Overview

In the mid-nineteenth century, the mountainous kingdom of Tibet is closed to outsiders. As European powers scramble for global dominance, this only increases the allure of this mysterious territory. Two of those looking to undertake the treacherous journey across Tibet are Balram, an Indian schoolteacher, and Katherine, a fifty-year-old British explorer. He is hired as a guide to an ambitious British surveyor; she intends to be the first European woman to reach Lhasa, home to the legendary Potala Palace. But both have more complex motivations for their expeditions, and as their secrets snap at their heels they encounter the same mysterious figure: a stranger who may hold the key to their survival.  Drawn from the real-life experiences of Indian and British explorers, and written in spellbinding prose, The Last of Earth is a richly historical novel about the nuances and prejudices of the past, and the enduring power of friendship.

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9781836432401

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Reviews

'Riveting... Exquisitely written and carefully plotted, this book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel 'Deepa Anappara has walked beyond the edges of history to craft this astounding and necessary novel.' Tsering Yangzom Lama, author of We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies 'A bold and expressive work of storytelling... Lovers of romance and adventure will be carried away by its powerful dramatic currents, students of history will savour the texture of the region’s storied past.' Daniel Light, author of The White Ladder 'A bold retelling of stories of imperial adventurers who crossed in disguise into mid-nineteenth century Tibet... An astonishingly gripping novel.' Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, author of Coming Home to Tibet: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Belonging 'The Last of Earth rewards those who linger to appreciate its masterful evocation of time and place... This deeply considered and powerful novel showcases Anappara's immense storytelling prowess. A delightful book to savour!' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring 

'Imagined with heart-stopping precision and breathtaking scope, The Last of Earth cuts a bold path for a new vision of history and humanity through a story full of big, old-fashioned adventure... A suspenseful odyssey that will remake how its readers understand time, power, and love.' V. V. Ganeshananthan, author of Brotherless Night 'Riveting... Exquisitely written and carefully plotted, this book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel 'Deepa Anappara has walked beyond the edges of history to craft this astounding and necessary novel.' Tsering Yangzom Lama, author of We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies 'A bold and expressive work of storytelling... Lovers of romance and adventure will be carried away by its powerful dramatic currents, students of history will savour the texture of the region’s storied past.' Daniel Light, author of The White Ladder 'A bold retelling of stories of imperial adventurers who crossed in disguise into mid-nineteenth century Tibet... An astonishingly gripping novel.' Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, author of Coming Home to Tibet: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Belonging 'A thrilling and profound tale of secret personal ambition set against the backdrop of colonialist expansion. A proper page-turner.' BBC, '12 books you need to read in 2026' 'The Last of Earth rewards those who linger to appreciate its masterful evocation of time and place... This deeply considered and powerful novel showcases Anappara's immense storytelling prowess. A delightful book to savour!' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring  'With its focus on imperial dynamics, personal ambition and the encounters between local and foreign perspectives, the book is positioned as a compelling addition to 2026 historical fiction books for readers drawn to richly detailed, adventurous narratives.' Tatler Asia 'The Last of Earth turns the colonial venture on its head — an Indian man mapping for empire, an English woman defying it... A bold, beautiful book that remaps both the world and the heart. Daring, poetic, and profound.' Ruchira Gupta, author of I Kick and I Fly 'An epic story about land, selfhood, intimacy and the psychic damage of colonialism… A deep, profound narrative with many layers of meaning, emotion and history.' Rebecca Tamás, author of Strangers 'Anappara pulls off a fresh mix of spooky folklore and intense naturalism, as in scenes where Balram's ever-dwindling crew of bearers succumb to the elements, leading to a power struggle between Balram and the captain. It’s an accomplished tale.' Publishers Weekly 'With its dramatic setting of the Himalayan landscape and its two distinct main characters, The Last of Earth offers a story that will feel fresh to historical fiction readers.' BookPage

'Deepa Anappara has walked beyond the edges of history to craft this astounding and necessary novel.' Tsering Yangzom Lama, author of We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies 'Riveting... Exquisitely written and carefully plotted, this book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel 'A bold retelling of stories of imperial adventurers who crossed in disguise into mid-nineteenth century Tibet... An astonishingly gripping novel.' Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, author of Coming Home to Tibet: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Belonging 'The Last of Earth rewards those who linger to appreciate its masterful evocation of time and place... This deeply considered and powerful novel showcases Anappara's immense storytelling prowess. A delightful book to savour!' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring 

'Imagined with heart-stopping precision and breathtaking scope, The Last of Earth cuts a bold path for a new vision of history and humanity through a story full of big, old-fashioned adventure... A suspenseful odyssey that will remake how its readers understand time, power, and love.' V. V. Ganeshananthan, author of Brotherless Night 'Riveting... Exquisitely written and carefully plotted, this book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel 'Deepa Anappara has walked beyond the edges of history to craft this astounding and necessary novel.' Tsering Yangzom Lama, author of We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies 'A bold and expressive work of storytelling... Lovers of romance and adventure will be carried away by its powerful dramatic currents, students of history will savour the texture of the region’s storied past.' Daniel Light, author of The White Ladder 'A bold retelling of stories of imperial adventurers who crossed in disguise into mid-nineteenth century Tibet... An astonishingly gripping novel.' Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, author of Coming Home to Tibet: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Belonging 'The Last of Earth rewards those who linger to appreciate its masterful evocation of time and place... This deeply considered and powerful novel showcases Anappara's immense storytelling prowess. A delightful book to savour!' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring 

Author Information

Deepa Anappara’s debut novel, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, was named as one of the best books of the year by the New York Times, Washington Post, Time, Guardian and NPR. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Indian literature. It has been translated into over twenty languages. Anappara is the co-editor of Letters to a Writer of Color, a collection of personal essays on fiction, race, and culture. The Last of Earth is her second novel.

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