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The Last Town on Earth
A town under quarantine during the 1918 flu epidemic must reckon with forces beyond their control in a powerful, sweeping novel of morality in a time of upheaval
“An American variation on Albert Camus’ The Plague .”— Chicago Tribune
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY USA TODAY AND CHICAGO TRIBUNE • WINNER OF THE JAMES FENIMORE COOPER PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
Deep in the mist-shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest is a small mill town called Commonwealth, conceived as a haven for workers weary of exploitation. For Philip Worthy, the adopted son of the town’s founder, it is a haven in another sense—as the first place in his life he’s had a loving family to call his own.
And yet, the ideals that define this outpost are being threatened from all sides. A world war is raging, and with the fear of spies rampant, the loyalty of all Americans is coming under scrutiny. Meanwhile, another shadow has fallen across the region in the form of a deadly virus striking down vast swaths of surrounding communities.
When Commonwealth votes to quarantine itself against contagion, guards are posted at the single road leading in and out of town, and Philip Worthy is among them. He will be unlucky enough to be on duty when a cold, hungry, tired—and apparently ill—soldier presents himself at the town’s doorstep begging for sanctuary. The encounter that ensues, and the shots that are fired, will have deafening reverberations throughout Commonwealth, escalating until every human value—love, patriotism, community, family, friendship—not to mention the town’s very survival, is imperiled.
Inspired by a little-known historical footnote regarding towns that quarantined themselves during the 1918 epidemic, The Last Town on Earth is a remarkably moving and accomplished debut.
“An American variation on Albert Camus’ The Plague .”— Chicago Tribune
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY USA TODAY AND CHICAGO TRIBUNE • WINNER OF THE JAMES FENIMORE COOPER PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
Deep in the mist-shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest is a small mill town called Commonwealth, conceived as a haven for workers weary of exploitation. For Philip Worthy, the adopted son of the town’s founder, it is a haven in another sense—as the first place in his life he’s had a loving family to call his own.
And yet, the ideals that define this outpost are being threatened from all sides. A world war is raging, and with the fear of spies rampant, the loyalty of all Americans is coming under scrutiny. Meanwhile, another shadow has fallen across the region in the form of a deadly virus striking down vast swaths of surrounding communities.
When Commonwealth votes to quarantine itself against contagion, guards are posted at the single road leading in and out of town, and Philip Worthy is among them. He will be unlucky enough to be on duty when a cold, hungry, tired—and apparently ill—soldier presents himself at the town’s doorstep begging for sanctuary. The encounter that ensues, and the shots that are fired, will have deafening reverberations throughout Commonwealth, escalating until every human value—love, patriotism, community, family, friendship—not to mention the town’s very survival, is imperiled.
Inspired by a little-known historical footnote regarding towns that quarantined themselves during the 1918 epidemic, The Last Town on Earth is a remarkably moving and accomplished debut.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
492 people are currently reading
6468 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Mullen
19 books827 followersThomas Mullen is the author of Darktown, an NPR Best Book of the Year, which has been shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, the Indies Choice Book Award, has been nominated for two Crime Writers Assocation Dagger Awards, and is being developed for television by Sony Pictures with executive producer Jamie Foxx; The Last Town on Earth, which was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in historical fiction; The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers; and The Revisionists. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,172 reviews
June 22, 2021
3.5⭐
I really enjoy the storyline. It's a pandemic historical fiction, a little repetitive at parts but entertaining.
The book pulled me in right away with a lumbermill community nestled in deep evergreen woods and tall Douglas fir. Commonwealth is located northeast of Seattle with self-imposed quarantine from the 1918 flu. Unlike other flu, this one seems to take people in their prime. Commonwealth has armed volunteers who guard the perimeter against outsiders. At the same time, there's the Great War going on. I like how the story explores human behavior and was surprisingly enjoyable without being a thriller.
The audio read by Henry Strozier is really good and available from Hoopla through my public library.
I really enjoy the storyline. It's a pandemic historical fiction, a little repetitive at parts but entertaining.
The book pulled me in right away with a lumbermill community nestled in deep evergreen woods and tall Douglas fir. Commonwealth is located northeast of Seattle with self-imposed quarantine from the 1918 flu. Unlike other flu, this one seems to take people in their prime. Commonwealth has armed volunteers who guard the perimeter against outsiders. At the same time, there's the Great War going on. I like how the story explores human behavior and was surprisingly enjoyable without being a thriller.
The audio read by Henry Strozier is really good and available from Hoopla through my public library.
March 2, 2019
Story of a small town in the Pacific Northwest during the influenza epidemic of 1916. The founders and inhabitants of the town of Commonwealth decided to quarantine itself in an effort to keep the flu from entering the town.
The quarantine affects many of the people in different ways. During the guarding of the town, Graham, shoots and kills a soldier that tries to enter the town. This deeply affects Phillip, his young fellow guard who has looked up to Graham in the past.
In the end the influenza reaches the town and many of its inhabitants fall victim. Young Phillip is blamed as he let another soldier stay in an outbuilding at the edge of town. In the end the true story of the soldiers is told which is completely different than what everyone had thought. The reason for the flu invading the town, which you will discover, is somewhat predictable but still so very sad.
All in all a very good book, character driven novel with interesting historical detail.
The quarantine affects many of the people in different ways. During the guarding of the town, Graham, shoots and kills a soldier that tries to enter the town. This deeply affects Phillip, his young fellow guard who has looked up to Graham in the past.
In the end the influenza reaches the town and many of its inhabitants fall victim. Young Phillip is blamed as he let another soldier stay in an outbuilding at the edge of town. In the end the true story of the soldiers is told which is completely different than what everyone had thought. The reason for the flu invading the town, which you will discover, is somewhat predictable but still so very sad.
All in all a very good book, character driven novel with interesting historical detail.
July 5, 2021
Written in 2006, this work of historical fiction is, in some small ways, eerily similar to events happening today.
Set in the Pacific Northwest in 1918, the residents of a small logging town attempt to keep the influenza epidemic from spreading into their community. They decide to self quarantine by blocking entry (and exit) and posting armed guards at the one road leading into town.
However, as the epidemic spreads in the surrounding area and war rages in Europe, the residents face challenges they never expected. When a wounded soldier approaches the town asking for food and shelter, a chain of events unfolds with dire consequences.
This is a dark, brooding story and as tension builds, there are some violent incidents so it may not appeal to all readers.
Set in the Pacific Northwest in 1918, the residents of a small logging town attempt to keep the influenza epidemic from spreading into their community. They decide to self quarantine by blocking entry (and exit) and posting armed guards at the one road leading into town.
However, as the epidemic spreads in the surrounding area and war rages in Europe, the residents face challenges they never expected. When a wounded soldier approaches the town asking for food and shelter, a chain of events unfolds with dire consequences.
This is a dark, brooding story and as tension builds, there are some violent incidents so it may not appeal to all readers.
April 7, 2020
4-l/2 Stars. My timing in reading this excellent story could not have been better. The townspeople of a small community have posted guards and quarantined their town during the flu of 1918. The on-going war and the ensuing conscientious objectors all provide an exciting and well written novel.
January 5, 2015
Working in a cube farm, I dread the cold & flu season because you’re surrounded by hacking, sneezing, phlegm-filled germ factories who insist on coming to work and spreading their misery because they don’t want to burn their sick days on ‘just a cold’. I’ve often thought that we should set up some kind of quarantine zone in the building and make any of the infected go there and work so that the rest of us may be spared. After reading The Last Town on Earth, I’m torn between thinking that it’s a bad idea or that we should post armed guards to keep the sickies out of the break room.
