Time to state the obvious: I really like Terry Pratchett’s work. Like, a lot. Perhaps a bit more than is generally considered socially acceptable. Shocking, I know.
I got a couple of his Discworld books for Christmas (The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic) and loved them both, but Monstrous Regiment came highly recommended to me by Pearl, and I decided I really ought to read it.
I love this book.
Like, seriously, I think this is my favorite ever Terry Pratchett book and maybe my favorite book of all time (except that that would dismiss Harry Potter. And The Odyssey. And The Crucible. And Lloyd Alexander and Cornelia Funke and a bunch of authors and books that ought not be dismissed.). It was perfect. The story was perfect, the characters were perfect, the message was perfect. The entirety of this book was exquisite in every way.
Here’s the basic plot (no spoilers, I promise): Polly Perks disguises herself as a man to join the army and find her brother. Hilarity ensues.
When I say “hilarity,” I mean I ended up laughing aloud at every single page of this book, without, as far as I know, exception. This was slightly awkward because most of my reading of this book took place in a coffee shop with other actual people present. Usually lots of them.
I’m sure I got a few strange looks, but I didn’t actually look up from the book long enough to find out.
This book is magical, even by Mr. Pratchett’s standards.
It is funny, it is meaningful, it is deep without trying. It even has a great message (as much as I love Terry Pratchett’s work, I often find myself disagreeing thematically with his ideas. This one, however, I found rather spot on.): “The enemy wasn’t men, or women, or the old, or even the dead. It was just bleedin’ stupid people, who came in all varieties. And no one had the right to be stupid.”
Thus, I find myself once again in love with a book.
To the new day being a great big fish—
Semicolons Forever 
Sounds hilarious!
Sounds very Terry Pratchett!
It is. Truly. You ought to read it. *nodnod*
*Sits back to enjoy the mental image of you laughing out loud in your dignified artsy coffee shop and getting weird looks from fit hipster types*
I’m thrilled that my recommendation paid off, sir. That’s always a good feeling. :)
Sir, I tip my hat to you. ‘Twas a grand recommendation.
Also, I’m glad you think our coffee shop is dignified and artsy. :-D
Glad that you’re enjoying him…
I need to get around to reading him sometime… Pearl keeps telling me about him.
Just out of curiosity (I literally know very little of Pratchett’s work), what are some of the themes that you’ve disagreed with?
You totally do need to read some Pratchett, Aloisa! He’s great.
I don’t really want to spoil any of the endings for you, and I also would deeply encourage you to go into his books without any of my ideas guiding you so you can form your own opinion. That said, when you’ve read some of his work, I’d love to discuss your thoughts and feelings about both the stories and the themes. See, that there is incentive. :-D
Righto. I’ll have to get around to that. After… my insane reading list length? Well… we’ll add it to the list and I’ll let you know when I get there. :)