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Monstrous Regiment

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Borogravia is at war. Again. Or still. The country has been fighting with its neighbors so long that there aren't very many young men left to be soldiers. So even though a woman dressing as a man is an Abomination Unto Nuggan (garlic, chocolate, ears, rocks and much more at all Abominations unto the crazed Borogravian deity), Polly Perks dresses as a man and signs up for the Ins and Outs, the Tenth Division of the Borogravian army. No one looks too carefully; recruits are getting too hard to find.

The title is a play on an obscure John Knox essay, a diatribe against women in leadership positions. Army life, officers, NCOs, patriotism, Army intelligence, institutional religion and especially sexism all get the Pratchett Treatment. More than any of his other books, I was strongly reminded of Mark Twain's later satires. Pratchett is a little gentler than Twain, and his approach is more methodical, but the same simmering anger is evident. Pratchett's distaste for the institutions and respect for the individuals is made completely clear. Stupidity, Polly Perks comes to realize, is simply too dangerous to have around.

There are a few wonderful new characters, including Jackrum, a legendary sergeant in the Borogravian army, apparently ageless and, upon his word, "not a dishonest man;" and Maladict, one of Polly's fellow recruits, who has substituted a lust for blood for a lust for coffee (Pratchett is plainly a serious coffee drinker). And there are cameos of greater or lesser extent from Watch characters Duke Samuel Vimes, Corporal Angua, Buggy Swires and Reg Shoe; and William de Worde and his photographer, Otto.

But mostly this is about Polly, an intelligent, decent person, placed in the madness and folly of war. She masters the art of impersonating a man - mostly belching and walking differently - practices shaving with a blunted razor and learns the importance of a strategically placed pair of socks. She learns how to tell if it is just the socks talking. She learns that sometimes when you ask, "Are we winning the war?" you might not be asking the right question. And she demonstrates that sometimes the right man for a task is a woman. Or perhaps several women.

Pratchett touches on another theme, too, the difference between worship and belief. "Small Gods" focused on that distinction, and it plays a critical role here. Borogravians may worship Nuggan (even if they sometimes ignore the newest Abominations) but they believe in the Duchess, even though she may be dead. And, as events unfold, the difference is critical.

There aren't many belly laughs, but this is a mature, amusing and instructive novel. It doesn't hurt that the themes are topical, but it's too much to hope that either Tony Blair or George W. Bush will read, let alone understand, what Pratchett is saying. Don't make their mistake.

First of all, Monstrous Regiment is the 28th Discworld book, and Pratchett is just getting started. Every time you think he has run out of ideas, he comes up with something new (or an interesting take on something old). This book is no different, as this time he examines the military and the military mindset. Is it a good one? SIR, YES SIR!

This is another winning Discworld book. It's a bit different in tone from Night Watch, if only because the humour is broader. In Night Watch, the humour was on the side and it was a fairly serious book except for that. This has a serious point to make as well, but the humour involves everybody. It was refreshing to see. Pratchett has some good points to make on military matters in the real world, and he skewers the entire mindset (not necessarily of the men, who he never really disparages, but the planners).

He does have the obvious stereotypes of the hard drill sergeant and the lieutenant who doesn't really know what he's doing and has no experience. But even these stereotypes he turns on their heads, shakes them upside down, and looks at what comes out. Pratchett, always a master of character, has created some new winners (though I don't believe they'll be back in another book, like some of Pratchett's recurring characters). Polly is the typical Pratchett hero: determined, relatively straight-laced, intelligent and resourceful. She's a wonderful viewpoint character, scared but determined to do what is right. When she's assigned to be the lieutenant's assistant, she's reluctant to take advantage of the position, though she does so to help out her mates. She helps Lieutenant Blouse along, though she's terrified of shaving him because she's never learned how to shave herself.

Probably the best character in the book, though, is Jackrum. He reminds me a lot of Sam Vimes from the City Watch books, but with a different edge to him. He's a soldier and nothing else. He doesn't want to be an officer. He doesn't want to be a civilian. He wants to do his job, keep his lads safe, and bring them home. He doesn't like sneaking around and doing things different from the army way, and he's horrified when Blouse wants to use subterfuge to get into the castle they're supposed to take. He's a man of duty, honour, and integrity, and while he's always rough on his men, he also respects them. Of course, we find out there's a reason behind the man he is, which is what really cuts him apart from Vimes.