Thomas Mullen took the 1918 flu epidemic that killed millions and has built a fictional story about one town’s response to the threat. Commonwealth is a logging town built by a man who turned his back on his rich and ruthless family to start a mill where he could prove that workers could be treated decently and still turn a profit. He and his wife, a political activist for women’s and workers' rights, have helped build a community in the woods that has attracted many loggers who have been the victims of unfair labor practices and violent strike breakers. Commonwealth is just starting to run in the black, mainly due to the increase in lumber demand from the government after the U.S. entry into World War I.
However, when the deadly flu breaks out in neighboring towns, the leaders and citizens of Commonwealth decide that they’ll quarantine themselves since no one is sick and they’re already isolated. Anyone can leave, but no one will be allowed to enter until the flu has run its course. Armed guards are posted to prevent anyone from entering the town. It’s seems like a simple and straight forward plan, but when a starving soldier comes out the woods and wants to enter, it starts a series of events that will begin to tear the town apart. Commonwealth will also have to contend with a ‘patriotic’ group from a neighboring town who are suspicious of the ‘socialist’ enclave in the woods and want to break their quarantine to make sure that there are no draft dodgers or spies hiding there.
This was an original and intriguing idea for a book, and it’s got a rich historical backdrop with the characters contending not only with the flu, but the labor movement of the era along with the political and social issues associated with both the pro- and anti-war movements. I also learned some chilling things about the U.S. during this time. For example, the government basically outlawed any dissent or forms of protest against the war.
As he did with The Great Depression in The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers, Mullen makes the day-to-day life of a bygone era really come alive. His style is deceptively plain, but he still manages to make the characters complex. I didn’t like this one quite as much as Firefly Brothers, but still a really interesting story.
Thomas Mullen took the 1918 flu epidemic that killed millions and has built a fictional story about one town’s response to the threat. Commonwealth is a logging town built by a man who turned his back on his rich and ruthless family to start a mill where he could prove that workers could be treated decently and still turn a profit. He and his wife, a political activist for women’s and workers' rights, have helped build a community in the woods that has attracted many loggers who have been the victims of unfair labor practices and violent strike breakers. Commonwealth is just starting to run in the black, mainly due to the increase in lumber demand from the government after the U.S. entry into World War I.
However, when the deadly flu breaks out in neighboring towns, the leaders and citizens of Commonwealth decide that they’ll quarantine themselves since no one is sick and they’re already isolated. Anyone can leave, but no one will be allowed to enter until the flu has run its course. Armed guards are posted to prevent anyone from entering the town. It’s seems like a simple and straight forward plan, but when a starving soldier comes out the woods and wants to enter, it starts a series of events that will begin to tear the town apart. Commonwealth will also have to contend with a ‘patriotic’ group from a neighboring town who are suspicious of the ‘socialist’ enclave in the woods and want to break their quarantine to make sure that there are no draft dodgers or spies hiding there.
This was an original and intriguing idea for a book, and it’s got a rich historical backdrop with the characters contending not only with the flu, but the labor movement of the era along with the political and social issues associated with both the pro- and anti-war movements. I also learned some chilling things about the U.S. during this time. For example, the government basically outlawed any dissent or forms of protest against the war.
As he did with The Great Depression in The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers, Mullen makes the day-to-day life of a bygone era really come alive. His style is deceptively plain, but he still manages to make the characters complex. I didn’t like this one quite as much as Firefly Brothers, but still a really interesting story.
March 15, 2010
After reading Mullen's second book, "The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers" for review and finding it less than notable I thought I should read Mullen's debut novel which received such favorable reviews. It far surpasses his second effort. The characters are finely drawn, the setting superbly described, and a number of social issues aptly addressed with a clear application of good historical research.
Mullen deftly weaves the strands of World War One, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, ahd the American labor movement into a taut novel of historical fiction.
Mullen deftly weaves the strands of World War One, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, ahd the American labor movement into a taut novel of historical fiction.
December 18, 2008
An interesting premise - what if a logging town sealed itself off during a flu pandemic with nothing but sappy, contrived dialog and one-dimensional characters to keep itself and you the reader entertained?
A predictable result - grisly descriptions of suffering from the flu pale only in comparison to the pain you will feel from reading the dull and smarmy musings of the panicky townfolk wrestling with weighty moral issues in the face of widespread sickness and paranoia.
Some actual dialog follows:
"'Oh my God,' I said, or whispered, or thought, or moaned."
"I stood up, stepped forward, and vomited, resting my hands against the wall as I spat everything up. I closed my eyes and tried to will away the savage butchery that surrounded me. Coughing and choking on whatever was left inside me, I tried to steady myself, tried to think."
Actually, if you replace 'savage butchery' in this passage with 'crappy writing' it pretty well captures how you will feel after reading this book.
Warning: shocking plot stealer coming.......
....rugged, tough-guy logger haunted by personal tragedy not so emotionally tough as he seems but plucky, crippled orphan shows compassion and resilience despite insurmountable odds and high fever. In the end, you can't hide from your own feelings or from your own gun-wielding, infected neighbors. Boo hoo hoo. The upside in this story is that Tiny Tim gets to bust a cap in the ass of the right-wing interlopers. Huzzah!
Seriously, if you're flying through turbulence on a long flight and your options are this book or SkyMall magazine, this is a marginally better choice. But it has to be a long flight because it takes more than an hour to get used to the lousy writing or dim-bulb characters in this awful book. It's also a good idea to read this on the plane because you will have an air-sickness bag handy.
A predictable result - grisly descriptions of suffering from the flu pale only in comparison to the pain you will feel from reading the dull and smarmy musings of the panicky townfolk wrestling with weighty moral issues in the face of widespread sickness and paranoia.
Some actual dialog follows:
"'Oh my God,' I said, or whispered, or thought, or moaned."
"I stood up, stepped forward, and vomited, resting my hands against the wall as I spat everything up. I closed my eyes and tried to will away the savage butchery that surrounded me. Coughing and choking on whatever was left inside me, I tried to steady myself, tried to think."
Actually, if you replace 'savage butchery' in this passage with 'crappy writing' it pretty well captures how you will feel after reading this book.
Warning: shocking plot stealer coming.......
....rugged, tough-guy logger haunted by personal tragedy not so emotionally tough as he seems but plucky, crippled orphan shows compassion and resilience despite insurmountable odds and high fever. In the end, you can't hide from your own feelings or from your own gun-wielding, infected neighbors. Boo hoo hoo. The upside in this story is that Tiny Tim gets to bust a cap in the ass of the right-wing interlopers. Huzzah!
Seriously, if you're flying through turbulence on a long flight and your options are this book or SkyMall magazine, this is a marginally better choice. But it has to be a long flight because it takes more than an hour to get used to the lousy writing or dim-bulb characters in this awful book. It's also a good idea to read this on the plane because you will have an air-sickness bag handy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2017
This book is intense. The story deals with a mill town in Washington state during WWI. Charles Worthy created the town and hopes to run it and his lumber mill in a utopian way, with better working conditions for the men and better living conditions for their families. It is a social experiment and a dream for everyone, and seems to be working.
Until the Spanish flu pandemic arrives in the nearby town of Timber Falls. What will Charles do to protect his dream from the deadly flu? How will the decisions he makes affect his adopted son Philip, the various workmen we get to know, and the town itself?
Mostly the story is told through Philip's eyes, but we meet many characters, each with their own unusual backgrounds which determine how they personally react to events which are soon spiraling out of everyone's control.
This is not an easy book to read. It is dark, dramatic, full of nearly constant tension. But at the same time it is easy to feel that you are living in Commonwealth. And trust me, if anyone in your house sneezes or coughs while you are immersed in this book, you will not be able to keep yourself from getting just a little paranoid about germs.
The people of the town faced many issues relevant to their times, but it would take just a tweak or two here and there to have nearly every issue they faced happening in our own times. Human nature being what it is, and patriotism being twisted into what it shouldn't be, all we need is an outbreak of some deadly contagious disease and we will be right back in 1918.
Another reason for being a little paranoid.
