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| View Larger Image | The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
by Thomas Mullen
Random House
| | List Price: | $17.95 | | Price: | $9.99 | | You Save: | $7.96 (44%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 3812 | | Release Date: | August 29, 2006 | | Studio: | Random House |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
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. |
Amazon.com
Wow. This stunning book succeeds on so many different levels--as an engrossing story, a character study, a history lesson, a modern day political allegory--I don't even know where to begin the praise. The Last Town on Earth centers on the inhabitants of a small logging town in Washington and what happens when they take drastic measures (quarantine) to try and protect themselves from the virulent and deadly flu epidemic of 1918. When a deserting WWI soldier demands sanctuary, events are set in motion that change the town forever. Although this is Mullen's first published work, there are none of the usual verbal pyrotechnics or high-wire "look how well I can write" balancing acts one sees with beginning authors. How refreshing to read a younger author who has already progressed beyond his ego and knows that it's all about story, story, story. Mullen tells his tale cleanly, simply and plainly--making the ironies and allegories all the more potent. I knew almost nothing of the flu epidemic of 1918 and even less about the political climate in the US during WW1. These are not subjects I would go out of my way to read about, but Mullen has made them compelling and interesting. In fact, the author's voice has the same level of confidence and maturity that one only finds in writers with decades more experience (I kept thinking of Wallace Stegner and Alice Munro while I was reading)--authors who earn your trust and confidence so early and easily that you completely relax into the writing and the voice. It's already on my Ten Best List; I can't imagine I'll read ten better books this year. It's easily the most impressive and heartfelt book I've read in a long while. --Terry Goodman |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 79 reviews)
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Disaster of a Novel 
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.
August 22, 2008 | |
Best novel I have read in years 
This book works on two levels. First it is a page turner. You can't put it down, you can't wait to see what happens next. Second, it is just plain good writing. I believe this book will be considered great literature in the years to come, just as we read Joyce, Woolf, etc. in literature classes in college and high school. But don't let THAT stop you from reading it now.
August 13, 2008 | |
Movie in the future? 
Great premise. Solid pacing. Not sure about the ending....I was expecting something a little better based on how well the first 2/3rds of the book was. Could make a great movie if done right. Recommended....I gave it 4 stars but should probably get 3.5....
August 11, 2008 | |
1491
The Last Town on Earth is a story of a town in Washington state that goes into complete quarantine during the 1918 flu epidemic. Thomas Mullen uses situations which character personalities can change the fate of many lives. The book specifically follows Philip and Graham on their journeys both before and during the quarantine. This theme is very popular one in his books, these kind of situations face the character with a moral dilemma on either path they chose. The challenges of living in complete isolation from other towns, people, or technology can be very taxing on people, and in The Last Town on Earth people make decisions that can blow over the house of cards that this sensitive community could be compared to. The two main characters are almost complete opposites, Graham is very aggressive and likes to clean up mistakes swiftly and without hesitation. Philip on the other hand is very sensitive and tries to find a different way if faced with doing something that could be considered morally wrong. When these two characters work together interesting things can happen, see for yourself in The Last Town on Earth.
August 07, 2008 | |
Juvenile writing falls flat
Thomas Mullen had a good thing going until he proceeded past the first couple of chapters of this book. The characters and situations are straight out of a high school girl's sappy diary/fantasy. Idealistic mill workers who garden together and don't fart and cuss? Give me a break. The romantic adventures of 15 year old kids made out to be upstanding citizens facing dilemas of great consequence just don't work. The teenage love plotlines embarrass me enough that I might puke if I have to recall them in any detail. Better to have stuck to the flu, the life of a milltown, and the political dissent. Clearly these topics were researched in a cursory manner for this book and the author does not draw on any sort of deep understanding of them. The author might have a successful career in trashy ramance novels, but not in serious literature.
July 22, 2008 | |
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