Monstrous Regiment

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

War has come to Discworld...again. And, to no one's great surprise, the conflict centers around the small, insufferably arrogant, strictly fundamentalist duchy of Borogravia, which has long prided itself on its ability to beat up on its neighbors. This time, however, it's Borogravia that's getting its long-overdue comeuppance, which has left the country severely drained of young men.

Ever since her brother Paul marched off to battle a year ago, Polly Perks has been running The Duchess, her family's inn, even though the revered national deity, Nuggan, has decreed that female ownership of a business is an Abomination. To keep The Duchess in the family, Polly must find her missing sibling. So she cuts off her hair, dons masculine garb, and sets out to join him in this man's army.

Polly is afraid that someone will see through her disguise; a fear that proves groundless when the legendary Sergeant Jackrum accepts her without question. Or perhaps the sergeant is too desperate to discriminate, which would explain why a vampire, a troll, a zombie, a religious fanatic, and two uncommonly close "friends" are also eagerly welcomed into the fighting fold. Soon, Polly finds herself wondering about the myriad peculiarities of her new brothers-in-arms. It would appear that Polly "Ozzer" Perks is not the only grunt with a secret.

©2003 Terry Pratchett (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Critic reviews

"Terry Pratchett's hilarious prose is significantly enhanced by the narrative skills of Stephen Briggs....Briggs and Pratchett are magnificent." (AudioFile)
"Thoroughly funny and surprisingly insightful." (Booklist)

You can't read just one

If you haven't read/heard Pratchett, do yourself a favor and get one. There are many to choose from, and if you like one you're in for a lot more fun.

Brilliant

Terry Pratchett's humour is spot on again and Stephen Briggs was terrific on narration. Loved it, really a lot of fun.

Great sound effects

I liked the use of the military march music between chapters. It gave a sense of direction to the listening experience.

Excellent

Very entertaining. About a fictitious childish army. I adore his British accent.
I need to finish it I keep playing chapters repeatedly!

a neat departure from the average dw novel.

Love hearing Steven Briggs voice all the different 'Ubervaltian' characters. One of my favorite of STP's later books.

Great Disc world book.

Lots of fun, great performance, Terry Pratchett brilliance.
Fun characters, great story. Very enjoyable stand alone (so far) in Disc world.

To hear this book is why I got Audible

I love this book. it's some of Terry Pratchett's best writing. I highly recommend it.

A first class read

Steven Briggs breathes life into every page . I buy more Briggs than painter because hi style is unmistakable. The story is hilarious . I have often wondered if a "man's" service could be done by a woman . He makes a good argument that "women"can be accepted if they were "men".

so good!

Pratchett at his best. The epilogue is such a good wrap up. "No one has the right to be stupid."

Should be required reading

for those who want to join the military, male or female. This was laugh out loud funny.