Last Hero

Last Hero
by Terry Pratchett

Last Hero
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Book Summary Information

Author: Terry Pratchett
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-13
ISBN: 0575081961
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Gollancz

Book Reviews of Last Hero

Book Review: Spot-on, hilarious illustrations
Summary: 5 Stars

I ordered my used copy because Cohen the Barbarian is mentioned in several other Discworld novels, and I wanted to complete my Discworld collection. The story is top-shelf Pratchett, but the large-size, copiously illustrated format is really what makes this one of my favorite, most memorable Discworld books. Artist and author clearly had a meeting of the minds, showcasing the same brand of absurd and witty humor. One set of characters' attempt to sail off the edge of the Discworld is portrayed as a satire of NASA expeditions, down to a mission shoulder patch and medieval-looking "spacesuits" and other gadgetry designed by Leonard of Quirm (whose talent for fine art is hilariously evoked by Kirby's paintings). Meanwhile, the aging barbarian warrior Cohen the Barbarian and his cronies, along with Death, Captain Carrot, the Patrician, and many other Discworld regulars, are detailed with wit and affection throughout the pages. Among the several parodies of great Renaissance paintings, my favorite is the takeoff of God reaching out to touch fingertips with Adam: all the Discworld gods on one side, confronted with a snarling, superannuated Cohen the Barbarian giving them all the finger on the other side. And the book's ending is one of the most satisfying (even emotional) endings of any Discworld novel. Even if this title ever gets re-published in a non-illustrated format, I highly recommend springing for a used copy with these illustrations in favor of a "standard" paperback.

Summary of Last Hero

A short but perfectly formed complete Discworld novel, fully illustrated in lavish colour throughout, THE LAST HERO is an essential part of any Discworld collection. It stars the legendary Cohen the Barbarian, a legend in his own lifetime. Cohen can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons. But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth ...So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends -- and they're very old friends -- Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. The last hero in the world is going to return what the first hero stole. With a vengeance. That'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time.
A new Discworld story is always an event. Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero is unusually short, a 40,000-word "Discworld Fable" rather than a full novel, but is illustrated throughout in sumptuous color by Paul Kidby.

The 160 pages cover the series' longest and most awesome (but still comic) journey yet, a mission to save all Discworld from a new threat. An old threat, actually. Aged warrior Cohen the Barbarian has decided to go out with a bang and take the gods with him. So, with the remnants of his geriatric Silver Horde, he's climbing to the divine retirement home Dunmanifestin with the Discworld equivalent of a nuke--a fifty-pound keg of Agatean Thunder Clay.

This will, for excellent magical reasons, destroy the world.

It's up to Leonard of Quirm, Discworld's da Vinci, to invent the technology that might just beat Cohen to his goal. His unlikely vessel is powered by dragons, crewed by himself and two popular regular characters, and secretly harbors a stowaway. Before long we hear the Discworld version of "Houston, we have a problem...."

Kidby rises splendidly to the challenge of painting both funny faces and cosmic vistas. As Pratchett puts it, The Last Hero "has an extra dimension: some parts of it are written in paint!" New characters include Evil Dark Lord Harry Dread, who started out with "just two lads and his Shed of Doom," and a god so tiresome that his worshippers are forbidden chocolate, ginger, mushrooms and garlic.

Pratchett's story alone is strong and effective, with several hair-raising frissons contrasting with high comedy; Kidby's paintings make it something very special. Not to be missed. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk

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