Monstrous Regiment

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

A story ahead of it's time

The combination of an excellent reader and an excellent story are worth listening to over and over again.

It’s a good book

Humors, well written, political commentary .
If you want something moving and complex this book does that. If you want something silly that doesn’t take the world too seriously, this book does that. It is a real Honor to Terry Pratchett.

Pratchett is Perfect

Another smart and funny journey into the universe of Discworld. The characters are alive with development, the plot is engaging, and I can't help but be happy in a Pratchett novel. I've read most of them more than once, and Briggs' performance means I'll probably listen more than once, too.

Incredible voice work for one of my favorite Discworld books.

Stephen Briggs is the perfect choice for reading this book. Every character has their own unique voice and cadence of speech and it is done so very well. It is incredibly easy to forget that a single person is reading this book to you. Great characterization, very fitting of each character, reveals that Brigg’s has a true understanding of the heart of Terry Pratchett’s work. Very happy to have stumbled across this.

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH PRATCHETT AND BRIGGS!!!

I first learned about Terry Pratchett a year ago. I have listened to 16 of his books since and read (as in paperback book in hand) 4. I cannot believe it took me this long in life to find Terry Pratchett (I am 41) but I couldn't be happier that I did! Every story is so wonderfully written, the characters are so well developed that you can't help but feel like you really know them. The story lines are unique, full of hilarity and so completely engaging that you hope the book never ends. Luckily Sir Pratchett was such a prolific writer that I still have much more to read and listen to! As for Stephen Briggs was a fantastic narrator and truly the right choice for anything Discworld and beyond. He has perfect cadence and his character voicing is incredibly engaging! I rarely write an extended review but I feel compelled to in this case. ANYTHING TERRY PRATCHETT IS WORTH READING OR LISTENING TO AND LISTENING TO ANYTHING STEPHEN BRIGGS WILL BRING OUT THE BEST IN ANY BOOK!

I mean its Terry Pratchett. so its fun stuff

if this version is still available to purchase (the original version) get it instead of the redone one. the narrator is rubbish in the new one

Better and Better

Terry Pratchett is one auther who only seems to get better and better. I have to admit I originally bought this audiobook a year ago when it came out on cassette. Now that it's on Audible, I'll definitely use one of my monthly credits on it. Here as in so many of Pratchett's City Watch Discworld books he pulls off the miracle of sarcasm without bitterness. Unlike WICKED and MOSTLY HARMLESS, by other noted comic fantasy authors, Pratchett lets you laugh along with the characters and at the character, without making any one of them flat or tiresome. Plus, the plot may twist, but you're never lost. The Monstrous Regiment is a monstrous achievement.

hilarious and excellant narrator

The narration is the best I've ever heard. It made a funny book irresistible

A great book that starts a bit slow.

so this book was extremely interesting after the pace of the story picked up a little bit. thoroughly enjoy his work in the narration is amazing.

Monstrous regiment

Lots of fun for a war story..lots of crazy women and socks..enjoyed it immensely. Even have vampires and trolls