The Last Continent – Summary
The Last Continent is the 22nd novel in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and the sixth book featuring the hapless wizard Rincewind. The story unfolds in two parallel narratives that eventually converge in a hilarious and chaotic climax.
In one storyline, Rincewind finds himself stranded on the continent of XXXX (pronounced “Four-Ecks”), a parody of Australia. He is tasked by a magical kangaroo named Scrappy to bring rain to the drought-stricken land. As Rincewind reluctantly embarks on this quest, he encounters various challenges and inadvertently introduces quintessential Australian cultural elements to XXXX, such as the cork hat, thongs and Vegemite.
Meanwhile, the senior wizards of Unseen University are searching for a cure to the Librarian’s magical ailment, which causes him to transform into random objects when he sneezes. Believing Rincewind holds the key to the Librarian’s true name, they attempt to locate him. Their efforts lead them through a time/space anomaly to Mono Island, where they meet the God of Evolution. After leaving the island on a quickly-grown Melon Boat, they find themselves stranded on primordial XXXX.
As Rincewind’s misadventures continue, he becomes embroiled in sheep-stealing escapades, befriends a group of female impersonators, and narrowly escapes hanging. His journey takes him to Bugarup (a parody of Sydney), where he encounters the local version of Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler and stumbles upon the key to reuniting past and present.
The two narratives converge when Rincewind discovers the wizards frozen in time and manages to free them. Together, they must find a way to end the drought and save XXXX. The solution comes in the form of a magical bullroarer, which Rincewind unwittingly uses to bring rain to the parched continent.
The novel concludes with Rincewind and the wizards returning to Ankh-Morpork, having successfully completed their respective quests and leaving behind a newly rain-soaked XXXX.
Key themes:
- Time travel and its paradoxes
- Evolution and creation
- Cultural identity and stereotypes
- The power of storytelling and legends
- The role of chance and fate in shaping events
Character Details
Rincewind
Rincewind is the protagonist of the novel, a cowardly and incompetent wizard with an uncanny ability to survive despite his best efforts to avoid danger. Throughout the story, he reluctantly takes on the role of XXXX’s unwitting hero, inadvertently shaping the continent’s culture and ultimately bringing rain to end the drought. Rincewind’s character is defined by his constant desire to run away from trouble, yet he always finds himself at the centre of world-changing events. His practical nature and survival instincts often lead him to accidental heroism, much to his chagrin.
Mustrum Ridcully
Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully is the head of Unseen University and leader of the group of wizards stranded in ancient XXXX. He is known for his boisterous personality, outdoorsy nature, and often obtuse approach to problems. Ridcully’s leadership style is characterised by his loud voice and tendency to bully his way through situations, which often leads to comical interactions with his fellow faculty members. Despite his gruff exterior, he shows moments of cleverness and adaptability when faced with the strange circumstances of XXXX.
The Librarian
The Librarian is a wizard who was transformed into an orang-utan by a magical accident and prefers to remain in this form. In this novel, he is suffering from a magical malady that causes him to transform into various objects when he sneezes. The search for a cure to his condition is what initially drives the wizards’ quest. The Librarian’s intelligence, strength, and love of books make him a valuable member of the Unseen University faculty, even in his simian form.
Ponder Stibbons
Ponder Stibbons is the youngest and most progressive of the Unseen University wizards. He is often frustrated by the older wizards’ lack of understanding of modern magical theory and serves as the voice of reason and scientific thinking among the faculty. Ponder’s attempts to explain complex concepts to his colleagues, particularly Ridcully, provide much of the novel’s intellectual humour. His character represents the clash between traditional and modern approaches to magic and education.
Mrs. Whitlow
Mrs. Whitlow is the head housekeeper of Unseen University who accidentally accompanies the wizards on their journey. Her presence adds an element of propriety and domesticity to the group, often serving as a counterpoint to the wizards’ chaotic behaviour. The male wizards’ awkward attempts to impress her provide a source of comedy throughout their adventures.
The Creator of XXXX
The Creator is a godlike being responsible for shaping the continent of XXXX. He is portrayed as a somewhat absent-minded artist, drawing creatures and landscapes into existence. The Creator’s interactions with the wizards highlight the themes of creation and evolution present in the novel, as well as the power of imagination in shaping reality.
Reader Fit
The Last Continent is perfect for fans of humorous fantasy who enjoy clever wordplay, satirical takes on real-world cultures and playful explorations of scientific concepts. Readers familiar with Australian culture will particularly appreciate the numerous parodies and references throughout the book.
While it’s part of the larger Discworld series, the novel can be enjoyed as a standalone adventure, making it accessible to newcomers to Pratchett’s work. Those who relish absurd situations, witty dialogue and a blend of high-concept ideas with lowbrow humour will find this book a delightful read.
Quick Facts
Genre: Comic Fantasy
Publication Year: 1998
Reading Time Estimate: 8-10 hours
Notable Awards: None specific to this book, but Terry Pratchett was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
Related Books
- “Interesting Times” by Terry Pratchett – Another Rincewind adventure in the Discworld series.
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – A collaborative novel featuring similar humour and fantastical elements.
- “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams – A science fiction comedy with comparable absurdist humour and satirical themes.
