Title: The Long Earth
Author: Terry Pratchett
First published June 21, 2012
336 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780062067753 (ISBN10: 0062067753)
Rating: 3.78
Overview
In the year 2030, Joshua Valiente is a natural stepper – one of the few individuals who can traverse parallel worlds that are similar to but not quite the same as our own. When the Long Earth was first discovered, humans flocked to explore the seemingly endless possibilities of new worlds.
But now, thirty years later, society has settled into a new routine. Until Joshua is called upon to explore a mysterious new world that seems to be at the center of the Long Earth, and everything changes once again.
Along with a quirky AI named Lobsang, Joshua must navigate uncharted territories and confront the limits of human understanding to unlock the secrets of the Long Earth.
About the Author
Sir Terry Pratchett was a prolific author who began his career by selling his first story at the age of thirteen. With the money he earned, he purchased a second-hand typewriter and continued to write.
In 1971, his first novel, a humorous fantasy called The Carpet People, was published by Colin Smythe.
Although Terry worked as a journalist and press officer for many years, he continued to write in his spare time and eventually published his first Discworld novel in 1983. Four of the over 40 books in the Discworld series are written for children.
The first of these, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal.
Along with his Discworld series, Terry also wrote a non-Discworld book called Good Omens, which he co-authored with Neil Gaiman in 1990. It has been a long-time bestseller and was reissued in hardcover in 2006.
Harper Children’s published Terry’s standalone non-Discworld YA novel, Nation, in 2008. He published his final book, The Shepherd’s Crown, in October 2011.
Terry was regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists and won numerous literary awards, including being named an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to literature in 1998. He also received honorary doctorates from several universities for his contribution to public service.
In 2007, Terry announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite his illness, he continued to write and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2009.
He received the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010 but passed away on March 12th, 2015.
Editoral Review
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter is a science fiction novel that takes readers on a journey through multiple parallel worlds. Published on June 21, 2012, the book explores themes such as human nature, exploration, and the consequences of our actions.
Pratchett, known for his satirical and humorous writing style, co-wrote The Long Earth with Baxter, a renowned science fiction author. The combination of their writing styles creates a unique blend of humor and scientific exploration, making the book stand out in the genre.
The plot follows Joshua Valiente, a young man with a special ability to “step” into parallel worlds, and Lobsang, an artificial intelligence who claims to have been a Tibetan motorcycle repairman in a previous life. Together, they embark on a journey through different versions of Earth, encountering new creatures, civilizations, and dangers along the way.
The book’s strengths lie in its world-building and exploration of the concept of parallel worlds. The authors’ attention to detail in describing each world and its inhabitants is impressive, and readers will find themselves fully immersed in the story.
The characters are also well-developed, with Joshua and Lobsang’s relationship being a highlight of the book.
However, the book’s pacing can be slow at times, and some readers might find the numerous descriptions of different parallel worlds overwhelming. Additionally, the book’s themes of exploration and the consequences of our actions are not fully explored, leaving some parts of the story feeling underdeveloped.
Overall, The Long Earth is a well-crafted science fiction novel that offers a unique take on the concept of parallel worlds. Fans of the genre and Pratchett’s previous works will find plenty to enjoy in this book.
However, those looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story might be disappointed.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction, exploration, and thought-provoking themes. It is a great read for those who want to escape into a fully-realized world and explore the unknown.
I would rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, as it has its strengths and weaknesses, but is definitely worth a read.
