The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara

The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara

A STUNNING HISTORICAL NOVEL FROM WOMEN'S PRIZE LONGLISTED AUTHOR

* One of BBC's '12 books you need to read in 2026'

* A Guardian Book of the Day

* A BookBub 'Best Historical Fiction of 2026' selection

Two outsiders venture into the Forbidden Kingdom of Tibet, both driven by a motive they are desperate to keep secret…

In 1869, the mountainous territory of Tibet is closed to foreigners. Balram is an Indian guide recruited to lead an English Captain on an illegal and foolhardy expedition within Tibet. Katherine, fleeing a life of frustrated ambition, is determined to become the first European woman to reach Lhasa.

The two of them cross paths on their long, treacherous journeys. As they battle to survive, Balram and Katherine face storms and bandits, snow leopards and soldiers, fevers and frostbite. But nothing is more dangerous than the secrets that snap at their heels, in this unforgettable story about the obsessions of empire and the lengths we go to in pursuit of legacy.

‘An epic, perilous odyssey.'Guardian

'Riveting... This book is a triumph.' Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel

'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 

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. Anappara is the co-editor of Letters to a Writer of Colour, a collection of personal essays on fiction, race, and culture. The Last of Earth is her second novel.