Monstrous Regiment

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

“Wickedly satirical . . . nothing short of brilliant.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

New York Times bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett explores the inanity of war, sexual politics, and why the best man for the job is often a woman in this acerbically funny and poignant Discworld novel.

In the small country of Borogravia, there are strict rules citizens must follow. Women belong in the kitchen—not in offices, pubs, nor pants. And certainly not on the front lines when war comes to Discworld.

Polly Perks took over running her family’s humble inn when her brother, Paul, marched off to war. But it’s been more than two months since his last letter home, and the news from the front is bad. To find her missing brother, the resourceful Polly cuts off her hair and joins the army as a young man named Oliver.

As Polly closely guards her secret, she notices that her fellow recruits seem to be guarding secrets of their own. And before they’ve learned to properly march, Polly and her fellow raw recruits find themselves in the thick of a losing battle. All they have on their side is the most artful sergeant in the army and a vampire with a lust for coffee.

No matter, it’s time to make a stand. . . .

The Discworld novels can be read in any order butMonstrous Regiment is a standalone.

Who's who?

It's a case of switched identities, and the reader only knows half of what's going on. Another wonderful story by Pratchett. A good introduction to the Discworld for first time readers, but sure to be a favourite to long time fans like myself. Narration suits both the dialogue and the characters. Highly recommended

Wish I could give this more than 5 stars

Would you consider the audio edition of Monstrous Regiment to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but the narration is so stellar that I can't imagine any way that I could enjoy this more than on Audible. In fact, I have a friend who is a fan of Terry Pratchett and am constantly telling him that he ought to get Audible to enjoy the books to their fullest.

What did you like best about this story?

Terry Pratchett makes the characters so real that I'm invested in them almost immediately. These are people I want to meet. They're layered and complex. The writing is among the best I've ever encountered in any genre. My favorite Discworld books feature Sam Vimes and the Watch - some of whom make an appearance here.

What about Stephen Briggs’s performance did you like?

He brings every one of the characters to life and captures Pratchett's gorgeous and funny prose with pitch perfection.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Any additional comments?

While this book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, I think the impact is even greater when read after the City Watch books and The Truth. It really is a triumph of storytelling and brought tears to my eyes.

Rollicking good fun

I’ve never read or heard Terry Pritchett. This is making a fan out of me. And the performance is STELLAR.

Monstrous Regiment was Hilarious

What made the experience of listening to Monstrous Regiment the most enjoyable?

The interpretation of Terry Pratchett's wonderful Diskworld series

Who was your favorite character and why?

Polly, of course. She is what the story is all abouts.

What does Stephen Briggs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the nuances of all the different characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What? Women in men's clothes? Preposterous.....

Stunningly Good Performance and Fantastic Book

Would you listen to Monstrous Regiment again? Why?

Absolutely - in fact, I've already listened to it three times!

Which character – as performed by Stephen Briggs – was your favorite?

Impossible to choose. This book is Stephen Briggs' best performance, in my opinion, and his reading genuinely adds another layer of fun to this great book. What a fantastic reader, with a wide range of voices perfectly suited to Pratchett's wacky world!