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36th out of 46 books
—
513 voters
The Last Hero (Discworld #27)
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 gather...more
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 gather...more
Paperback, 176 pages
Published
August 20th 2002
by Harper Voyager
(first published 2001)
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I'd held off reading The Last Hero, thinking it would be a disappointing spinoff designed mostly for die-hard Discworld fans. As it turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong! In The Last Hero, Mr. Pratchett has given us a beautiful, funny, eloquent story about the true nature of bravery and the cruelty of growing old. Readers familiar with the other Discworld novels will be pleased to see that characters from several different storylines have come together in this book; in addition to character...more
He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth . . .
So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends -- and they're very old friends -- Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods.
The la...more
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth . . .
So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends -- and they're very old friends -- Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods.
The la...more
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 Disc
I didn't really like my first couple of experiences with Terry Pratchett. The first book I tried from Discworld was "The Color of Magic." I figured I start with it because it was the first book, but I was really disappointed with it and found it unfunny. I still wanted to give Discworld another chance though because I really wanted to like Terry Pratchett. So, I read around and found out that most people found his funniest book was "Guards! Guards!" So, I decided to buy it. I found it slightly b...more
The final Rincewind book, and a fitting but bittersweet end to the Silver Hoard. This huge coffee table sized book is filled with touching and genius artwork that will make any Discworld denzian wish that posters or t-shirts could be made from the pictures.
The story is short, and sweet. Cohen and the Silver hoard have decided to go out with a bang. There is nothing else to conquer and everything has gotten so complicated... there aren't even any good Dark Lords anymore. Sure there are evil nasty...more
The story is short, and sweet. Cohen and the Silver hoard have decided to go out with a bang. There is nothing else to conquer and everything has gotten so complicated... there aren't even any good Dark Lords anymore. Sure there are evil nasty...more
Ohlala
Dans ce tome (jamais paru en poche) Cohen le barbare s'en va rendre visite aux dieux en leur demeure de Dumanifestine, juste pour le plaisir de semer le bazar. Un bazar de dimensions telles qu'à Ankh-Morpokh, le seigneur Vétérini décide de lancer une expédition visant à l'arrêter. Expédition qui enverra Carotte, Rincevent et Léonard de Quinn par-delà le bord du disque.
Bon, oui, j'ai un peu raconté le début de cette histoire qui renvoie tous les autres tomes au rang de simple histoire un pe...more
Dans ce tome (jamais paru en poche) Cohen le barbare s'en va rendre visite aux dieux en leur demeure de Dumanifestine, juste pour le plaisir de semer le bazar. Un bazar de dimensions telles qu'à Ankh-Morpokh, le seigneur Vétérini décide de lancer une expédition visant à l'arrêter. Expédition qui enverra Carotte, Rincevent et Léonard de Quinn par-delà le bord du disque.
Bon, oui, j'ai un peu raconté le début de cette histoire qui renvoie tous les autres tomes au rang de simple histoire un pe...more
"So many worlds. So little time."
In the course of the last 26 books, Pratchett gave us a brilliant cast of characters. We've watched them appear, grow, evolve, and become a part of the Discworld Universe; Cohen was the only one who was who he was, in the beginning and till the end. That's what defined him, and that's what also, I thought, made him increasingly irrelevant in a Discworld with high-speed communications, reformed and societally-assimilated monsters, the rule of law & order and,...more
In the course of the last 26 books, Pratchett gave us a brilliant cast of characters. We've watched them appear, grow, evolve, and become a part of the Discworld Universe; Cohen was the only one who was who he was, in the beginning and till the end. That's what defined him, and that's what also, I thought, made him increasingly irrelevant in a Discworld with high-speed communications, reformed and societally-assimilated monsters, the rule of law & order and,...more
After so long, I've finally read about that involves Cohen the Barbarian. I know about him because of my lovely book of Discworld Quotes, but this is the first time that I've read a book involving him. Now, I really have to go and look for more Cohen-related books, he and the Silver Horde sound interesting!
The Last Hero revolves around Cohen and the Silver Horde as they undertake one last quest to return fire to the gods (i.e. blow up the place). Racing against time to try and stop them is Ankh-...more
The Last Hero revolves around Cohen and the Silver Horde as they undertake one last quest to return fire to the gods (i.e. blow up the place). Racing against time to try and stop them is Ankh-...more
I NEED TO OWN THIS BOOK ASAP. It has pictures! Of old men! And dragons!
