Monstrous Regiment

Monstrous Regiment (2003) Terry Pratchett

I love Terry Pratchett’s books. However, I’ll frequently go long periods where I don’t read his books, despite his prodigious publication rate, because once I get started I frequently read a lot of his books, sometimes going back and re-reading much of the series. At which point I get tired of Discworld and don’t want to read any more about it for awhile. However, I’ve apparently reached thepoint where I want to read about Discworld again, and so picked up Monstrous Regiment.

This is, for the most part, a Discworld book with entirely new characters. Samuel Vimes and some of his Watch make a small appearance, but for the most part the story is focused upon Polly “Oliver” Perks and the others who also sign up to join the Borogravia army–an army in the middle of a war that no one wants to admit that they seem to be losing.

If I hadn’t checked the copyright date, I would have assumed this book was written in direct response to the US and England going to war in Iraq. Terry Pratchett has a lot to obliquely say about governments and their willingness to go to war, regardless of the costs. However, it was published in 2003, to any relation to our current political fiasco is purely conicidental.

As with all Discworld books, it’s hard to pin down what I liked best: Polly’s attitude, the rest of her regiment, or the socks. (Okay. It’s the socks.)

I also like his attitude about women in the military–that they wouldn’t necessarily do things any better or even differently from the men. The status quo is something that has to be overcome, and it’s not necessarily easy to do so.

As far as enjoyment, I wouldn’t say this is my favorite Discworld books. I liked Polly and the other characters well enough–enjoyed them even, but I didn’t really want to read all the political statements I found between the lines–not because I disagreed with them, but because I’m just a bit tired of war and politics right now.
Rating: 7/10

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