If you only know Mary Shelley as the creator of Frankenstein, get ready for a surprise. 'The Last Man' is a completely different kind of haunting.

The Story

The book is set in the late 21st century. Lionel Verney, our narrator, starts as an outsider but finds friendship and purpose in a world of advanced technology and global politics. Then, a mysterious and unstoppable plague emerges. Society fractures as the disease spreads. We watch through Lionel's eyes as leaders fall, cities empty, and hope dies. The story follows the dwindling group of survivors, including Lionel, as they travel across a Europe being reclaimed by nature, searching for others who might have made it. The central question isn't about curing the plague, but about finding meaning when you might be the final witness to humanity.

Why You Should Read It

This book floored me with its emotional punch. Written after Shelley lost her husband Percy and several close friends, you can feel her grief on every page. It's not a fast-paced action thriller about the end of the world. It's a slow, thoughtful, and devastating character study. Lionel's loneliness isn't scary in a monster-under-the-bed way; it's a deep, existential sadness that sits with you. Shelley's imagination in predicting things like air travel and global pandemics is also shockingly sharp for 1826.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love thoughtful, character-driven sci-fi and don't mind a slower, more philosophical pace. If you enjoyed the loneliness of novels like 'Station Eleven' or 'I Am Legend', you'll find their grand, sorrowful ancestor here. It's a challenging, melancholic, and ultimately unforgettable read about love, loss, and the fragile mark we leave on the world.