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The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable (Discworld Novels)
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780061040962
Edition: 1st
ISBN: 0061040967
Label: HarperCollins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: October 01, 2001
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: October 16, 2001
Studio: HarperCollins
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Editorial Review:
A new Discworld story is always an event. Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero is unusually short, a 40,000-word "Discworld Fable" rather than a full novel, but is illustrated throughout in sumptuous color by Paul Kidby.
The 160 pages cover the series' longest and most awesome (but still comic) journey yet, a mission to save all Discworld from a new threat. An old threat, actually. Aged warrior Cohen the Barbarian has decided to go out with a bang and take the gods with him. So, with the remnants of his geriatric Silver Horde, he's climbing to the divine retirement home Dunmanifestin with the Discworld equivalent of a nuke--a fifty-pound keg of Agatean Thunder Clay.
This will, for excellent magical reasons, destroy the world.
It's up to Leonard of Quirm, Discworld's da Vinci, to invent the technology that might just beat Cohen to his goal. His unlikely vessel is powered by dragons, crewed by himself and two popular regular characters, and secretly harbors a stowaway. Before long we hear the Discworld version of "Houston, we have a problem...."
Kidby rises splendidly to the challenge of painting both funny faces and cosmic vistas. As Pratchett puts it, The Last Hero "has an extra dimension: some parts of it are written in paint!" New characters include Evil Dark Lord Harry Dread, who started out with "just two lads and his Shed of Doom," and a god so tiresome that his worshippers are forbidden chocolate, ginger, mushrooms and garlic.
Pratchett's story alone is strong and effective, with several hair-raising frissons contrasting with high comedy; Kidby's paintings make it something very special. Not to be missed. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk
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.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Beautiful Illustrations. Stale wit.
I love discworld. This was the only book I hadn't yet read. I've read the others anywhere from two to five times.
This one was... okay. You had to really like the Leonard da Quirm character and Captain Carrot, two of my least favorite characters. I like Rincewind but he didn't get to play a very large role. Even the silver horde only got to re-hash their lines from Interesting Times.
Basically, if you've read Jingo and Interesting Times you've read all of the narrative ... Read More
Rating:  - Excellent book!
I loved this book! The story was great fun (as are all of the Discworld stories) and quick to read. I believe the story is particularly interesting as it brings together several characters who have not yet interacted in any of the Discworld novels (Rincewind, Leonard of Quirm, and Carrot work together for example) and introduces some great new characters as well. The premise of the story is quite amusing - any book with Cohen the Barbarian is bound to be entertaining. However, I would not have liked ... Read More
Rating: - The art makes it.
As much as I love Terry Pratchett's work, Paul Kidby's art is the reason why I keep coming back to this book again and again. He in part inspired me to become an illustrator, and I'm very glad he's had the distinction of bringing the Disc's characters to life.
This would also be a great book to introduce a wary friend to the series!
Rating: - The Last Hero
It was given as a gift to my son and he was thrilled to have his own copy. My husband and 2 sons love the Discworld Series and it gives them lots to talk about.
Rating: - Pratchett
What can I say, it is Terry Pratchett. As with all things written or produced by this strange man: It is outstanding.
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