The other characters are standout even if they aren't developed that much. There's the religious zealot who constantly speaks to "The Duchess," (the figure who, much like Queen Victoria, hasn't been seen much since her husband died, and who many feel is actually dead). There are a couple of fire-bugs who ran away from where they were being held. The best of this bunch, however, is the vampire (Maladict) and the latest in a long string of Igors in a Discworld book. Maladict has sworn off blood in order to be accepted in society, and has developed an addiction to coffee instead. He's the only one that seems, at least initially, to know what's going on. When the coffee runs out, look out! Igor is much the same as most of his brethren, handy with a surgical knife and internal organs. Both of these characters add some sparkle when they're on the page, as well as a lot of laughs.

There are a few well-known Discworld characters in the book to add colour as well. William de Worde (the journalist from The Truth) and his photographer vampire Otto, make an appearance. I'm surprised that they weren't "embedded" with the troops, but that may have been a bit obvious. Pratchett does use them to make some statements about the Press in wartime, and how wars are reported. Samuel Vimes and a couple of his watchmen are also included, though they don't have a major part. I think Vimes is included mainly as a counterpoint for Jackrum's character, and he does a good job of that. He's also a voice of reason in a sea of insanity (Polly's adrift in that sea, so she doesn't count).

The best thing about Pratchett is that he is entertaining and thought-provoking even when you might not agree with him. Given some of the things he makes light of, I may be able to guess what his opinion is on the recent war in Iraq. However, even if you don't agree with him, he will make you think. And he will make you laugh, which is the most important part. He also touches on gender and religious issues, all in one book. The fact that he's able to make interesting points without seeming like a scattershot approach says something about Pratchett's writing.

Monstrous Regiment is a return of sorts to Pratchett's previous style of combining humour and social commentary. It's another must-read for any Pratchett fan.

David Roy

This trip to Discworld takes us into Borogravia, home of constant warfare that generally stem from the most ridiculous reasons imaginable. Into the conflict comes young Polly Perks, a barmaid who needs to find her brother before the family loses the family tavern. As women are not permitted to be soldiers as it is "an abomination unto Nuggan." the deity whose concerns are constantly becoming more and more outrageous, Polly pretends to be a man and joins up with a ragtag group that include a vampire, a troll, and an "Igor." Everyone has their own secrets and the troop goes off to war.

This episode of Discworld is a bit predictable. The conflicts and concerns of war are ample fodder for farce and Pratchett makes the most of the setting, but the storyline and the "surprises" within are far too predictable. Pratchett does have an opportunity to give some more depth to his world, but I found myself missing Ankh-Morpock and its denizens (although a few make an appearance). An departure from the norm and still enjoyable, but hopefully Borogravia will only make an occasional appearance.

This was the first book I have read by Terry Pratchett, but so far not the last. I loved this book, his quirky sense of humor, his gentle spoofing of the military, wars, government, VIP's, etc. He sees through all the sham of the "spin meisters". Too bad we couldn't put him to work on our own sorry political messes! I highly recommend all his books, though I have so far only read three, and have more on tap to read.

Monstrous Regiment is not as funny as Discworld novels mostly are; in fact, it's the best work Terry Pratchett had conjured in quite some time, possibly second to The Truth. It's not the laugh-a-minute, surreal fantasy-comedy that Terry had become famous for; it's actually much more satire than parody, and the humor is therefore much more subtle and less, shall we say, 'jokey'. Terry gives us very little of the familiar Discworld faces or places; many fans have found that to be a downside, as well. In fact, those were the very reasons I found 'Monstrous Regiment' so good. I feel that, despite all my love for them, the old, old Discworld characters - Sam Vimes, Carrot, Rincewind, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Susan and the rest - have become quite repetitive over the last few years, especially Vimes who been quite overplayed recently. In 'Monstrous Regiment', he plays a minor role in which he excels. Death, too, is given a very brief cameo, and William De Worde and Otto (from 'The Truth') also grant a couple of cameos (although William is a character that had not yet fulfilled his potential, at least not as a supporting actor).

