diff --git a/rest_framework/generics.py b/rest_framework/generics.py
index a6f686571..aeaabc14c 100644
--- a/rest_framework/generics.py
+++ b/rest_framework/generics.py
@@ -120,6 +120,29 @@ class GenericAPIView(views.APIView):
         context = self.get_serializer_context()
         return pagination_serializer_class(instance=page, context=context)
 
+    def parse_page_number(self):
+        """
+        Parse request parameters and return a valid integer
+        page number.
+
+        Additionally it, parses "last" shortcut and returns -1
+        when it's received.
+
+        In case of invalid data received, ParseError is raised.
+        """
+
+        page_kwarg = self.kwargs.get(self.page_kwarg)
+        page_query_param = self.request.QUERY_PARAMS.get(self.page_kwarg)
+        page = page_kwarg or page_query_param or 1
+
+        if page == "last":
+            page = -1
+
+        try:
+            return int(page)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            raise exceptions.ParseError(_("Page is not 'last', nor can it be converted to an int."))
+
     def paginate_queryset(self, queryset, page_size=None):
         """
         Paginate a queryset if required, either returning a page object,
@@ -151,16 +174,11 @@ class GenericAPIView(views.APIView):
 
         paginator = self.paginator_class(queryset, page_size,
                                          allow_empty_first_page=self.allow_empty)
-        page_kwarg = self.kwargs.get(self.page_kwarg)
-        page_query_param = self.request.QUERY_PARAMS.get(self.page_kwarg)
-        page = page_kwarg or page_query_param or 1
-        try:
-            page_number = paginator.validate_number(page)
-        except InvalidPage:
-            if page == 'last':
-                page_number = paginator.num_pages
-            else:
-                raise Http404(_("Page is not 'last', nor can it be converted to an int."))
+
+        page_number = self.parse_page_number()
+        if page_number == -1:
+            page_number = paginator.num_pages
+
         try:
             page = paginator.page(page_number)
         except InvalidPage as exc: