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The Last Hero
If you're the second type, though, be warned that the illustrations in this book are still incredibly, incredibly beautiful. If you're a comic book afficianado, then think of Alex Ross painting caricatures. This isn't the first time artist Paul Kidby (not to be confused with Josh Kirby, who illustrated Eric and most of the British Discworld covers) has tackled Terry Pratchett's Discworld characters, but it is the first time he's tackled an entire story. His art appears next to, above, below, and behind the story on every single page of this oversized book, and despite his habit of giving each character exactly one expression for the entire book, they're always a joy to look at. They're lavish, detailed, stylized, detailed, believable, real. You'll have to be hard-set against having your literary characters drawn for you to object to how Kidby renders them here.
Of course, as they say at Pixar, all the pretty pictures in the world won't rescue a bad story. Which brings us to Pratchett's half of the book. This is a short novel even by Discworld standards, about the same length as Eric, which is probably why the art is there (instead of vice versa). The plot goes something like this: Cohen the Barbarian and his octagenerian cohorts have decided to embark on one last heroic expedition, to return fire to the gods. Specifically, fire in the form of a very large explosive keg, which he intends to detonate inside the home of the Discworld gods atop the mountain at the center of the Disc.
Impossible, you say? Probably not -- after all, Cohen hasn't gotten as old as he is by failing to kill people. And the residents of Ankh-Morpork, magical and non-magical alike, all have reason to believe that his success will mean the end of the entire Disc. So the ingenious Leonard of Quirm is given the assignment of getting himself and a select team to the center of the Disc as quickly as possible in order to intercept Cohen before he gets what he wants.
That "select team," it turns out, consists of Carrot Ironfounderson, the six-foot-tall, red-headed, large-muscled captain of the City Watch, and Rincewind, the worst wizard the Disc has ever seen and the only citizen of Ankh-Morpork who has anything approaching a friendship with Cohen. (They spent half of The Colour of Magic and most of The Last Continent together.) It's the first "crossover" story Pratchett has written with these two major characters, and has probably been demanded by fans for years.
You'd expect the embodiments of perfect courage and perfect cowardice to have some pretty interesting dialogue in this story, but surprisingly, they don't seem to interact that much. Rincewind doesn't have much patience with brave heroes, and Carrot is too polite to force his views on Rincewind. On the other hand, Leonard's relentless imagination and total faith in his own radical inventions makes him a far, far more interesting companion for Rincewind. The two of them get along absolutely dreadfully.
There's also a new villain by the name of Evil Dark Lord Harry Dread, but he's really just a supporting role. Mostly this book is an exercise in giving Rincewind and Cohen another story together, with Leonard and Carrot thrown in to make it all possible. But as Pratchett himself has said in the past, Rincewind just isn't a compelling enough character. His gimmick is that he's a coward, and a very good one, and while it's certainly funny, it's hard to write great stories around a character that refuses to be developed. Both Eric and The Last Hero star him, and both are about half as long as Pratchett's usual novels; I doubt this is a coincidence.
So Cohen's character is really the only one that sees any interesting growth in this book, which is probably why it's named after him and why he's the only one illustrated on the cover. And while it's short, it's still plenty interesting and chock-full of the humor and insights Pratchett's fans have come to love. It's a little annoying that the two teams of characters spend almost the entire book not interacting with each other, because the lack of a united plot has wrecked a few Discworld novels for me. (Soul Music comes immediately to mind.) But this time, the ending redeems it.
Diehard Pratchett fans will buy this regardless of how it's reviewed, of course. But the non-diehards and even non-fans should enjoy it, too -- it's a solid story that gives a quick, fun look at several recurring Discworld characters, and the artwork is so lavish it's almost impossible to say "no" to. The price tag is a bit higher than an ordinary Discworld hardcover, though, so it's really not for first-timers. Give them a paperback copy of Wyrd Sisters or The Light Fantastic instead, to get them hooked on the early stuff. The Last Hero isn't a literary main course, but it's an excellent dessert.
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I'm fairly sure that it was Interesting Times, not The Last Continent that Cohen and Rincewind spent together.
I said there was no text damnit.
All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
I've read all the other Discworld novels, so I'm sure I'll get around to this one too(he sure kicks 'em out fast...). Not sure how I'll like about the art, though; I usually have mixed feelings about graphic novels for some reason.
