From the Bookshelf of The Roundtable…

The Last Man

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Nov 28, 2013 Genia Lukin rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, classics

Really, what happened to Mary Shelley, the amazing Sheley of frankenstein? Honestly, this book was dull as paint.

What is even more horrifying, perhaps, is the immense social conservatism and lack of inventiveness we are seeing in this bok. It's science-fiction, for heaven's sake! Shelley dealt so beautifully with the struggle of science and the scientist versus the places where one should not tamper, and the limitations of science it seems almost a godsend for a book about a plague that (spoiler Really, what happened to Mary Shelley, the amazing Sheley of frankenstein? Honestly, this book was dull as paint.

What is even more horrifying, perhaps, is the immense social conservatism and lack of inventiveness we are seeing in this bok. It's science-fiction, for heaven's sake! Shelley dealt so beautifully with the struggle of science and the scientist versus the places where one should not tamper, and the limitations of science it seems almost a godsend for a book about a plague that (spoiler, no not really) kills all of mankind. But we see neither science nor science's limitations; we just see a plague happen, people die without attempting (and failing, fine, but at least attempting) to figure it out. Perhaps science even caused this? Why not? Give us something to chew on, here.

The 21st (or is it 22nd? Does it even matter?) century looks suspiciously like the 19th. Even socially, for some reason the establishment of a republic and the dissolution of the British monarchy (oops) did not bring about the dissolution of the aristocracy - perhaps Shelley knew her Brits better than I, but it does seem like she is afraid to take a bold step. More importantly, the narrator is the "son of a gentleman" thus endowed with inherent good qualities, and the main hero of the book is, how not, none other than the last remnant of the British royal family; because, you know, a leader who came out of some factory worker's lineage or a doctor's family is utterly unthinkable. Royal blood will tell.

The book begins with a whoosh, but ends, even with the complete destruction of mankind, with a fizz. its plot is bloated by half a book not even directly relevant to the main story, descriptions through the nose, and long recitals of the virtues of the protagonists, their family, their friends, and their country. Finally, it's chock-full packed with sometimes downright insipid melodrama, which does the otherwise slow and dull plot no real favours whatsoever.

Sad that all this talent and potential came to this, and no more. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review