The Last Continent (Discworld)

If you're baffled by all this, no worries, mate. You needn't have read Pratchett before--not even the five previous Discworld novels starring Rincewind (The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Sourcery, Eric, and Interesting Times)--to enjoy this latest romp. Nor to have visited Australia. When you finish, however, you'll likely want to rush out and do both. --Nona Vero

Reader Reviews:

Last Continent review. (1/1 people found this helpful)

The Last Continent is another humerous Rincewind adventure by Terry Pratchett.In the Last Continent Rincewind,the Disc's most inept and cowardly wizard,and his untrustworthy travel accessory the Luggage have to save the lost continent of xxxx from a terrible drought and rescue the seven senior wizards from a desert island with some very unusual but highly edible wildlife!If you like reading sci-fi,fantasy or books on Australia then read the Last Continent.If you enjoy this book then read books 1,2,5,9 and 17

No worries (1/1 people found this helpful)

The Last Continent is the 22nd novel in the Discworld series, and the 6th to ‘star’ inept wizard Rincewind. The novel follows quite closely in the footsteps of Interesting Times, not only by the fact that it follows on directly from that books climax but that once again Pratchett uses the Discworld as a mirror to satirize our own world. Where Interesting Times had Rincewind adventuring in the Discworld’s equivalent of the Orient, in the Last Continent it’s the turn of Australia to takes some good natured jibes. Ever single cultural clich� you can think of about Australia gets a turn here – sheep shearing; surfing; the Sydney Opera House; Rolf Harris; ‘Waltzing Matilda’; Rincewind even invents Vegemite at one point – and while the comedy material is very obvious one has to admire Pratchett’s ability to cram so many in one book. Plot-wise The Last Continent is one of the slimmest Discworld novels ever, with the narrative evenly split between Rincewind’s adventures in the Outback and the rest of the regular Unseen University wizards travelling backwards in time to an island where evolution has gone mad. Rincewind’s travels are particularly aimless, with the novels main story of the continent’s drought taking a backseat to Pratchett’s humorous take on Australian culture, but this is such an enjoyable romp it doesn’t seem to matter. One of the shallower Discworld novels, but a good fun read.

The Last Continent (2/3 people found this helpful)

Why 5 stars? Werl I mean to say it's one of 'is innit?
Just about the whole history of Ozz wrapped up inna book - plus the magic that real life would just love to have - great.
His usual method of 'weaving' apparently unconnected events together in a deceptively 'simple' story and using already known (for us old hands that is) characters - Rincewind and his mates at the old Uni - he produces yet another glimpse of the peculiarities of human behaviour played out on the Discworld for our entertainment and education.
It's a slightly disjointed account of the whole of Ozz's history from dreamtime to a meatpie floater by the Opera House
including lots of beer, the 'alternative' and manly Ozz 'ladies' carnival and much better names for towns than Woggawogga.
Oh - and the first rain storm ever to fall on this Last Continent - magic.

Kangaroos, half mad wizards , what more could you want? (3/3 people found this helpful)

This is undoubtedly one of the most hilarious and down right eccentric books in the Discworld series. This isn't the best place to start for newcomers to the series as it relies heavily on you liking books like The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Eric, Sourcery and any book that has the complexities of magic and Rincewind, and this book is an extreme. It asks about philosophical impossibilities and theories of time and matter fitting into itself!? It's definately a very plot filled book. It follows the adventures of the misplaced Rincewind(and the Luggage), the misplaced Unseen University seniors(who run into a deity who hasn't quite learnt about "the birds and the bees") who are looking for him, and the Librarian(who, god forbid, is sick). It's full of brand new and crazy characters, who all reside in Continentia Incognito, the Last Continent, which Rincewind has to save and is , as ever, running away from. If you thought some of the earlier Discworld books set around wizards were to eccentric this isn't for you, but give it a try anyway I'm usually wrong on peoples opinions.

Full of random humour (2/4 people found this helpful)

This is the first Pratchett book I have read, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the humour. I have only rated it 4 stars as there is not much of a plot to it and, since I haven't read the rest of the series, understanding the whole concept of the university is a little hard at first. Regardless, it is still a 'must read'.

The Last Continent (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

Editorial Review: