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Discworld #27
The Last Hero
Cohen the Barbarian. He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember the good old days of high adventure, when being a Hero meant one didn't have to worry about aching backs and lawyers and civilization. But these days, he can't always remember just where he put his teeth...
So now, with his ancient (yet still trusty) sword and new walking stick in hand, Cohen gathers a group of his old - very old - friends to embark on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain of Discworld and meet the gods.
It's time the Last Hero in the world returns what the first hero stole. Trouble is, that'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time.
He can remember the good old days of high adventure, when being a Hero meant one didn't have to worry about aching backs and lawyers and civilization. But these days, he can't always remember just where he put his teeth...
So now, with his ancient (yet still trusty) sword and new walking stick in hand, Cohen gathers a group of his old - very old - friends to embark on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain of Discworld and meet the gods.
It's time the Last Hero in the world returns what the first hero stole. Trouble is, that'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
490 people are currently reading
19458 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
684 books46k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,304 reviews
September 12, 2021
Now that´s a variety of gerontocracy even more ridiculous than in real life.
But at least they are just bored and not as boring as the real life equivalences in politics, so what lies closer than to replay some classic mythology as a real life RPG, the perfect hobby for silver barbarians with some terrorist attitude to go with a big, Discworld shattering bang. Because of the potentially ultra fatal consequences of their plan to reach immortality, or at least a satisfying end worthy of and close to each barbarians´ wet death dream, Vetinari unleashes to go one a, hopefully for the world, successful hellish road and air trip.
Thanks to the illustrations, it´s a very short one, even for Pratchettian dimensions, but very easygoing and without the often included deeper criticism, a once pure and innocent fun that creates its humor mostly out of characters and satirizing the original myth, space programs, Schrödingers´cat, and the good old end of the world.
Because of the complexity of Kirbys´amazing art, this was the only special edition, he just couldn´t produce more graphic novel or even comic style Discworld works without reducing the richness of detail, but it would have been amazing. But the potential for artists to create new interpretations of the Discworld, that is predestined to be comically graphically reinterpreted, is immense. Not just the character descriptions and Kurbys´templates are all there, it would also open the option of expanding the universe and telling new stories.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
But at least they are just bored and not as boring as the real life equivalences in politics, so what lies closer than to replay some classic mythology as a real life RPG, the perfect hobby for silver barbarians with some terrorist attitude to go with a big, Discworld shattering bang. Because of the potentially ultra fatal consequences of their plan to reach immortality, or at least a satisfying end worthy of and close to each barbarians´ wet death dream, Vetinari unleashes to go one a, hopefully for the world, successful hellish road and air trip.
Thanks to the illustrations, it´s a very short one, even for Pratchettian dimensions, but very easygoing and without the often included deeper criticism, a once pure and innocent fun that creates its humor mostly out of characters and satirizing the original myth, space programs, Schrödingers´cat, and the good old end of the world.
Because of the complexity of Kirbys´amazing art, this was the only special edition, he just couldn´t produce more graphic novel or even comic style Discworld works without reducing the richness of detail, but it would have been amazing. But the potential for artists to create new interpretations of the Discworld, that is predestined to be comically graphically reinterpreted, is immense. Not just the character descriptions and Kurbys´templates are all there, it would also open the option of expanding the universe and telling new stories.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe...
The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.
May 15, 2022
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
4.5 stars. Great short story with amazing artwork.
Probably the shortest Discworld book I have read so far, but it really knocks it out of the park. The story is solid, and the amazing artwork really takes this over the edge. The artwork is so good that it's not the images I think of when reading more Discworld books.
Highly recommended to any Discworld fan. Do not pass this one up!
4.5 stars. Great short story with amazing artwork.
Probably the shortest Discworld book I have read so far, but it really knocks it out of the park. The story is solid, and the amazing artwork really takes this over the edge. The artwork is so good that it's not the images I think of when reading more Discworld books.
Highly recommended to any Discworld fan. Do not pass this one up!
November 16, 2024
Ankh-Morpork, we have an orangutan.
Only Terry Pratchett could parody “Houston, we have a problem” with that kind of brazen aplomb.
While The Last Hero, A Discworld Fable, is Pratchett’s 27th Discworld book, the real HERO here is his collaborator Paul Kidby who provides a book full of illustrations.
Is it me, or does Cohen look a little like Terry Pratchett?
Pratchett’s original Discworld illustrator Josh Kirby died in 2001, and Kidby has been drawing Rincewind and the Wizards ever since. I’m an audiobook / eBook guy but to fully appreciate this work, a reader must get a copy of the graphic novel sized work that features pages of Kidby’s outstanding drawings that give life to the story.
Taking aim at heroes and hero worship, Pratchett describes a time when the world needs saving and Rincewind and Carrot are up for the task. Also center stage is Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde as well as Blind Io and the small gods of the Discworld. Cohen and his band of octogenarian heroes invade the gates of the gods in the mystical city of Dunmanifestin. We also get to see the Discworld’s answer to Leonardo da Vinci, Leonard da Quirm.
Good fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This must be read in a format where you can see the illustrations, these were so much fun. I enjoy a good narration as much as the next guy but trust me on this.
Pratchett fills this with lots of pop culture references and the comparisons with astronauts was lots of fun. And Pratchett adds more detail to his masterful world building.
Only Terry Pratchett could parody “Houston, we have a problem” with that kind of brazen aplomb.
While The Last Hero, A Discworld Fable, is Pratchett’s 27th Discworld book, the real HERO here is his collaborator Paul Kidby who provides a book full of illustrations.
Is it me, or does Cohen look a little like Terry Pratchett?
Pratchett’s original Discworld illustrator Josh Kirby died in 2001, and Kidby has been drawing Rincewind and the Wizards ever since. I’m an audiobook / eBook guy but to fully appreciate this work, a reader must get a copy of the graphic novel sized work that features pages of Kidby’s outstanding drawings that give life to the story.
Taking aim at heroes and hero worship, Pratchett describes a time when the world needs saving and Rincewind and Carrot are up for the task. Also center stage is Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde as well as Blind Io and the small gods of the Discworld. Cohen and his band of octogenarian heroes invade the gates of the gods in the mystical city of Dunmanifestin. We also get to see the Discworld’s answer to Leonardo da Vinci, Leonard da Quirm.
Good fun.
*** 2024 reread -
This must be read in a format where you can see the illustrations, these were so much fun. I enjoy a good narration as much as the next guy but trust me on this.
Pratchett fills this with lots of pop culture references and the comparisons with astronauts was lots of fun. And Pratchett adds more detail to his masterful world building.
March 16, 2025
2025 reread.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Rincewind books, but I love this one, maybe because he just plays a smaller supporting role.
It has all the humour and depth of the Discworld books, and a great cast of characters.
Cohen and his very old friends have a special place in my heart. Their friendship, anger at the world, and refusal to give up is pure Pratchett.
The illustrations are perfect and it makes for a really beautiful tale.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Rincewind books, but I love this one, maybe because he just plays a smaller supporting role.
It has all the humour and depth of the Discworld books, and a great cast of characters.
Cohen and his very old friends have a special place in my heart. Their friendship, anger at the world, and refusal to give up is pure Pratchett.
The illustrations are perfect and it makes for a really beautiful tale.
April 9, 2012
This was the the last book on Terry Pratchett re-read binge.
While not as substantial as some of the rest of his books (I'm pretty sure the wordcount is less than half of his usual) this book makes up for it by being beautifully illustrated by Paul Kidby. I've never seen an artist do such spot-on interpretations of an author's characters. Kidby's work is really amazing.
While not as substantial as some of the rest of his books (I'm pretty sure the wordcount is less than half of his usual) this book makes up for it by being beautifully illustrated by Paul Kidby. I've never seen an artist do such spot-on interpretations of an author's characters. Kidby's work is really amazing.
November 6, 2025
At the end of Interesting Times Cohen and his Silver Horde have found themselves ruling of the Agatean Empire. And for a time, they were content enough to bask in their happily-ever-after. But no barbarian would be content to live out his last days lazing about, when there's the option to die in battle, awash in a literal Blaze of Glory.
The fact that this would also force the rest of the Discworld to join them in the afterlife, doesn't seem to ping on their radar. Then again, there's no better time for a new generation to rise to the occasion.
This was an interesting and rather enjoyable take on the Myth of Sisyphus, specifically on a sequel of sorts, where the last heroes (roooooll credits!) decide to avenge the first hero. Mostly for the theatrics of it.
Right from the get-go, it is clear that despite the very high stakes at hand, no part of this story wishes to take itself seriously. There's of course the Silver Horde that hires a bard so their final heroics are not lost to posterity. Leonard of Quirm, the head architect of the counter offensive, is an inexhaustible source of harebrained schemes: such as using hundreds of little swamp dragons to give his "space ship" a boost over the Rim of the Disc. Not to mention Rincewind, who joins the counter offensive out of sheer preemptive exasperation: past experience has taught him that he'll be eventually made to do so anyway.
Seeing the characters revisit some of the key sights from the first novels, in a much faster and (I'd add) more efficient manner, gave things an interesting atmosphere of nostalgia. It kind of makes me wish for an appropriately tragic/heroic/happy ending for this sub-series. If memory serves, the last book from the series focuses mostly on a new cast of characters, plus this book feels very much like a conclusion.
Score: 4.8 / 5 stars
This was hella funny and witty, plus the illustrations add an additional rating star of enjoyment. If only they had been better placed to match the progression of the storyline.
-----------------
Other stories featuring Rincewind the Wizard:
book 1:The Colour of Magic
book 2: The Light Fantastic
book 3: Sourcery
book 4: Eric
book 5: Interesting Times
book 6: The Last Continent
The fact that this would also force the rest of the Discworld to join them in the afterlife, doesn't seem to ping on their radar. Then again, there's no better time for a new generation to rise to the occasion.
