Review of 'Monstrous Regiment'

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
28th book in the 'Discworld' series

Borogravia is fighting a losing war with Ankh-Morpork but what is a patriotic barmaid, whose brother appears to be lost in battle, to do? Polly Perks decides there is nothing for it but to cut off her hair, put on some trousers, call herself “Oliver”, and join the “Ins-and-Outs” to fight for the glory of the Duchess. She is not the only one with this idea as she is joined by a vampire, an Igor (Igorina?), a troll and a recruit who appears a bit short of a full deck who appears to commune regularly with the (dead) Duchess. Led by a die-hard military man Sergeant Jackdrum the Monstrous Regiment sets out to fight and along the way ruffles more than a few feathers throughout the entire battlefield. Very quickly the enemy wants to stop put their escapades to an end.

Another venture into Discworld sees Pratchett poke fun at sexism, war and the military. Very funny but dragging in spots. It is an on-going joke about the very obvious nature of everyone in the Monstrous Regiment (which is taken to absurd lengths at the end of the novel). A few laugh-out-loud moments but, as with most Discworld, mostly a series of smiles throughout.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2011-12-14

Genre: Fantasy

Publication Date: 2003

• The Colour of Magic (Book 1)
• The Light Fantastic (Book 2)
• Feet of Clay (Book 19)
• Hogfather (Book 20)
• Jingo (Book 21)
• The Fifth Elephant (Book 24)
• The Truth (Book 25)
• Night Watch (Book 27)
• Going Postal (Book 29)
• Thud! (Book 30)
• Making Money (Book 31)
• Unseen Academicals (Book 32)

• Good Omens

• Feet of Clay (Book 19 of Discworld)
• Going Postal (Book 29 of Discworld)
• Hogfather (Book 20 of Discworld)
• Jingo (Book 21 of Discworld)
• Making Money (Book 31 of Discworld)
• Nation
• Night Watch (Book 27 of Discworld)
• The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents
• The Carpet People
• The Colour of Magic (Book 1 of Discworld)
• The Fifth Elephant (Book 24 of Discworld)
• The Light Fantastic (Book 2 of Discworld)
• The Truth (Book 25 of Discworld)
• Thud! (Book 30 of Discworld)
• Unseen Academicals (Book 32 of Discworld)

• The Science of Discworld