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gabriel98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chelseaxraven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.5
nicsmyth's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible writing. The author’s love for Australia’s beautiful nature and life is so evident and so devastating, when the effects of man-made climate change are shown through the novel’s apocalyptic plot.
I didn’t expect to love this story as much as I do. I feared for Rachel, Hannah and baby Isaiah on their drive through hell but appreciate the writer’s perspective on human behaviour during the end times.
Hopeful ending, beautiful writing; a reminder that hope will always persist.
I didn’t expect to love this story as much as I do. I feared for Rachel, Hannah and baby Isaiah on their drive through hell but appreciate the writer’s perspective on human behaviour during the end times.
Hopeful ending, beautiful writing; a reminder that hope will always persist.
maree_k's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall a great read but it lost a little momentum in the final 20% of the book. The idea of the “invaders” was really well done. The way fear/terror was described/embodied was really well done.
lisa_granshaw's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. But I didn’t love it. It did give me the confidence to move to the hills, live of the land with a pile of books though.
nomo_book_club's review against another edition
4.0
This apocalyptic novel, set in a dystopian Australia that has already been besieged by fires and pandemics, tells the tale of a shadowy force that is fearfully stalking and wiping out the population. The Last Woman in the World is focused around the character of Rachel, a reclusive glass artist living off-grid and alone out in the bush, unburdened by societal expectations of partnership or motherhood, and who is blissfully unaware of what is happening. Her self-imposed exile from society is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a strange woman with a sickly baby at her door one night. The stranger, Hannah, warns Rachel of the impending danger, but together they need to leave the safety of Rachel's home and journey out into the world in order to find medication to save Hannah's baby. They must travel cross-country to Rachel's sister's clinic in a nearby town, but her sister is gone, so they then go onto Canberra to find her sister (who is also childfree).
The book presents an interesting duo with its mother and childfree combo. Rachel has no interest in a traditional female role and is somewhat bemused by what to do with a baby - and even when she is forced into a more hands-on role later, there is no cliched epiphany of Rachel realising that her redemption lies in embracing motherhood. But, however dark the story is, Rachel does go on a journey of healing (we find out her background trauma bit by bit across the novel) and comes out at the other end as truly a survivor.
The book presents an interesting duo with its mother and childfree combo. Rachel has no interest in a traditional female role and is somewhat bemused by what to do with a baby - and even when she is forced into a more hands-on role later, there is no cliched epiphany of Rachel realising that her redemption lies in embracing motherhood. But, however dark the story is, Rachel does go on a journey of healing (we find out her background trauma bit by bit across the novel) and comes out at the other end as truly a survivor.
fagis_crumpet's review against another edition
4.0
Once more to the end of the world. This time, not a virus but an entity that lives on your fear making you, quite literally, die of fright. We never quite find out how the thing started but the indications are that it's all our fault. Good new is you can fend it off with pop music and babies. Story starts off really really well, a real sense of place (SE Australia) and feeling of isolation but once you get halfway though, the whole thing just peters out into just another dystopian road trip. Feels a bit Birdboxy, but not as good.
3.5 rounded up because we have chocolate!!!!!
3.5 rounded up because we have chocolate!!!!!
macaoidh's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Beautifully but simply written. It's not a thriller so much as a constant worry while one turns the pages feverishly. Thank you Inga Simpson.
neencohen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has stayed with me, and that’s one of the best compliments I could ever give a book.
The writing is literary but reachable, the story compelling and enticing, the descriptions rich and enveloping, and the emotions are so raw and real it’s hard to believe these characters aren’t real.
The heartbreak tore me apart, the depiction of fear and anxiety is delicious and the haunting quality of this book is something I could only ever dream of reaching as an author myself.
I can’t tell you more without spoiling this book. But it is absolutely worth reading.
The writing is literary but reachable, the story compelling and enticing, the descriptions rich and enveloping, and the emotions are so raw and real it’s hard to believe these characters aren’t real.
The heartbreak tore me apart, the depiction of fear and anxiety is delicious and the haunting quality of this book is something I could only ever dream of reaching as an author myself.
I can’t tell you more without spoiling this book. But it is absolutely worth reading.