Even without the illustrations, I'd buy it anyway.
The Last Hero is technically a Rincewind book but it's mainly about Cohen & The Silver Horde and Leonard of Quirm, served with a side of Carrot. It also has a bunch of other people. It's glorious. I loved Vena/Mrs. McGarry - one of the reasons I love Pratchett is because he writes awesome women. I like that Vena doesn't do much in the realm of swashbuckling, even though w...more
Even without the illustrations, I'd buy it anyway.
The Last Hero is technically a Rincewind book but it's mainly about Cohen & The Silver Horde and Leonard of Quirm, served with a side of Carrot. It also has a bunch of other people. It's glorious. I loved Vena/Mrs. McGarry - one of the reasons I love Pratchett is because he writes awesome women. I like that Vena doesn't do much in the realm of swashbuckling, even though w...more
Okay, so there are some things that we all know.
For example, we all know that the world is flat. And round, like a disc. And that it's supported on the backs of four elephants.
And, yes, yes, we all know that those four elephants are standing on the back of a giant turtle swimming through space. I realize I'm just stating the obvious.
But have you ever wondered what the elephants and turtle really look like?
Well, thankfully there was an expedition to space, with 3 explorers: the inventor Leonard d...more
For example, we all know that the world is flat. And round, like a disc. And that it's supported on the backs of four elephants.
And, yes, yes, we all know that those four elephants are standing on the back of a giant turtle swimming through space. I realize I'm just stating the obvious.
But have you ever wondered what the elephants and turtle really look like?
Well, thankfully there was an expedition to space, with 3 explorers: the inventor Leonard d...more
Beautifully magical and remarkably creative, Pratchett’s vivid imagination is quite breathtaking.
Having never read any of Pratchett’s work due to the pre-assumption that his work would not be my ‘cup of tea’, I felt that it was about time I tested this theory. I am pleased to say that despite taking the fantasy genre seriously I uncharacteristically felt compelled to discover his work, and was drawn to the bold cover of ‘The Last Hero: a Discworld fable’. I am still unsure of why Pratchett is q...more
Having never read any of Pratchett’s work due to the pre-assumption that his work would not be my ‘cup of tea’, I felt that it was about time I tested this theory. I am pleased to say that despite taking the fantasy genre seriously I uncharacteristically felt compelled to discover his work, and was drawn to the bold cover of ‘The Last Hero: a Discworld fable’. I am still unsure of why Pratchett is q...more
Due to the large format of this book - which after reading I would never dream of having scaled down - it is not carried in many places; As I was too impatient to wait for it to come in on order, I instead had read it at the local library.
The Last Hero is a great story, when long-standing characters are illustrated it often comes out wrong, but Kirby nailed it, especially with Rincewind and the Gods.
The basic story is in two arcs, focusing on the aging Silver Hoard (last seen in Interesting Tim...more
The Last Hero is a great story, when long-standing characters are illustrated it often comes out wrong, but Kirby nailed it, especially with Rincewind and the Gods.
The basic story is in two arcs, focusing on the aging Silver Hoard (last seen in Interesting Tim...more
Aug 17, 2012
Meran niCuill
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes humor mixed with their fantasy
On the Rincewind track of recommended reading, this book is #7.
The Last Hero, in which we're given the length of the Turtle and the height of the Elephants, is an illustrated novel. There's also a mention of Death by Cucumber. All within the first page. Mr Pratchett certainly knows how to give answers to and intrigue his readers into reading more, right off the bat!
This illustrated novel was a lot of fun to read: you're given definite images to accompany the story, adds a lot of "meat" (hur hur...more
This book is really the end of the old Discworld. It started as a humorous parody of things that had not yet happened. The Color of Magic, as I had mentioned before I started reviewing here, is a parody of World of Warcraft despite being released some twenty-something years before the game. It transitioned from Medieval fantasy to Victorian, and in this book two of the main characters from the first Discworld duology find their conclusions.
Cohen the Barbarian, ruler of the Agataean Empire, is po...more
Cohen the Barbarian, ruler of the Agataean Empire, is po...more
I don't think anyone can deny that Terry Pratchett is a brilliant writer. He has such a great sense of style, of storytelling. I always feel like there are so many inside jokes in his stories, that I just get about half of them. When I do discover new ones, it feels a bit like uncovering a little piece of a big puzzle.
