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A town under quarantine during the 1918 flu epidemic must reckon with forces beyond their control in a powerful, sweeping novel of morality in a time of upheaval
“An American variation on Albert Camus’ The Plague.”—Chicago Tribune
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY USA TODAY AND CHICAGO TRIBUNE • WINNER OF THE JAMES FENIMORE COOPER PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
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 virus 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.
“An American variation on Albert Camus’ The Plague.”—Chicago Tribune
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY USA TODAY AND CHICAGO TRIBUNE • WINNER OF THE JAMES FENIMORE COOPER PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
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 virus 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.
162 Reviews
3.5
Amelia
Created 3 months agoShare
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“Incredible book! Beautifully written and well paced. There were a lot of good moments that were action packed, and then the contrasting slower moments where you began to know the characters and their actions and motivations. Mullen did a fantastic job of describing the scenery and imagery of the PNW in the early 1900s, deep in the forest. I could easily transport myself into the book.
Reading this book post COVID-19 pandemic brought up a lot of feelings. Mullen was able to starkly describe the thoughts and feelings of characters going through unprecedented times and a scary contagious disease. A lot of the thoughts and feelings they were going through seemed remarkably similar to the ones I experienced during the pandemic. It was amazing that Mullen was able to accurately capture these feelings of events from over a hundred years ago, and that they were still applicable and relatable to the human experience of today.
The book seamlessly wove together all the events occurring at the time, the 1918 flu, WW1 and the anti-war movement, the Wobblies and labor movements, and the suffragist movement. It is packed full of historical context, but it does not seem overwhelming, it seems perfectly natural. Just as it might if you were experiencing these events as a part of daily life as the characters do.
The characters are complex and so unbelievably frustrating at times. I had a love-hate relationship with some of the characters throughout the story. But their thought processes are so well thought out and described in the book that you’re never left wondering why someone acted in the way that they did, which leaves you with good closure for the more questionable actions they take in times of pressure. Reading the book through the lens of a person in the 21st century was hard at points, but it was also easy to be brought back into the story to remember these were different times, and people didn’t know what we do now, or act how we’d expect them to.
All in all, an amazing book, captivating all throughout, and totally worth the read!”
Jessica Lin
Created 6 months agoShare
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Shannon
Created 8 months agoShare
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Lucy
Created 9 months agoShare
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smrowan4
Created about 1 year agoShare
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