Ugh, oh the nerds are going to kill me, I really did not care for this book. I loved the idea of this book. It's set in a not-so-distant-future Earth. The premise is that our Earth (Datum Earth) is just one of a million earths. Each accessible to humans who build steppers (a portable gadget powered by a potato). Joshua our hero is a young man that can step without a stepper, a somewhat rare skill. This brings him to the attention of the Black Corporation who hires him to lead an expedition to the outer reaches of the earths. His point of contact at the Black Corporation is Lobsang, a reincarnated Tibetan motorcycle repairman, whose soul just happens to be inside computer chip because computer chips look an awful lot like brains to a disembodied soul interested in reincarnation. It is this ludicrous wit that is the saving grace of The Long Earth.
This story stretched my imagination regarding the concept of new exploration and possibilities on Earth. What ownership would mean, what pioneering is possible. However, I was let down with a dull plot line and a fizzy ending.
I would recommend this book … to folks that enjoy Sir Terry's mastery of dialogue and maybe even folks who enjoy books on exploration (thinking Lewis and Clark here).
