The Last Man

By: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Narrated by: Matt Bates, Anna Bentinck, Various

The Last Man is Mary Shelley's apocalyptic fantasy of the end of human civilisation. Set in the late 21st century, the novel unfolds a sombre and pessimistic vision of mankind confronting inevitable destruction.

Interwoven with her futuristic theme, Mary Shelley incorporates idealised portraits of Shelley and Byron, yet rejects Romanticism and its faith in art and nature.

Public Domain (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd

Typical Mary Shelley

Simpering and saccharine descriptions clothe this odd tale. Only the last few chapters are about being the last man. Many of the themes in post apocalyptic literature are here. Glad it's over.

Longer review and advice you didn’t ask for : )

I chose this book because I absolutely fell in love with Frankenstein. Although I admit it is slower at times, remembering the philosophical mind of Shelly and her unique take on weighty subjects, I recommend you have faith in her story telling. + The extra time and depth helps you become attached to the characters.

Honestly, perhaps my biggest take away is normalizing this elevated vocabulary to (try and) adopt myself. So, my advice is that if you find a part dragging or less than your favorite, to tune into Shelly’s language.
It’s probably also a healthy exercise to meditate on values of life in general. You know. If the species were about en route to extinction and we needed to reprioritize.

Ultimately, realizing that the beginning captures normal life and the cadences of civilization/society gives contrast/weight/color to the severity of the plague I think Mary Shelly succeeded in her depiction of a memoir tied to the end of humankind.

A great book, with a great story.

Both the story and narrator were interesting and engaging. I really cannot say too much good about this book.
I know some people would see this as a long story, but I never was bored or hoping it would hurry up and get somewhere.

My best advice would be just try it for yourself.

I am definitely going to look for more books by Mary Shelly (Frankenstein is her only other book that I have read), and more books narrated by Matt Bates. He really brought the book alive and made it feel like I was listening to a real person tell their story.

I'm a sucker for Mary Shelley

The dreaded epidemic foreshadowed by the title doesn't happen until halfway through. So ya gotta love all the philosophy & romantic ideals & character development (of the men. women aren't allowed to have big ideas....but of course these ARE a woman's ideas). What an interesting 21st century she creates.

No Future

No future that you would want. Brilliant narrator and writing of this this dim future.