Until the Spanish flu pandemic arrives in the nearby town of Timber Falls. What will Charles do to protect his dream from the deadly flu? How will the decisions he makes affect his adopted son Philip, the various workmen we get to know, and the town itself?
Mostly the story is told through Philip's eyes, but we meet many characters, each with their own unusual backgrounds which determine how they personally react to events which are soon spiraling out of everyone's control.
This is not an easy book to read. It is dark, dramatic, full of nearly constant tension. But at the same time it is easy to feel that you are living in Commonwealth. And trust me, if anyone in your house sneezes or coughs while you are immersed in this book, you will not be able to keep yourself from getting just a little paranoid about germs.
The people of the town faced many issues relevant to their times, but it would take just a tweak or two here and there to have nearly every issue they faced happening in our own times. Human nature being what it is, and patriotism being twisted into what it shouldn't be, all we need is an outbreak of some deadly contagious disease and we will be right back in 1918.
Another reason for being a little paranoid.
April 10, 2023
Thomas Mullen dazzles with his debut novel, taking readers on a unique journey, at least at the time of publication. With the Great War waging in Europe, the small community of Commonwealth has another battle on its mind. A major flu epidemic is crossing America and this town wants to keep it at bay. Choosing to quarantine themselves, citizens of Commonwealth notice how the decision could have long-lasting effects on them and those they love. This is the story of two wars raging in tandem and how a small band of citizens reacts to the major changes around them.
Buried deep in America’s Pacific Northwest, the newly incorporated town of Commonwealth thrives and relies on its tight-knit nature. Reliant on wood from the surrounding forests to fuel work in the mills, the citizenry ensures nothing will keep the men from making their livelihood. Teenager Philip Worthy is especially thankful for Commonwealth, as he lost his parents years before in a freak automobile accident.
While the Great War rages on In Europe and fills newspaper headlines, the citizens of Commonwealth have been able to dodge it all, watching to see if President Wilson will begin trying to get Americans to fight alongside their British brethren. All the while, a major influenza epidemic is racing across the country, strong and more virulent than most, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The town leaders want to keep the evils they are reading about away from their doorsteps and take the bold step to quarantine Commonwealth by block access to its roads, thereby ensuring that no stranger can enter to spread disease. Not everyone is in favour of this. but some see it as having the added benefit of keeping German spies from infiltrating the streets of the town as well.
While guards man the roads into town, this separation could have long-lasting effects that could create other issues, given time. After being tasked with guard duty, Philip makes a rash decision when a weary and apparently ill soldier begs for assistance. Granting him access only makes things worse for Philip and sees the toying man tossed in jail alongside the soldier. While there are no outward signs of illness in the stranger, locals begin to get sick. The town doctor treats them as best he can, but nothing is easily referenced in medical tomes in 1917. Slowly, illnesses turn to deaths and Commonwealth has a war on their hands.
All the while, conscription becomes a harsh reality and. Recruiters come to gather all the able-bodied men to serve. For a town that relies on its workers to keep the mill running, Commonwealth is doubly crippled and many are unsure what to do. Philip must maker a choice of his own and resist the outside pressure, though it mounts. Patriotism in a harsh medicine for some, while others cannot volunteer their services fast enough. How will Commonwealth handle both wars that have crept to the town’s border and who will prevail? A brilliant debut novel that plucks on the heartstrings of the reader and forces everyone to take a step back for a moment.
I received an email recently about the new book from Thomas Mullen, unsure why it would be directed to me. However, I began looking into the author and discovered a treasure trove of novels, many of which would appeal to me. I chose this one, a stand-alone, to see if I could whet my appetite. That it was Mullen’s debut was only later known to me. Mullen does a fabulous job developing the narrative and provides key aspects to the situation at hand. I felt as though I was in the middle of America’s Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century, with all that was happening on the outside. The characters are strong and provides wonderful contrast between one another, all of whom added depth and impactful commentary on the world at large. The plot twists developed so wonderfully and kept me wanting to know more. It is worth noting that this story, while centred on the Great War and the emergence of what would be called the Spanish Flu, has some eerie parallels to the way things were for some communities during COVID. Mullen is said to have drawn some of his depictions of Commonwealth from a number of little-known towns that did exactly that during those two world events. A truly masterful debut novel and I will return to read some of his other works, including a police procedural trilogy that looks amazing while tackling another part of America’s. sordid history!
Kudos, Mr. Mullen, for keeping me enthralled until the very end with this stellar piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Buried deep in America’s Pacific Northwest, the newly incorporated town of Commonwealth thrives and relies on its tight-knit nature. Reliant on wood from the surrounding forests to fuel work in the mills, the citizenry ensures nothing will keep the men from making their livelihood. Teenager Philip Worthy is especially thankful for Commonwealth, as he lost his parents years before in a freak automobile accident.
While the Great War rages on In Europe and fills newspaper headlines, the citizens of Commonwealth have been able to dodge it all, watching to see if President Wilson will begin trying to get Americans to fight alongside their British brethren. All the while, a major influenza epidemic is racing across the country, strong and more virulent than most, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The town leaders want to keep the evils they are reading about away from their doorsteps and take the bold step to quarantine Commonwealth by block access to its roads, thereby ensuring that no stranger can enter to spread disease. Not everyone is in favour of this. but some see it as having the added benefit of keeping German spies from infiltrating the streets of the town as well.
While guards man the roads into town, this separation could have long-lasting effects that could create other issues, given time. After being tasked with guard duty, Philip makes a rash decision when a weary and apparently ill soldier begs for assistance. Granting him access only makes things worse for Philip and sees the toying man tossed in jail alongside the soldier. While there are no outward signs of illness in the stranger, locals begin to get sick. The town doctor treats them as best he can, but nothing is easily referenced in medical tomes in 1917. Slowly, illnesses turn to deaths and Commonwealth has a war on their hands.
All the while, conscription becomes a harsh reality and. Recruiters come to gather all the able-bodied men to serve. For a town that relies on its workers to keep the mill running, Commonwealth is doubly crippled and many are unsure what to do. Philip must maker a choice of his own and resist the outside pressure, though it mounts. Patriotism in a harsh medicine for some, while others cannot volunteer their services fast enough. How will Commonwealth handle both wars that have crept to the town’s border and who will prevail? A brilliant debut novel that plucks on the heartstrings of the reader and forces everyone to take a step back for a moment.
I received an email recently about the new book from Thomas Mullen, unsure why it would be directed to me. However, I began looking into the author and discovered a treasure trove of novels, many of which would appeal to me. I chose this one, a stand-alone, to see if I could whet my appetite. That it was Mullen’s debut was only later known to me. Mullen does a fabulous job developing the narrative and provides key aspects to the situation at hand. I felt as though I was in the middle of America’s Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century, with all that was happening on the outside. The characters are strong and provides wonderful contrast between one another, all of whom added depth and impactful commentary on the world at large. The plot twists developed so wonderfully and kept me wanting to know more. It is worth noting that this story, while centred on the Great War and the emergence of what would be called the Spanish Flu, has some eerie parallels to the way things were for some communities during COVID. Mullen is said to have drawn some of his depictions of Commonwealth from a number of little-known towns that did exactly that during those two world events. A truly masterful debut novel and I will return to read some of his other works, including a police procedural trilogy that looks amazing while tackling another part of America’s. sordid history!
Kudos, Mr. Mullen, for keeping me enthralled until the very end with this stellar piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 12, 2016
I was very interested in this historical fiction with an apocalyptic premise. The story presented a small town worried about big world issues. Two things irked me about it though. The first was the cover to cover loading of praise from national publications saying how great the book was. Very few books can live up to unanimous industry praise and this was one that could not. There is nothing wrong with the story or the writing but there is nothing spectacular about it either. That makes me give even less credence to national reviews than I did previously. The second thing that bothered me was the title, which gives a very distinct feeling that the book will be apocalyptic in nature. In actuality, it wasn't at all. A town does get the spanish flu but the author never spends even one paragraph talking about the possibility of entire towns or the entire world being void of people. The result is that the apocalyptic premise is just a tease, one that felt intentional in order to tap into a market the book wouldn't have otherwise reached. This is the same as giving a WWII book the title "Battlestar Gallactica" or a cookbook the title "The Grapes of Wrath."
