The Last Man
The Last Man, published in 1826, is Mary Shelley's novel of the end of the human race. Set in the final decades of the twenty-first century, in an England that has become a republic, it follows Lionel Verney, a shepherd's son raised to the circle of Adrian, the former king's son, and the brilliant, restless Lord Raymond, whose lives and loves fill the first volume before a plague spreading from the East begins to empty the world. The survivors leave England for the Continent and dwindle until Verney is left alone in Rome to write his story. The book is a mourning for Shelley's dead friends, Byron and her husband among them, and one of the earliest works of apocalyptic fiction. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Last Man
The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Last Man online?
Yes. The Last Man opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Last Man free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Last Man is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Last Man in the public domain?
Yes. The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Last Man?
About 11 h 39 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Last Man?
The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
