Horror Book Reviews
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Title: Monstrous Regiment |
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Review of Monstrous Regiment
War has come to Discworld ... again.
And, to no one's great surprise, the conflict centers around the small, arrogantly fundamentalist duchy of Borogravia, which has long prided itself on its unrelenting aggressiveness. A year ago, Polly Perks's brother marched off to battle, and Polly's willing to resort to drastic measures to find him. So she cuts off her hair, dons masculine garb, and -- aided by a well-placed pair of socks -- sets out to join this man's army. Since a nation in such dire need of cannon fodder can't afford to be too picky, Polly is eagerly welcomed into the fighting foldâalong with a vampire, a troll, an Igor, a religious fanatic, and two uncommonly close "friends." It would appear that Polly "Ozzer" Perks isn't the only grunt with a secret. But duty calls, the battlefield beckons. And now is the time for all good ... er ... "men" to come to the aid of their country.
Product Description
- What do you get when you cross a vampire, a troll, Igor, a collection of misfits, and a young woman who shoves a pair of socks down her pants to join the army? The answer's simple. You have Monstrous Regiment, the characteristically charming novel by Terry Pratchett.
Polly becomes Private Oliver Perks, who is on a quest to find her older brother, who's recently MIA in one of the innumerable wars the tiny nation of Borogravia has a habit of starting with its neighbors. This peevish tendency has all but expended Borogravia's ranks of cannon fodder. Whether Sergeant Jackrum knows her secret or not, he can't afford to be choosy, as Perks and her/his comrades are among the last able-bodied recruits left in Borogravia. This collection of misfits includes the aforementioned vampire (reformed and off the blood, thank you), troll, and macabre Igor, who is only too happy to sew you a new leg if you aren't too particular about previous ownership. Off to war, Polly/Oliver learns that having a pair of, um, socks is a good way to open up doors in this man's army.
For those who haven't made this underrated author's acquaintance, Monstrous Regiment is as good a place to start as any. Readers will encounter Pratchett's subtle and disarming wit, his trademark footnoted asides along with a not-too-shabby tale of honor, courage, and duty in the face of absurd circumstances. --Jeremy Pugh
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Comments for Monstrous Regiment
- Posted on 2008-02-09
One of the best Discworld books to date
I've read all the Discworld books in order and this is one of the best ones of the bunch. There is more action and suspense than some other books, and the Blouse characters is very funny. I had some laugh out loud moments, especially with Blouse insisting on becoming a washwoman later in the book. The minor characters were not too interesting (like Maladict/a), but the main characters made up for it. Another good thing on this book is it doesn't rely on previous books' storylines.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-01-29
Spare Socks, Anyone
There must be very little left that has not be said about the genius that is Terry Pratchett. No wonder he is England's best selling living author.
This book has a slightly different slant to many of the Discworld novels but it none the worse for it.
It is about a young girl, Polly Perks who has her own reasons for going to the recruiting sergeant with a pair of socks pushed down her trousers and asking to join "This man's army". Included in her section are a set of misfits including an "Igor" and a reformed vampire and why not.
They all march off with their new sergeant who says he is determined to look after "my boys" and will not let any harm befall them . . .
There is a nice comic twist at the end of the book, maybe you will see it coming and maybe you won't.
Many people try to imitate Pratchett. Take it from me it's impossible.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-12-12
Top-notch plum
Satire at its best. I make no secret that Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite authors, with a diabolical gift for fantasy and acid wit.
A woman joins the ranks of fighting boys, only to discover it's not so much "this man's army" anymore. Of particular note were the vampire character trying his utmost to remain calm despite the lack of caffeine and the return of my favorite Pratchett regular, Captain Samual Vimes (tasty). The story was more enjoyable than I thought it would be, especially since I tend to shy away from anything that has to do with the military. Definately got my 'socks' off.
For those new to Pratchett, there is a difference between Pratchett's older and newer works. The older books are chock full of characters, since he needed time to establish the Discworld and the way it wobbles, and they tend to lean heavier on the side of fantasy. The newer novels focus more on current pop culture for the bulk of the plot(like computers and popular book trends (Da Vinci Code spoof, anyone?). By now, most of the residents of the Discworld have already been gently prodded, or shoved, in some cases, into their place. It's always wonderful to read someone who is having way to much fun writing his books. Cheers!
Score: 4
- Posted on 2007-11-23
Monstrous Regiment -- Terrific Story!
Great book and a terrific audio book!
Characters that you care about and the plot moves along.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-11-12
Pratchett read aloud is a treat
Stephen Briggs is a wonderful reader--as good as Stephen Fry or Simon Jones and that's saying something.
The book? Not my absolute favorite of Pratchett but his less than perfect is anyone else's "HEY, WOW, that's great fun."
Absolutely confirms that "stealth literature" rumor that's running around his books, but don't let it alarm you.
Score: 5