February 17, 2008
This book has a lot going for it - a very dramatic time (the influenza epidemic of 1918), a very dramatic premise (a town that tries to fend off sickness by isolating itself), and - if possible - even more dramatic situations as the story progresses (what happens when two different strangers try to enter the self-quarantined town). So I should have loved it. And I really wanted to. But somehow, I didn't, and it was kind of an effort to finish. But it was our book group's selection last month, so I did finish, and the discussion it prompted was indeed lively. Near the end of the evening, however, someone noted that the end of the story leaves the future wide open for the main character, and wondered if a sequel might be in the works. Then someone else piped up and said, "But I don't think Phillip is really interesting enough for a sequel." And I think that summed up my hesitations about the book overall: while the situations are very interesting, the characters aren't nearly as compelling. The actions of the main character - a 16-year-old boy forced to act and react in a very touchy life-or-death situation, not once but twice - do drive the story, as they should...but he's not really a very unique or compelling presence beyond the situations he's thrust into. And I think that kind of killed it for me. Despite appreciating much of what I read here, I couldn't help coming away a bit disappointed.
December 13, 2007
This was suggested for our library book groups by the County Health Department. If a book group chose to read this, the department would contribute the books, and send a pandemic health department expert to the group. We chose this for our November read.
Jessica, our pandemic expert, was excited about this opportunity to work with the library, and the greater visibility the department could gain by partnering with the library. She'd heard the author on NPR, and started planning from there.
We readers enjoyed the background history we learned, not only about the flu epidemic, but about the unions, the Wobblies, feminists, and their influence in the Pacific Northwest. As a group, we felt the characters and plot failed to live up to the subject. (It's unusual for us all to share the same opinion, to be fair our numbers were small just before the Thanksgiving holiday.) I tend to enjoy a plot that is driven by interesting characters. This seemed more to us like the author had a plot in mind, and created characters to fill those roles...not so believable to us. One person summed it up, that it seemed to be written with the movie in mind. She already knew the actors: Tommy Lee Jones for the town's leader, Jude Law for Graham, the stiff-upper-lipped young man just trying to protect his family. I was a little annoyed at the implication that an attempt to create a utopia was doomed due to human nature. Another felt the book started out well, but then got too simplistic.
One of the first things Jessica told us is that this story is a good illustration that quarantines don't work. I'd been wondering about the effectiveness of the masks. Wouldn't a sick person contaminating the outside of a healthy person's mask still manage to spread the disease? Just so. It would be more effective to have sick people wear the masks. The 1918 flu epidemic was what they would call a "category 5" flu. The world hasn't seen such a flu since. There were some global pandemics in the 50s and 60s, but not like this. Recently it was discovered that this flu did indeed come from a bird. (They got samples from bodies frozen in the permafrost.)
The bird flu existing now is difficult to pass from person to person, but a few cases have. As to whether there will be a bird flu that is easily passed...it's a crap shoot. Jessica told us plans would trigger if "anywhere in the world a confirmed cluster of a new flu" has a certain "fatality ratio." Plans can't include a vaccine really, because we can't predict the strain of a pandemic. Part of the problem in 1918, the US government so controlled the media that communities couldn't learn needed details about what worked in other communities.
We learned that in our county, the "community mitigation strategies" for a category 5 pandemic come from the best practices that cities and towns took in 1918. Portland happened to utilize these, and didn't fare quite so badly.
These practices are: multiple social distancing strategies; cancelling school classes for up to 3 months; urging businesses to stagger shifts so less people are working at one time; if an individual is sick, urging families to stay home voluntarily.
Challenges faced in a pandemic? Jessica said, "The closing of the schools: teens get antsy." [spoiler alert..that's not too far off for the failure of the quarantine in the book.] Also, the global nature of businesses. If the health department seeks cooperation in the closing of the local mall, they may have to call owners in China. Jessica was clear that our county doesn't have the authority to enforce martial law, nor did it seem she wished for it. She emphasized that within the department they work towards consensus. Her overall message seemed to be that best practices involved cooperation, not authoritarianism.
Jessica, our pandemic expert, was excited about this opportunity to work with the library, and the greater visibility the department could gain by partnering with the library. She'd heard the author on NPR, and started planning from there.
We readers enjoyed the background history we learned, not only about the flu epidemic, but about the unions, the Wobblies, feminists, and their influence in the Pacific Northwest. As a group, we felt the characters and plot failed to live up to the subject. (It's unusual for us all to share the same opinion, to be fair our numbers were small just before the Thanksgiving holiday.) I tend to enjoy a plot that is driven by interesting characters. This seemed more to us like the author had a plot in mind, and created characters to fill those roles...not so believable to us. One person summed it up, that it seemed to be written with the movie in mind. She already knew the actors: Tommy Lee Jones for the town's leader, Jude Law for Graham, the stiff-upper-lipped young man just trying to protect his family. I was a little annoyed at the implication that an attempt to create a utopia was doomed due to human nature. Another felt the book started out well, but then got too simplistic.
One of the first things Jessica told us is that this story is a good illustration that quarantines don't work. I'd been wondering about the effectiveness of the masks. Wouldn't a sick person contaminating the outside of a healthy person's mask still manage to spread the disease? Just so. It would be more effective to have sick people wear the masks. The 1918 flu epidemic was what they would call a "category 5" flu. The world hasn't seen such a flu since. There were some global pandemics in the 50s and 60s, but not like this. Recently it was discovered that this flu did indeed come from a bird. (They got samples from bodies frozen in the permafrost.)
The bird flu existing now is difficult to pass from person to person, but a few cases have. As to whether there will be a bird flu that is easily passed...it's a crap shoot. Jessica told us plans would trigger if "anywhere in the world a confirmed cluster of a new flu" has a certain "fatality ratio." Plans can't include a vaccine really, because we can't predict the strain of a pandemic. Part of the problem in 1918, the US government so controlled the media that communities couldn't learn needed details about what worked in other communities.
We learned that in our county, the "community mitigation strategies" for a category 5 pandemic come from the best practices that cities and towns took in 1918. Portland happened to utilize these, and didn't fare quite so badly.
These practices are: multiple social distancing strategies; cancelling school classes for up to 3 months; urging businesses to stagger shifts so less people are working at one time; if an individual is sick, urging families to stay home voluntarily.
Challenges faced in a pandemic? Jessica said, "The closing of the schools: teens get antsy." [spoiler alert..that's not too far off for the failure of the quarantine in the book.] Also, the global nature of businesses. If the health department seeks cooperation in the closing of the local mall, they may have to call owners in China. Jessica was clear that our county doesn't have the authority to enforce martial law, nor did it seem she wished for it. She emphasized that within the department they work towards consensus. Her overall message seemed to be that best practices involved cooperation, not authoritarianism.
December 29, 2008
Historically, this was a very interesting book. A fictional milling town in Washington State quarantines itself in an attempt to keep out the influenza of 1918. After the first few chapters, however, I did wonder whether the book was worth my time because of the poor writing. The author often stopped the action to describe (in detail) the physical appearance of every single insignificant character. There were too many characters, by the way, that were introduced for no apparent reason. The author also used the omniscient point of view which, unless employed by the most skilled writer, is usually a distraction and weakens the characters. This was the case with this book. However, I decided to persist if only to gleam some information about the Spanish flu for the novel I'm trying to write. I did eventually become interested in some of the characters and the historical information was fascinating.
