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The Last Man

The Last Man

ClassicsDystopian
Pages
452
Published
2014
Language
English

Synopsis

Mary Shelley's 1826 novel imagines a future where a devastating plague has wiped out most of humanity. Told from the perspective of the last survivor, it's a story of loss and the struggle to endure in a world utterly changed. The narrative begins with the discovery of ancient writings that foretell this grim future.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

SadMelancholicDarkThought-ProvokingReflective
SurvivalReluctant Hero

Genres

Classics Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Literary Fiction Fantasy

About the author

M
Mary Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was a British novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus (1818). She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. ([Source][1].) [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_...

Characters

All characters in The Last Man

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this book a roman à clef?

    The novel functions as a roman à clef, featuring characters modeled after the author's real-life social circle, including her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friend Lord Byron.

  • What inspired the writing of this novel?

    The book was written during a period of profound personal loss for the author, following the deaths of her husband and several close friends, and it reflects her own experiences with grief and isolation.

  • How does the structure of the narrative change?

    The story shifts significantly in tone and scope at the start of the second volume, moving from its initial focus on political and social dynamics to the apocalyptic plague narrative.