed with its deity and its endless war. She must maintain her masculine facade while contending with a ragtag unit of fellow recruits who each harbor their own hidden agendas. The narrative utilizes a third-person perspective to examine the absurdity of military hierarchy and the social constraints placed upon gender roles within a crumbling state.
Readers frequently highlight the balance between the comedic tone and the serious underlying critique of war. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the character development, particularly how the ensemble cast evolves as their secrets are revealed. Critics note the precision of the satire, which targets institutional rigidity without losing the narrative momentum. The atmosphere is described as both whimsical and grounded, providing a distinct perspective on the human cost of conflict. Many fans appreciate how the story functions as a standalone entry while maintaining the signature wit of the broader series.
Page Count:
368
Publication Date:
2003-09-30
Publisher:
Harper
ISBN-10:
006001315X
ISBN-13:
9780060013158
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