Making Money - Discworld Book 36

Synopsis

Moist von Lipwig tackles another challenge revitalizing Ankh-Morpork's troubled banking system while dealing with family secrets, corruption, and an over-ambitious golem.

Book Overview

In Making Money, charismatic con-man Moist von Lipwig returns, this time tasked by Lord Vetinari with revitalizing Ankh-Morpork’s troubled banking system. Initially reluctant, Moist soon becomes deeply involved in banking politics, economic reforms, and personal rivalries, discovering hidden complexities within the city’s financial institutions. He grapples with ethical dilemmas, family secrets, and the challenge of maintaining public trust amid fierce opposition.

Moist’s innovative ideas—including introducing paper currency—bring profound economic and societal changes, shaking traditional power structures. Pratchett cleverly satirizes economic theories, monetary policy, and the arbitrary foundations underpinning financial systems, highlighting the fragility and absurdity of economic confidence. Moist’s transformation from selfish opportunist to responsible public servant underscores themes of redemption, ethical accountability, and the necessity of integrity in leadership.

The novel humorously yet seriously explores the nature of money, trust, and financial responsibility. Moist’s inventive reforms highlight the human capacity for adaptability, creativity, and responsible stewardship when motivated by empathy and social responsibility. His interactions with Adora Belle Dearheart, the fiercely intelligent head of the Golem Trust, further enrich themes of trust, honesty, and emotional maturity.

As a central entry in the Moist von Lipwig sub-series, Making Money continues Pratchett’s exploration of industrialization, economic innovation, and societal change. Moist’s character arc provides ongoing thematic resonance, highlighting Discworld’s consistent engagement with complex issues of morality, progress, and social responsibility.

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
Mr Bent
Mr. Bent is the Chief Cashier of the Ankh-Morpork Royal Bank, a man of impeccable precision and unyielding adherence to rules. His personality is marked by an intense dedication to order and propriety, often bordering on obsession, which makes him both a formidable and somewhat intimidating figure within the bank. Despite his stern exterior, Mr. Bent's character reveals layers of complexity, including a hidden past and a surprising talent for stage performance, adding depth to his role in the Discworld universe.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Cosmo Lavish
Cosmo Lavish is a wealthy and ambitious member of the Lavish family, known for his obsession with Lord Vetinari, the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. He is driven by a desire to emulate and eventually replace Vetinari, going to great lengths to mimic his mannerisms and style. Cosmo's significance lies in his role as a foil to Moist von Lipwig, highlighting the absurdity and danger of unchecked ambition and obsession.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
Hubert Turvy
Hubert Turvy is a brilliant yet absent-minded mathematician and economist working at the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork. Known for his eccentricity and deep immersion in numbers, he plays a crucial role in the bank's operations, often providing unexpected insights that help unravel complex financial problems. His significance lies in his ability to see beyond conventional thinking, contributing to the innovative changes in the bank under Moist von Lipwig's leadership.
Appears in 1 bookView Details
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