* One of BBC's '12 books you need to read in 2026' *
From the Women's Prize-longlisted author of Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line comes a stunning historical novel about two outsiders who 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, an infuriating obstacle to Europeans racing to expand their empires. In response, Britain begins training Indians – permitted to cross borders that white men may not – to undertake illicit, perilous expeditions within Tibet.
Balram is one such surveyor-spy, recruited to guide an English captain on a foolhardy mission. His path will soon cross with that of another unlikely explorer, Katherine. Fleeing a life of frustrated ambition, belittled by her male peers, Katherine has a plan to secure her legacy as the first European woman to reach Lhasa and the legendary Potala Palace.
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 the colonial enterprise, and the ways we endeavour to leave a mark on the world.
About the Author :
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 Colour, a collection of personal essays on fiction, race, and culture. The Last of Earth is her second novel.
Review :
'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
