This poor book has been languishing on my bookshelf for many years, I have the large illustrated hardback version, and so with its unpractical size I have never gotten round to reading it properly. Until now of course. Because now I’m taking part in the Sir Terry Pratchett Reading Challenge which was the eventual push I needed to give this book a go. The Last Hero is the twenty-seventh addition to the Discworld series of novels written by the legendary fantasy author Terry Pratchett, published in 2001 in a larger format than usual with full colour illustrations produced by Paul Kidby. I must say the book is a beauty to behold. I picked it up one chilly evening when my head hurt but I couldn’t possibly sleep, I hoped it would a nice easy read and would cheer me up a bit.
Cohen the Barbarian is bored! Cohen and his Silver Horde of faithful friends years ago conquered the Agatean Empire and made their leader Cohen an emperor; but now in their later lives of leisure and comfort they have nothing to do. You may believe to look at them that they are old and past their prime, in fact they are old however that only means they have had more time and practice at what they do. So Cohen the Barbarian decides to set off on one more adventure with his Silver Horde and a sledge full of the highly explosive Agatean Thunder Clay. With the intention of returning fire to the gods. Meanwhile back in the city of Ankh-Morpork; Lord Vetinari, the wizards of the Unseen University, and the leaders of the various guilds must come up with a plan and quick because if Cohen succeeds in blowing up the gods in the ancient city of Cori Celesti then they will also destroy the magic field, and in turn that will destroy the whole world…
The Last Hero is a short novel (my copy is mainly taken up with large font and large illustrations) which was indeed a nice easy read and it most definitely cheered me up. So much so I picked it up that one chilly evening and didn’t put it down till I’d finished it that same chilly evening. I’ve read a couple of Discworld novels but this was the first time I’d been introduced to the characters of Cohen and the Silver Horde, I found them very funny, especially with all the stereotypes of heroes and villains that Pratchett highlights; that only gets funnier when Evil Harry and his stupid henchman join the story. There were also some familiar faces including the bumbling wizard Rincewind, the orangutan librarian, and the luggage with its many legs. Plus there were also some great references back to Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology.
I highly recommend reading The Last Hero for existing Discworld fans as it is a charming addition to the world you love already, it would however also make a wonderful introduction to the Discworld for new readers as it is short and simple. After finishing all I feel is I must read more Pratchett very very soon!
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I must confess that I’ve read very little Terry Pratchett – okay, I’ve read one – Nation, which I really enjoyed and thought had some really great humour. But, I’m now reading another book co-written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman called Good Omens – again very witty, laugh out loud in the street and embarrass yourself witty!
Another confession – I really wouldn’t know where to begin with all the Discworld books! There seems to be so many.
This one sounds like a great read though.
Thanks
lynn
Hello Lynn, I haven’t read Nation but I have read Good Omens and I really liked it. I totally sympathise that you don’t know where to start in the Discworld series. One thing I will say is I wouldn’t worry about reading them in order. The Last Hero is a nice short book so might be a good one to give a go.
Hello
Been having a look round your site, which is great by the way. I can’t believe how many books we seem to have in common – probably not if you look on my blog (which is relatively new) but all the classics you’ve read, – I’ve virtually read the same. Noticed you’ve read all of Stephen Kings (Is it called Dark Towers) – now this is another series that I haven’t read but SO many people have told me I have to. I did in fact buy the first – the Gunslinger – but I think it put me off somewhat. Another person mentioned that i probably don’t need to read the first one – what do you think? I’m probably just being silly being put off – it’s the whole cowboy/gunslinger thing – don’t know if it’s really my cup of tea.
Lynn
Aw thank you Lynn! I think you have a rather nice blog too have subscribed so I can keep up-to-date on what your up to
Ah yes The Dark Tower series! I’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree with the other person you spoke to, I think you do need to read The Gunslinger. The first book is the only true time you get to spend alone with the protagonist of the series Roland the last gunslinger. I wouldn’t say I am a western/gun toting sort of girl either but this book is so much more than that! The setting has a western feel and yes Roland is a gunslinger but the world and story he inhabits has a fantasy/science fiction edge to it. I say be brave and give it a go, that’s what I did, the book is only short if you don’t like it won’t have wasted much of your time. However if like me you get to the end and love it well…you have a long series to journey through afterwards
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So have you read all the other books that came before then? I’ve been slowly collecting the first 10, so that I can well and truly sink in and explore, but the size of the series is daunting for sure! (Isn’t it wonderful when a book that you pick up, because you’re in a state, is just the answer.)
Oh no I think I’ve only read The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, and Wyrd Sisters from the Discworld series, which I think do come before this one. Usually I like to read things in order but this book was a gift, and the more I talk to Pratchett fan the more it doesn’t seem to matter greatly what order you read them in. They all have a slightly different focus.
It is really wonderful to know you can pick one of these books up and it is the cure for whatever’s got you down
I am not at all surprised that Terry Pratchett successfully cheered you up. I fully believe in self-medicating depression with Terry Pratchett (and chocolate)!
I did eat chocolate while reading this