Folio Archives 345: The Last Man by Mary Shelley 2012
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1wcarter
The Last Man by Mary Shelley 2012
Mary Shelley is famous for Frankenstein, but she also wrote this enthralling novel.
At the end of the 21st. century England becomes a republic after the last king abdicates and an egalitarian society develops. This dream society was soon shattered by an appalling plague that spread across the world from the East with a 100% mortality rate. The population of the world decreases to mere thousands and eventually hundreds, eventually leaving the world bare of humanity, except for one last man who was inexplicably immune to the plague.
This last man, Lionel, is initially a wretched youth, utterly distraught at the injustice that is his life. He is poor, uneducated and desperate, but he is educated by a man he initially loathes before he too dies. The story follows the life of the last few hundred humans, then the last human on Earth.
Shelley’s book was written in 1826 and the social mores, dress and technology of her era continue unchanged despite the novel being set nearly 200 years later, making it rather anachronistic in parts.
The xii + 426 page book is introduced by Sarah Hall and has 13 colour paintings, including a frontispiece, by Caspar David Friedrich. It is bound in brown cloth, cover blocked in maroon, gilt and white with a picture by Neil Gower. The slipcase (24.7x16.9cm.) and endpapers are dark brown.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
Mary Shelley is famous for Frankenstein, but she also wrote this enthralling novel.
At the end of the 21st. century England becomes a republic after the last king abdicates and an egalitarian society develops. This dream society was soon shattered by an appalling plague that spread across the world from the East with a 100% mortality rate. The population of the world decreases to mere thousands and eventually hundreds, eventually leaving the world bare of humanity, except for one last man who was inexplicably immune to the plague.
This last man, Lionel, is initially a wretched youth, utterly distraught at the injustice that is his life. He is poor, uneducated and desperate, but he is educated by a man he initially loathes before he too dies. The story follows the life of the last few hundred humans, then the last human on Earth.
Shelley’s book was written in 1826 and the social mores, dress and technology of her era continue unchanged despite the novel being set nearly 200 years later, making it rather anachronistic in parts.
The xii + 426 page book is introduced by Sarah Hall and has 13 colour paintings, including a frontispiece, by Caspar David Friedrich. It is bound in brown cloth, cover blocked in maroon, gilt and white with a picture by Neil Gower. The slipcase (24.7x16.9cm.) and endpapers are dark brown.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2gmacaree
I am not sure I'd call it enthralling. Interesting only for what Shelley thought might occupy our minds in her distant future.
4ubiquitousuk
Another entry in the list of books I regret not buying when it was given away almost for free in the deeply discounted sales of yore.
6Tamachan00
I have this edition, but have yet to read it - - I mean to get around to it, but never do! Wasn't it poorly received upon release (only to be re-evaluated much later)?
7overthemoon
The only things I like about this book are the illustrations, which I feel tempted to remove and keep. But I just can't do it.
I'd willingly send it to anyone who will pay the postage.
I'd willingly send it to anyone who will pay the postage.
8LesMiserables
Stunning illustrations.
9CarltonC
I think that this must be one of the only FS books I have purchased (full price in 2012) entirely for the art (another is Paula Rego’s Peter Pan). I haven’t yet read and don’t see it getting to the top of my TBR pile anytime soon.
But it’s a beautiful book.
But it’s a beautiful book.
10mdwhitby
It's a really lovely looking book but a bit of a struggle to get through. I'll definitely be keeping my copy in my Folio collection.
11JellyBelly1213 
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yall my book it on tapas its called the color pink plz go read it and tell me how i did
