The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7)

Title: The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 2001

Date read: 5th January 2010

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Last Hero," published in 2001, is a richly illustrated novella within Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, standing apart due to its lavish artwork by Paul Kidby. It's a poignant and humorous tale that explores the nature of heroism, old age, and the unexpected consequences of fulfilling one's life's ambition.

The story centres on Cohen the Barbarian, the Discworld's most legendary (and geriatric) hero. Having conquered everything and lived a long, violent life, Cohen realizes there's one last, grand heroic deed left for him to accomplish before he dies: to return fire to the gods, who, according to legend, stole it from humanity. His plan is to climb Cori Celesti, the highest mountain on the Disc and home to the gods, and blow it up with a barrel of highly volatile thunderbolt jelly.

Cohen isn't alone. He's accompanied by his loyal, equally aged, and surprisingly effective band of barbarian companions, the Silver Horde. These are warriors who, despite their creaking joints and false teeth, still possess immense combat skills and a fierce determination.

The Discworld's gods, who are very much real and rely on human belief, immediately recognize the existential threat posed by Cohen's audacious plan. They desperately need someone to stop him. Enter the brilliant but dangerously unhinged inventor Leonard of Quirm (a Discworld parody of Leonardo da Vinci). He is tasked by the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, Lord Vetinari, to build a spacecraft – the Gay Deceiver – to intercept Cohen and prevent universal catastrophe.

The crew assembled for this improbable mission includes the perpetually cowardly and often-doomed wizard Rincewind (who finds himself, as usual, in the wrong place at the wrong time), and the resourceful librarian of Unseen University, who happens to be an orangutan. Their mission is not to defeat Cohen, but to convince him that destroying the gods might not be such a good idea after all, especially since their existence holds the fabric of the Discworld together.

"The Last Hero" is a reflective and action-packed adventure that explores the end of an era, the clash between ancient myth and burgeoning science, and the unexpected wisdom of old age. It's filled with Pratchett's signature wit, satire, and profound insights into the human condition. The climax takes place on the very peak of Cori Celesti, as Rincewind and his unlikely crew try to reason with Cohen and the gods themselves, leading to a surprisingly philosophical and beautifully illustrated conclusion about heroism and the ultimate fate of legends.

Comments:
Another brilliant one, unsurprisingly it has Rincewind in there!

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)