The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Fiction, Classics

Name: The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Fiction, Classics
Price: 25.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Mary Shelley
ISBN: 9781598184181

✍️ Mary Shelley

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Shelley's 1826 apocalyptic novel about the final days of humanity after a plague.

The narrative begins with a visit to Naples in 1818. The protagonist uncovers prophetic writings that reveal the fate of the world. These texts detail the decline of society due to disease. The story weaves together historical figures from Shelley's personal life. Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron appear as characters within this fictional framework. The plot moves toward the inevitable end of the human race. This approach blends biography with speculative fiction. The work stands apart from Shelley's earlier success. It offers a somber view of mortality and loss. The 2008 film adaptation brought new attention to these events. Readers interested in the intersection of personal history and global catastrophe will find this text compelling. The prose reflects the romantic era's concerns about human fragility.

Key Themes

Literary Context

Shelley wrote this work in 1826. It faced harsh reviews initially. The novel remained obscure until scholars revived interest in the 1960s. This period saw a reevaluation of her contributions to classic fiction beyond Frankenstein.

Mary Shelley

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Gothic

🏛 Alan Rodgers Books 📅 2005 🌐 English 📔 Paperback 📐 Book ISBN: 9781598184181

📝 Description: The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Fiction, Classics

Mary Shelley wrote The Last Man in 1826. This apocalyptic novel uses a first person narrative to describe humanity facing extinction after a devastating plague. The story is set at the end of the twenty-first century. The protagonist claims to have woven this tale from prophetic writings found in a cave near Naples. The text includes semi-biographical portraits of figures in Shelley's circle. These characters notably include her late husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. The book was harshly reviewed when it first appeared. It remained unknown until a scholarly revival occurred in the 1960s. This edition presents the classic fiction for modern readers who enjoy gothic and supernatural themes. Fans of Frankenstein will find this work familiar in its dark tone. Readers seeking lighthearted adventure may prefer other genres. The narrative structure relies on the discovery of ancient texts to frame the final days of the world. Alan Rodgers Books published this version in 2005. The volume contains 376 pages. It carries the ISBN 9781598184181. This edition allows readers to explore a unique perspective on the end of civilization through Shelley's distinct literary voice.