April 14, 2020
During the 1918 pandemic there were towns and communities in the rural Western United States which were so terrified of the flu that they quarantined themselves and posted armed guards to prevent people from entering. This work of fiction, first published in 2006, imagined what could have happened in one such community.
The setting is in a fictional remote logging town called Commonwealth. As a means of self-preservation the townspeople have decided to cut off all contacts with the outside world by putting the entire town into quarantine. Twenty-four hours each day two armed guards are posted on the only road leading to the town with instructions to prevent, by force if necessary, anyone from entering.
But what happens if someone, who doesn’t look sick, but who is lost, tired, hungry and would most likely perish if driven away, comes asking for even a temporary shelter? That was the dilemma the town guards had to face twice in this novel with contrasting responses. Laid before them, the townspeople were forced to confront themselves and to examine if there is really a place for humanity in a world that has gone mad.
The setting is in a fictional remote logging town called Commonwealth. As a means of self-preservation the townspeople have decided to cut off all contacts with the outside world by putting the entire town into quarantine. Twenty-four hours each day two armed guards are posted on the only road leading to the town with instructions to prevent, by force if necessary, anyone from entering.
But what happens if someone, who doesn’t look sick, but who is lost, tired, hungry and would most likely perish if driven away, comes asking for even a temporary shelter? That was the dilemma the town guards had to face twice in this novel with contrasting responses. Laid before them, the townspeople were forced to confront themselves and to examine if there is really a place for humanity in a world that has gone mad.
January 7, 2012
A very nicely written historical novel set in the American northwest during the 1918 flu epidemic. The town of Commonwealth is a small, backwoods mill town, founded by an idealistic mill owner and settled by a variety of workers, mostly fleeing from union strife and harder conditions in other mill towns. Their pleasant, egalitarian little town lives in peaceful isolation except for the lumber they send downriver, until the coming of World War I and the draft, and then the influenza.
Thomas Mullen weaves many issues into this novel. By 1918, the Great War was well underway and thousands of Americans had already died in Europe, but it was not universally popular. There was a strong anti-war sentiment, but thanks to laws passed by Congress and President Wilson, it had become effectively illegal to protest against the war. This was also a time of violent labor strife, with workers fighting for better wages and safer conditions. Marxism, socialism, and anarchism were all popular in many circles. When the war came, business interests took the opportunity to label unionists and other civil rights agitators as unpatriotic and undermining the war effort.
Commonwealth, "the last town on Earth," is a place that many people fled to to escape these troubles. Many of its male residents did not enlist for the draft. There are socialists and war protestors among them. No one cares much, except for a few rival mill owners in neighboring towns.
Then comes the flu. It's been decimating towns across the country. Commonwealth's leaders decide to quarantine themselves: let no one in or out of the town until they think the flu has passed. (Mullen based this on rumors that some towns tried this in 1918, though apparently none were really successful.) They post guards to keep visitors out -- with guns if necessary. Then a soldier comes out of the woods, begging for food and shelter, and beginning a series of events that brings tragedy to the town.
This isn't a book with a very happy ending, but everything follows logically from the choices people make, and the plotting just flows sensibly and smoothly. Violence happens, and there are consequences. No one gets away clean. Most of the time, you can understand all sides in the various conflicts.
Mullen populates Commonwealth with a variety of characters, pausing the story to tell the histories of several of them. So this is also a somewhat leisurely book in that it's not non-stop action, though the story does move right along between brief passages of exposition.
Great characterization and an interesting story with fine historical details. Highly recommended.
Thomas Mullen weaves many issues into this novel. By 1918, the Great War was well underway and thousands of Americans had already died in Europe, but it was not universally popular. There was a strong anti-war sentiment, but thanks to laws passed by Congress and President Wilson, it had become effectively illegal to protest against the war. This was also a time of violent labor strife, with workers fighting for better wages and safer conditions. Marxism, socialism, and anarchism were all popular in many circles. When the war came, business interests took the opportunity to label unionists and other civil rights agitators as unpatriotic and undermining the war effort.
Commonwealth, "the last town on Earth," is a place that many people fled to to escape these troubles. Many of its male residents did not enlist for the draft. There are socialists and war protestors among them. No one cares much, except for a few rival mill owners in neighboring towns.
Then comes the flu. It's been decimating towns across the country. Commonwealth's leaders decide to quarantine themselves: let no one in or out of the town until they think the flu has passed. (Mullen based this on rumors that some towns tried this in 1918, though apparently none were really successful.) They post guards to keep visitors out -- with guns if necessary. Then a soldier comes out of the woods, begging for food and shelter, and beginning a series of events that brings tragedy to the town.
This isn't a book with a very happy ending, but everything follows logically from the choices people make, and the plotting just flows sensibly and smoothly. Violence happens, and there are consequences. No one gets away clean. Most of the time, you can understand all sides in the various conflicts.
Mullen populates Commonwealth with a variety of characters, pausing the story to tell the histories of several of them. So this is also a somewhat leisurely book in that it's not non-stop action, though the story does move right along between brief passages of exposition.
Great characterization and an interesting story with fine historical details. Highly recommended.
October 12, 2008
This story takes place during a grim and volatile period in U.S. history, when many factors could turn neighbor against neighbor. While some were losing their sons in WWI, there was a large anti-war movement and many men refused to enlist. There was also great worker unrest and violence involving the "Wobblies" (I.W.W.) who were seeking better working conditions and higher wages. Women were agitating for the right to vote. Then along came the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, causing people to fear their fellow human beings in a new way.
In The Last Town on Earth, one small mill town in Washington has not yet been infected by the flu. They decide to implement a sort of "reverse quarantine." They post round-the-clock guards to prevent outsiders from entering the town and potentially bringing the flu in with them. The story effectively shows the ways in which fear, mistrust, and misinformation can divide and destroy communities and families.
I especially enjoyed the fact that the story takes place in my neck of the woods. :) I live right here in Everett, and didn't know about the Everett Massacre of 1916!! I also learned quite a bit about what the social and political climate was like nationwide during this time period.
I recommend reading the Author's Note at the back of the book prior to reading the story. I wished I had done so, as it provides a lot of context and historical background. It really should have been a preface.
In The Last Town on Earth, one small mill town in Washington has not yet been infected by the flu. They decide to implement a sort of "reverse quarantine." They post round-the-clock guards to prevent outsiders from entering the town and potentially bringing the flu in with them. The story effectively shows the ways in which fear, mistrust, and misinformation can divide and destroy communities and families.
I especially enjoyed the fact that the story takes place in my neck of the woods. :) I live right here in Everett, and didn't know about the Everett Massacre of 1916!! I also learned quite a bit about what the social and political climate was like nationwide during this time period.
I recommend reading the Author's Note at the back of the book prior to reading the story. I wished I had done so, as it provides a lot of context and historical background. It really should have been a preface.
December 12, 2015
I do love apocalyptic novels and this one is based around a real apocalyptic scenario--the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak at the end of the First World War.
A small, remote logging town decides to quarantine themselves, setting up a roadblock with armed guards.
As with all plans, the weakest link is always the human beings themselves. Too many humans are inherentlyweak and liberal kind and thoughtful when the realities of life are anything but.
And how interesting the premise of this book is when the whole world (except Japan and any Muslim countries) is racked with guilt about whether or not to take in millions of refugees.
I did enjoy this novel. It's well written. I stuck with it, but I have to confess it didn't actually grip me for some reason. I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I'm not sure why. It's possible that it's because the author heard about the real life town that actually did quarantine themselves off, was intrigued and so wrote the novel, rather than the book, the plot, and the characters coming alive in his head and demanding to be written. It's just a little flat, and I suspect that's because it's a true life incident being padded out to a novel.
A small, remote logging town decides to quarantine themselves, setting up a roadblock with armed guards.
As with all plans, the weakest link is always the human beings themselves. Too many humans are inherently
And how interesting the premise of this book is when the whole world (except Japan and any Muslim countries) is racked with guilt about whether or not to take in millions of refugees.
