This is a Terry Pratchett novel, you should expect the unexpected and more so with this novel.
The main theme of this book is the banking model, which is built with the sole purpose of making money. Making money for the city, town, and for individuals as well.
It starts off with the introduction of Mr. Lipwig (who has been introduced in another novel, Going Postal). He is tired of the post office and is looking for some new adventures and as always, Vetinari the king of Ankhmorpork has a new baby for Mosit Lipwig. This time it is the bank. If the bank coulkd reach out to people and prove its worth, there could be more money that can be spent on the development of the town. Thus starts the journey of Mosit Lipwig (and ofcourse ours) into the weird world of banking with all its weird creatures and magic tricks.
Pratchett’s usual character descriptions work this time round as well. But this plot feels a little too weird because it changes the system we know so well, that of banking. It starts with the time when coins were predominant and gold coins at those. Anything other than gold was not considered as money. Mosit Lipwig sets out to change this mindset and introduce paper notes, so that the gold can remain in the bank and be accessible to him (The thief that he is). On the way he also meets Mr.Bent who is the chief accountant and never ever makes a mistake. The story is a ride, that gets more and more entertaining as you go on. Though it does take a slight dip in between when everything gets too repetitive. It picks up towards the end and moves towards a successful finale.
The conjured up theories I loved the most.
1. There are people who adore Vetinari’s personality and will go to any extent to mimic him. There is a mental asylum, where people who believe they are Vetinari are treated. The staff and nurses and doctors tell them that they are Vetinari and thus keep them happy!
2. There is an association or a guild of clowns. Mr.Bent was a clown by birth, but he ventured outside his domain and became an accountant. Seems like a bollywood masala plot.
I’d say give this book a try, if you have read a Pratchett novel before. For starters, this might throw you off.
