When a giant wave destroys his entire Nation, Mau finds himself totally alone. Until he meets Daphne, daughter of a colonial Governor and the sole survivor from a shipwreck. They have no common language, no common culture - but together they discover some remarkable things - like how to milk a pig and why spitting in beer is a good idea. Then other survivors arrive on the island, and not all of them are friendly... In Nation Pratchett bring us a novel that is both witty and wise, encompassing themes of death and nationhood, while also being extremely funny.