The second book in the Industrial Revolution Trilogy, with my favorite character Moist Von Lipwig, and no less favorite Lord Vetinari. This book is longer than the first volume, but not as interesting, unfortunately. The plot with the bank and the mint is interesting, and also Moist's invention of paper money (just like he invented stamps in the previous volume), however the whole thing with Umnian golems and the ending when they become the backing for the paper money is a bit contrived and feels forced.
The role of Adora Belle Dearheart is also pretty trivial in this book, marking no character development from the previous volume. Yes, we get it that she's sexy and smokes like a chimney, but is there anything else interesting about her? Lord Vetinari is the best developed character here, besides Moist, and has much more screen time than in the first volume, which is a good thing.
Moist is bored with his job at the post office (where he does practically nothing) and is entertaining himself with breaking and entering, lock picking and climbing tall buildings at night. Lord Vetinari is not satisfied with this turn of events and wants to make use of Moist's people swindling i.e. management talents so he gives him a dysfunctional bank and the Royal Mint to run. However, this is the domain of the old, rich and thoroughly corrupt and decayed Lavish family, Cosmo Lavish being the current scion.
Since the little doggie Fusspot becomes the new chairman of the bank and Moist is his caretaker, he takes on the Lavishes and reforming the bank. Mr. Bent, the chief cashier of the bank, initially is an obstacle, but by the end becomes an asset. He also re-discovers his origin as a clown from the Fool Guild and his considerable clown talents. This also feels forced, unless there is something about the Fool Guild in the previous 40 volumes.
Anyways, now I am on the third volume, Raising Steam, which is the longest and most slow burn of these three volumes. Hopefully it gets better towards the end.
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