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The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable | 
 enlarge | Authors: Terry Pratchett, Paul Kidby
Publisher: Eos
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $11.90
You Save: $10.05 (46%)
New (24) Used (16) Collectible (1) from $10.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  78 reviews
Sales Rank: 41900
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 9.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 0060507772
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780060507770
ASIN: 0060507772
Publication Date: September 1, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 73 more reviews...
 Twisty July 28, 2008
In an inversion of wacky proportions, it is in fact, Man's pride which saves the disc from certain annhilation! Fun, huh. There's probably much more going on here too, but I gave the book something of a flyby, skipping most of the wizards and the librarian. Will re-read when I get a chance. Mostly, it's what you'd expect from the disc, with numerous funny bits, and several jokes that are well worth further thought. Rincewind is my favorite character, and I'm a little peeved that he's done manifestin.' Heh. The paintings are generally quite good, but... missing a little something. The cover painting in particular, doesn't make much sense to me. The scene it's pulled from doesn't seem to have Rincey screaming...
Beautiful Illustrations. Stale wit. April 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 and most of the humor in this book.
That said - the humor and narrative are a side show for what the book really is... a picture book for discworld fans. As someone who prefers books over television for the very reason that I get to see the places and people however I choose (occassionally regardless of what the descriptions list) the picture book didn't do a lot for me.
And again - that said - the illustrations are truly marvelous.
So overall
Discworld Baseline: 5 stars
Rehashed narrative and been there done that humor: -2 stars
Beautiful illustrations: +1 star
Overall rating: 4 stars
 Excellent book! January 18, 2008
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 this book nearly so much without the illustrations. I really love the illustrations. Some of the characters of course don't look anything like I imagine them looking, but several of them are spot on. I'm particularly fond of the images of The Librarian and Mad Hamish, both of whom look adorably insane in their portraits. This book is completely worth the price because it effectively combines two books into one - The Last Hero and The Art of Discworld. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any Discworld fan.
The art makes it. January 16, 2008
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!
The Last Hero January 14, 2008
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.
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