This was an interesting and rather enjoyable take on the Myth of Sisyphus, specifically on a sequel of sorts, where the last heroes (roooooll credits!) decide to avenge the first hero. Mostly for the theatrics of it.
Right from the get-go, it is clear that despite the very high stakes at hand, no part of this story wishes to take itself seriously. There's of course the Silver Horde that hires a bard so their final heroics are not lost to posterity. Leonard of Quirm, the head architect of the counter offensive, is an inexhaustible source of harebrained schemes: such as using hundreds of little swamp dragons to give his "space ship" a boost over the Rim of the Disc. Not to mention Rincewind, who joins the counter offensive out of sheer preemptive exasperation: past experience has taught him that he'll be eventually made to do so anyway.
Seeing the characters revisit some of the key sights from the first novels, in a much faster and (I'd add) more efficient manner, gave things an interesting atmosphere of nostalgia. It kind of makes me wish for an appropriately tragic/heroic/happy ending for this sub-series. If memory serves, the last book from the series focuses mostly on a new cast of characters, plus this book feels very much like a conclusion.
Score: 4.8 / 5 stars
What goes around comes around. If not examined too closely, it passes for justice.
This was hella funny and witty, plus the illustrations add an additional rating star of enjoyment. If only they had been better placed to match the progression of the storyline.
-----------------
Other stories featuring Rincewind the Wizard:
book 1:The Colour of Magic
book 2: The Light Fantastic
book 3: Sourcery
book 4: Eric
book 5: Interesting Times
book 6: The Last Continent
August 29, 2019
Oh, my dear Sir Terry, how you always delight me.
In this rather short but very good 27th volume of the Discworld novels, we follow Conan the Barbarian and hisfriends heroes horde.
Conan and his troupe have been on the Disc for a VERY long time without dying. But age is a matter of perspective as anyone trying to kill them finds out very briefly before their very own meeting with Binky and his master.
They've plundered, ravished and done all sorts of other things, ending up quite wealthy and ... bored.
So their plan is to go out on a bang. And what would be better for that than returning to the Gods what had been stolen from them by the very first hero - Conan-style though.
Their plan becomes known to the Patrician and he employs the wizards of Unseen University (incl. a volunteering Rincewind - yep, you read correctly), Captain Carrot, as well as his favourite naive inventor in order to stop the end of the world.
So we get a madcap ride in a very daring contraption utilizing dragons, lots of hilarity from Rincewind pointing out the obvious death traps, Gods that don't understand sarcasm and much much more. Oh, and space! Yup, this novel had everything.
This volume is also one of the special ones illustrated throughout and, I think, the very first volume Paul Kidby was the artist for (after the death of Josh Kirby). So I enjoyed both the audio version (still not as good as Nigel Planer's reading, I can't emphasize this enough) as well as my print copy (Rincewind, by the way, is depicted too young in my opinion).
A wonderful addition to the series that made me chuckle almost non-stop and even burst out laughing loudly in public places.
In this rather short but very good 27th volume of the Discworld novels, we follow Conan the Barbarian and his
Conan and his troupe have been on the Disc for a VERY long time without dying. But age is a matter of perspective as anyone trying to kill them finds out very briefly before their very own meeting with Binky and his master.
They've plundered, ravished and done all sorts of other things, ending up quite wealthy and ... bored.
So their plan is to go out on a bang. And what would be better for that than returning to the Gods what had been stolen from them by the very first hero - Conan-style though.
Their plan becomes known to the Patrician and he employs the wizards of Unseen University (incl. a volunteering Rincewind - yep, you read correctly), Captain Carrot, as well as his favourite naive inventor in order to stop the end of the world.
So we get a madcap ride in a very daring contraption utilizing dragons, lots of hilarity from Rincewind pointing out the obvious death traps, Gods that don't understand sarcasm and much much more. Oh, and space! Yup, this novel had everything.
This volume is also one of the special ones illustrated throughout and, I think, the very first volume Paul Kidby was the artist for (after the death of Josh Kirby). So I enjoyed both the audio version (still not as good as Nigel Planer's reading, I can't emphasize this enough) as well as my print copy (Rincewind, by the way, is depicted too young in my opinion).
A wonderful addition to the series that made me chuckle almost non-stop and even burst out laughing loudly in public places.
February 21, 2025
Re-Read 2/21/25:
I've never read a book so bright.
How bright?
Incandescent.
--Just like my behind.
I'm telling you, it's HOT.
My synesthesia thinks it's somewhere between a 3 and 4 quadrillion-million Scoville score. With an elephant on top.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
Original review:
The Last Hero has rapidly become one of my favorites out of the whole Discworld series.
This is funny because I originally gave it a 4 star.
So, why the change of heart?
It's the stars, baby. It's the stars.
Heroism is underrated. And wildly misunderstood. Good thing we have a huge cast of great characters here to destroy the world for us. I mean save it.
Or do I?
I've never read a book so bright.
How bright?
Incandescent.
--Just like my behind.
I'm telling you, it's HOT.
My synesthesia thinks it's somewhere between a 3 and 4 quadrillion-million Scoville score. With an elephant on top.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
Original review:
The Last Hero has rapidly become one of my favorites out of the whole Discworld series.
This is funny because I originally gave it a 4 star.
So, why the change of heart?
It's the stars, baby. It's the stars.
Heroism is underrated. And wildly misunderstood. Good thing we have a huge cast of great characters here to destroy the world for us. I mean save it.
Or do I?
May 21, 2014
'And the thing is...the big thing about Cohen is...he's contagious.'
'You mean he's a plague carrier?'
'It's like a mental illness, sir. Or magic. He's as crazy as a stoat, but...once they've been around him for a while, people start seeing the world the way he does. All big and simple and they want to be part of it.'
This must be how Cohen the Barbarian got his Silver Horde to follow him up the highest mountain in Discworld to return something that was stolen from the Gods. BUT - for reasons too complicated to go into here, it will mean the end of the world if he succeeds. So, it's up to Carrot, Rincewind and Leonard of Quirm to stop him, and...OH, YE GODS! Thestewardess Librarian is flying the plane!
'Ook!' said the Librarian.
'He says we'll have to land soon,' said Carrot. 'Was there some position we're supposed to get into?'
'Ook!' said the Librarian. He seemed to be fighting the levers.
'What do you mean, "Lie on your back with your arms folded across your chest"?'
There's really only enough material here for a short story, Discworld Lite, if you will, but there's still plenty to enjoy. Meeting the Gods was fun. I LOVE that there is a God of Unnecessary Paperwork and a Goddess of Certain Types of Ice Cream and Short Lengths of String.
I rate the story a three. It didn't really hold my interest, though to be fair, I am ruled by the Goddess of the Easily Distracted. I found myself rushing through the text to get to more of the gorgeous artwork.
Just feast your eyes on some of these beauties:
There you have it. A fun time, loads to look at, but a necessary read only for Discworld completists. But do borrow the book JUST to look at the pictures! Drool!
'You mean he's a plague carrier?'
'It's like a mental illness, sir. Or magic. He's as crazy as a stoat, but...once they've been around him for a while, people start seeing the world the way he does. All big and simple and they want to be part of it.'
This must be how Cohen the Barbarian got his Silver Horde to follow him up the highest mountain in Discworld to return something that was stolen from the Gods. BUT - for reasons too complicated to go into here, it will mean the end of the world if he succeeds. So, it's up to Carrot, Rincewind and Leonard of Quirm to stop him, and...OH, YE GODS! The
'Ook!' said the Librarian.
'He says we'll have to land soon,' said Carrot. 'Was there some position we're supposed to get into?'
'Ook!' said the Librarian. He seemed to be fighting the levers.
'What do you mean, "Lie on your back with your arms folded across your chest"?'
There's really only enough material here for a short story, Discworld Lite, if you will, but there's still plenty to enjoy. Meeting the Gods was fun. I LOVE that there is a God of Unnecessary Paperwork and a Goddess of Certain Types of Ice Cream and Short Lengths of String.
I rate the story a three. It didn't really hold my interest, though to be fair, I am ruled by the Goddess of the Easily Distracted. I found myself rushing through the text to get to more of the gorgeous artwork.
Just feast your eyes on some of these beauties:
There you have it. A fun time, loads to look at, but a necessary read only for Discworld completists. But do borrow the book JUST to look at the pictures! Drool!
December 15, 2015
Este es uno de los libros que me ha gustado del mundodisco, por varias razones, no solo tiene al cobarde de Rincewind salvando al mundo una vez mas, aunque el solo quisiera huir y/o esconderse; sino que tiene una cofradía de personajes de todo el disco, tenemos a todo El cuadro académico de la ilustre universidad invisible, al Patricio de Ankh-Morpork Lord Vetinari, al Capitán Zanahoria de la guardia de la ciudad, a La muerte (que no podría faltar) y lo mejor de todo a la Horda de plata
Este grupo de viejitos cool que sigue a Cohen el bárbaro, quien tiene el plan de una última misión, devolverle lo que le pertenece a los dioses, lo primero que los mortales le robaron, el problema es que se lo quieren pagar con intereses, y debido a esto puede que todo el mundodisco se destruya.
Me gustaron las ilustraciones del libro, todas son fantásticas
Y una de las cosas que más me encanto, es que, a pesar de ser una historia cortita, tiene un inicio un desarrollo y un cierrecon Pratchett esto no sucede todo el tiempo y ese final fue esplendido, todo un bombazo, de los mejores, así que los invito a acompañar a Rincewind a otra de sus aventuras peligrosas - lo siento Rincewind por más que no lo quieras como tú mismo lo dices así es tu vida
Este grupo de viejitos cool que sigue a Cohen el bárbaro, quien tiene el plan de una última misión, devolverle lo que le pertenece a los dioses, lo primero que los mortales le robaron, el problema es que se lo quieren pagar con intereses, y debido a esto puede que todo el mundodisco se destruya.