As for the story of The Last Hero, I have nothing much to tell you. Characters from different story lines come together in the last adventure of the now elderly heroes or Cohen the...more
As for the story of The Last Hero, I have nothing much to tell you. Characters from different story lines come together in the last adventure of the now elderly heroes or Cohen the...more
Oct 20, 2011
David
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
comic-fantasy,
2011-reading-challenge
Fable (noun): a story about supernatural or extraordinary persons or incidents; legend: the fables of gods and heroes.
[from http://dictionary.reference.com]
This short story by Terry Pratchett ticks all those boxes with the blurb on my edition reading:
"He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember the great days of high adventure.
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation.
He can remember when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
B...more
[from http://dictionary.reference.com]
This short story by Terry Pratchett ticks all those boxes with the blurb on my edition reading:
"He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember the great days of high adventure.
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation.
He can remember when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
B...more
I found this slim book tucked away behind other books. I think I hid it like a last bottle of really excellent wine.
This time the sassy, wonderful, snide, silly, colorful, twisted thingamabobs associated with Sir Terry's wordsmithery are augmented by Paul Kidby's frantic illustrations. What a visual and verbal banquet. In my volume, page 130-131 is particularly enchanting.
It's hard to pick a favorite character in Sir Terry's pantheon, but damn, Lord Vetinari, the cultivated, calculating, well-m...more
This time the sassy, wonderful, snide, silly, colorful, twisted thingamabobs associated with Sir Terry's wordsmithery are augmented by Paul Kidby's frantic illustrations. What a visual and verbal banquet. In my volume, page 130-131 is particularly enchanting.
It's hard to pick a favorite character in Sir Terry's pantheon, but damn, Lord Vetinari, the cultivated, calculating, well-m...more
This was a somewhat unusual direction for Terry Pratchett. Unlike his other works, the copious art, courtesy of Paul Kidby, is a rather central piece of this production. Without it, the book would be quite a lot smaller.
It is, in fact, really only a novella. The actual story is pure Pratchett, of course, but he's shoe-horned most of the Discworld's recurring characters. Rincewind, the wizards, the Patrician, Carrot, Cohen and the Silver Horde can all lay claim to being main characters. So much s...more
It is, in fact, really only a novella. The actual story is pure Pratchett, of course, but he's shoe-horned most of the Discworld's recurring characters. Rincewind, the wizards, the Patrician, Carrot, Cohen and the Silver Horde can all lay claim to being main characters. So much s...more
A very good Discworld story, only this one also has lots of pretty pictures! Honestly, it's probably the pictures that rocketed my star rating up to a whole 5/5 stars, because, seriously, I was geeking out over the awesomeness of some of these pictures. The idea of a bunch of heroes becoming old and deciding to go on one last quest is pretty great in itself, but when you get to actually see illustrations a bunch of crazy old dudes wielding swords and fighting monsters, life does not get much bet...more
Terrific illustrations!!! By it alone, I have already enjoyed myself. But with the story, it was like a good report with amazing visual support. Again, the artwork is good: thoroughly vivid and elaborately detailed in its witty travesty of heroes, villains, gods, wizards, and creatures amid the fantastic & breathtaking images of Discworld.
This is about saving Discworld from destruction. The senior citizen Cohen d' Barbarian is on his way to return to the gods what was once stolen and also wi...more
This is about saving Discworld from destruction. The senior citizen Cohen d' Barbarian is on his way to return to the gods what was once stolen and also wi...more
Oct 08, 2011
Clara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mostly those who have read Interesting Times.
My only complaint is that it felt just a bit rushed. But then again, you could also think of it like this: the book isn't meant to be a complete story, but rather the end of a legend. There were bits that made me cry, and others that made me laugh.
I've always loved the Silver Horde. I love how they defy my expectations of what heroes ought to be, yet surpass them at the same time. When al other heroes have given up, they keep fighting 'cause it's all they've ever done.
I would definitely say this...more
I've always loved the Silver Horde. I love how they defy my expectations of what heroes ought to be, yet surpass them at the same time. When al other heroes have given up, they keep fighting 'cause it's all they've ever done.
I would definitely say this...more
It was my suggestion that we read something sci-fi / fantasy. At least half of Reading Seals never read anything in that line, so it was going to be a real step-outside-the-comfort-zone. However, they were willing. Two of us fans then said Terry Pratchett, because he has the humour as well, and then I said we could each choose one title, any title, by him.
