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The Long Earth [Hardcover]

Terry Pratchett (Author), Stephen Baxter (Author)
3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (288 customer reviews)
RRP: £18.99
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Book Description

Release Date: 21 Jun 2012

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 in the trees. Where have the mud, blood and blasted landscape of No Man's Land gone?

2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Cop Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive - some said mad, others dangerous - scientist when she finds a curious gadget - a box containing some wiring, a three-way switch and a...potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way Mankind views his world for ever.

And that's an understatement if ever there was one...

The Long Earth is the first novel in an exciting new collaboration between the creator of Discworld Terry Pratchett and the acclaimed SF writer Stephen Baxter

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (21 Jun 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0857520091
  • ISBN-13: 978-0857520098
  • Product Dimensions: 16.2 x 3.2 x 24 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (288 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

"An absorbing collaborative effort from two SF giants...a marriage made in fan heaven - Pratchett's warmth and humanity allied to Baxter's extraordinarily fertile science-fictional imagination...I, for one, found it extremely refreshing...There's much to enjoy...it's a charming, absorbing and somehow spacious piece of imagineering." (Adam Roberts Guardian 20120623)

"The idea of parallel Earths is one of the most enduring that science fiction has given us, but rarely has it been explored with quite so much gusto as in this new novel by two of the giants of British speculative fiction... a triumph.... This is an accessible, fun and thoughtful SF novel that offers the potential for a multitude of stories as great as the myriad of Earths." (David Barnett Independent 20120701)

"***** Literary alchemy...In the hands of Pratchett and Baxter, the possibilites are almost infinite...It's a story that revels in big ideas...You can sense the excitement of the authors as they toy with the labyrinthine possibilities of their premise, and it's infectious...The canvas of the Long Earth is so vast, so full of storytelling potential, that it would be a crime not to explore further...thrillingly expansive, joyously inventive and utterly engrossing." (SFX )

"[Pratchett] succeeds in working seamlessly with Baxter, with his ever-present whimsy...adding a welcome shot of fun to the world of science fiction." (Alison Flood Sunday Times 20120701)

"a wonderfully rich fantasy, full of ingenuity, humour and some rather deep thoughts" (Reader's Digest )

Book Description

The UK's bestselling adult novelist and a giant of British science fiction combine forces to write the first novel in an astonishing, mind-bending new series...The Long Earth
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
118 of 123 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant collaboration by two fantastic writers 16 Aug 2012
By Patrick Samphire
Format:Hardcover
4 1/2 stars.

The Long Earth is the first of a planned trilogy by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. If you were looking for two of the most unlikely authors to collaborate, you'd be hard pressed to choose better candidates than these.

Pratchett, as pretty much the entire world knows, predominantly writes humorous fantasy, and while it's true that his work has evolved from its beginnings as pure humor to take a much deeper, more profound look at the world through the medium of fantasy, his major appeal is still the humor.

Baxter, on the other hand, is the hardest of hard science fiction authors. His books are meticulously researched, and his speculation is firmly rooted in bleeding edge science. Like Pratchett, Baxter has evolved, in his case to include more believable, rounded characters with real stories. But when you approach a Baxter book you do so for the science fiction. (Even in his alternate history Northland series, Baxter follows the logic of his premise with a sharp, unyielding, scientific focus.)

If you approach The Long Earth expecting to find something matching either Pratchett's or Baxter's usual output, you are going to be coming at it all wrong. This is a genuine collaboration, and between them they have produced something quite different from their normal works.

In the year 2015, mankind suddenly discovers the existence of possibly infinite alternate worlds, differing only marginally (but progressively, the further out they are) from our own, which can be reached by the means of an electronic device that anyone can easily assemble. But there is one thing that is different about all of these worlds: humanity hasn't evolved on any of them.... Read more ›
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83 of 90 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Judgement suspended 24 Jun 2012
By James L. Munro
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Like most of the reviewers, I looked forward to this collaboration of two of the greats of sci fantasy. Now I have finished the book I am in two minds as to what to think of it.

One the one hand, it starts off with a good premise and two promisingly individualistic characters. Locations are well described and it gets off to a good start. On the other, once you get into the third chapter it just meanders along going nowhere very much and just as it seems to be picking up speed and getting really interesting..it ends. It doesn't quite say "To be continued", but it might as well.