Me gustaron las ilustraciones del libro, todas son fantásticas
Y una de las cosas que más me encanto, es que, a pesar de ser una historia cortita, tiene un inicio un desarrollo y un cierre
December 30, 2021
Four stars for the story but the illustrations put it over the top. Its original publishers put a lot more support into this than the much earlier illustrated Discworld novella, Eric. Available in a coffee-book sized format, but even in the smaller trade paperback one can fully appreciate the detail in the illustrations. Paul Kidby took over drawing for the series from Josh Kirby when the latter died in 2021 and this book is a wonderful showcase of his work. I particularly adored the detailed diagrams representing Leonard da Quirm's manic genius output.
Imagine being a hero of legend, who ended up so good at it that they never died? Facing old age with all of its humiliations and infirmities, Cohen the Barbarian and his fellow aged warriors set out to challenge the gods that let this happen. It's up to the people of Ankh-Morpork to make sure that doesn't happen, with a plot hatched by the faculty of Unseen University, backed by the Patrician, with a suicide squad for which Rincewind definitely does not volunteer.
The story is very good in any grand scheme, but not as great as some of the contemporaneous Discworld output. Still, it wonderfully caps Rincewind's series of adventures, neatly and directly tying up his Disc-spanning journey that began in the foundational The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, and expanding our appreciation of the majesty of Great A'tuin's cosmic scale. Cohen first appeared in those early books also, and this is at least as much his story as anyone else's, and for him at least, the story provides a fitting end.
Imagine being a hero of legend, who ended up so good at it that they never died? Facing old age with all of its humiliations and infirmities, Cohen the Barbarian and his fellow aged warriors set out to challenge the gods that let this happen. It's up to the people of Ankh-Morpork to make sure that doesn't happen, with a plot hatched by the faculty of Unseen University, backed by the Patrician, with a suicide squad for which Rincewind definitely does not volunteer.
The story is very good in any grand scheme, but not as great as some of the contemporaneous Discworld output. Still, it wonderfully caps Rincewind's series of adventures, neatly and directly tying up his Disc-spanning journey that began in the foundational The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, and expanding our appreciation of the majesty of Great A'tuin's cosmic scale. Cohen first appeared in those early books also, and this is at least as much his story as anyone else's, and for him at least, the story provides a fitting end.
February 20, 2025
The 27th in my re-read of the entire Discworld series - the books are flying by ... kinda like time ... though this book taught me that that is better than time stopping!
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a Penguin production of this 27th volume so I opted for the old audio narrated by Stephen Briggs, which wasn't bad at all. It just didn't have the certain something the new audio productions have.
The story, though, was as bonkers and hilariously-while-also-wittily entertaining as the first time I read it. For my original review, *see here*.
One reason why I decided to re-read the series is that I can never just indulge in one of the volumes. The other is that the audiobooks were newly produced and the casts looked amazing.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a Penguin production of this 27th volume so I opted for the old audio narrated by Stephen Briggs, which wasn't bad at all. It just didn't have the certain something the new audio productions have.
The story, though, was as bonkers and hilariously-while-also-wittily entertaining as the first time I read it. For my original review, *see here*.
March 10, 2017
The Last Hero is the seventh book in the Rincewind subseries. It’s actually an illustrated novel, the first one I’ve read. It was only available as an illustrated version (unlike Eric which I read in a non-illustrated format), and I do think some of the illustrations were important to the story. If nothing else, the ending might not make much sense without the corresponding picture. The reader could probably guess what it showed if they’d been paying attention to the story, though.
The story itself is short, but cute. Cohen and his horde of heroes are on a quest, and their heroic shenanigans might destroy the entire Discworld. A variety of familiar characters get involved in trying to prevent this and, naturally, Rincewind gets dragged into things against his will. Sort of.
I’m not a very visual person, so illustrations don’t usually do much for me. Despite that, I still enjoyed the pictures in this book. I particularly enjoyed seeing illustrations for the various characters I’ve read about over the past many books. I can’t say too many of them actually looked the way I had pictured them in my mind, but they were still fun to see. The Rincewind illustrations in particular were great. The one on the cover is funny, but not very representative of the others. The other Rincewind illustrations throughout the book all show him with this perpetual frown and a dejected look that made me laugh every time he showed up in a picture.
I don’t normally include pictures with my reviews but, seeing as how this is an illustrated novel, I thought it would be fun to show one of my favorite pictures in the book. :)
The story itself is short, but cute. Cohen and his horde of heroes are on a quest, and their heroic shenanigans might destroy the entire Discworld. A variety of familiar characters get involved in trying to prevent this and, naturally, Rincewind gets dragged into things against his will. Sort of.
I’m not a very visual person, so illustrations don’t usually do much for me. Despite that, I still enjoyed the pictures in this book. I particularly enjoyed seeing illustrations for the various characters I’ve read about over the past many books. I can’t say too many of them actually looked the way I had pictured them in my mind, but they were still fun to see. The Rincewind illustrations in particular were great. The one on the cover is funny, but not very representative of the others. The other Rincewind illustrations throughout the book all show him with this perpetual frown and a dejected look that made me laugh every time he showed up in a picture.
I don’t normally include pictures with my reviews but, seeing as how this is an illustrated novel, I thought it would be fun to show one of my favorite pictures in the book. :)
September 3, 2018
I read my copy back in 2001 when first came out. This first H/B copy not horrible P/B one. This brilliant story by Sir T but real star of this book is illustrator Paul Kidby who's ills make the story.
Old Soldiers never die they just fade away. I learned that school in 1960s but this proves that this load of old bullshit!
Cohen the Barbarian a mean old git, balded wrinkly prune with sword & walking stick. Mad Hamish in his wooden spiked wheelchair,Granny Vena the Raven -Haired (very grey) Evil Harry Dread who has shrunk, Fat Butcher, Armpit who now smells extra bad, Gak who died but still fights on,HIM,SQUEAK, Calben the Ripper with his wrinkles, oh Blood useless Rincewind the university 's worst wizard to save Disc from the old Gods.
OH.......
What you have here is book that is only 176 p but its large book so get 55lines to a page & average of 20 words to line thus size changes from 176 to 300+ Page normal book full of colour ills. This perfect if felling down in the blues as its stuff hankie in your mouth time scream laughing .We miss You Terry.
Old Soldiers never die they just fade away. I learned that school in 1960s but this proves that this load of old bullshit!
Cohen the Barbarian a mean old git, balded wrinkly prune with sword & walking stick. Mad Hamish in his wooden spiked wheelchair,Granny Vena the Raven -Haired (very grey) Evil Harry Dread who has shrunk, Fat Butcher, Armpit who now smells extra bad, Gak who died but still fights on,HIM,SQUEAK, Calben the Ripper with his wrinkles, oh Blood useless Rincewind the university 's worst wizard to save Disc from the old Gods.
OH.......
What you have here is book that is only 176 p but its large book so get 55lines to a page & average of 20 words to line thus size changes from 176 to 300+ Page normal book full of colour ills. This perfect if felling down in the blues as its stuff hankie in your mouth time scream laughing .We miss You Terry.
April 7, 2018
The Late great Sir Terry's Conan tribute to Robert E Howard what happens to super men when they get old & there teeth fall out this old man Steptoe with muscles.
But the extra special illustrations that give this book that WOW!
But the extra special illustrations that give this book that WOW!
October 10, 2022
Delidolu adlı aptallık yığınının içine sıçtığı güzelim Terry Pratchett ve Paul Kidby kitabı veya başka bir bakışla Discworld'ün yirmi yedinci kitabı:
"Ankh-Morpork, We have an orangutan..."
Efsaneye göre Mazda asırlar öncee Discworld'ün bencil tanrılarından ateşi çalmış ve onu dünyanın tüm sakinlerine getirmiş, tanrılar da bu eylemine karşılık Mazda'yı her gün yenilenen bir eziyetle cezalandırmıştır. Diskdünya'nın en büyük kahramanı Barbar Cohen ve arkadaşları Gümüş Ordu da kahramanlık günlerini görkemli ve destansı son bir macera ile bitirmek ve Mazda'nın intikamını almaya karar verir. Cohen'in deyimiyle "Tanrılara ateşlerini geri vermek" için yanlarına 25 kilo Agathea Gök Gürültüsü Kili alan kahramanlar, en silahlı ve en tehlikeli halleriyle Disk'in tam ortasındaki Cori Celesti Dağının, tanrıların evi Dunmanifestin'in yolunu tutarlar. Tam da bu sırada, Disk'in büyü alanının tam ortasında yaşanacak bir patlamanın, dünya üzerinde mutlak bir yok oluşa neden olacağının bilinciyle, Disk uluslarının temsilcileri ve danışmanları, Ataerk'in sarayında hararetle tartışmakta, Cohen ve Gümüş Ordu'yu vaz geçirme görevine çıkacak gönüllüler aramaktadır. Ve "Gönüllü" sözcüğünü duyan Rincewind huzursuzlukla kıpırdanır...
