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evan_w's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
amandagracereads's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adamjeffson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eviejayne's review
3.0
Set text for University
This was a strange apocalyptic novel which follows Adam Jeffson: the first man to reach the North Pole and the last man left alive on earth. Upon discovering that a peach-smelling purple cloud of poisonous gas has obliterated the world, he travels around the silent globe in search of human life. As the years pass by, he slowly succumbs to madness, questioning God’s plan and sets about burning and thus destroying his planet.
Being a ‘last man on earth’ novel, there was a lack of dialogue but an abundance of lengthy, dense prose. From the outset, I never particularly liked Adam, but as he falls into delirium, there’s no doubt that his musings on mankind are interesting, albeit often repulsive. I never rooted for him, yet, Shiels somehow sustained a story with a single, unsympathetic character at its core.
Moreover, Shiel’s writing has a mystical quality - I’ve never read prose quite like it. Amid the dense paragraphs are some of the most stunning descriptions I have ever read.
On the contrary, this last man of Earth expedition also comprises some of the most macabre descriptions as Adam succumbs to madness in the isolated world. I will admit to skimming parts, mostly his tediously intricate descriptions; ship after ship, city after city.
Overall, I’m surprised that this book isn’t as popular as fellow turn-of-the-century works. Despite the date of publication, it does not in any way feel dated - Adam travelling by ships, trains, cars and exploring the wonders of the pre-globalisation world. Shiel’s created an influential, unsettling story which although a task to read at times, encompasses a rich adventure and thought-provoking ideas.
This was a strange apocalyptic novel which follows Adam Jeffson: the first man to reach the North Pole and the last man left alive on earth. Upon discovering that a peach-smelling purple cloud of poisonous gas has obliterated the world, he travels around the silent globe in search of human life. As the years pass by, he slowly succumbs to madness, questioning God’s plan and sets about burning and thus destroying his planet.
Being a ‘last man on earth’ novel, there was a lack of dialogue but an abundance of lengthy, dense prose. From the outset, I never particularly liked Adam, but as he falls into delirium, there’s no doubt that his musings on mankind are interesting, albeit often repulsive. I never rooted for him, yet, Shiels somehow sustained a story with a single, unsympathetic character at its core.
Moreover, Shiel’s writing has a mystical quality - I’ve never read prose quite like it. Amid the dense paragraphs are some of the most stunning descriptions I have ever read.
“The moon came up into a pretty cloudless sky, and she was bright, but not bright enough to out-shine the enlightened flight of the ocean, which that night was one continuous swamp of Jack-o’-lantern phosphorescence, a wild but faint luminosity mingled with stars and flashes of brilliance…”
On the contrary, this last man of Earth expedition also comprises some of the most macabre descriptions as Adam succumbs to madness in the isolated world. I will admit to skimming parts, mostly his tediously intricate descriptions; ship after ship, city after city.
Overall, I’m surprised that this book isn’t as popular as fellow turn-of-the-century works. Despite the date of publication, it does not in any way feel dated - Adam travelling by ships, trains, cars and exploring the wonders of the pre-globalisation world. Shiel’s created an influential, unsettling story which although a task to read at times, encompasses a rich adventure and thought-provoking ideas.
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