Average Bufph Rating: 3.7 / 5.0
Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter
2012-06-19
The first novel in a brilliant collaboration between the visionary Discworld® creator Terry Pratchett and acclaimed science fiction novelist Stephen Baxter, The Long Earth transports readers to an infinity of new worlds—a series of parallel “earths" with doorways leading to adventure, intrigue, excitement, and an escape into the furthest reaches of the imagination. All it takes is a single step. . . .
The possibilities are endless. (Just be careful what you wish for. . . .)
1916: The Western Front. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong and the wind in the leaves. Where have the mud, blood, and blasted landscape of no-man's-land gone? For that matter, where has Percy gone?
2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Police officer Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive—some say mad, others allege dangerous—scientist who seems to have vanished. Sifting through the wreckage, Jansson finds a curious gadget: a box containing some rudimentary wiring, a three-way switch, and . . . a potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way humankind views the world forever.
The Long Earth is an adventure of the highest order and will captivate science fiction fans of all stripes, readers of Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen, and anyone who enjoyed the Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman collaboration Good Omens.
Other books in the Long Earth series include:
This book offered a refreshing take on the multiverse concept, blending Pratchett's whimsical style with Baxter's scientific rigor. The idea of parallel Earths and the exploration of these diverse worlds was both imaginative and thought-provoking. However, the narrative occasionally veered into the fantastical, which, while enjoyable, didn't fully satisfy my craving for hard science fiction. The collaboration between the authors worked well, creating a unique narrative voice that was both engaging and insightful.
Pratchett and Baxter's collaborative effort presents a fascinating exploration of parallel Earths, a concept that is both scientifically intriguing and philosophically rich. The narrative's examination of the implications of infinite possibilities offers a stimulating intellectual challenge. The interplay between the whimsical and the speculative is handled with a deft touch, resulting in a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The philosophical undertones regarding the nature of exploration and the human condition are both stimulating and thought-provoking, making it a compelling addition to the genre of speculative fiction.
As a biochemical engineering enthusiast, I was intrigued by the scientific premise of parallel Earths and the concept of 'stepping' between them. The collaboration between Pratchett and Baxter resulted in a fascinating blend of humor and hard science fiction. While the narrative occasionally veered into whimsical territory, the exploration of ecological and societal impacts on alternate Earths was thought-provoking. The book successfully balanced its speculative elements with a grounded narrative, making it an enjoyable read that expanded my horizons.