Discworld ile özdeşleşmiş çizgileriyle tanıdığımız, her kitabın kapağında, Discworld arşivlerinde, compendiumlarda görmeye alıştığımız Paul Kidby'nin her aşamasında Terry Pratchett'la birlikte çizimlerini planladığı ve ince ince işlediği bir Pterry kitabı Son Kahraman. Elbette "yolu Diskten geçen herkes" (Bu arada Kayahan'ın Diskdünya versiyonu kesinlikle Troll olurdu) Kirby ile bir noktada tanışmış, fanlık çizgisini biraz geçenler de Kirby'nin çizgi roman ve diğer resimli kitaplarını mutlaka görmüştür. Ama sonradan resimlenen kitap ve çizgi romana dönüştürülen hikayelerin aksine, daha en başından bir resimli kitap olarak planlanmış "Son Kahraman" ve görsel olarak muazzam bir sonuç çıkmış ortaya.
Aslında Paul Kidby her ne kadar kendisine alışmış da olsam, benim çok da sevdiğim bir çizer değil. Üslubunu biraz fazla karikatürize buluyor ve özellikle kapaklarını zaman zaman incelemesi zevkli bulsam da çoğunlukla Discworld'ün ağırlığını karşılamaya yetmediğini düşünüyorum(bu parantezin içinde eskiden fil şakası vardı, son okuduğum Terry kitabı Maurice olduğu için kaçtı). Ayrıca çoğunlukla da "fazla oryantal" buluyorum çizimlerini (ki bunu başka nasıl anlatabileceğimden emin değilim) Ancak bu kitapta çıkardığı iş gerçekten başka bir seviyede. Kitap boyunca yayılmış tüm portreler, resimler, Leonard'ın tasarımlarını gösteren şemalar, Terry'nin muazzam referanslarının görsel versiyonları, A'tuin'in ve Diskdünya'nın muazzam tasvirleri, Nasa'nın uzaydan çekilmiş fotoğraflarının Diskdünya versiyonları, elinin değdiği hemen her şey o kadar iyi ki. Dandik Türkçe baskısında değil ama(en sonda geleceğiz oraya) orijinal versiyonundaki kimi çizimlere saniyelerden dakikalara taşan ölçeklerde baktım. Görsel hikayeciliğin ne kadar güzel yapılabileceğinin yegane örneğiydi adeta.
Görselleri bir kenara bıraktığımızda elimizde kalan ise Disk'in diğer eserleri ile kıyaslandığında biraz sönük kalıyordu. Ama bu, bir bakıma yıldızlar geçidi de olan, bir taraftan Rincewind, Havuç ve Leonard'ın bir uzay seyahatine çıkıp, Apollo görevlerinin harika bir parodsini canlandırdığı bir taraftan da Cohen'in mitolojik zalimlerden hesap sormaya kalktığı kitabın kötü bir macera oluşundan değil asla. Bilakis, gayet heyecanlandırıcı, merak uyandırıcı ve her sayfası yine o sırtımızdaki ulaşamadığımız yere dokunan, tatlı bir hikaye baştan sona. Sadece tüm o Bekçi kitaplarını, Cadılar'ı, Ölüm'ün o eşsiz dokunuşunu okumuş, Brutha ve Om'un çölde yürüyüşüne tanık olmuş, Vimes ile beraber hırsız kovalamış, Nine'yle birlikte "Tanrılar bu evi kutsasın," diye bağırarak ilk kapıdan dalıvermiş, Terry'nin neler yapabildiğine tanık olmuş, hayretle açılmış çenesini toplamakta zorlanmış bizlerin, hayli yükselmiş beklentileriyle ilgili sorun. Alıştığımız, muazzam katmanların üst üste bindiği, kapattığımızda aynı anda üç farklı kitabı bitirmiş gibi hissettiğiniz bir Pterry şaheseri değil elimizdeki. Ama Terry'nin muhteşem dünyasının etrafında kelimenin her anlamıyla bir tur attığımız ve Kirby'nin resimleriyle, Cohen'in "tanrılara ateşi geri verişine" tanık olduğumuz güzel bir maceraydı "the Last Hero"
Şimdi, tatsız taraflara geleceğiz ama kendilerine Delidolu/Tudem diyen şer odağı tarafından kitabın nasıl içinden geçildiğine gelmeden önce, yakaladığım referanslar, gözüme takılan bir iki detay ve aldığım notları kısa kısa aktarmak istiyorum:
* Türkçe versiyonda hem aşırı ucuz kağıttan hem de kötü baskı kalitesinden pek göremiyoruz ama Leonardo'nun beslediği kuşlardan birinin üzerinde DoG-KöPek yazıyor. Bunun nedenini ise the Truth 'ta öğrenmiştik.
* "Kahramanların istediği budur, değil mi? Dünyanın tüm tahtlarını sandaletli ayaklarının altında ezmek, şairin de dediği gibi?" diyor Vetinari. O zaman cevap hakkına duyduğum inançla diyorum ki; Şunu bilin ki prensim kabaran okyanusların Atlantis'i ve onun görkemli kentlerini yutmasından sonra, çelik bilekli, şahin gözlü ve elinden kılıcını bırakmayan bu yiğidin göndermelerini kaçırmayacaktık elbette.
* Vetinari'nin Leonard ile konuşurken "Eski bir hikaye hatırlıyorum. Kuğuların çektiği bir gemi yapılmış ve..." derken bahsettiği hikaye piskopos Francis Godwin'in 1600lerde yazdığı, kuğuların çektiği bir arabayla aya gidilen The Man In The Moone . İlk uzay seyahati hikayelerinden olduğu için tarihsel bir önemi var. Eleman ay insanlarıyla falan karşılaşıyor sonra, tabii o dönem kilise iyice bir manyak gibi bi'şey olmuş...
* Kuzgun Saçlı Vena (Vena the Raven-Haired) kitabın yazıldığı yıllarda ününün doruğunda olan Lucy Lawless'ın canlandırdığı, 90'ların çocuklarının fantezilerinin kahramanı Savaşçı Prenses Xena'nın bir parodisi. Ben Gabriel'e aşıktım gerçi.
* "Onca silahı, anahtarı ve ilaç kutularını falan, keşfedilmemiş zindanlara kim bırakıyor?" derken Vena'ya buradan seslenmek istiyorum; Sadece onlar olsa iyi, anahtarlarla kapıları renklerine göre de kodluyorlar üstelik.
Gelelim "madem bu kadar beğendin her şeyi, neden iki puan kısmına?". Genellikle yüzeysel okumalar yapan insanlar tarafından sıklıkla Terry Pratchett çevirilerinin iyi olduğu sanrısı oluşmuş olsa da (ki bunda Tudem öncesi daha da kötü olmasının da rolü var) Terry Pratchett teliflerini maalesef elinde tutan Delidolu/Tudem ve kitapları çeviren Niran Elçi, Pterry kitaplarını vahşice sakatlamasıyla tanıdığımız unsurlar. Maalesef çevirilerde saçma sapan şeyler yapan, kah kafasına göre esprileri "yerelleştiren" ve bu sırada bildiğin uyduran, kah kendine vazife edinip artık neye ve kime yaranmak istiyorsa içerik sansürleyen, kah hiç anlamayan bu muhteşem ekibin çalışmalarının bir örneğini Carpe Jugulum 'da görebilirsiniz. Laf açılmışken, bu içerik kaçırma, anlamama konusu gerçekten bir seçenek bile değil Terry kitapları konusunda aslında. Devasa bir online komünite var Pratchett kitaplarını satır satır incelemiş, her göndermeyi forumlarda tartışmış ve bunları raporlamış olan. Ben bile her kitabı bitirip review yazdıktan sonra bir bakıyorum "acaba neleri kaçırmışım bu sefer?" diye, ki bunlar çevirmen/yayınevi/editör falan. Lan, işiniz bu işiniz! Para kazanıyor bundan bunlar. İnanılmaz bir dingillik seviyesi gerçekten.
Neyse, konumuza dönersek. Delidolu/Tudem bu dandiklik festivalini bu sefer görsellere de taşıyor. Zaten berbat bir saman kağıda, kalitesiz ve düşük çözünürlükle basarak piç ettiği kitabı, kafasına göre tahrif ediyor, sansürlüyor. Artık hangi embesilin idari kararıyla bilemeyeceğim, sayfaları tamamen çıkarıyor, eksiltiyor, deforme ediyorlar. Bir işi ne kadar kötü yapabilirlerse o kadar kötü yapıyorlar.
Normal şartlar altında reviewlerde fotoğraf ve resim kullanılmasından hoşlanmıyor, bir kitap eleştirisinin sadece yazı içermesi gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Yine de bu yazının devamında bir takım fotoğraflar göreceksiniz. Yani aniden aşırı kötü young adult/romance kitapları okuyan liseliye dönüşmedim dostlar. Ve goodreads feedinizi kaslı oğlanların karın kasları ve iri memeli kadınlarla bezeli kapakları olan, görüldüğü anda zeka düşüren kaka festivali kitapların altına bırakılmış, kulaklardan beyin sıvısı fışkırdacak boktanlıkta gif dosyalarıyla doldurmayacağım (Bu arada bu tip yan nefret kusuşlarını gazetenin ilavesi gibi düşünün. Hürriyetin yanında verilen Kelebek eki gibi. Hep fiyata dahil bunlar; bayiniz unutursa vermeyi isteyin yani.) Ancak burada istisnai bir durum söz konusu; orijinal bir eserin tahrifini açıklamak için karşılaştırmaya ve görsel veriye ihtiyacım var. O yüzden, oynatalım;
Delidolu'nun "aman ne gereği var şimdi" diye kaldırıp attığı iç kapaktan hemen sonra aslında bizi harika bir Goblen karşılıyor. Cohen ve Gümüş Ordu'nun hikayesini gördüğümüz Goblen belli ki Normanların İngiltere fethini anlatan ünlü Bayeux Tapestry ''nin bir parodisi. Ama Delidolu artık Harold'a gıcıklığından mı, başka bir nedenden mi bilinmez, bunu kitaptan atmaya karar vermiş
Ardından kitaba başlıyoruz ve biz pis orta doğululuların görmeyi hak etmediği bir diğer çizim olan toprak renklerdeki Neo-Klasik Io, kartal ve "Fingers" Mazda çizimi bizi karşılamıyor.
