The Last of Earth

‘Outlaws, spies, explorers, and colonialists all collide for a work as epic as its mountainous setting (and just as breath-taking).’ Crime Reads

'Riveting... Exquisitely written and carefully plotted, this book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel

'Compelling... An old-fashioned tale of adventure and a contemporary exploration of imperialism and the West's encounters with other societies.' The Times

'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

'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

'Bleak and beautiful, with such strong characterisation, the pace of a thriller yet very profound in terms of the questions it raises and the thoughts that lingered with me long after I’d finished reading.' Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange 

'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

'The landscape of Tibet...is the most powerful player in Deepa Anappara's The Last of Earth, constantly foiling the plans of its desperate human characters… The narrative proceeds along two occasionally intersecting paths… Over the next few months, each character comes to acknowledge "the illusory nature of what the mind deemed real." Not to mention the illusory nature of human aspirations.' New York Times

‘An epic, perilous odyssey… The Last of Earth is scrupulous in its excavation of our spooky, imperfect pasts… Anappara has shown that history, too, is often not what it seems; it is a living thing, which, when recast in a different light – a novelist’s light – can offer a renewal of sorts.’ Guardian, Book of the Day

‘Anappara pulls off a fresh mix of spooky folklore and intense naturalism... An accomplished tale.’ Publishers Weekly

'Anappara has such a compelling story to tell and such important ideas to communicate that her lucid, transparent prose feels just perfect.' Irish Times

'Anappara’s prose captures both the sublime majesty and brutal indifference of the Himalayan landscape...Anappara refuses easy heroism, instead offering a layered exploration of obsession, complicity and survival in a world shaped by power.' Voice magazine