Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) was an English author best known for the Discworld series, a sequence of forty-one comic fantasy novels set on a flat world carried through space on the backs of four elephants standing on a giant turtle. Across four decades, the Discworld grew from a parody of sword-and-sorcery fantasy into one of the most sustained works of social satire in English literature, examining politics, religion, science, gender, race, capitalism, and the nature of stories themselves. Pra...
The Last Continent
The Last Continent
Synopsis
Rincewind has been marooned in a continent very much like Australia — except it seems to have been created rather hastily, possibly as late as yesterday. The wizards of Unseen University are trying to find him and, through a series of mishaps, end up in the continent's past trying to figure out where its creator went wrong. A parody of Australia, its wildlife, its culture, and the philosophical problem of a world that appears to have been designed by someone who was making it up as they went along.
Vibe
Genres
Characters
RincewindProtagonist
Stranded on a continent that is definitely not Australia, trying to survive kangaroos, drought, and the inexplicable creation of a hat.
The LibrarianSupporting
Unseen University's orangutan librarian, who leads the wizard expedition to find Rincewind — and ends up in the wrong time entirely.
The CreatorSupporting
A god-like figure who built XXXX and has been having second thoughts ever since. A parody of the Abrahamic creator god as a nervous amateur.
Subjects
Places
Edition
The Last ContinentPaperback, 1999
416 pages
CorgiLanguage: EnglishISBN: 9780552146142New Ed5 editions available
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Last Continent a good starting point for new Terry Pratchett readers?
While it is part of the larger Discworld series, The Last Continent can be enjoyed as a standalone story. It features familiar characters but its plot is self-contained, making it accessible for those new to Pratchett's work.
Does The Last Continent feature the character Rincewind prominently?
The Last Continent is a Rincewind novel, focusing heavily on his misadventures. Readers who enjoy his particular brand of reluctant heroism and perpetual panic will find him at the center of the story.
What real-world inspirations influenced The Last Continent?
The novel draws heavily on Australian culture, history, and stereotypes, presenting a satirical take on the continent. Readers familiar with Australian slang and geography will recognize many of the humorous references.