Instead, we have a remarkably large cast of new characters, and the strangest part of it is - most of them are sane. The lead characters in 'Monstrous Regiment' are exquisitely 'normal' in Discworld standards, and though at first it seems like the cast includes 'a troll, a vampire, and Igor and A FEW OTHER GUYS' they all turn out to be very individual and well-rounded characters. Terry leans on character development here more than he ever did before, and lo! - there are hardly any physical descriptions of the characters, and yet we get to know each one individually through their actions, their behaviors, personalities, motives and past. In fact, the troll and the Igor (there was one of those in every Discworld novel for some time now) are surprisingly normal too, though they're probably the weakest characters and are there mostly for a few gags and some comic relief. The vampire is actually one of the most fascinating characters in the novel, yet he doesn't even speak with a funny accent! Altogether, 'Monstrous Regiment' is not the story of one level-headed, sane character surrounded by madmen, like so many of Terry's novels; it's the story of entirely sane people in a mad world. As Vimes himself wonderfully puts it, a country can be insane even though all the people in it are completely sane and normal.

And that's the gist of it really. This little sentence rings very much true in the context of every war we have in the world. It's easy to say that 'Monstrous Regiment' is a satire about Islam and some parts of it may be, but it's true for every war there ever was and it's the kind of book people should take notice of. And that's why, even though - BECAUSE it's not filled with gags and wordplay, but with truly deep and observant satire. And if you think Terry and depth don't go together, read back to 'Small Gods', probably the best book in the whole series, and the one most easily comparable to 'Monstrous Regiment'. Maybe the fact that I served in the army myself helped a bit with some of the humor (I had a desk job actually, but I did get to meet my share of Sarges and Ruperts and Terry captures them perfectly) but I do think that this book is relevant to any place and any times. It takes a bit more thinking than your usual Discworld novel, but is well worth it.

When "Thief of Time" came out, I read it. Then I read it again. I read it four more times waiting for the next Pratchett book. Then "Night Watch" came out and I did the same thing. But I don't think that will be happening with "Monstrous Regiment."

Pratchett seems to admire and respect human spirituality and the kind of deep faith that can move mountains. He feels the same way about courage and endurance in the face of insurmountable obstacles. And he despises the way the institutional church and national governments exploit these in favor of organized religion, warfare, and political advantage. He devotes "Small Gods" and "Jingo" to this very theme, and he does it brilliantly; those are two of his best. "Monstrous Regiment," looks at these issues, plus another Pratchett theme, the way societies work out their sexuality and gender-role issues. Unfortunately, it doesn't do quite as well.

The story is of a war between Borogravia and a neighbor. The basic plot outline is Jeanne d'Arc and the siege of Orleans. It is told from the point of view of Polly, who cuts her hair and dresses like a boy and joins the army to fight the foes of her homeland. We get some cameos from Vimes, Angua, Reg Shoe, Buggy, Death, William de Worde and Chriek, even Lord Rust, but the main characters and the setting are all new. Polly has many adventures, see many new sights, learns many new things, and comes home safe.

Hard to say what the problem is. It almost seems like the author isn't giving it his full attention. The footnotes are intermittent and half-hearted, rather than pointed and hilarious. The cameos seem, mostly, aimless: if you're not going to use Death, why bother having him at all? de Worde and Vimes actually serve the plot, but they seem to be going through the motions rather than enhancing the story.

More troubling is the main characters themselves. Partly, the book is one long shaggy-dog joke (cf. John Knox's essay, or at least the title of it), and it becomes obvious pretty early what the punchline is. But, worse, none of the lead characters thrill, none of the humor lifts off the page and makes you guffaw. The satire is often blunt where it should be sharp, the sadness never reaches very deeply. Some of the main characters are never fully explained or developed, especially the Jeanne d'Arc character and Lt. Bounce; but even Jackrum remains flat (no pun intended). As an empowered woman, Polly doesn't come close to Angua or Miss Susan. Despite the constant references to the weird local religion, there is no religious fanatic like Vorbis, no believer to compare with Brother Brutha. Nor is there a real villain. There are various villainous characters who appear and disappear and reappear, but no single bad guy to keep your eye on, to represent an always dangerous threat to our heroes, and that may be the greatest weakness of the whole book.

