The Last Man

The Last Man

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date: 09/01/2025

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"The Last Man" follows the life of Lionel Verney, who narrates the story. In a future world devastated by a plague, Lionel, along with a small group of survivors, navigates the desolate landscape and faces the challenges of a dying society.As the title suggests, the novel explores the theme of isolation and loneliness. Lionel, who becomes known as the last man on Earth, reflects on the fragility of human existence and contemplates his own role in this post-apocalyptic world. Shelley delves into themes of mortality, human nature, and the implications of societal collapse."The Last Man" also serves as a platform for Shelley's political and philosophical ideas. It reflects her disillusionment with the state of society and her critique of political systems, aristocracy, and the abuse of power. The novel portrays the decline of civilization and offers a bleak vision of humanity's fate.While "The Last Man" received mixed reviews upon its release and was not as well-received as Shelley's earlier work, it has gained more recognition in recent years for its exploration of existential themes and its relevance to contemporary concerns, such as environmental issues and the potential consequences of human actions.Overall, "The Last Man" stands as a thought-provoking work that combines elements of science fiction, social commentary, and personal reflection. It showcases Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's literary talent and her ability to tackle profound ideas through imaginative storytelling.

ISBN:
9789358856415
9789358856415
Category:
Adventure
Format:
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date:
09-01-2025
Language:
English
Publisher:
Zinc Read
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The childhood of Mary Shelley (1797 – 1851), sounds rather like a dark fairy-tale. Her mother died giving birth to her and she was brought up by a remote father and a step-mother who hated her. Her step-sister was a depressive and later committed suicide and Mary had little in common with her step-brother or her half-brother. As a young girl, she escaped into books and would often read by the side of her mother's tomb.

In 1813 Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was only twenty-one but was already unhappily married. He was destined to be one of the geniuses of English poetry. The two fell in love and eloped, despite Mary's age. Her father, William Godwin, disowned her, but still she and Shelley were married in 1816. They settled in Italy but tragedy seemed to follow them. Only one of their four children lived very long and then, in 1822, when he was just thirty, Shelley was drowned. Mary lived for another thirty years but she lost the promise that she had shown in the company of her brilliant husband and his friends, such as the poet Lord Byron. The single book that we remember her for belonged to her happy time in Italy.

It was Byron who suggested in 1817, that they each write a horror story. The result in Mary's case, was Frankenstein. As well as being creepier than most other books in the genre, Frankenstein has a far better story-line and is in the end, both moving and tragic. Amazingly, a young girl of twenty gave us the book whose name has become synonymous with horror.

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