I did enjoy this novel. It's well written. I stuck with it, but I have to confess it didn't actually grip me for some reason. I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I'm not sure why. It's possible that it's because the author heard about the real life town that actually did quarantine themselves off, was intrigued and so wrote the novel, rather than the book, the plot, and the characters coming alive in his head and demanding to be written. It's just a little flat, and I suspect that's because it's a true life incident being padded out to a novel.
November 13, 2022
I’m a little surprised by my decision to give this book four stars. It moves slowly, there are a lot of different storylines to stay on top of and it is about a pandemic. But the writing is excellent - wonderfully descriptive and the author’s vocabulary is rich and precise. The characters are complex, with their motivations often rooted in past experiences of loss. It also introduces several historical aspects that are often glossed over in the history books - the labor movement, the 1918 pandemic, and the dissenting opinion on World War One. At the end of the day, this book feels like a classic - not necessarily a pleasure read but certainly thought-provoking and beautifully written.
April 1, 2007
I really enjoyed this book... It wasn't super riveting but I thought the character development was very good. It was like a socialogical (is that a word?) study on the ways fear/war/illness can affect an entire community and the ways the ugly parts of people (and some good parts too) can be brought to the surface.
December 6, 2021
Eigentlich wollte ich mir die Pandemie Keule mit dem Buch geben. Hatte mir das als Verarbeitungsprozess aus der Vogelperspektive vorgestellt. Unsolidarität ich komme!
Tjo, da hat der Herr Mullen zu 50-60% aus dem Buch nen Kriegsdienstverweigerer Ding gemacht.
Hätte ich ja auch irgendwie mit rechnen können: erster Weltkrieg, ein Dorf, das ehr linke politische Ansichten vertritt, von den anderen Dörfern natürlich daher misstrauisch beäugt wird. Patriotismus will man brüllen hören. Nix wir bezahlen unsere Arbeiter gut und haben ethisch, moralische Bedenken bezüglich Kriegsdienst... Nein, nein. Das wird nicht akzeptiert. Ab fürs Vaterland vor die Flinte!
Die Spanische Grippe war trotzdem mit von der Partie. Das Dorf schickt sich selbst in Quarantäne. Wird demokratisch drüber abgestimmt. Klar gibts nen paar die das nicht gut finden. Vieles an dem was die Bewohner nicht gut finden ist nen Bauchgefühl. Leider wird wenig darauf eingegangen, wie sie zu den Überzeugungen kommen.
Wir haben eigentlich nur 3 Protagonisten, deren Innenleben sehr intensiv beleuchtet wird. Es wird geschildert wie sich ihre Wertvorstellungen bildeten- erfahren Motive ihrer Taten.
Was ist Richtig was ist Falsch ? Wichtig: man wusste damals zwar grob wie die Grippe übertragen wird, etwaige Inkubationszeit, dennoch war vieles unklar.
Dynamiken wie Gerüchteküche, das Suchen eines Schuldigen, Begründungen in Absurdem und Übernatürlichem, erhöhte Agressivität durch die Angst, Verlust des logischen Denkens und das Misstrauen dem Anderen gegenüber finden statt.
Mein heiß ersehntes unsolidarisches Verhalten kommt zwar vor- jedoch in einem äußerst abgeschwächten und wenig durchleuchteten Maße, dass ich hier die größte Enttäuschung verspüre.
Es stellt sich für den ein oder anderen in diesem Buch die Frage, ob er das Recht hat das Leben eines Menschen zu opfern, weil er denkt damit das große Ganze zu retten.
Reflektion und Supervison findet nicht oder nur sehr sparsam statt.
Eigentlich landet nur Philipp bei einem Selbstfindungstripp.
Ein paar hübsche (wichtig! spielt für die Protagonisten des Buches eine große Rolle. Optik ist das a und o) Mädchen und zarte Liebe kam auch vor. Der Part war völlig unnötig. Mullen hätte statt dessen ruhig noch tiefer im Seelenleben des Dorfes graben dürfen.
Wie man unschwer erkennen kann, recht viele Themen für das, in sehr einfach verpackter Sprache geschriebenen Buches.
Für mich wars ne solide Unterhaltung mit ein paar, in Ansätzen, guten psychologischen, philosophischen und ethischen Punkten. Hat mich allerdings bis zum Schluss nicht so recht abholen können.
Tjo, da hat der Herr Mullen zu 50-60% aus dem Buch nen Kriegsdienstverweigerer Ding gemacht.
Hätte ich ja auch irgendwie mit rechnen können: erster Weltkrieg, ein Dorf, das ehr linke politische Ansichten vertritt, von den anderen Dörfern natürlich daher misstrauisch beäugt wird. Patriotismus will man brüllen hören. Nix wir bezahlen unsere Arbeiter gut und haben ethisch, moralische Bedenken bezüglich Kriegsdienst... Nein, nein. Das wird nicht akzeptiert. Ab fürs Vaterland vor die Flinte!
Die Spanische Grippe war trotzdem mit von der Partie. Das Dorf schickt sich selbst in Quarantäne. Wird demokratisch drüber abgestimmt. Klar gibts nen paar die das nicht gut finden. Vieles an dem was die Bewohner nicht gut finden ist nen Bauchgefühl. Leider wird wenig darauf eingegangen, wie sie zu den Überzeugungen kommen.
Wir haben eigentlich nur 3 Protagonisten, deren Innenleben sehr intensiv beleuchtet wird. Es wird geschildert wie sich ihre Wertvorstellungen bildeten- erfahren Motive ihrer Taten.
Was ist Richtig was ist Falsch ? Wichtig: man wusste damals zwar grob wie die Grippe übertragen wird, etwaige Inkubationszeit, dennoch war vieles unklar.
Dynamiken wie Gerüchteküche, das Suchen eines Schuldigen, Begründungen in Absurdem und Übernatürlichem, erhöhte Agressivität durch die Angst, Verlust des logischen Denkens und das Misstrauen dem Anderen gegenüber finden statt.
Mein heiß ersehntes unsolidarisches Verhalten kommt zwar vor- jedoch in einem äußerst abgeschwächten und wenig durchleuchteten Maße, dass ich hier die größte Enttäuschung verspüre.
Es stellt sich für den ein oder anderen in diesem Buch die Frage, ob er das Recht hat das Leben eines Menschen zu opfern, weil er denkt damit das große Ganze zu retten.
Reflektion und Supervison findet nicht oder nur sehr sparsam statt.
Eigentlich landet nur Philipp bei einem Selbstfindungstripp.
Ein paar hübsche (wichtig! spielt für die Protagonisten des Buches eine große Rolle. Optik ist das a und o) Mädchen und zarte Liebe kam auch vor. Der Part war völlig unnötig. Mullen hätte statt dessen ruhig noch tiefer im Seelenleben des Dorfes graben dürfen.
Wie man unschwer erkennen kann, recht viele Themen für das, in sehr einfach verpackter Sprache geschriebenen Buches.
Für mich wars ne solide Unterhaltung mit ein paar, in Ansätzen, guten psychologischen, philosophischen und ethischen Punkten. Hat mich allerdings bis zum Schluss nicht so recht abholen können.
August 12, 2021
A small mill town, called Commonwealth, nestled in the deep woods of the Pacific Northwest, was constructed as a sanctuary for workers. Housing was included, along with a fair wage. The year was 1918, and the Spanish Flu has been raging, along with the first World War. Commonwealth decides to quarantine itself, setting up guards around the perimeter. This leads to many conflicts with the outside world, along with struggles on the inside. An ambitious first novel. The narrative is not as smooth as Mullen’s later works but I enjoyed this very timely and disturbing story.
