The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett is set in a place which distinctly resembles Australia, but this is the Discworld so it is actually the continent of Fourecks. Fourecks is dry, so dry that rain is considered a myth rather than a reality. It’s also a place where most of the animals, and a fair number of the plants, are vicious and desire to kill humans. Into this desolate land comes Rincewind, the world’s most inept and cowardly wizard.
Rincewind is one of the author’s recurring characters but you don’t have to have read any of the previous novels to enjoy his adventures here. It turns out that his entry into the continent has put the whole world in peril and it is Rincewind’s job to save it. But Rincewind doesn’t want to be a hero and so he stumbles from one situation to another, trying to save his life. Rincewind is also followed by the Luggage – a vicious trunk on legs who serves only to complicate matters.
The wizards of the Unseen University are also in trouble and they becomes stranded in the prehistoric past whilst looking for a cure for the malady affecting their Librarian, who is currently an orangutang. Accompanying them is their housekeeper, Mrs Whitlow, which allows the author to explore the concept of sex and wizards
The author uses the location of this story to poke a lot of fun at Australian stereotypes and, in doing so, at our current world and cultural cliches. It’s satire and also amusing. The Rincewind books are not my favourite of this author’s creations but I enjoyed this book a lot.
