The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6)

Title: The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 1998

Date read: 23rd December 2008

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Last Continent," published in 1998, is the 22nd novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and a hilarious, often poignant, send-up of Australian history, culture, and creation myths. It marks the return of the perpetually cowardly and incompetent wizard, Rincewind.

The story begins in Ankh-Morpork's Unseen University, where the entire faculty is facing a bizarre crisis: the fabric of reality itself is beginning to unravel in the library. This chaos is directly linked to the sudden, inexplicable absence of a crucial historical figure from the Discworld's past, and the only one who can fix it is a person not currently present: the Librarian.

The Librarian, a magical orangutan, is suffering from a temporal distortion and has accidentally become stuck in the distant past of Fourecks (XXXX) – the Discworld's vast, hot, and ancient continent, a clear parody of Australia. The wizards realize they need Rincewind, who has a unique, if accidental, knack for being involved in crucial historical events.

Unfortunately, Rincewind himself has also inadvertently arrived on Fourecks, thrown there by a magical mishap. He finds himself utterly alone in this vast, red land, battling its bizarre and often deadly flora and fauna (giant kangaroos, intelligent koalas, venomous everything), extreme weather, and the sheer emptiness of the Outback. His only companions are the voices in his head, mostly of an argumentative and unhelpful nature.

Meanwhile, back at Unseen University, the Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully and the rest of the faculty desperately try to follow Rincewind through time to Fourecks, hoping to understand the temporal anomaly and retrieve the Librarian. Their journey is, predictably, a series of comical misadventures as they grapple with the intricacies of time travel, leading to encounters with primitive life forms and the fundamental forces of creation.

Rincewind's journey across Fourecks leads him through parodies of Australian history, from its primordial origins to its colonial past, encountering figures reminiscent of Captain Cook and the early settlers. He stumbles upon the aboriginal Dreamtime, discovering that the continent's history and future are inextricably linked to a profound magical ritual.

The novel is a brilliant satire on creation myths, the challenges of exploration, and the unique characteristics of the Australian landscape and its people. It's filled with Pratchett's signature wit, absurd situations, and surprising moments of insight. The climax sees Rincewind, through sheer dumb luck and his unparalleled ability to survive, playing a crucial, if entirely accidental, role in the creation of Fourecks, ultimately setting history right and allowing the Discworld to continue its improbable existence.

Comments:
Brilliant, one of the best. Rincewind and wizards are always a winning addition.

Books that we've read by Terry Pratchett (39):
The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) (1983), The Light Fantastic (Discworld, #2; Rincewind, #2) (1986), Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) (1987), Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) (1987), Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3) (1988), Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2) (1988), Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) (1989), Pyramids (Discworld, #7) (1989), Eric (Discworld, #9; Rincewind, #4) (1990), Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10; Industrial Revolution, #1) (1990), Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12; Witches, #3) (1991), Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) (1991), Small Gods (Discworld, #13) (1992), Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4) (1992), Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2) (1993), Soul Music (Discworld, #16; Death, #3) (1994), Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind, #5) (1994), Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches, #5) (1995), Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) (1996), Hogfather (Discworld, #20; Death, #4) (1996), Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) (1997), Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23; Witches, #6) (1998), The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6) (1998), The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24; City Watch, #5) (1999), The Truth (Discworld, #25) (2000), The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7) (2001), Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5) (2001), Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) (2002), The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30; Tiffany Aching, #1) (2003), Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3) (2003), A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2) (2004), Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) (2004), Thud! (Discworld, #34; City Watch, #7) (2005), Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3) (2006), Making Money (Discworld, #36; Moist Von Lipwig, #2) (2007), Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8) (2009), I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4) (2010), Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch, #8) (2011), Raising Steam (Discworld, #40; Moist von Lipwig, #3) (2013)