The Long Earth
(Long Earth 1)
📘 About This Book
THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'A triumph' Independent 'Literary alchemy' SFX 1916: the Western Front. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong, and the wind in the leaves in the trees. Where has the mud, blood and blasted landscape of No Man's Land gone? 2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Cop Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive (some said mad, others dangerous) scientist when she finds a curious gadget - a box containing some wiring, a three-way switch and a...potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way Mankind views his world for ever. And that is an understatement if ever there was one... ____________________ This is the first novel in the Long Earth series. 'The Long Earth series deserves a place on the bookshelves of hardcore SF fans and general readers alike' Independent on Sunday
📖 Summary
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett is a work of fiction published in 2012 that spans 353 pages and introduces readers to a reality-altering concept that changes humanity forever. The story opens across two very different periods. In 1916 on the Western Front, Private Percy Blakeney suddenly wakes up lying on fresh spring grass, surrounded by birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the trees. The horrific mud, blood, and blasted landscape of No Man's Land have completely vanished. Nearly a century later in 2015, in Madison, Wisconsin, a police officer named Monica Jansson is investigating the burned-out home of a reclusive scientist who was labeled by some as mad and by others as dangerous. Inside the ruined house, she discovers a curious gadget consisting of simple wiring, a three-way switch, and a potato. This unassuming device turns out to be the prototype of an invention that will forever transform how mankind views and interacts with the world. This novel serves as the thrilling first installment in the Long Earth series, blending historical oddities with speculative science fiction to explore endless new frontiers and alternate versions of our planet. As humanity begins to grasp the implications of stepping sideways into infinite parallel worlds, society faces unprecedented challenges, boundless opportunities, and philosophical questions about existence, ownership, and exploration. The narrative weaves together diverse elements of human nature against a backdrop of limitless geographical expansion, inviting readers to contemplate a universe where the familiar earth is merely the starting point of an infinite journey. Through inventive storytelling and thought-provoking scenarios, the book establishes a rich tapestry of discovery that captivates the imagination from the trenches of history to the edge of an unbounded cosmos.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Fascinating and original premise about parallel worlds
Engaging opening blending history with speculative fiction
Strong and intriguing central mystery involving the inventor
Sets up an expansive and epic series
⚠️ Cons
May leave readers wanting immediate answers due to its setup nature
Pacing is deliberate as it establishes a vast new universe
✍️ About the Author
Terry Pratchett (1948-2015) was an English author celebrated for the 'Discworld' series, a satirical fantasy saga spanning over 40 novels known for its wit, social commentary, and inventive world-building.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of The Long Earth? +
The book was written by Terry Pratchett.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 2012.
How many pages does the book have? +
The novel has 353 pages.
What is the main premise of the invention found in the story? +
It is a prototype device made with a potato and a switch that alters how mankind views the world.
Is this part of a series? +
Yes, this is the first novel in the Long Earth series.