İlerledikçe çeşit çeşit aptallığa şahit olmaya devam ediyoruz. Kah resimlere müdahale ediliyor, kah sayfaların arka planlarındaki grafikler siliniyor, kah "aman yaaa," diye çizimler tamamen çıkarılıp atılıyor.
Bir noktada Delidolu editörlerinden birinin gözleri kısılıyor ve duduaklarının arasondan "Meme mi lan o?" sözleri dökülüyor. Ardından editörümüz panik içinde haykırıyor, "MEMEE VAAAR!". "Eyvah," diyor, "şimdi ne yapacağız," diyor, "Baltayı taşa vurduk," (haha) diye sızlanıyor. Ama ekip çakal, ekip sinsi. "böyle sanatın içine tükürüreyim," diyerek hemen çözümü buluyorlar:
Bizimkiler elbette gökkuşağını da pek sevmiyor. Artık "anam gökkuşağı! Hemen silelim yoksa okuyan ibne olur!" diye mi düşünüyorlar, yoksa başka hesaplarımı var, dangalakçam pek iyi olmadığından bilemiyorum. Yine de ellerini korkak alıştırmıyorlar, vuruyorlar makası:
Ve bu noktada ben, hazır hala kimsenin gelmişine geçmişine, ölüsüne dirisine, amcasına teyzesine, halasına eniştesine, eşiktekine beşiktekine sövmemişken, bu review'i "erken bitirmeye" karar veriyorum.
Son söz olarak, Kitap güzel, kitap tatlı. Hiç bir şey olmasa sırf Rincewind'i Vitruvius Adamı olarak görmek için bile değerdi okumaya (ki aklıma geldikçe güleceğim buna). Tek sorun, orijinalini almanız gerekiyor. Kitabın kendisine 4/5 puan verirken, Tr baskısı olduğu iddia edilen bok yığınını da 2 puanla (çünkü yine de Terry'yi çok seviyorum, 1 yıldıza elim gitmiyor) yolculuyoruz. Ve bir kez daha rica ediyorum; Bu kitabı okumak istiyorsanız lütfen Delidolu baskısını almayın.
Edit/not: Bu arada unutmuşum yazmayı: Kitabı okuduktan sonra yayınevine telefon açtım ve "Siz aptal mısınız?" diye sordum. Cevap vermediler ve telefonu kapattılar.
"Ankh-Morpork, We have an orangutan..."
Efsaneye göre Mazda asırlar öncee Discworld'ün bencil tanrılarından ateşi çalmış ve onu dünyanın tüm sakinlerine getirmiş, tanrılar da bu eylemine karşılık Mazda'yı her gün yenilenen bir eziyetle cezalandırmıştır. Diskdünya'nın en büyük kahramanı Barbar Cohen ve arkadaşları Gümüş Ordu da kahramanlık günlerini görkemli ve destansı son bir macera ile bitirmek ve Mazda'nın intikamını almaya karar verir. Cohen'in deyimiyle "Tanrılara ateşlerini geri vermek" için yanlarına 25 kilo Agathea Gök Gürültüsü Kili alan kahramanlar, en silahlı ve en tehlikeli halleriyle Disk'in tam ortasındaki Cori Celesti Dağının, tanrıların evi Dunmanifestin'in yolunu tutarlar. Tam da bu sırada, Disk'in büyü alanının tam ortasında yaşanacak bir patlamanın, dünya üzerinde mutlak bir yok oluşa neden olacağının bilinciyle, Disk uluslarının temsilcileri ve danışmanları, Ataerk'in sarayında hararetle tartışmakta, Cohen ve Gümüş Ordu'yu vaz geçirme görevine çıkacak gönüllüler aramaktadır. Ve "Gönüllü" sözcüğünü duyan Rincewind huzursuzlukla kıpırdanır...
Discworld ile özdeşleşmiş çizgileriyle tanıdığımız, her kitabın kapağında, Discworld arşivlerinde, compendiumlarda görmeye alıştığımız Paul Kidby'nin her aşamasında Terry Pratchett'la birlikte çizimlerini planladığı ve ince ince işlediği bir Pterry kitabı Son Kahraman. Elbette "yolu Diskten geçen herkes" (Bu arada Kayahan'ın Diskdünya versiyonu kesinlikle Troll olurdu) Kirby ile bir noktada tanışmış, fanlık çizgisini biraz geçenler de Kirby'nin çizgi roman ve diğer resimli kitaplarını mutlaka görmüştür. Ama sonradan resimlenen kitap ve çizgi romana dönüştürülen hikayelerin aksine, daha en başından bir resimli kitap olarak planlanmış "Son Kahraman" ve görsel olarak muazzam bir sonuç çıkmış ortaya.
Aslında Paul Kidby her ne kadar kendisine alışmış da olsam, benim çok da sevdiğim bir çizer değil. Üslubunu biraz fazla karikatürize buluyor ve özellikle kapaklarını zaman zaman incelemesi zevkli bulsam da çoğunlukla Discworld'ün ağırlığını karşılamaya yetmediğini düşünüyorum(bu parantezin içinde eskiden fil şakası vardı, son okuduğum Terry kitabı Maurice olduğu için kaçtı). Ayrıca çoğunlukla da "fazla oryantal" buluyorum çizimlerini (ki bunu başka nasıl anlatabileceğimden emin değilim) Ancak bu kitapta çıkardığı iş gerçekten başka bir seviyede. Kitap boyunca yayılmış tüm portreler, resimler, Leonard'ın tasarımlarını gösteren şemalar, Terry'nin muazzam referanslarının görsel versiyonları, A'tuin'in ve Diskdünya'nın muazzam tasvirleri, Nasa'nın uzaydan çekilmiş fotoğraflarının Diskdünya versiyonları, elinin değdiği hemen her şey o kadar iyi ki. Dandik Türkçe baskısında değil ama(en sonda geleceğiz oraya) orijinal versiyonundaki kimi çizimlere saniyelerden dakikalara taşan ölçeklerde baktım. Görsel hikayeciliğin ne kadar güzel yapılabileceğinin yegane örneğiydi adeta.
Görselleri bir kenara bıraktığımızda elimizde kalan ise Disk'in diğer eserleri ile kıyaslandığında biraz sönük kalıyordu. Ama bu, bir bakıma yıldızlar geçidi de olan, bir taraftan Rincewind, Havuç ve Leonard'ın bir uzay seyahatine çıkıp, Apollo görevlerinin harika bir parodsini canlandırdığı bir taraftan da Cohen'in mitolojik zalimlerden hesap sormaya kalktığı kitabın kötü bir macera oluşundan değil asla. Bilakis, gayet heyecanlandırıcı, merak uyandırıcı ve her sayfası yine o sırtımızdaki ulaşamadığımız yere dokunan, tatlı bir hikaye baştan sona. Sadece tüm o Bekçi kitaplarını, Cadılar'ı, Ölüm'ün o eşsiz dokunuşunu okumuş, Brutha ve Om'un çölde yürüyüşüne tanık olmuş, Vimes ile beraber hırsız kovalamış, Nine'yle birlikte "Tanrılar bu evi kutsasın," diye bağırarak ilk kapıdan dalıvermiş, Terry'nin neler yapabildiğine tanık olmuş, hayretle açılmış çenesini toplamakta zorlanmış bizlerin, hayli yükselmiş beklentileriyle ilgili sorun. Alıştığımız, muazzam katmanların üst üste bindiği, kapattığımızda aynı anda üç farklı kitabı bitirmiş gibi hissettiğiniz bir Pterry şaheseri değil elimizdeki. Ama Terry'nin muhteşem dünyasının etrafında kelimenin her anlamıyla bir tur attığımız ve Kirby'nin resimleriyle, Cohen'in "tanrılara ateşi geri verişine" tanık olduğumuz güzel bir maceraydı "the Last Hero"
Şimdi, tatsız taraflara geleceğiz ama kendilerine Delidolu/Tudem diyen şer odağı tarafından kitabın nasıl içinden geçildiğine gelmeden önce, yakaladığım referanslar, gözüme takılan bir iki detay ve aldığım notları kısa kısa aktarmak istiyorum:
* Türkçe versiyonda hem aşırı ucuz kağıttan hem de kötü baskı kalitesinden pek göremiyoruz ama Leonardo'nun beslediği kuşlardan birinin üzerinde DoG-KöPek yazıyor. Bunun nedenini ise the Truth 'ta öğrenmiştik.
* "Kahramanların istediği budur, değil mi? Dünyanın tüm tahtlarını sandaletli ayaklarının altında ezmek, şairin de dediği gibi?" diyor Vetinari. O zaman cevap hakkına duyduğum inançla diyorum ki; Şunu bilin ki prensim kabaran okyanusların Atlantis'i ve onun görkemli kentlerini yutmasından sonra, çelik bilekli, şahin gözlü ve elinden kılıcını bırakmayan bu yiğidin göndermelerini kaçırmayacaktık elbette.
* Vetinari'nin Leonard ile konuşurken "Eski bir hikaye hatırlıyorum. Kuğuların çektiği bir gemi yapılmış ve..." derken bahsettiği hikaye piskopos Francis Godwin'in 1600lerde yazdığı, kuğuların çektiği bir arabayla aya gidilen The Man In The Moone . İlk uzay seyahati hikayelerinden olduğu için tarihsel bir önemi var. Eleman ay insanlarıyla falan karşılaşıyor sonra, tabii o dönem kilise iyice bir manyak gibi bi'şey olmuş...