Still, it's Pratchett, and so well worth the price and the time to read it. And I can always re-read "Thief of Time" and "Night Watch."

I'm still slightly ashamed of enjoying the Discworld™ novels as mush as I do. I started reading Pratchett when I was 14 and I've read all his books in order since then. I burned through this one in two days and I don't know if it's the fact that they're practically all made up of conversation, have "chapters" than rarely span more than three pages or because they don't require much in the way of deep thought that makes them so readable.

Anyroad, this one is about a young lady who goes to war disguised as a bloke and how she shapes the history of her nation. Although there's the usual Discworld characters- Werewolves, Trolls, Vampires, etc., this one's quite light on the magic, concentrating more on gender politics and the inherent absurdity of war.

If you've read Pratchett's other books and liked the ones with wizards and Rincewind best, this may be a tad disappointing. If you've never read any of his books before, this isn't the worst place to start, as you don't need much in the way of a backstory and it'll introduce you to his esoteric style. If you've read lots of his other books, then you'll need no persuading for this one; I've never met a person who's just read two or three discworld novels. You're either a fan, working your way through all 30 or so, or someone who can't be doing with worlds carried on the back of elephants and turtles and footnotes on every other page. So, in summary, not his funniest, nor most thought-provoking, but still undeniably enjoyable reading.

This is the Thirty-first(!) book in Terry Pratchett's series on the Discworld--a flat world, supported on the backs of four massive elephants riding on the back of a planet-sized turtle. Anything hilarious can happen here, and eventually does.

With the Duchy of Borogravia locked in a long-standing war, that it seems to be losing, plucky Polly Perks sets out to find her missing-in-action brother. And, what better way is there to find a soldier than to become one? So, armed with the Duchess's commission, a short haircut, and a pair of socks thrust confidently into her pants, it's off to war for Private Oliver (nee Polly) Perks. But this new regiment of the Tenth Foot ("Ins-and-Outs") has more that its fair share of non-men; it has a vampire, a troll, and a group of soldiers who all have something to hide. No doubt about it, this is a monstrous regiment!

I have been a fan of Terry Pratchett of many years, and consider him one of the master storytellers of this era. As always, this book is funny, with the author taking an offbeat look at men, women and war. Not quite as funny as many of his previous books, this one is also not single-minded in its social commentary, with Mr. Pratchett not just knocking war, but examining it from many different angles. Overall, I thought that this was a very good book, funny and yet thought provoking.

I am a very big fan of Terry Pratchett's books, most of which are sidesplittingly funny while including effective satire/commentary on society. When Pratchett is on, his books are great. Unfortunatly he seems to have emphasized theme more than humor and storyline in this book. It's still ok, but it's defintly not going to be anywhere near the top of a list of his best books. It reads similarly to his book Pyramids, so if you liked or disliked that one you'll probobly feel the same about Monstrous Regiment.

I have always been a fan of Terry Pratchett. Every single one of his Discworld novels (except for The Last Hero, but that's not a novel) is on my bookshelf, read at least once and most more than once. The majority have been extremely delightful, and the ones that weren't failed to convince me that Pratchett had lost it because of his previous successes.

This novel is, unfortunately, in the category of not entirely delightful books. It is in the same vein as his book ten years ago called Equal Rites, and much better at that, but his talent lies more in entertaining than writing a believable story about a somewhat controversial subject. In my opinion, if there had been only a few scattered females in the whole Borokravian military it would have been much more successful, but he took the idea a few steps too far that just made it lame. Don't get me wrong, it had its share of funny moments, but the book wasn't as enjoyable from beginning to end as many of his others.

Fortunately, Night Watch was just as good as any other he's written, and also proves that he can write a good, sad story that takes place on Discworld, which I was beginning to doubt. Therefore, I continue to eagerly await the next novel on this flat but round world supported by mangy creatures with trunks and a shell.