Thank you to Alex Chan for allowing me to repost this book review of Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. You can find this article in its original form (and so much more) on Alex Chan's website. It was originally posted on May 9, 2026.
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
Reviewed by Alex Chan
Genre/s: fantasy, fiction
Published: 2003
Reader rating: 5 stars (out of five)
Notes: A beautiful blend of the absurdity of military and gender roles.
Polly Perks signs up for the Borogravian military, hoping to find what happened to her brother Paul. Initially fearful of being discovered, she gradually discovers that more and more of the people around her are women pretending to be men. Her companions include an “Igor” who’s more practiced at medicine than warfare, a vampire who craves coffee rather than blood, and Sergeant Jackrum, a crafty and protective leader of legendary status.
The ragtag band of misfits enjoys a successful military career, inadvertently capturing the prince of an adversary, earning a dangerous reputation as the “Monstrous Regiment” after their escapades are printed in a newspaper, and capturing a supposedly impregnable fortress after pretending to be washerwomen. Their unexpected success leads to a brief outbreak of peace between Borogravia and its neighbours, and a better future for all the women involved.
I was slow to warm to this book, but then I really got into it. It’s a story about resisting the expectations placed upon you – whether that’s as women in an ultra-conservative society, or as soldiers sent as cannon-fodder in a jingoistic war that can’t be won.
I’ve often heard that Terry Pratchett had a more nuanced understanding of gender than many modern writers; I’m starting to see where that sentiment comes from. It’s a refreshingly relaxed take on crossdressing and breaking gender norms.
I’m still not sure I want to read the entire Discworld series, but I’m glad I read this standalone story.
Want some quotes and highlights? Visit the original post at Monstrous Regiment, by Terry Pratchett – alexwlchan.
From Alex Chan
I’m a software developer, writer, and a hand crafter, and I live in the UK. In my day job I build software for digital preservation, and I think a lot about archiving and long-term systems.
This website is where I share stuff I find interesting or fun. That includes notes on technical problems I’ve solved, personal reflections or thoughts, and fun toys that I’ve built.
I’m queer and trans, and my pronouns are “they” or “she”.
I hope you like it!
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