And I have to say that Soul Music (which the reviewer didn't care for) is probably my favorite Pratchett novel: I mean how can you beat Death riding to battle on a skeletal motorcycle with a black rose in his teeth?!
This books was specificially targeted at a younger diskworld audience, and so (while what we know and love is still there) everything is a little lower key. This is also why it is shorter. If you have a younger sibling, I would definetly recommend purchasing the book for them. It is worth it.
I have only read a few of the books, but have enjoyed each of them. I would agree that Rincewind would be a tough character to "star" in a novel, as there are only so many different ways that he can respond in a cowardly way that ends up working out. But I am glad to hear that Cohen hasn't ridden off into the sunset yet, in over the edge of the disc in the case. :)
We now return you to your regularly scheduled moment of insanity...
... (and films?)
:) I pity anyone who watches the Lord of The Rings and then decided to read the book for the first time! That said, I'm really looking forward to it. :)
It's kind of a question of imagination, and how much you like to be told about the authors vision before creating your own.
I am one of the latter[1] non-graphical novel fans, though I wouldn't go as far as to say I hate them. I read a book to enjoy imagining the characters and setting, what they look and sound like etc. It's one of the reasons I never spent much time playing either of the Discworld games, the voices particularly clashed with my own imagined versions, and I didn't think that they did them justice.
It also applies particularly to films: I abhor seeing the film of a good book and then reading it afterward - at least when you read it beforehand and are then disappointed with the film you can also bring out the old cliques, and can re-read the book without fear of being disappointed
1. Latter, as in the 2nd type mentioned in his review.
Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
It is Josh Kirby who does the UK Discworld covers, and I think reports of his death are greatly exaggerated...
Engage Nitpick!
I think Rincewind and Cohen spent most of Interesting Times together, though.
-- IANAEG - I am not an elder god.
I used to be a big fan of Terry Pratchet, hey I even ran a Discworld MUD in Oz circa 1991 but I gave up reading his books when he ran out of jokes and started recycling too much! Dunno when that happened exactly but "Carpe Jugulum" sucked big time.
This book is, while different, magic.
Any hardcore discworld fan has seen so many pictures of the disc that they learn to treat and particular illustration as a suggestion, and it's no different here. Nevertheless, the art really brings this particular story to life, with some stunning pictures.
Pratchett essentially runs 2 sub-plots in "The Last Hero". The heroes destroying a world that grew up and stopped believing in them inspire real pathos, albeit in a humorous way. On the other hand, the story of the Ankh-Morporker's attempt to save the world is one of exploration and generally much lighter. Both are woven together to create an end that doesn't make you think but makes you sigh.
A must for Discworld fans
These people look deep within my soul and assign me a number based on the order in which I joined. -- Homer Simpson
I can't wait to read this, I am a very visual kind of person, when I read a book I have a difficult time imagining things (must be that damn scientific mind ;-).
on another note,
timothy!!! what the hell is this?
For all the Terry Pratchett fans reading mblase contributed this review of the illustrated...
dude, ever hear of a comma?
I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
The other Discworld artist is NOT Jack Kirby who was the famour comic book artist from X-Men and Spider-Man and whatnot... the artist is JOSH Kirby .
The 'kids' discworld book is "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents", a psuedo-pied piper story. TThis one, "the Last Hero", is a 'Discword fable', a story rather than a novel, but not for kids, for everybody. Especially as some of the underlying concepts are quite hard to understand
These people look deep within my soul and assign me a number based on the order in which I joined. -- Homer Simpson
I'm definitely of the second type, but I still bought it. A good story and some great artwork, even those that didn't fit "my idea" of the characters.
The picture of Rincewind wearing the dragon-powered jetpack alone made the book worthwhile.
heh, that is kind of funny. a troll bashing a troll :-)
I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
there is a sweepstakes over at harpercollins where you can win copies of several pratchett books and (!?) a clock autographed by him.
also, there is a scan of a few pages from the book.
...there's one illustration featuring a rather attractive topless Egyptian goddess, and another depicting Death's horse as discretely but clearly anatomically correct. Perhaps those were "cleaned up" in the American version, or perhaps British children aren't quite as Puritanical. But I doubt Pratchett has ever written Discworld books with a children's audience in mind.
