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The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
Product: The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
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List Price: $13.95
Our Price: $11.16
Your Save: $ 2.79 ( 20% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Book written by: Thomas Mullen
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Product Description: The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780812975925
ISBN: 0812975928
Label: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Manufacturer: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 432
Publication Date: 2007-07-31
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Release Date: 2007-07-31
Studio: Random House Trade Paperbacks
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Editorial Reviews about The Last Town on Earth: A Novel:
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Set against the backdrop of one of the most virulent epidemics that America ever experienced–the 1918 flu epidemic–Thomas Mullen’s powerful, sweeping first novel is a tale of morality in a time of upheaval.
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 illness 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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Spotlight customer reviews about The Last Town on Earth: A Novel:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
Comment: I absolutely loved this story, this would be a great read whether it was 1958 or 2008. If well-developed characters are an interest for you, start reading. If we are interested in our future, we must learn lessons from the past. I see so many parallels from this historical tale to our world of today. Don't worry about the details of the story, the less you know in advance the more interesting the tale. The writer takes you to this time and place, emotionally and physically; you can see it, taste it, smell it, feel it, and experience it. The characters are believable and their conflicts very real. As the author so delicately weaves the historical, philosophical, and ethical issues together, the importance of respect and understanding for each human being is crystalized. Enough said. I have never provided a review before but I just had to share my thoughts on this book and this author. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Decent idea poorly executed.
Comment: Astonishing that this book has gotten 5-star reviews from readers; I couldn't even finish it.
It's a worthy premise, and because I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I was hooked by the dust jacket promising a powerful piece of historical fiction set in a small Washington logging town. But the author proves to be a rather clumsy writer, his prose full of anachronisms, and his characters shallow and obvious.
The horrific incident that sets the plot in motion, when two townsmen have to kill an interloper (fearing he may be carrying the influenza virus) is handled perfunctorily to say the least. I also didn't like the way the story's hero is set up to be shy, physically handicapped 16-year-old Philip Worthy -- whose unworldly viewpoint could have provided a prism through which to follow events, in the grand tradition of so many other novels centered around a youthful protagonist -- but the author suddenly leaps into the mind and memories of his adult friend Graham. I found this jarring, and a sign of a novice writer struggling to advance the tale he wants to tell. My interest waned steadily and after a few more chapters, I ultimately put the book aside unfinished. I don't often do that.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I got really immersed in this one
Comment: I read mostly genre fiction - sci fi, crime, fantasy - so this novel was a stretch beyond my usual boundaries, and I am extremely glad I gave it a chance. The setting represented the rural Pacific northwest perfectly, its isolation and extensive wilderness. Characters proved accessible and memorable, particularly the strong and silent Graham, on whom I developed a slight mancrush. Best of all, everything felt organic and natural, a narrative powered by circumstance and event rather than artistic necessity. That frightening sense of isolation permeated the entire story and really allowed me to lose myself in the novel. Highly recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Comment: This was an interesting novel, however, parts of it were a bit boring, which I skipped over. Because of this, the pace of the book was slow. The books should have been edited better. It was about 100 pages too long. I don't know if this is the editor's fault or the writer's or both.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disaster of a Novel
Comment: Like many disasters, this story started out promising. The beginning chapters were absolutely riveting, page turning, couldn't put it down, glue you to your seat, riveting. Like all disasters,it went downhill from there. The author gave pages upon pages of useless backstory that had nothing to do with the current situation of the characters. He attempted to make the recollections have some sort of point but failed miserably in having the characters learn from their previous history which, in essence, made the back story worthless. He chose the most boring, cliched character from which to tell the story - a mistake that unfortunately lasted for the entire story. In the midst of a story about the plague, he throws in spies and war stories which while interesting, have no place in this book. It's as if he's got two separate novels here and no one editing it bothered to point out that he should probably save that idea for his next novel. I'm exceptionally sorry I wasted the money on this book. If the premise intrigues you, please - borrow it at a library and don't waste your money.
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