Reading Long Earth by Pratchett & Baxter

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Reading Long Earth by Pratchett & Baxter

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1triciareads55
Apr 24, 2014, 12:10 pm

Humans have found a way into the multiverse (a potato is used). There are no humans on any alternate Earth and people are colonizing them. Joshua Valienté (a natural 'Stepper') and Lobsang, who claims to be a Tibetan motorcycle repairman reincarnated as an Artificial intelligence, set out to chart the other Earths. On their journeys they find that creatures had evolved differently. They also find evidence of a great danger.

I'd love to talk about this book. I am a fan of both Pratchett and Baxter.

2EnidaV
Apr 24, 2014, 3:21 pm

I love Terry Pratchett! I haven't read this one yet but I will now, pronto. Is it the start of a trilogy or series, or a stand-alone?

3TimSharrock
Apr 24, 2014, 5:48 pm

it is the first of three (the third is due out soon). It is not a "standard" Pratchett...

4RobertDay
Apr 25, 2014, 8:43 am

It's the start of a series with the potential to carry on for as long as they can find people to write it, really...

My review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/edit/88425878?editreview=1&referpage=https:...

(Don't think there's any spoilers in it - there aren't too many plot reveals to spoil!)

Since I wrote that, I've heard that Pratchett's daughter - herself rapidly becoming a very respected video games writer - has said that she intends to carry on his writing.

5reading_fox
Modificato: Apr 25, 2014, 9:16 am

>2 EnidaV: - I found it very much more a Baxter novel, with a few little moments or concepts from Pratchett thrown in. I don't much like those of Baxter's that I have read and found this very disappointing. My full review is Here

In summary not much plot, some shocking internal consistency errors: "Although there are plenty of opportunities he doesn't have a relationship with anyone, barely speaks a lot of the time, an is happy just studying the Silence. Although believable as a character this is very boring tor read about. The worlds themselves are remarkably earth-like, consisting mostly of forest. Again probably true, but boring to read about. I'd happily take a little less verisimilitude and a bit more imagination"

6EnidaV
Apr 27, 2014, 8:58 pm

Hmm. Well, you 2 seem to have 2 different opinions about the book. I'll buy it anyway as I'm sure most Pratchett fans will - not only because we love his writing and are desperate for any scrap of it but also because buying the book feels like a gesture of support for Pratchett. Even though I know he has loads of money.

It would be lovely if his daughter could continue his writing but could anyone really match his inspired lunacy?

7wifilibrarian
Apr 28, 2014, 7:41 pm

I thought it was okay. I had never read a Pratchett novel, and only a couple of Baxter's. I don't know if the quirky characters were more Pratchett's but maybe I'm not the right reader for his books. Another Baxter novel Manifold: Origin had a similar concept with multiple earths, that I enjoyed more.

I read the second book but I think it went downhill. Good concept, but it all felt a bit pointless.

>1 triciareads55: so are you enjoying it?

8triciareads55
Mag 1, 2014, 12:23 pm

I have read some of Pratchett's books and found them very entertaining because of his quirky humor. I must admit I have not read any Baxter books. There are some Prachettisms in Long Earth, which rated a smirk or two, but overall not as well done, but it is a collaboration after all.

My overwhelming response to this book is one of boredom. Its characters are created and then just dropped, the pacing at one point is painfully slow, and the climax fell flat. If you read Deathly Hallows by Rowling and went along for the "longest camping trip ever," you will get a sense of what I mean. Yes, there are 2 other books and this one may have just be the set-up for the others, but I think it was poorly planned.

Another quibble - I did not feel that the creatures found on the other Earths were too imaginative.

So, I am going back to a full blown Pratchett, Dodger, and have a gay old time.

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