* Kuzgun Saçlı Vena (Vena the Raven-Haired) kitabın yazıldığı yıllarda ününün doruğunda olan Lucy Lawless'ın canlandırdığı, 90'ların çocuklarının fantezilerinin kahramanı Savaşçı Prenses Xena'nın bir parodisi. Ben Gabriel'e aşıktım gerçi.
* "Onca silahı, anahtarı ve ilaç kutularını falan, keşfedilmemiş zindanlara kim bırakıyor?" derken Vena'ya buradan seslenmek istiyorum; Sadece onlar olsa iyi, anahtarlarla kapıları renklerine göre de kodluyorlar üstelik.
Gelelim "madem bu kadar beğendin her şeyi, neden iki puan kısmına?". Genellikle yüzeysel okumalar yapan insanlar tarafından sıklıkla Terry Pratchett çevirilerinin iyi olduğu sanrısı oluşmuş olsa da (ki bunda Tudem öncesi daha da kötü olmasının da rolü var) Terry Pratchett teliflerini maalesef elinde tutan Delidolu/Tudem ve kitapları çeviren Niran Elçi, Pterry kitaplarını vahşice sakatlamasıyla tanıdığımız unsurlar. Maalesef çevirilerde saçma sapan şeyler yapan, kah kafasına göre esprileri "yerelleştiren" ve bu sırada bildiğin uyduran, kah kendine vazife edinip artık neye ve kime yaranmak istiyorsa içerik sansürleyen, kah hiç anlamayan bu muhteşem ekibin çalışmalarının bir örneğini Carpe Jugulum 'da görebilirsiniz. Laf açılmışken, bu içerik kaçırma, anlamama konusu gerçekten bir seçenek bile değil Terry kitapları konusunda aslında. Devasa bir online komünite var Pratchett kitaplarını satır satır incelemiş, her göndermeyi forumlarda tartışmış ve bunları raporlamış olan. Ben bile her kitabı bitirip review yazdıktan sonra bir bakıyorum "acaba neleri kaçırmışım bu sefer?" diye, ki bunlar çevirmen/yayınevi/editör falan. Lan, işiniz bu işiniz! Para kazanıyor bundan bunlar. İnanılmaz bir dingillik seviyesi gerçekten.
Neyse, konumuza dönersek. Delidolu/Tudem bu dandiklik festivalini bu sefer görsellere de taşıyor. Zaten berbat bir saman kağıda, kalitesiz ve düşük çözünürlükle basarak piç ettiği kitabı, kafasına göre tahrif ediyor, sansürlüyor. Artık hangi embesilin idari kararıyla bilemeyeceğim, sayfaları tamamen çıkarıyor, eksiltiyor, deforme ediyorlar. Bir işi ne kadar kötü yapabilirlerse o kadar kötü yapıyorlar.
Normal şartlar altında reviewlerde fotoğraf ve resim kullanılmasından hoşlanmıyor, bir kitap eleştirisinin sadece yazı içermesi gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Yine de bu yazının devamında bir takım fotoğraflar göreceksiniz. Yani aniden aşırı kötü young adult/romance kitapları okuyan liseliye dönüşmedim dostlar. Ve goodreads feedinizi kaslı oğlanların karın kasları ve iri memeli kadınlarla bezeli kapakları olan, görüldüğü anda zeka düşüren kaka festivali kitapların altına bırakılmış, kulaklardan beyin sıvısı fışkırdacak boktanlıkta gif dosyalarıyla doldurmayacağım (Bu arada bu tip yan nefret kusuşlarını gazetenin ilavesi gibi düşünün. Hürriyetin yanında verilen Kelebek eki gibi. Hep fiyata dahil bunlar; bayiniz unutursa vermeyi isteyin yani.) Ancak burada istisnai bir durum söz konusu; orijinal bir eserin tahrifini açıklamak için karşılaştırmaya ve görsel veriye ihtiyacım var. O yüzden, oynatalım;
Delidolu'nun "aman ne gereği var şimdi" diye kaldırıp attığı iç kapaktan hemen sonra aslında bizi harika bir Goblen karşılıyor. Cohen ve Gümüş Ordu'nun hikayesini gördüğümüz Goblen belli ki Normanların İngiltere fethini anlatan ünlü Bayeux Tapestry ''nin bir parodisi. Ama Delidolu artık Harold'a gıcıklığından mı, başka bir nedenden mi bilinmez, bunu kitaptan atmaya karar vermiş
Ardından kitaba başlıyoruz ve biz pis orta doğululuların görmeyi hak etmediği bir diğer çizim olan toprak renklerdeki Neo-Klasik Io, kartal ve "Fingers" Mazda çizimi bizi karşılamıyor.
İlerledikçe çeşit çeşit aptallığa şahit olmaya devam ediyoruz. Kah resimlere müdahale ediliyor, kah sayfaların arka planlarındaki grafikler siliniyor, kah "aman yaaa," diye çizimler tamamen çıkarılıp atılıyor.
Bir noktada Delidolu editörlerinden birinin gözleri kısılıyor ve duduaklarının arasondan "Meme mi lan o?" sözleri dökülüyor. Ardından editörümüz panik içinde haykırıyor, "MEMEE VAAAR!". "Eyvah," diyor, "şimdi ne yapacağız," diyor, "Baltayı taşa vurduk," (haha) diye sızlanıyor. Ama ekip çakal, ekip sinsi. "böyle sanatın içine tükürüreyim," diyerek hemen çözümü buluyorlar:
Bizimkiler elbette gökkuşağını da pek sevmiyor. Artık "anam gökkuşağı! Hemen silelim yoksa okuyan ibne olur!" diye mi düşünüyorlar, yoksa başka hesaplarımı var, dangalakçam pek iyi olmadığından bilemiyorum. Yine de ellerini korkak alıştırmıyorlar, vuruyorlar makası:
Ve bu noktada ben, hazır hala kimsenin gelmişine geçmişine, ölüsüne dirisine, amcasına teyzesine, halasına eniştesine, eşiktekine beşiktekine sövmemişken, bu review'i "erken bitirmeye" karar veriyorum.
Son söz olarak, Kitap güzel, kitap tatlı. Hiç bir şey olmasa sırf Rincewind'i Vitruvius Adamı olarak görmek için bile değerdi okumaya (ki aklıma geldikçe güleceğim buna). Tek sorun, orijinalini almanız gerekiyor. Kitabın kendisine 4/5 puan verirken, Tr baskısı olduğu iddia edilen bok yığınını da 2 puanla (çünkü yine de Terry'yi çok seviyorum, 1 yıldıza elim gitmiyor) yolculuyoruz. Ve bir kez daha rica ediyorum; Bu kitabı okumak istiyorsanız lütfen Delidolu baskısını almayın.
Edit/not: Bu arada unutmuşum yazmayı: Kitabı okuduktan sonra yayınevine telefon açtım ve "Siz aptal mısınız?" diye sordum. Cevap vermediler ve telefonu kapattılar.
August 18, 2019
Part of the Pratchett reread with the SpecFic Buddy Reads group in 2019.
Cohen and the Silver Horde are on the way to the home of the Gods of the Discworld to return what was once stolen from them. A motley crew from Ankh-Morpork set out to stop them, including Captain Carrot, Rincewind and Leonard of Quirm in a vessel of his design launched around the Discworld.
This neatly skewers Apollo 13 and has a lot of fun with the Silver Horde, but with a core of profound commentary about growing old and losing your friends and raging against that, particularly in the way that people who are really good at not dying can.
Cohen and the Silver Horde are on the way to the home of the Gods of the Discworld to return what was once stolen from them. A motley crew from Ankh-Morpork set out to stop them, including Captain Carrot, Rincewind and Leonard of Quirm in a vessel of his design launched around the Discworld.
This neatly skewers Apollo 13 and has a lot of fun with the Silver Horde, but with a core of profound commentary about growing old and losing your friends and raging against that, particularly in the way that people who are really good at not dying can.
March 31, 2019
Уникалното въображение и чувство за хумор на Пратчет идват в комплект с пищните илюстрации на Пол Кидби в една от любимите ми истории от Света на Диска. Не че съм ги чел всичките, но тази специално ми е особено на сърцето! Хумористичният фентъзи еквивалент на Gran Torino на Клинт Ийстууд. (Колкото и шантаво да звучи това определение :) )
October 9, 2022
I cheered the Silver Horde all the way to the vault of heaven and beyond. Highly recommended.
September 3, 2017
So much fun.
July 12, 2012
I found this slim book tucked away behind other books. I think I hid it like a last bottle of really excellent wine.
This time the sassy, wonderful, snide, silly, colorful, twisted thingamabobs associated with Sir Terry's wordsmithery are augmented by Paul Kidby's frantic illustrations. What a visual and verbal banquet. In my volume, page 130-131 is particularly enchanting.
It's hard to pick a favorite character in Sir Terry's pantheon, but damn, Lord Vetinari, the cultivated, calculating, well-mannered tyrant, is ahead by a finely arched nostril.
I read the last few pages weeping while grinning like a loon. When Sir Terry's words tickle me in all the correct places, bring on the cliche laugh and cry.
Heroes never die. And if they do, for fucks sake don't tell them! Just feed them walrus stew and let them ride with the wind.
Brilliant.
This time the sassy, wonderful, snide, silly, colorful, twisted thingamabobs associated with Sir Terry's wordsmithery are augmented by Paul Kidby's frantic illustrations. What a visual and verbal banquet. In my volume, page 130-131 is particularly enchanting.
It's hard to pick a favorite character in Sir Terry's pantheon, but damn, Lord Vetinari, the cultivated, calculating, well-mannered tyrant, is ahead by a finely arched nostril.
