This is something like the twentieth book in the Discworld series, and although at this point the books are often lackluster, sometimes like here, they shine as quirky funny and extremely lighthearted beach novels. I’ve been a big supporter of the Discworld series for a while now. I’ve read almost all of the books, something in the range of 19 out of 25 (and I even read them in order). They are at their best really funny absurd fantasy nonsense. The perfect kind of book for a vacation. At their worst they drag on, without any good gut busters, and only mildly amusing nonsequiters. And where does The Last Continent fit into the scheme of things. Well, thankfully this is one of the better ones. Maybe that’s because Prachett has returned once more to the character that made the Disc so fameous in the first place, the inept ‘wizzard’ Rincewind. Or perhaps, on a more personal note I liked a story about a place very similar (although most assuredly according to Mr Prachett quite different) to somewhere I’ve spent some time, Australia. Either way the story takes a rather rollicking look at a very odd place where the kangaroos talk, the beer comes in very large mugs, and even the bushes try to kill you.
This story finds our hero Rincewind lost in the outback of the mysterious Discworld continent of XXXX (ecksecksecksecks). He is tired of eating bugs, getting chased by angry aboriginals (who just don’t seem to want to chat about the weather), and being peed on by incontinent grey teddy bears. Of course his troubles are only beginning. You see Rincewind has gotten himself mixed up in time as well as space, and if he doesn’t follow the advice of his spirit guide, Slappy the kangaroo, the entire Discworld might just be undone. Meanwhile the archancellor of the most prestigious wizard academy in Ankh Morpokh, Ricicully of the Unseen University, is with the help of the senior University staff trying to nurse the librarian back to health after he contracted a nasty magical virus. Through a series of complex circumstances the team of Professors decide that the only man who can help them in their plight is that very same Rincewind, the one time assistant librarian. Unfortunately before they can conjure a spell to bring Rincewind home safe and sound; they inexplicably get lost on a deserted island at the dawn of time, with psychic vegatables and a progressively mobile God who’s just crazy about this new sex thing he’s discovered… As you can see things are about to get confusing.
This story tells a nice little episode in the adventures of the Discworld. Of course it deals with characters that have been used before but I think they are explained well, and the irrelevant bit are for the most part excluded. Prachett has said on numerous occasions that his books can be read in any order, and therefore it makes no difference how many books he wants to write in his world. And in a way, good for him, he should do whatever he wants, and I for one am all for a heap more Discworld books. But his theory about understanding just doesn’t hold water any more. No matter how episodic he tries to make his stories, the longer and longer he spends writing in this world the more history we get. The world has changed, a number of times, and although the basics of these characters is covered here, there are a number of things that would really only make sense to the seasoned Discworld reader. I liked this book I really did; parts of the dialogue were extremely funny, and Rincewind is always a treat to read about. But I don’t think I could recommend this to a neophyte Disc reader. The characters are funny, the parodies great, and for the vetran it’s definitely worth your time; but as much as I hate to say it, Prachett needs to rethink his Discworld focus. Either we need a set of books that follow a continuing storyline, and if so make the plot bigger than just one novel; or we need truly episodic tales that don’t rely on any previous knowledge of the universe. If Prachett were to change his focus either of these ways the Discworld series would gain a new life that I think it deserves instead of becoming the niche fantasy pocket that it is… Anyhow, sorry I rambled on here this book is a very nice addition to the Discworld series, and while I’d say stay away if your new, if you’ve read any of his other Disc books, definitely check this one out.
Rating:
