There exists long line of earths similar to ours in parallel universes, so far unknown to humans. And just like that, one fine day,humanity is given the gift of travelling to those other worlds. What would happen?

When it comes to speculative fiction, there are 3 ways to handle it. Take the route of Clarke and Asimov (Foundation, Rama, etc). Realistic speculation, filled to the brim with details. Or take the route of the wonderful Portuguese novelist and noble award winner Jose Saramago. Almost all of his novels (Stone Raft, Blindness, etc) are speculative fictions. But apart from that initial "Magic", the rest is a study of human behavior (both individual and collective), examined in charming and sometimes painfully looooong snaking sentances.

Long Earth does not fall into either of these camps. It has a playful tone to it, set by Terry's language. In this novel, Steven Baxter's hard science of evolution mixes elegantly with the sharp and satirical social insights of Terry of the Discworld. The result is a wonderful read.

Loved this novel. And eagerly awaiting the next one.