I read the last few pages weeping while grinning like a loon. When Sir Terry's words tickle me in all the correct places, bring on the cliche laugh and cry.
Heroes never die. And if they do, for fucks sake don't tell them! Just feed them walrus stew and let them ride with the wind.
Brilliant.
December 21, 2021
This slim fable, the 7th Rincewind story and 27th Discworld book, is an outlier both in length and format—it's got less than half the word count of your standard Discworld novel, and was originally published with illustrations on every page. I read a digital copy which didn't have any of them, but despite missing what many say is arguably an integral part of the narrative, and it not being an essential entry in the series, it's still my favorite of all the Rincewind stories, which usually tend to rank pretty low for me, as I'm not a big fan of the neurotic coward.
The titular character refers to Cohen the Barbarian, who, along with his geriatric Silver Horde, has embarked on one final quest: To return the fire the First Hero stole from the Gods to give to mankind... with interest... in the form of a sled of explosives. The Discworld's Last Heroes plan to go out with a bang, and they've made sure to kidnap a minstrel tasked with composing a saga so their final deed won't be forgotten.
Lord Vetinari wishes to stop them, and recruits the help of the Wizards of Unseen University—all that can now prevent the world from being blown up is the crew of a swamp-dragon-powered-slingshot-spacecraft, consisting of its designer Leonard of Quirm, volunteer Captain Carrot, and involuntary volunteer Rincewind.
There's nothing about this story I didn't love. The dialogues and action sequences were great, and I loved all the mythology references and parallels to our actual history. There's really only enough material here for a story of exactly this length, but despite its brevity it's still got that special brand of Pratchett profoundness that all his best novels do. The Last Hero takes a spoofing yet poignant look at god and hero worship, destiny, the birth of legends, cultural memory, and coming to terms with aging and mortality, but wanting to leave a mark on the world. In the grand scheme of things, it may not be as substantial a volume as some others, but I found it delightful.
—————
My other reviews for the Rincewind / Unseen University Wizards sub-series:
1: The Colour of Magic · ★★
2: The Light Fantastic · ★★★
3: Sourcery · ★★★★
4: Eric · ★★★
5: Interesting Times · ★★★
6: The Last Continent · ★★★
7: The Last Hero · ★★★★
8: Unseen Academicals
All my reviews for the Discworld series in publication order (work in progress):
The titular character refers to Cohen the Barbarian, who, along with his geriatric Silver Horde, has embarked on one final quest: To return the fire the First Hero stole from the Gods to give to mankind... with interest... in the form of a sled of explosives. The Discworld's Last Heroes plan to go out with a bang, and they've made sure to kidnap a minstrel tasked with composing a saga so their final deed won't be forgotten.
Lord Vetinari wishes to stop them, and recruits the help of the Wizards of Unseen University—all that can now prevent the world from being blown up is the crew of a swamp-dragon-powered-slingshot-spacecraft, consisting of its designer Leonard of Quirm, volunteer Captain Carrot, and involuntary volunteer Rincewind.
There's nothing about this story I didn't love. The dialogues and action sequences were great, and I loved all the mythology references and parallels to our actual history. There's really only enough material here for a story of exactly this length, but despite its brevity it's still got that special brand of Pratchett profoundness that all his best novels do. The Last Hero takes a spoofing yet poignant look at god and hero worship, destiny, the birth of legends, cultural memory, and coming to terms with aging and mortality, but wanting to leave a mark on the world. In the grand scheme of things, it may not be as substantial a volume as some others, but I found it delightful.
"It's what ordin'ry people remember that matters. It's songs and sayin's. It doesn't matter how you live and die, it's how the bards wrote it down."
—————
My other reviews for the Rincewind / Unseen University Wizards sub-series:
1: The Colour of Magic · ★★
2: The Light Fantastic · ★★★
3: Sourcery · ★★★★
4: Eric · ★★★
5: Interesting Times · ★★★
6: The Last Continent · ★★★
7: The Last Hero · ★★★★
8: Unseen Academicals
All my reviews for the Discworld series in publication order (work in progress):
November 4, 2019
The main word that comes to mind for this book is “cute.” It’s an adorable idea about what happens to heroes if they aren’t killed in spectacular glory when they’re young. Apparently the answer is that they go looking for adventure and not the old people kind.
I didn’t like the format, because the lines were really long which made it hard to read. I started holding the book a foot away from my face and it sped up the reading considerably, but it was still uncomfortable.
The characters are delightfully funny and kept me entertained when some of the plot wasn’t pulling me in as it should have. I personally found the wizard side more entertaining than the hero side. This is also the first in the series that I’ve read. I don’t think I’ll be reading more of the series partly because I think I can get as much out of them by reading only the funny paragraphs as I can by reading all three hundred pages. Also, with this book my husband read it first and...
for the full review please visit https://www.literarydragonreviews.web...
I didn’t like the format, because the lines were really long which made it hard to read. I started holding the book a foot away from my face and it sped up the reading considerably, but it was still uncomfortable.
The characters are delightfully funny and kept me entertained when some of the plot wasn’t pulling me in as it should have. I personally found the wizard side more entertaining than the hero side. This is also the first in the series that I’ve read. I don’t think I’ll be reading more of the series partly because I think I can get as much out of them by reading only the funny paragraphs as I can by reading all three hundred pages. Also, with this book my husband read it first and...
for the full review please visit https://www.literarydragonreviews.web...
March 23, 2018
Solid.
I was never too fond of Rincewind - among the different arch-heroes that Terry introduced in his books, the neurotic coward is not at the top of my list, but still, like watching trainwrecks in slow-mo, you can't shake the feeling a bag of buttered popcorn would do nicely right then.
I think the plot is a bit vague - as most Rincewind stuff is - but basically, this is a multi-pronged parody on Conan the Barbarian, plus a whole slew of cliches. Thoroughly entertaining, although not as memorable as the books focused onSam Vimes, Moist Von Lipwig or the Witches.
Igor
I was never too fond of Rincewind - among the different arch-heroes that Terry introduced in his books, the neurotic coward is not at the top of my list, but still, like watching trainwrecks in slow-mo, you can't shake the feeling a bag of buttered popcorn would do nicely right then.
I think the plot is a bit vague - as most Rincewind stuff is - but basically, this is a multi-pronged parody on Conan the Barbarian, plus a whole slew of cliches. Thoroughly entertaining, although not as memorable as the books focused onSam Vimes, Moist Von Lipwig or the Witches.
Igor
January 28, 2019
Шепа кръвожадни старчоци си търсят белята за последен път: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/p...
Сега, да сядам да ви преразказвам подробно действието, е лишено от смисъл, но поне мога да маркирам основното. Всички знаят поне малко от историята – че шепа старчоци с безброй приключения зад гърба си са поели на последната си мисия, която е насочена срещу боговете, които имат неприятния навик да си играят със съдбите на хората. И макар да са си поживели славно, тези вечни герои са натрупали достатъчно за какво да си връщат. Същевременно Ветинари разбира за тази лудория и с помощта – или “помощта”, с тях никога не си сигурен – на умниците от Невидимия университет и особено чрез опасно практичния ум на Леонардо да Куирм се сформира отряд, който да им попречи. Тънкият момент е, че мисията включва излитане в околодисковото пространство в чудат апарат, проверяване пътем на тая чудата теория за слоновете и костенурката, проверка на основните принципи на гравитацията и магията и още куп неща, които сумарно отвеждат към вероятността от гибел да е почти сигурна.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/p...
Сега, да сядам да ви преразказвам подробно действието, е лишено от смисъл, но поне мога да маркирам основното. Всички знаят поне малко от историята – че шепа старчоци с безброй приключения зад гърба си са поели на последната си мисия, която е насочена срещу боговете, които имат неприятния навик да си играят със съдбите на хората. И макар да са си поживели славно, тези вечни герои са натрупали достатъчно за какво да си връщат. Същевременно Ветинари разбира за тази лудория и с помощта – или “помощта”, с тях никога не си сигурен – на умниците от Невидимия университет и особено чрез опасно практичния ум на Леонардо да Куирм се сформира отряд, който да им попречи. Тънкият момент е, че мисията включва излитане в околодисковото пространство в чудат апарат, проверяване пътем на тая чудата теория за слоновете и костенурката, проверка на основните принципи на гравитацията и магията и още куп неща, които сумарно отвеждат към вероятността от гибел да е почти сигурна.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/p...
December 3, 2023
This was a highly enjoyable book. I've been reading the Discworld series for some years now; I'm not rushing, because there isn't going to be any more, and I'd like to go as long as possible while still having new ones to read. This one was especially charming, funny and exciting, and this book is also wonderfully illustrated.
This is another of those books where I don't have any specific reason for it not being the highest possible rating, it just doesn't give me that feeling, but I loved it too much to have any criticisms!
A lovely story and beautiful art. I forget how much I love Terry's writing until I read another of his books. I'm so honoured to know that I have so many of them still to read.
This is another of those books where I don't have any specific reason for it not being the highest possible rating, it just doesn't give me that feeling, but I loved it too much to have any criticisms!
A lovely story and beautiful art. I forget how much I love Terry's writing until I read another of his books. I'm so honoured to know that I have so many of them still to read.
November 7, 2023
It's been some time since (on the one hand, Sir Terry Pratchett passed and) I read my way through pretty much everything Pratchett wrote (which, as I recall, was more than 40 novels, including his sublime collaboration with Neil Gaiman and more than a handful of young adult and even kids books), all of which I appreciated and enjoyed, often for wildly different reasons. And, frankly, with the exception of the very first Discworld book (in which, to my mind, he hadn't hit his stride yet), Pratchett never disappointed.