February 11, 2018
Totally enthralling from start to finish. Although it was fiction, it actually was modeled on real stories that occurred during the 1918 Spanish flu. Given our current risk of another global pandemic, it was also quite thought provoking causing me to wonder what I and others would do if faced with such circumstances. Beautifully written, well researched.
January 26, 2019
How the fuck can this be someone's first novel? What an outstanding work! While Thomas Mullen's first, it is the third novel of his I've read. The first two being Darktown and Lightning Men of the Darktown Series. The Last Town On Earth puts Mullen into my favorite current writers, I cannot stress enough how excellent a writer he is. He does everything so well that it's hard to pinpoint what makes his style so enjoyable. At times I want to think of him as a poor man's version of so and so but really he's just an exceptional and unique voice.
Mullen's knack is historical fiction, and this story is set during WWI and the "Spanish" flu epidemic in the extremely remote western forests of Washington. The story follows individuals tied to a lumber mill town whose origins are socialist at heart and their decision to reverse quarantine their healthy town as the surrounding towns are ravished by influenza (something I've since learned may be the second largest epidemic in recorded history).
Avenues of nationalism, bigotry, socialism and unions, medical knowledge and the lack thereof, consequences to impossible scenarios, and the diversity of aptitudes on all these fronts meld together in this wonderful story that is equal parts historical fiction/ Gothic/ Bildungsroman/ social commentary, both modern and yesteryear.
This is one of the best novels I have ever read.
Mullen's knack is historical fiction, and this story is set during WWI and the "Spanish" flu epidemic in the extremely remote western forests of Washington. The story follows individuals tied to a lumber mill town whose origins are socialist at heart and their decision to reverse quarantine their healthy town as the surrounding towns are ravished by influenza (something I've since learned may be the second largest epidemic in recorded history).
Avenues of nationalism, bigotry, socialism and unions, medical knowledge and the lack thereof, consequences to impossible scenarios, and the diversity of aptitudes on all these fronts meld together in this wonderful story that is equal parts historical fiction/ Gothic/ Bildungsroman/ social commentary, both modern and yesteryear.
This is one of the best novels I have ever read.
January 27, 2016
Mullen did a lot of research for this book--resistance to WWI, the Spanish influenza, logging and lumber mills and logger's rights/unions. He puts all that research in this one book, and I think he could have fleshed the story out more and made an epic tale to make use of all his research, and added it in small bites vs. dumps of several pages.
Or conversely, he could have written 2-3 books with all the research and made this one smaller.
The story was okay. I kept expecting parts introduced earlier (see research dumps above) would step in later and go ah-ha! But they didn't. For example, why show Rebecca's resistance to her husband's idea of a quarantine repeatedly, but then she didn't do anything about it except grumble?
One good thing about reading this during a blizzard (DC's 2nd worse storm) is that you can sympathize about not going out anywhere and food supplies dwindling!
Or conversely, he could have written 2-3 books with all the research and made this one smaller.
The story was okay. I kept expecting parts introduced earlier (see research dumps above) would step in later and go ah-ha! But they didn't. For example, why show Rebecca's resistance to her husband's idea of a quarantine repeatedly, but then she didn't do anything about it except grumble?
One good thing about reading this during a blizzard (DC's 2nd worse storm) is that you can sympathize about not going out anywhere and food supplies dwindling!
July 31, 2020
This book was written years ago, but reading it in the midst of the COVID pandemic was surreal.
Spoiler alert: I wasn't a huge fan of how the book stopped; it was one of what I think of as a "non-ending."
Spoiler alert: I wasn't a huge fan of how the book stopped; it was one of what I think of as a "non-ending."
September 6, 2020
Charles und Rebecca Worthy gründeten Anfang des vorigen Jahrhunderts mit dem Sägewerk von Commonwealth im Pazifischen Nordwesten der USA ein tatsächlich alternatives Projekt. Bei Worthy erhielten die Arbeiter gerechte Löhne und bauten gemeinsam menschenwürdige Arbeiterhäuser. Worthys Konkurrenten hatten für ihn nur ein müdes Lächeln übrig; denn wie konnte ein Sägewerk Gewinn abwerfen, das nördlich von Seattle fern der Transportwege irgendwo im Wald lag und angemessene Löhne zahlte? In amerikanischen Kleinstädten war zur Zeit des Ersten Weltkriegs das Sägewerk die Lebensader des Ortes. Es war der Ort. Der Betrieb bot nahezu alle Arbeitsplätze, erzeugte alles Brenn- und Bauholz und ernährte durch den Konsum der Arbeiter weitere Berufe. Als die Leute von Commonwealth von der im nächsten Ort grassierenden Spanischen Grippe erfahren, beschließen sie, ihren Ort abzuriegeln und keinem Fremden den Zutritt zu erlauben. Quarantäne bedeutet für Commonwealth bald: keine Waren für den Laden, kein Verkauf und Transport des gesägten Holz, nichts außer den Vorräten in den Häusern. Zusätzlich belastend ist die Ungewissheit über das Schicksal der jungen Männer, die gerade im Ersten Weltkrieg kämpfen. Im Mittelpunkt der Handlung um eine der bekanntesten Pandemien der Weltgeschichte stehen zwei junge Männer. Graham hat nach einem harten Leben mit Mitte 20 in Worthys Projekt Arbeit und privates Glück gefunden. Der 16-jährige Philip, der wie ein jüngerer Bruder zu Graham aufsieht, ist durch einen schweren Unfall in seiner Kindheit körperbehindert und wurde von Charles adoptiert.
Als die beiden jungen Männern an der Zufahrt gemeinsam Wache schieben, stehen sie vor der Entscheidung, ob sie auf einen Menschen schießen würden, um ihr Leben und die Gesundheit der Bewohner zu schützen. Philip muss diese Entscheidung schon bald treffen – und prompt hat der Ort einen Fremden unterzubringen, der die tödliche Infektion nach Commonwealth bringen könnte. In zahlreichen Szenenwechseln erfährt man die Vorgeschichte der Personen, lernt Rebeccas Aktivitäten gegen den Krieg und für Frauenrechte kennen und folgt dem altersgebeugten Dr. Banes zu seinen Patienten. Banes hat sich auch im abgelegenen Pazifischen Nordwesten stets fortgebildet. Er weiß, dass die Spanische Grippe einen Menschen innerhalb von 24 Stunden töten kann und Ärzte wie pflegende Familienangehörige hochgefährdet sind. Und doch kann der Arzt nach Tagen der Quarantäne nicht jede Erkrankung zu einer Infektionsquelle zurückverfolgen. Dr. Banes Vorgehen fand ich hochinteressant, wie auch die Entwicklung einer Gemeinschaft in der Krise. Die Bewohner müssen zwischen dem Überleben der Stärkeren und Worthys sozialem Weg wählen, der theoretisch erfolgreicher sein könnte. In der Folge stellen sich zeitlose ethische Fragen zu sinnvollem contra moralisch korrektem Handeln, zu eigenen Grenzen in der Krise und wie man eigentlich Informationen von Gerüchten unterscheidet.
Für einen Debutroman finde ich Mullens Erstling außerordentlich klug konstruiert und genau recherchiert. Wer sich für die ungeschminkte Darstellung der Arbeitswelt und des Pionierdaseins an einem abgelegenen Ort interessiert, wird hier fündig. Mullen erzählt im Nachwort, dass er das Thema Spanische Grippe aufnahm, weil er sich nicht erklären konnte, wie die Pandemie aus dem kollektiven Gedächtnis verschwinden konnte. Vermutlich konnten Zeitzeugen die grauenhaften Erlebnisse nicht anders als durch Verdrängung ertragen. Mullen richtet sich mit dem erweiterten Nachwort der Neuauflage direkt an Leser während der aktuellen Pandemie. Im Erscheinungsjahr 2006 hätte ich „Die Stadt am Ende der Welt“ vermutlich allein mit der Frage im Hinterkopf gelesen, ob ein Projekt wie Commonwealth eine globale Krise erfolgreicher bewältigen kann als die übrige kapitalistische Welt – und ob die Hauptfiguren überleben werden. Im Jahr 2020 mitten in der Corona-Pandemie ergeben sich dazu - erschreckend vertraute - Momente, die mich zusammenzucken lassen, als z. B. im Ort die ersten Verschwörungstheorien die Runde machen und sich jemand damit rechtfertigt, er würde das Gesagte selbst nicht glauben, sondern nur erzählen, was geredet wird. Nach Mullens Roman sollte niemand mehr behaupten können, man hätte über Pandemien nichts gewusst ...
