The Long Earth

A Novel

By: Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter

Narrated by: Michael Fenton-Stevens

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The possibilities are endless. Just be careful what you wish for....

The Western Front, 1916. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong and the wind in the leaves. Where have the mud, blood, and blasted landscape of no-man's-land gone? For that matter, where has Percy gone?

Madison, Wisconsin, 2015. Police officer Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive - some say mad, others allege dangerous - scientist who seems to have vanished. Sifting through the wreckage, Jansson find a curious gadget: a box containing some rudimentary wiring, a three-way switch, and . . . a potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way humankind views the world forever.

The first novel in an exciting new collaboration between Discworld creator Terry Pratchett and the acclaimed SF writer Stephen Baxter, The Long Earth transports readers to the ends of the earth - and far beyond. All it takes is a single step. . . .

©2012 Terry Pratchett, Lyn Pratchett, and Stephen Baxter (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Not classic Pratchett, iffy story, terrible ending

It's not a classic Pratchett book so if that's what you're expecting you'll be disappointed.

It ends without resolving anything, which I hate even in a series. If you felt betrayed by Connie Willis' Blackout you're going to hate the way this book ends.

The review by Pete Lamonica is basically right on the money.

All that being said I did enjoy the story right up until the ending.

Not what I expected...

If you have read/listened to *every* other Terry Pratchett book, then add this one to your library. Otherwise, don't be in too much of a rush...

There are several things I like about the book: an interesting mechanism to explore the multi-universe theme; a different angle on the origin of Pratchett's trolls and elves; a new incarnation of a Tibetan monk; two or three characters that you find yourself rooting for; etc...

But...

There's less humor and slower pace than you'll find in most Pratchett books. The twists and turns are more externally driven and less character-based. There's more exposition than character development, which leaves me wanting some of the more interesting characters to interact more (and central characters to interact less). For what it was, it could have been half the length.

Of course, this is a joint work, and it may not be fair to bring a Pratchett-specific lens to the book. It may have merits that I missed because I was expecting something else. Still, whereas I would recommend *any* of Pratchett's solo work (or Agnes Nitt), I can't be enthusiastic about this book.

Not Rome, but this road must lead somewhere

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Read this book, but be ready for disappointment. Pratchett and Baxter spend hours putting together a world as novel as only Pratchett can. And Baxter provides all the scientific details you can possibly want. One might get the impression the publishers told them the first book was too long and the authors arbitrarily cut the book, leaving no conclusion.

What about Michael Fenton-Stevens’s performance did you like?

The narration was great. Easily understood with wonderful variety and meter.

Do you think The Long Earth needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

There MUST be a sequel. Thankfully it is in the works. Perhaps wait until the second book is released.

A thousand book ideas in one place...sort of

The authors wrote down every alternate reality they could imagine, an wove it into a story. Big on details, skimpy on plot. But very imaginative.

Great Concept!

Totally loved the concept of the story. The performance was spectacular. Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

Some enjoyable narrative but ...

I found the story dragged along at times. There were interesting story points however it wasn't captivating for me . The narrator was good but not the best I've heard.

Fascinating Concept

The narrator was phenomenal and that can make or break an audiobook. I loved the concept. so many stories are about the world ending due to the lack of resources, world war, natural catastrophe, or poisoning of the earth. This story imagines what the world would be like with endless resources and space to grow. Especially good for anyone interested on anthropology as it examines different scenarios of evolution as they play out on the various worlds. it's a little short on action though and you really have to read multiple books in the series in order to get the story. It ends abruptly giving you no choice but to read on if you want to know how it ends. still, I'd recommend it.

Great book

Adams meets Tolkien. Very enjoyable. Spoilers:::: The book lacks a strong plot, almost as if it is chronicling early explorers. It is wonderful.

Undecided

I'd say the story was interesting, but it didn't really grab me. I can't decide whether I'll continue with the series. I'm not usually a stickler for accents, but the narrator's awful American accents were very distracting to me. It would have been easier to deal with all the American characters having British accents.

1 and 1 could have been 3.

As a long time Baxter and Pratchett fan I looked forward to The Long Earth with curiosity of these two authors styles coming together. The rich character development and biting wit of Pratchett’s fantasy jux-apposed to Baxter's advanced theories and ideas of "Future History" seam extraordinarily destine to meet. The notion of stepping through the multiverse and the social economics effects as well as, "to what purpose" we as humans are here is an extremely compelling discourse. Yet The Long Earth rushes past these opportunities to an end that only leaves you longing for more side trips. Fenton-Stevens performs is a solid read with good character voice definition and a wonderful ability to sing at key parts of the story. I am left wishing it was so much more and grateful for what it is.