But I never bothered with this one because it was, to my mind, neither fish nor fowl, not a novel, not a graphic novel, not a picture book, but ... and, frankly, I don't really understand why that was the case, because I've read plenty of prose and art (primarily fiction, typically fantasy) books over the years. As best I can recall, I think my thinking was that the characters that animated Pratchett's world-building could run amok in my brain, and I could make anyone and anyplace look (and feels and sound and, yes, smell) pretty much however I wanted in my mind's eye, and I didn't really want to be biased or steered or guided by an artist's rendition. And, frankly, I think that's consistent with my general experience that, for example, I much prefer a superhero saga novelization to a comic book or graphic novel run (with very, very few exceptions).
Well, I finally got around to it and, well, it was a different, but I can't say it resonated. Sure, I enjoyed it, but the prose and art combination didn't really create anything particularly magical for me, although it was entertaining enough.
Ultimately, I'm glad I read it. I've invested too much of my reading resources (time, attention, money) over the years to Pratchett to not have, I guess, belatedly completed the Discworld cycle.
My money says that, putting my idiosyncratic quirks aside, most Pratchett readers would enjoy the experience.
But I never bothered with this one because it was, to my mind, neither fish nor fowl, not a novel, not a graphic novel, not a picture book, but ... and, frankly, I don't really understand why that was the case, because I've read plenty of prose and art (primarily fiction, typically fantasy) books over the years. As best I can recall, I think my thinking was that the characters that animated Pratchett's world-building could run amok in my brain, and I could make anyone and anyplace look (and feels and sound and, yes, smell) pretty much however I wanted in my mind's eye, and I didn't really want to be biased or steered or guided by an artist's rendition. And, frankly, I think that's consistent with my general experience that, for example, I much prefer a superhero saga novelization to a comic book or graphic novel run (with very, very few exceptions).
Well, I finally got around to it and, well, it was a different, but I can't say it resonated. Sure, I enjoyed it, but the prose and art combination didn't really create anything particularly magical for me, although it was entertaining enough.
Ultimately, I'm glad I read it. I've invested too much of my reading resources (time, attention, money) over the years to Pratchett to not have, I guess, belatedly completed the Discworld cycle.
My money says that, putting my idiosyncratic quirks aside, most Pratchett readers would enjoy the experience.
March 26, 2019
Cohen can remember many things, the time when heroes didn’t need to worry about offending people or be concerned by the ruminations of anyone in the legal industry and he wasn’t that concerned about civilisation. The thing that he was struggling to remember though, was where he’d left his teeth.
However, that is not the important thing, Cohen and his Silver Horde, ancient heroes from all over the Disc are on a final quest to visit the Gods. They are returning to the Gods what was stolen by the first hero but with added interest, with the intention of obliterating their mountain home, Cori Celesti. So that their monumental quest can be immortalised and passed into lore, they have, shall we say, persuaded a bard to come along and create the saga.
The Wizards of the Unseen University are in a bit of a panic about this. Destroying Cori Celesti will cause the magic of Discworld to cease holding together the Disc and it will be curtain for everyone. Lord Vetinari recruits Leonard of Quirm, who sets about designing the Discworld’s second known spacecraft, The Kite. This is powered by dragons and will slingshot around the world and land in the home of the Gods. Leonard of Quirm, Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson, and a very reluctant Rincewind are to be the pilots of the craft and they are launched on their mission to say the world, except unbeknown to them, they have an extra passenger on board.
It this to be the end of the world as they know it, or will another hero save the day?
It has been a long while since I read a Pratchett book, and I forgot how much I love his writing. His managed to perfectly blend a carefully crafted plot, with humour, steampunk gadgets, and of course the librarian. Pratchett really was the comic fantasy master, and The Last Hero is as good as I’d expected. It is helped by the fantastic art by illustrator Paul Kidby turns the fine plot into this fantastic technicolour extravaganza.
However, that is not the important thing, Cohen and his Silver Horde, ancient heroes from all over the Disc are on a final quest to visit the Gods. They are returning to the Gods what was stolen by the first hero but with added interest, with the intention of obliterating their mountain home, Cori Celesti. So that their monumental quest can be immortalised and passed into lore, they have, shall we say, persuaded a bard to come along and create the saga.
The Wizards of the Unseen University are in a bit of a panic about this. Destroying Cori Celesti will cause the magic of Discworld to cease holding together the Disc and it will be curtain for everyone. Lord Vetinari recruits Leonard of Quirm, who sets about designing the Discworld’s second known spacecraft, The Kite. This is powered by dragons and will slingshot around the world and land in the home of the Gods. Leonard of Quirm, Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson, and a very reluctant Rincewind are to be the pilots of the craft and they are launched on their mission to say the world, except unbeknown to them, they have an extra passenger on board.
It this to be the end of the world as they know it, or will another hero save the day?
It has been a long while since I read a Pratchett book, and I forgot how much I love his writing. His managed to perfectly blend a carefully crafted plot, with humour, steampunk gadgets, and of course the librarian. Pratchett really was the comic fantasy master, and The Last Hero is as good as I’d expected. It is helped by the fantastic art by illustrator Paul Kidby turns the fine plot into this fantastic technicolour extravaganza.
December 14, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ║ A fun, fast, and clever Discworld graphic novella that offers a wonderful bite-sized blend of Pratchett’s sharp satire, cheeky humor, and insightful storytelling. The Last Hero brings together plenty of familiar faces including the hilarious Cohen the Barbarian and his geriatric Silver Horde of heroes. The plot is delightfully absurd, with Cohen and crew giving the middle finger to their deific overlords and running into their “colleague” Evil Harry the Dark Lord along the way. Then, there’s the Apollo-style mission to save the world helmed by Leonard da Quirm, Carrot, and Rincewind. The simple plot keeps things tight and focused compared to some of Pratchett’s wild, chaotic tales that sometimes veer off course. The dialogue is a crack-up, the various jokes and parodies almost always land, and the artwork by Paul Kidby is amazing. The story’s themes are wonderfully explored, and the ending quickly ties everything together nicely. That said, The Last Hero’s length, graphic novella format, and overall PG-rated silliness make it feel like a children’s book. While this knocks it down a peg for me compared to my favorite full-length novels of Pratchett’s Discworld, he and Kidby crafted a quick, entertaining tale that I highly recommend to readers of any age.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Book 1: The Color of Magic 2/5
Book 2: The Light Fantastic 3/5
Book 3: Equal Rites 3/5
Book 4: Mort 4/5
Book 5: Sourcery 4/5
Book 6: Wyrd Sisters 4/5
Book 7: Pyramids 4/5
Book 8: Guards! Guards! 5/5
Book 9: Eric 3/5
Book 10: Moving Pictures 5/5
Book 11: Reaper Man 4/5
Book 12: Witches Abroad 5/5
Book 13: Small Gods 5/5
Book 14: Lords and Ladies 4/5
Book 15: Men at Arms 5/5
Book 16: Soul Music 3/5
Book 17: Interesting Times 4/5
Book 18: Maskerade 5/5
Book 19: Feet of Clay 5/5
Book 20: Hogfather 5/5
Book 21: Jingo 5/5
Book 22: The Last Continent 4/5
Book 23: Carpe Jugulum 5/5
Book 24: The Fifth Elephant 4/5
Book 25: The Truth 5/5
Book 26: Thief of Time 4/5
Book 27: The Last Hero 4/5
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Book 1: The Color of Magic 2/5
Book 2: The Light Fantastic 3/5
Book 3: Equal Rites 3/5
Book 4: Mort 4/5
Book 5: Sourcery 4/5
Book 6: Wyrd Sisters 4/5
Book 7: Pyramids 4/5
Book 8: Guards! Guards! 5/5
Book 9: Eric 3/5
Book 10: Moving Pictures 5/5
Book 11: Reaper Man 4/5
Book 12: Witches Abroad 5/5
Book 13: Small Gods 5/5
Book 14: Lords and Ladies 4/5
Book 15: Men at Arms 5/5
Book 16: Soul Music 3/5
Book 17: Interesting Times 4/5
Book 18: Maskerade 5/5
Book 19: Feet of Clay 5/5
Book 20: Hogfather 5/5
Book 21: Jingo 5/5
Book 22: The Last Continent 4/5
Book 23: Carpe Jugulum 5/5
Book 24: The Fifth Elephant 4/5
Book 25: The Truth 5/5
Book 26: Thief of Time 4/5
Book 27: The Last Hero 4/5
February 12, 2017
A small story, clearly germinated whilst working on the previous Disc instalment, covering the effects of time and ageing, the desire to live longer, see more, put a mark on the world you are about to leave behind. Perhaps a clear example of the authors knowledge that he was going to have his life cut short by Alzheimer's? And also using the story to kill off one of his earliest creations, leftover from the silly days when the Disc was basically a spoof of fantasy novels. Cohen the Barbarian is bored, sick of living a respectable life as the dictator who overthrew the emperor of the Agatean Empire he is off to fight the many gods on Cori Celesti, because much like Roy Batty in Blade Runner he wants more life fucker. In addition to Cohen we are once more treated to a Rincewind appearance (ugh), as he is bundled in to a spaceship alongside Captain Carrot and the inventor Leonard of Quirm, off to save the world from The Silver Horde, with assistance from Ponder Stibbons. It's a small story bringing together many of Pratchett's regular characters, it's light on substance but as the title suggests it's designed as a fable and as such there's a lot of the usual Rincewind filler that is thankfully left on the cutting room floor and that is a small mercy. The real quality of this book is the artwork of Paul Kidby, almost every page is loaded with artistic detail and often humour, and much like Pratchett's conflict between silly and smart humour, some of Kidby's work is far more subtle than others. The double page illustrations are often more than impressive and make this book worth the price of admission alone. Without them, it becomes just a throwaway short story really.
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