But they say it at Pixar, no matter how many pretty pictures are in there they won't rescue a bad story.
Pratchett's half of the book which is a redundant novel even by Discworld standards, with the exact same length as Eric II, which is probably why the art isn't there (instead of the oposite).
Cohen the Troll and his octagenerian cohort friends have decided to embark for no apparent reason on one last heroic expedition , to return fire to the gods who forgot it the other time.
Usually fire is in the form of a very large transparent explosive keg, which is found inside the home of the Discworld gods below the mountain at the external perimeter of the one of the Discs.
Nothing isn't impossible, you say?
Cohen has gotten as old as he is by failing to kill people and throwing rocks at retarted kids. Meanwhile the residents of Ankh-Morpork-Pahool, all have reason to believe that this last failure of the hero will mean the end of the entire Disc stories forever! So the ingenious Leonard -- the leopard -- of Quirm II is given a secret assignment of getting himself off and a select team to the outer perimeter of the one of the Discs and fast so that he and the team he will have assebled intercept Cohen shortly after he gets what he wants.
That selection of team as it eventually turns out, consists of Carrot Ironfounderson, the six-foot-tall, red-headed, large-muscled captain who lives inside a matchbox which is in the City Watch, and Rincewind, the worst wizard the Disc has ever seen and one of the 100000000 citizens of Ankh-Morpork . He has anything approaching a friendship with Cohen and the others. (They spent The Colour of Magic and most of The Last Continent in different dimensions.) It's the first "crossover" story of Pratchett and Choen with these two major trolls, and has probably been demanded by fans for years.
I looked at the title, and got all excited about a new flatland ripoff.
Ye gods, someone get this man a thesaurus.
But, then again, I am sure the same ones that mod down for posts like many of those below, are the very SAME ones that then mod up the ones that are completely shallow and flaim ridden yet you 'agree with'.... hmmm, then again, looking at the nader and gore people here, it is no wonder. I foolishly keep hoping that SOMEDAY, people here will adopt logic and reason above emotional knee jerk reactions to life... not to mention the hypocricy and double standards that those people employ.
Whichever disillusioned moderator changed this mod to troll is absolutely stupid! No wait! Slashdot standard!
I've read the book and in fact any other Discworld novel except the 'Thief of Time'. I loved the book. Maybe I know the characters a bit too well, because I think the stoy was somewhat stale. However, the illustrations are brilliant and you should really have a look at them.
The Discworld is one of the largest book seriers and Terry still manages to positively surprise me in some of the books. The last one that achieved this was the 'Fifth Elephant'.
Illustrated or not; as long as it's not kirby.... (he's good, but i don't like his discworld art at all)
See, what I love about Pratchett's work, Discworld and otherwise, is his masterful command of language. Sure, the slapstick is fun, and the ideas are amusing, but he wields the English language with such skill that that is what I love about Pratchett.
This is why I object so strongly to other-media conversions, like movies and plays. They capture the plot, the ideas, the goofy basic humor, but he has so many other layers and such a talented writing ability that is totally missed by these media.
As for this new one, it's on my hanukkah list. The illustrations, to me, will be an added delight. But I won't be looking at the pictures as much as I will be reading the words.
Karma: T-rexcellent.
I've read all the other Discworld novels, so I'm sure I'll get around to this one too(he sure kicks 'em out fast...). Not sure how I'll like about the art, though; I usually have mixed feelings about graphic novels for some reason. And I have to say that Soul Music (which the reviewer didn't care for) is probably my favorite Pratchett novel: I mean how can you beat Death riding to battle on a skeletal motorcycle with a black rose in his teeth?!
Sure:
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||j\___--
/\/----~\__8_,
Yeah, more like news for sad, sad bastards like Asahi Super Dry over there. Oh .. hang on - nerds .. sad, sad bastards. Yes! We have a correlation here! It *is* news for nerds!
go to amazon.co.uk and purchase the special edition version.
hardbound cloth covered foil inlaid with one of those nifty ribbon things. absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I'm actually considering waiting until the paperback comes out to read it so I can leave this one in pristine condition.
You see, without that little doohicky, the universe stops.
http://propheteer.org
Since I'm also a genius and named Leonard I definitely know that (well at least the second statement is true :-).
So it's not OF Quirm but DA Quirm.
-- MicAttAck
Religon is an insult to human dignity.