# The Last Hero - the new Pratchett
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 12, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915 "2001-11-12T14:39:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/1 "2001-11-12T14:39:51Z")
Has anyone else read this yet? Yes **Kabbes** - I’m looking at you.
My impressions:
[li]It’s a HUGE change of formatting. Following the death of Josh Kirby, Paul Kidby has been upgraded from illustrating the Discworld diaries and has taken over the illustrations of the book. Colour illustrations on every page - it’s pretty damn impressive. I understand that in the past UK and American editions have had different covers, but it appears that this time the same [edition](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061040967/qid=1005573799/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_7_1/103-3243456-0145421) is being released on both sides of the Atlantic.[/li]
[li]The artwork is beautiful. I was worried that it would be distracting, but after changing gear a little and taking time over every page I loved it. Some of the illustrations are truly stunning and I’m hoping they’ll release one or two as prints on their own. Death petting a kitten is particularly good.[/li]
[li]It’ll be interesting to see how the story fares on its own when it comes out in paperback without the illustrations. It’s much shorter than recent novels and the story did occasionally feel a little shallow, although there are the genuine laugh-out-loud moments and sneaky little references to things like the space programe and Catch 22 we expect from Pterry.[/li]
[li]I felt that it’s less a book to read than a book to take in. I’m not sure that I would be happy if all his future books were done in this format, but I did enjoy this little foray.[/li]
Further thoughts?
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### Author:  [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/2 "2001-11-12T15:55:48Z")
So, this is an “illustrated Pratchett” on the same lines as _Eric_, is it? I have the picture-free paperback copy of _Eric_, and, though it’s entertaining, it’s notably thinner than the other books, and there were places where I stopped and thought “There’s an illustration to go with that bit, I betcha.”
So, if _The Last Hero_ is a similar format, maybe I’d better go for the coffee-table version. Except of course I haven’t got room and I can’t afford it. But these are details I can usually work around, when it comes to buying books.
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### Author:  [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/3 "2001-11-12T15:58:53Z")
I havn’t read it yet, The cost initially put me off. . . . . but I’m sure I’ll find a way around it. I usually buy the paperback version. I just finished The Truth about a week ago. Very good, then I re-read The Fifth Elephant which I think is better.
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### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/4 "2001-11-12T16:29:20Z")
It’s a great book and well worth the money. Beautifully illustrated and a _great_ story.
That said, I’ve got to quibble with the title: The Last Hero - the new Pratchett
It should be The Last Hero - almost the newest Pratchett
The _newest_ Pratchett is [The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060012331/qid=1005582420/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_7_1/102-5607334-3133727), which so far is very good but has a strange Diggers/Truckers/Wings-esque flavor for a Discworld book. Not that that’s bad…
Fenris
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### Author:  [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/5 "2001-11-12T17:23:51Z")
Ah, in the UK _Maurice_ has been out a little while. I expect you know this but in case you don’t, the truckers/diggers/wings feel is because it’s aimed at a younger audience - we stock it in our children’s section. I haven’t had the chance to read it yet. I was thinking I might get it on audio.
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### Author:  [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/6 "2001-11-12T17:28:28Z")
I read that DreamWorks have the rights to a Bromiad (sp) Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers, Flyers). This was posted on [http://filmforce.ign.com](http://filmforce.ign.com) a while ago.
Although the speculation then was Shrek 2 would be produced first as Shrek was such a big hit.
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### Author:  [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/7 "2001-11-12T19:20:42Z")
I got both books - _Last Hero_ and _Amazing Maurice_ - on the same day. I opted to start with _Maurice_, largely because it’s easier to read in bed than the picture book.
I have to admit I was surprised by _LH_ - I saw the words “new Terry Pratchett” on Amazon in September and pre-ordered it without checking the details. I haven’t looked at it enough to have an opinion yet, but I do hope it’s not a precedent - otherwise, I’m going to need a bigger bed.
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### Author:  [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2001, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/8 "2001-11-12T20:40:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Francesca \*
> Has anyone else read this yet?
Got it three weeks ago and absolutely _adored_ it. Not as long as one of Pratchett’s “regular” books, but more than made up for by the _beeeeeeeeeyooooootiful_ artwork. I was hesitant about the price at first, but after determining that it was going to be crammed with Kidby’s art, decided to splurge.
I was a bit worried initially that Terry was going to try and cram in cameos from all of the major Discworld characters, but he didn’t, and I eventually accepted that the folks who did appear in the story had very good reasons for doing so.
**Francesca,** I’m sure the super-sized format is special to this occassion. I don’t think Pratchett plans to slow down any time soon.
And **Fenris,** I’m very sure that _The Amazing Maurice_ is being advertised as another of Terry’s “young adult” book, which is probably why the writing feels more juvenile to you. Not that it bothers me, personally – I adored the Nomes books, and the Johnny Maxwell stuff…
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### Author:  [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/9 "2001-11-13T01:27:12Z")
DAMN but that guy writes fast. Usually that means it’s crap. I don’t know how he does it.
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### Author:  [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/10 "2001-11-13T03:03:10Z")
Anyone else read _The Science of Diskworld_? It’s a collaboration between Pratchett and some science writers, and it alternates chapters between science essays and a story set in Unseen University. It seems that the wizards have accidently created a miniature universe (ours!) and they get to watch billions of years of physics and evolution unfold.