I do enjoy Pratchett. In this book, they're really old heroes and they're sick of having nothing to do so they decide to give back to the gods...more
I do enjoy Pratchett. In this book, they're really old heroes and they're sick of having nothing to do so they decide to give back to the gods...more
I liked this addition to the Discworld mythos mostly because it saw a blending of some of my favorite characters - including Cohen the Barbarian, Rincewind, and Captain Carrot - into a single story, rather than starring in their own tales. It was a kind of crossing of worlds that normally don't get to interact. And it was a fun adventure as well!
Feeling his age, Cohen the Barbarian seeks to return fire to the Gods - preferably by the most violent way possible. His plan could undo the entire worl...more
Feeling his age, Cohen the Barbarian seeks to return fire to the Gods - preferably by the most violent way possible. His plan could undo the entire worl...more
I'm certainly not a fan of Pratchett. His work tends me towards unpleasant moods, in fact. It's a problem I have with most of the fantasy comedy types of books... That whatever is the most random absurdity the author can come up with is "funny", regardless of how stupid it actually is. And it all really comes off to me as people finding it funny because they are "supposed" to find it that way. I'm not other people, obviously, so I don't know why they find such nonsense however they do.
Well, the...more
Well, the...more
oh my - what can I say? the illustrations are beautiful - but they don't entirely fit in with how I have imagined the characters since I started reading the Discworld books so that's why I've given it 4 stars.
This has just about everything that a Discworld fan could have, including some of the best little snippets of Vetinari (who I love) that I have read so far.
Add the Librarian, Rincewind and Captain Carrot. Then stir in Cohen the Barbarian and his mates, the Silver Horde and the Discworld god...more
This has just about everything that a Discworld fan could have, including some of the best little snippets of Vetinari (who I love) that I have read so far.
Add the Librarian, Rincewind and Captain Carrot. Then stir in Cohen the Barbarian and his mates, the Silver Horde and the Discworld god...more
The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable
Terry Pratchett
Illustrated by Paul Kidby
HarperCollins
2001
This is an oversize illustrated Discworld novel.
Cohen and his Silver Horde, tired of their heroic lives, decide to go out with a bang. Their plan? To return to the gods what the first hero stole, with interest. Unfortunately, doing this will destroy Discworld, so Rincewind, Captian Carrot, and Leonard of Quirm are drafted to save the world.
This is a fast paced read, somewhat melancholy, and epic in scope, ju...more
Terry Pratchett
Illustrated by Paul Kidby
HarperCollins
2001
This is an oversize illustrated Discworld novel.
Cohen and his Silver Horde, tired of their heroic lives, decide to go out with a bang. Their plan? To return to the gods what the first hero stole, with interest. Unfortunately, doing this will destroy Discworld, so Rincewind, Captian Carrot, and Leonard of Quirm are drafted to save the world.
This is a fast paced read, somewhat melancholy, and epic in scope, ju...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Близо стогодишният непобедим герой Коен Варварина и неговите дърти съмишленици, кой от кой по-смахнат, решават да отидат при боговете и да им върнат огъня, но с лихвите - връщат го във вид на 20 килограма гръмовна глина. Буум. Първият герой открадва огъня от боговете и го дарява на хората, последният ще им го върне.
Страхотно е как Пратчет успява да завърти толкова много митология и идеология около един цветен и забавен свят. Закачките с религията, боговете, прикования Прометей, Александър Македо...more
Страхотно е как Пратчет успява да завърти толкова много митология и идеология около един цветен и забавен свят. Закачките с религията, боговете, прикования Прометей, Александър Македо...more
I thought The Last Hero would be something along the lines of Eric, where the pictures are pretty and the story is mainly there to facilitate that. But this book is something different. In an odd and surprising way, Cohen the Barbarian's attempt to "return what was stolen," and what that implies, is something that really hits home. In a simple story with ramifications that you can think about for probably days on end, Pratchett's given us another story that's funny and silly ... but makes you te...more
So what do you do if you have outlived your glory, but are as good as ever? If most of your friends have died, or gotten dementia? If you are still the world's greatest barbarian, even if you have to wear wool long underwear underneath your funny leather clothes? When you have proved yourself against the world, and only the gods are left?
A great story, fantastically enhanced by the illustrations, which are half the fun. After all, when it comes to elderly barbarians in long johns and S&M gea...more
A great story, fantastically enhanced by the illustrations, which are half the fun. After all, when it comes to elderly barbarians in long johns and S&M gea...more
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| Return for the Silver Horde! | 5 | 22 | Aug 18, 2012 03:39pm |
Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel,...more
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