The Long Utopia
(The Long Earth 4)
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4.2 • 25 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
'Rich in an awe-inspiring sense of wonder' Independent
'A hymn to the joys of unfettered world-building' Guardian
2045-2059. After the cataclysmic upheavals of Step Day and the Yellowstone eruption humanity is spreading further into the Long Earth, and society, on a battered Datum Earth and beyond, continues to evolve.
Now an elderly and cantankerous A.I., Lobsang lives in disguise with Agnes in an exotic, far-distant world. He’s convinced they’re leading a normal life in New Springfield – they even adopt a child – but it seems they have been guided there for a reason. As rumours of strange sightings and hauntings proliferate, it becomes clear that something is very awry with this particular world.
Millions of steps away, Joshua is on a personal journey of discovery: learning about the father he never knew and a secret family history. But then he receives a summons from New Springfield. Lobsang now understands the enormity of what’s taking place beneath the surface of his earth – a threat to all the worlds of the Long Earth.
To counter this threat will require the combined efforts of humankind, machine and the super-intelligent Next. And some must make the ultimate sacrifice . . .
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The Long Utopia is the fourth 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
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The fourth installment of Baxter and the late Pratchett's ambitious Long Earth saga (after The Long Mars) makes it clear that their imagination and world-building know no limits. In the years since the Yellowstone eruption devastated the original Earth, humans have spread out across the millions of parallel worlds known as the Long Earth, taking advantage of ample resources and near-infinite room. The AI Lobsang has faked his death and now lives a simple life on Earth West 1,217,756 along with his partner, Agnes, and their adopted son. However, that idyllic world hides a bizarre secret: metallic alien bugs have infiltrated from a previously unknown location and are steadily destroying the planet. Lobsang, along with old friends Joshua Valiente and Sally Linsay, must find a way to stop them before the entire Long Earth is imperiled. Despite the epic scope and attention to scientific detail, the authors never lose sight of the human touch even if that human is an AI. Even so, the text is infused with an introspective air of loss, undermining the story's ultimate impact.
Customer Reviews
The Long Utopia
Great series, spell binding from book 1 to the latest book. Time spent reading this series is time well spent.
The long potential
The great thing about this book, and this series of books, is the absolutely unlimited potential for intricate plots, characters, races, civilizations, technologies, and other mind candy.
The sad thing about the books is their unfailing failure to live up to this potential.
The best thing that could happen is that the surviving writer might partner up with a creative team of thinkers and (talented) writers: this in order to capitalize on the limitless opportunities for zizzle-zazzle brain candy that the "long" concept allows for.
Movies? Bring them on.