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### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/11 "2001-11-13T03:37:35Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by rjung \*
> \*\*And **Fenris,** I’m very sure that _The Amazing Maurice_ is being advertised as another of Terry’s “young adult” book, which is probably why the writing feels more juvenile to you. Not that it bothers me, personally – I adored the Nomes books, and the Johnny Maxwell stuff… \*\*
I too loved the Nome books, but they, the Discworld books and the Johnny stuff all have different “feels” that can’t be explained by saying “young adult” or not. Johnny Maxwell’s stuff is _far_ darker than the Nomes. Not that that’s bad. What I was trying (and apparently failed) to say is that the humor and tone, rather than the target age group has a weird Nomes feel that’s nice, but unexpected given the sharper humor of a Discworld book. The Johnny Maxwell tone would be less unexpected.
**Lumpy** : Read and loved The Science of Discworld, but avoid the Pterry’s co-author like the plague. I tried one of his solo science books and it was horrible. I suspect Pterry had a large hand in making Science as fun as it was, even the science bits.
Fenris
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### Author:  [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/12 "2001-11-13T07:46:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Fenris \*
> I too loved the Nome books, but they, the Discworld books and the Johnny stuff all have different “feels” that can’t be explained by saying “young adult” or not. Johnny Maxwell’s stuff is _far_ darker than the Nomes. Not that that’s bad.
Well, the Johnny Maxwell titles tend to deal with weightier issues than the Nomes books, so I’d expect them to be a bit darker in tone. I don’t know if I’d say they were “far” darker, though, since I think the Johnny Maxwell books could be given to a twelve-year-old without any problems.
As a video-game player, I loved probing the morality of the games in **Only You Can Save The Universe** … Where’s my “Don’t shoot” button?
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/13 "2001-11-13T10:49:52Z")
I have been reluctant to get _The Last Hero_. This is the first Pterry since _Reaper Man_ I haven’t bought in hardback the week it has come out. Why? Because I don’t trust it. Frankly, I thought _Eric_ was crap. Oh sure, it had its funny moments but there was no _depth_ to it. The philosophical musings and reach-into-your-soul ten-pages-without-drawing-breath moments simply weren’t there. I don’t think they lend themselves to a picture book style.
I’ll probably get it anyway, mind you. Cos I’m obsessed and all. But I don’t expect to particularly like it.
(For those interested: I’m normally rereading one or t’other of the Discowrld books - currently rereading Carpe Jugulum. Just finished the passage where Granny Weatherwax tells Oats her views about religion. By heck, we could do with some of that in GD).
pan
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/14 "2001-11-13T11:02:46Z")
And now I can’t get the thought of a disco world out of my head. A planet entirely populated by John Travolta in _Saturday Night Fever_, Robin Gibb and Disco Stu.
Oh man.
pan
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### Author:  [@Alex\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_B)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/15 "2001-11-13T12:03:51Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I read that DreamWorks have the rights to a Bromiad (sp) Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers, Flyers).
There’s already been a claymation series of **Truckers** on children’s tv in the UK. I don’t know if they ever carried on though.
I read a good book on mathematics by Ian Stewart, one of the **Science** co-authors. It was called **Nature’s Numbers** , or something.
Alex B
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/16 "2001-11-13T12:08:44Z")
Ian Stewart is virtually required reading for all pre-university students about to study maths.
I remember reading _Does God Play Dice?_ It was pretty entertaining.
pan
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/17 "2001-11-13T12:19:05Z")
More Ian Stewart trivia: he’s a professor at Warwick University. The **kabbess** had a few lectures with him IIRC. She says he was crap, again IIRC.
He gave a guest lecture at Cambridge once too - bloody awful, it was. It was on an esoteric field relating to dispersion patterns in animal coats (think: why does a leopard have spots) and he mumbled and bumbled his way through. I don’t think anyone in the room understood the half of it.
Which was a shame, because he gave the childrens’ Christmas Lecture at the Royal Society once and was brilliant. And I thought his books were also pretty good.
pan
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### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/18 "2001-11-13T13:37:27Z")
Huh. Maybe I’ll give Stewart another chance. In the meantime, avoid “Flatterland” by him. Yuk.
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### Author:  [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/19 "2001-11-13T14:14:07Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Francesca \*
> \*\*Has anyone else read this yet? \*\*
Yup, and I loved it. The story is perhaps not his very strongest (Am I alone in having the feeling that it’ll be kept “outside” the universe ?), but the illustrations are beautiful. The “realistic” shots, the Leonardo drawings and the Bayeux tapestry style - it all comes together. Excellent book.
Death playing with the kitten was a great painting, as was the one of the dead Discworld. Now, if someone would print “the collected sketches of Leonardo of Quirm”, whoah!
S. Norman
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### Author:  [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2001, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-hero-the-new-pratchett/92915/20 "2001-11-13T21:09:18Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by kabbes \*
> I have been reluctant to get _The Last Hero_. This is the first Pterry since _Reaper Man_ I haven’t bought in hardback the week it has come out. Why? Because I don’t trust it. Frankly, I thought _Eric_ was crap. Oh sure, it had its funny moments but there was no _depth_ to it. The philosophical musings and reach-into-your-soul ten-pages-without-drawing-breath moments simply weren’t there.
I agree with you that **Eric** was rather lighthearted, but IMO there’s definitely a good dose of that soul-searching stuff in **The Last Hero.** Without getting into spoiler material, Cohen’s motivations were genuinely moving, Leonardo’s observations were beautiful, and the final confrontation floored me with the realization of where The Code resides. And, of course, the ending (and the fates of the assorted characters) were all perfectly appropriate without being maudlin.
And I’ll have to disagree with **Spiny Norman** – this book is definitely going to be an integral part of the universe. It’s way too cool to ignore.