⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been slowly working my way through Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, and Making Money has easily become one of my favourites so far. What surprised me most was how Pratchett managed to make a story about banking, economics, and finance not only entertaining, but genuinely difficult to put down.
The novel follows Moist von Lipwig, one of Discworld’s most charming and reluctant civil servants, after the events of Going Postal. Having successfully dragged the postal service into the modern age, Moist finds himself given another impossible task: taking over Ankh-Morpork’s Royal Bank and its mint. As expected, he has absolutely no desire to do this, which is precisely why he’s the perfect person for the job.
What I loved most about this book was the humour. Pratchett has a gift for taking something ordinary and exposing how absurd it really is. The way he explores money, banking, debt, confidence, and economics is both hilarious and surprisingly insightful. More than once, I found myself laughing at a joke before realising there was a clever point hiding underneath it.
Moist continues to be a fantastic protagonist. He’s clever, resourceful, and constantly trying to wriggle out of situations that keep getting bigger and more complicated. Watching him navigate the world of high finance with a mixture of panic, bluffing, and genuine ingenuity is enormously entertaining. His interactions with the supporting cast are equally enjoyable, especially whenever Lord Vetinari appears. Vetinari remains one of the most fascinating characters in Discworld, effortlessly stealing scenes with a few carefully chosen words.
The book is packed with memorable characters, from eccentric bankers to golems and dogs with suspicious levels of intelligence. Even minor characters feel distinct and memorable, something Pratchett always seemed able to accomplish with ease.
What also stands out is how relevant the story still feels. Although it was written years ago, many of its observations about the financial system, trust, institutions, and human behaviour remain remarkably sharp. Pratchett never lectures the reader, but he does encourage you to think about how society works and why people place value on things that may ultimately be little more than ideas.
Despite dealing with complex subjects, the novel never feels heavy. The pacing is excellent, the jokes land consistently, and there’s a real sense of momentum throughout. I found myself reading “just one more chapter” several times before realising another hour had disappeared.
Like the best Discworld novels, Making Money works on multiple levels. It’s a comedy, a satire, a character story, and a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of economics all at the same time. Whether you’re already a Discworld fan or simply looking for a witty and intelligent fantasy novel, this book is well worth your time.
Terry Pratchett somehow made banking exciting, which might be one of his most impressive achievements. Highly recommended.
Gareth Ellis - Author 