Going Postal - Discworld Book 33

Synopsis

Con-man Moist von Lipwig must revive Ankh-Morpork's defunct post office, becoming an unlikely hero in a battle against corporate greed and corruption.

Book Overview

In Going Postal, readers meet Moist von Lipwig, a charismatic con artist whose life takes an unexpected turn when Ankh-Morpork’s shrewd ruler, Lord Vetinari, forcibly recruits him to revive the defunct city postal service. Initially reluctant, Moist soon embraces the challenge, employing his inventive deceitfulness, flair for drama, and genuine charisma to transform the decaying postal system into a bustling, essential public institution.

Moist’s efforts quickly put him in direct competition with the powerful and unscrupulous Grand Trunk Clacks Company—a ruthless communications monopoly controlling the city’s semaphore towers. Moist’s battle against corporate corruption and his gradual journey toward personal redemption become a compelling exploration of ethics, innovation, and accountability in business and governance. His growing empathy and sense of civic responsibility contrast sharply with his earlier selfishness, illustrating personal transformation through meaningful work.

Thematically, Going Postal satirizes corporate greed, monopoly power, and economic exploitation, highlighting the necessity of ethical practices, regulation, and public accountability. Moist’s innovative approach to the postal service underscores themes of adaptability, progress, and the human capacity for ingenuity when motivated by genuine empathy and civic duty.

As the first novel in the Moist von Lipwig sub-series, Going Postal significantly expands Discworld’s exploration of industrialization, innovation, and societal change. Moist’s character arc exemplifies Pratchett’s ongoing interest in redemption, moral complexity, and social responsibility, laying essential thematic groundwork for later novels like Making Money and Raising Steam.

Principal Characters

Moist von Lipwig
A former con artist given a second chance by Lord Vetinari to serve Ankh-Morpork by revitalizing essential public services. Charismatic, quick-thinking, and adept at managing both systems and people, he transforms from a selfish criminal to a civic leader who genuinely cares about the city.
Appears in 3 booksView Details
Adora Belle Dearheart
A stern, no-nonsense woman who becomes Moist von Lipwig's love interest. She works for the golem trust and is known for her sharp wit, chain smoking, and fierce loyalty to those she cares about. Her acidic exterior hides a compassionate nature, particularly toward golems.
Appears in 3 booksView Details
Lord Havelock Vetinari
The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, a brilliantly intelligent and manipulative ruler who maintains order through carefully balanced political machinations. A former assassin, he governs with calculating precision and an understanding that what people really want is stability rather than freedom.
Appears in 13 booksView Details
Stanley Howler
Stanley Howler is an eccentric and obsessive young man who works as a pin collector and later becomes the head of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office's pin department. His intense passion for pins borders on fanaticism, making him both a humorous and endearing character in the Discworld universe. Stanley's role highlights the quirky and diverse nature of Ankh-Morpork's inhabitants, adding depth and humor to the story.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Tolliver Groat
Tolliver Groat is a dedicated and eccentric senior postman in the Ankh-Morpork Post Office, known for his unwavering commitment to the postal service and his peculiar adherence to outdated postal regulations. Despite his gruff exterior and obsession with hygiene, Groat is a loyal and resourceful ally to Moist von Lipwig, playing a crucial role in the revitalization of the Post Office. His quirky personality and steadfastness make him a memorable and endearing character in the Discworld universe.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Mr Pump
Mr. Pump, also known as Pump 19, is a golem who plays a crucial role in the Discworld novel "Going Postal." As a parole officer assigned to the protagonist Moist von Lipwig, Mr. Pump is steadfast, literal-minded, and unwavering in his duty to ensure Moist's compliance with the terms set by Lord Vetinari. His presence is both a source of comic relief and a reminder of the inescapable nature of justice in Ankh-Morpork.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Reacher Gilt
Reacher Gilt is a cunning and unscrupulous businessman who serves as the antagonist in "Going Postal." He is the chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company, using his ruthless tactics and manipulative skills to maintain control over the clacks communication system. Gilt's significance lies in his embodiment of corporate greed and corruption, making him a formidable opponent to the protagonist, Moist von Lipwig.
Appears in 1 bookView Details

Auxiliary Characters

Gladys
Gladys is a golem who works in the Ankh-Morpork Post Office and later in the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork. Initially programmed to be a traditional, subservient golem, she begins to develop a sense of individuality and self-awareness, exploring her identity and gender. Her journey reflects the themes of freedom and self-discovery, adding depth and humor to the Discworld universe.
Appears in 1 bookView Details