I could have done with fewer tediously idyllic or uneventful alternate earths and more characterisation and action. For Pratchett the style is closer to "Nation" than Discworld. This is no bad thing - Nation is a great book, but the main "human" hero - Joseph Valiente - is downright boring. Lobsang has a lot of potential to be truly fascinating but after a few quirks of humour in the beginning, he fades into the background to become an annoyingly omniscient presence. Yes I am going to buy the inevitable follow up, but I have a feeling that I'll be disappointed. I hope I am wrong.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Pratchett a bit thin on the (long) ground 31 Oct 2012
By Newly old Geezer
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Long time Pratchett fan, I bought this to read on holiday, but found it quite heavy going. I didn't find enough of Terry's humour, which is my main reason for reading his stuff, and his strategy for sneaking subversive ideas into his reader's heads. The whole tone is much more Stephen Baxter, where, even when describing some great triumph of humanity he gives me the distinct impression that it will not be a good thing for the Universe. The main disappointment for me is that none of the main characters seem to develop as a result of their experiences. During the whole narrative we are waiting for some important revelation; the Traveller is a useful plot device, but is hardly the "Meaning of life, the Universe and Everything". I got the impression that a sequel may have been intended, but I'll not have any problem waiting.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The concept is a good one. And new. And potato-y. 27 Feb 2013
By Brian Johnson
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Yes, Terry is a good writer and, yes, Stephen is (usually) a good writer, but there was potential for this to turn out to be an awkward marriage.

Not so; the tale is well-told and I'll deffo be buying the next one.

In fact, I'm looking forward to it. So there!
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars not a novel, just the first few chapters 14 July 2012
By AFG
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have just finished this book, and while it is well written and enjoyable to read, it is not a novel. After three hundred and forty pages, it just stops. All we have had is an explanation of the background for the series (which is basically Clifford D Simak's Ring Around The Sun anyway)and some character introduction. We have the "threat" and some ongoing plot lines. This is just the first third or quarter of a very big book, which will probably be excellent when completed, but I resent being sold the first part of it because the authors or publisher can't wait to get some product on the shelves.
I thoroughly enjoy Mr Pratchett's books, and he is one of the few authors where I splash out on a hardback, rather than wait for the paperback, but I feel I wasted my money on this one. I will wait to see what happens with book two.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Oh dear 21 Aug 2012
By Mr. A. Manning
Format:Hardcover
I like Baxter. I like Pratchett. All authors have their idiosyncracies and this book combines their worst qualities.

As a novella it would have worked well. As a novel it doesn't have enough material to stand alone - and the idea of this being part of a series is laughable.

Good concept poorly executed, poor characterisation, prose without 'zip'. Had to force myself to finish it just because I could not believe that two authors who are individually so good could produce something so mediocre.

I finished the book with a sense of relief, despite the appalling ending that just stops in mid-air to act as a teaser for the inevitable sequel. An incredibly disappointing book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars The long earth
I am a Terry Pratchett fan and have all his books so this was a must buy. Terry Pratchett's wit is spotted in tiny snatches throughout the book but the rest of it was just... Read more
Published 4 days ago by RedSquirrel
5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting story!
This was a book that I admit to being a little hesitant about before I started reading it, but being a Terry Pratchett fan I figured I'd give it a try and boy am I glad I did! Read more
Published 5 days ago by Michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars great want to know whats next
First time Iv read Terry Pratchett /stephen Terry books I certainly will look at there Books in the future.

looking forwart to the next book
Published 5 days ago by shirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Sci-Fi/Fantasy - clever ideas and a good read
Sci-Fi/Fantasy - clever ideas and a good read. I've read all the Discworld books and several other Terry Pratchett's. This is another great read
Published 6 days ago by RICHARD J DRAKE
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius
A must for those who appreciate Darwin thinking and quantum theory but more importantly thought provoking fun for any Pratchet fans.
Published 6 days ago by Be Bothered
5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another mindstormer
I always have joy in Terry's use of physics (my subject!) and this was a delightful twist on the multiverse...I await the long war in paperback!
Published 7 days ago by N. E. Bowker
3.0 out of 5 stars High imagination
An incredible premise, and an engaging story, but only for the permutations and intricacies of the books fundamental concept. Read more
Published 10 days ago by C Buckley
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic!
With the futuristic from Stephen Baxter & Terry Pratchett's unique brand of wit, "The Long Earth" explores human evolution & possibilities, posing questions we've all... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Claire Wilkins
4.0 out of 5 stars A change of pace
This was a good read, and could be the basis of a series, unlike any book I associate Pratchett with.
Published 13 days ago by D. Porter
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Escapism!
Always immensly enjoyed Terry's books so I was intrigued to find out what this new book would be like writing with Stephen Baxter and being a sci-fi book rather than the fantasy of... Read more
Published 15 days ago by bookworm
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