Monstrous Regiment
March 16th 2010 23:33
Book Cover
Terry Pratchett is the King of political observant, comedic fantasy. Turning his attention to the arts of war and politics, the 31st Discworld novel, Monstrous Regiment, is a satrical look at war through the eyes of the last regiment not captured of the Borogravian Army.
Borogravia is a small country, followers of the God Nuggan - rumoured to be dead - who try to live without crossing his abominations. This can be difficult at times as Nuggan finds many things - long hair, jigsaw puzzles, rocks, the colour blue, six buttons, babies - as abominations. An ever changing river form the boundary between Borogravia and their sworn enemy, Zlobenia, and the distruction of the Clacks Towers, forms the crux for this latest war between the two countries.
Borogravia is ruled by The Duchess, a fish-eyed woman not seen in 40 years. Commonly believed to be in mourning for her dead husband, she has been turned into a diety by the Borogravian people, subject to their prayers, their dreams and their hope. It is also commonly believed she has been dead for decades.
Should the Duchess be dead, the rightful heir to the throne is Prince Heinrich, and despite a war that seems to be going in his favour, forces beyond the two countries are working to ensure the right side wins.
Into this quagmire comes Polly Perks. Polly's only brother Paul is missing in action, believed to be held captive by the enemy. In order to rescue her brother Polly chops off her long golden ringlets, and sneaks out in the middle of the night to join the ins-and-outs, a ragtag bunch of new recruits under the guidance of Sergeant Jackrum and Corporal Strappii. Joining Polly - now Oliver Perks - in the ins-and-outs are; Shufti, Lofty, Tonks, Wazza - touched with religion she believes the dead Duchess speaks to her - Maladict - a black ribboner - and Carborundum a troll with long flowing moss and grass on his toes.
Polly and the motley crew move through the Borogravian countryside, using brains and intelligence to survive, despite hostile forces on all sides. The ins-and-outs new commanding officer, Lieutenant Bloom, an overly zealous Rupert - all officers are ruperts Jackrum explains, because they're all named either Rupert or Tristian and were hiding behind the door when they gave out the chins - joins as the new commanding officer and leads the ins-and-outs to The Keep.
The Ins-and-outs sneak into the keep dressed as washerwomen, and come face to face with Zombies, Generals and Ankh Morporks own Sir Samuel Vimes, who has been sent to the Keep by Vetinari to make sure the right side wins the war.
There are many twists and turns in Monstrous Regiment - from coffee addicted to vampires to pregnant soilders to cross dressing Generals - and the humour of the novel is well balanced against the growing knowledge of the futility of war.
The characters are typical Prachett - the Ruperts need guiding and the plebs have all the brains. It was good to see some cameo appearances by some regular City Watch characters and I have to say that Buggy Squires the City Watch's aerial component is starting to grow on me.
Monstrous Regiment doesn't shy away from looking at the bleaker topics we know are associated with war, and it's in the-tongue-in-cheek delivery and the emotional connection to the characters that those sharp edges are dulled.
I really enjoyed Monstrous Regiment. For Practchett fans it's a great read, safe and warm-hearted - unlike the war we partake in - and for those who are new to Pterry and his wonderful Discworld, the novel works as a stand alone story quite easily.
This satrical novel is a great way to spend your commute, your flight or simply a rainy afternoon in front of the fire.
For further information on the Disworld, Monstorous Regiment or any other Terry Pratchett Book go to Terry Pratchett Books
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