Als die beiden jungen Männern an der Zufahrt gemeinsam Wache schieben, stehen sie vor der Entscheidung, ob sie auf einen Menschen schießen würden, um ihr Leben und die Gesundheit der Bewohner zu schützen. Philip muss diese Entscheidung schon bald treffen – und prompt hat der Ort einen Fremden unterzubringen, der die tödliche Infektion nach Commonwealth bringen könnte. In zahlreichen Szenenwechseln erfährt man die Vorgeschichte der Personen, lernt Rebeccas Aktivitäten gegen den Krieg und für Frauenrechte kennen und folgt dem altersgebeugten Dr. Banes zu seinen Patienten. Banes hat sich auch im abgelegenen Pazifischen Nordwesten stets fortgebildet. Er weiß, dass die Spanische Grippe einen Menschen innerhalb von 24 Stunden töten kann und Ärzte wie pflegende Familienangehörige hochgefährdet sind. Und doch kann der Arzt nach Tagen der Quarantäne nicht jede Erkrankung zu einer Infektionsquelle zurückverfolgen. Dr. Banes Vorgehen fand ich hochinteressant, wie auch die Entwicklung einer Gemeinschaft in der Krise. Die Bewohner müssen zwischen dem Überleben der Stärkeren und Worthys sozialem Weg wählen, der theoretisch erfolgreicher sein könnte. In der Folge stellen sich zeitlose ethische Fragen zu sinnvollem contra moralisch korrektem Handeln, zu eigenen Grenzen in der Krise und wie man eigentlich Informationen von Gerüchten unterscheidet.
Für einen Debutroman finde ich Mullens Erstling außerordentlich klug konstruiert und genau recherchiert. Wer sich für die ungeschminkte Darstellung der Arbeitswelt und des Pionierdaseins an einem abgelegenen Ort interessiert, wird hier fündig. Mullen erzählt im Nachwort, dass er das Thema Spanische Grippe aufnahm, weil er sich nicht erklären konnte, wie die Pandemie aus dem kollektiven Gedächtnis verschwinden konnte. Vermutlich konnten Zeitzeugen die grauenhaften Erlebnisse nicht anders als durch Verdrängung ertragen. Mullen richtet sich mit dem erweiterten Nachwort der Neuauflage direkt an Leser während der aktuellen Pandemie. Im Erscheinungsjahr 2006 hätte ich „Die Stadt am Ende der Welt“ vermutlich allein mit der Frage im Hinterkopf gelesen, ob ein Projekt wie Commonwealth eine globale Krise erfolgreicher bewältigen kann als die übrige kapitalistische Welt – und ob die Hauptfiguren überleben werden. Im Jahr 2020 mitten in der Corona-Pandemie ergeben sich dazu - erschreckend vertraute - Momente, die mich zusammenzucken lassen, als z. B. im Ort die ersten Verschwörungstheorien die Runde machen und sich jemand damit rechtfertigt, er würde das Gesagte selbst nicht glauben, sondern nur erzählen, was geredet wird. Nach Mullens Roman sollte niemand mehr behaupten können, man hätte über Pandemien nichts gewusst ...
January 20, 2021
Fabulous book and perfect for the times we are living in. Commonwealth, WA 1918 is a mill town that has quarantined itself from all outsiders due to the Spanish flu pandemic. They believe that doing so will help them ride out the illness in safety. Commonwealth is a community founded by a survivor of the IWW strike in Everett, WA years earlier--founded as a place where men can work and families live freely and in fairness in the society of the town and the workplace. Their plan starts to crash when an interloper, a soldier from a nearby army fort-with a cough-tries to enter the town and is shot dead. When another soldier comes on his heels, Philip, the adopted son of the mill owner and he are placed in a 48 hour quarantine together to ride out the period of contagion. It is during this time, however, that the flu takes hold of the town, and panic ensues among the inhabitants. And in the background of all of this is the draft as America enters WW1.
This is a great examination of the psyche of survival in times of crisis. In the age of COVID, it is especially eye opening and "familiar". The disbelief, the race for treatment, the desire to protect (and the faulty belief that one CAN 100% protect oneself-albeit an entire town), and the devastating effects of an illness that shows no pity--all ring true in 202-21. The violence, doubt, fear, uncertainty, panic, and love that get affected in times of crisis are all examined through the characters and the plot of this tale.This is a novel that makes those elements of a pandemic crystal clear, as well as the consequences of even the best meant, carefully considered decisions. Excellent!
This is a great examination of the psyche of survival in times of crisis. In the age of COVID, it is especially eye opening and "familiar". The disbelief, the race for treatment, the desire to protect (and the faulty belief that one CAN 100% protect oneself-albeit an entire town), and the devastating effects of an illness that shows no pity--all ring true in 202-21. The violence, doubt, fear, uncertainty, panic, and love that get affected in times of crisis are all examined through the characters and the plot of this tale.This is a novel that makes those elements of a pandemic crystal clear, as well as the consequences of even the best meant, carefully considered decisions. Excellent!
September 29, 2020
Prescient for the times we are living in right now with the pandemic; amazing how the author got so much right in his descriptions of the disease, although this book was written in 2006. Set in the fictional logging town of Commonwealth, Washington, it tells the story of a small town that quarantines itself from the outside world during the Spanish flu years; all are forbidden to enter under threat of death. Should people leave, they mayn't return. A kind act by one of the guards, a young man named Philip, brings repercussions to the town. A subplot involves the Great War and soldiers. Is the soldier to whom Philip shows mercy a German spy in disguise? Has the soldier brought the pestilence to the town, with Philip its unwitting conduit? The inhabitants do get the disease. If not from Philip, from where?
The seed of the idea from the book arose from the author's having read of such towns that quarantined themselves at that time, but this book is completely fictional. A fascinating, unputdownable tale.
Highly recommended.
The seed of the idea from the book arose from the author's having read of such towns that quarantined themselves at that time, but this book is completely fictional. A fascinating, unputdownable tale.
Highly recommended.
July 31, 2020
Wow. Just wow. By complete coincidence, a friend of mine stumbled across this book set during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic while looking for a more recent novel by the author. The setting is a mill town in Washington state that decides to reverse quarantine during the epidemic to keep outsiders from bringing in the flu. It’s not only a book about how the flu could ravage a town, but also about human nature and what people do when faced with truly life or death decisions and the line between right and wrong is blurred. The writing is stunning. Some sentences are so perfectly crafted that I’d read them again and again, unable to proceed further. In short, I could not put this one down. It’s one of the best, if not the best, book I’ve read this year.
November 15, 2020
What an absorbing read this book was! With so many elements exploring history, morality, relationships. I was enthralled, and enjoyed many side dives into the history of America’s involvement in WW1, labour relations of the time, conscription, Liberty Bonds and of course, the Spanish Flu - I love a great story that also teaches me something new! What is more, I’m glad I found this book now (and not back in 2006 when it was written) as I feel living in times of Covid-19 have deepened my understanding of the actions of the folk of Commonwealth, and their attempt to quarantine themselves. I could put myself in their shoes in a far more profound way after having lived through ‘lockdown’, and the ongoing crisis myself. I also loved how characters were introduced and developed, even the minor players. This book has such complexity and depth and I highly recommend it.
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