The Last Continent (1998)

Rincewind finds himself inexplicable alone on a continent bearing remarkable similarities to our Australia. Back home at the Unseen University, the librarian feels very poorly indeed and is not able to hold shape for more than a couple sneezes. In order to find a cure, the Arch chancellor and his entourage need Rincewind's help. When they enter his office, however, they find a doorway to Rincewind's mysterious continent and decide to go through it to fetch him. In the ensuing adventure Rincewind experiences the craziest events ever, and the other Wizards come face to face with the God of evolution ( )

HA HA HA AUSTRALIA.

HA HA HA SEX.





THAT IS ALL. ( )

What's your name Sheila?
What's your favourite colour Blue?
These and many other questions are answered in this tale about the travels of Rincewind in Fourxxxxland. ( )

At the end of Interesting Times, the wizards of the Unseen university return the barking dog to the Agetean empire, but, by some strange perchance, Rincewind is not reutned in it's place. instead, he gets moved to a thrid point on the disc, while something from there is moved onto the UU. Rincewind has been transported to the land of XXXX, the last continent. it is strange place, where the rain doesn't come and kangeroos roam the red desert. Rincewind survives by finding plates of sandwiches under rocks and generally being looked after by some deity while he invents vegemite drinks beer and inspires a very Australian folk tune.



Meanwhile, the wizards are looking for a fellow professor, who should know all about the continent of XXXX, but he appears to be missing. Instead, they find a wormhole to a desert island where a mysterious God works wonders with tiny tools, but has yet to discovere how sex can aid reproduction. Due to an unfortunate accident, the wormhole closes and they travel to the continent of XXXX, which is still in the process of formation. they meet to local creator and, well, lets just say they cause havoc with a great many things.



An interesting tale of culture shock that is not really set in Australia it just looks a lot like Oz does to us Poms. ( )

The Last Continent is - like all of Terry Pratchett's books - rich in humorous observations and wisecracking footnotes. However, it's also remarkably thin on plot. I feel like it was put together as more of a way to work in as many Australian references as possible, and then before the print run someone realized that nothing really happened in the whole book and they slapped an ending on and called it a day. It's still a good read, of course; Pratchett could easily make the phone book into a laugh out loud knee-slapper and I'd enjoy every second of reading it, but it doesn't flow as easily as his more well-structured works. ( )