The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (Doubleday)

Of course, this is a book by Terry Pratchett, creator of Discworld; arguably the most popular fantasy cum comedy series of novels ever.

And true to Pratchett, The Long Earth mixes the fantastic with the funny to perfection.

But this time a strong dose of ‘proper’ science-fiction is added to the broth, as the book is co-written by Stephen Baxter, an expert in so called ‘hard science’.

The result: a good read. You will laugh, you will find escapism, and you will scratch your head.

The storyline:  Joshua, someone with the ability to ‘Step’ between the parallel universes without using his device, has to escort the mysterious Lobsang – a supreme being who can take on any form, but is in fact a computer programme.

Confused yet? Don’t worry – the book reads much easier than I am conveying in this review.

Those who are familiar with Pratchett’s other books will recognise the formula he applies in The Long Earth and appreciate his subtle stabs at the reader’s ‘only Earth’.

My only critique is the supporting cast. For a dimwit reader such as myself, I have to focus all my brain cells on the trip(s) of Joshua and Lobsang. At times I got confused with the plethora of other characters introduced in the story.

Read this book if you are into fantasy / sci-fi / post-apocalyptic literature. Avoid it if you have never thought of the awesomeness of teleportation.

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