Last Town on Earth

By: Thomas Mullen

Narrated by: Henry Strozier

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2007 Thomas Mullen (P)2004 Recorded Books,LLC

Thrill for a Reader. Model for a Writer

I haven't written fan mail since I was around 10, and apparently Bo Duke did not actually live in Hazard County. Now I'm working on my letter to Thomas Mullen. The author's ability to create such texture with the layering of context, setting, conflict, and characters (within a very confined setting and a small cast of unique characters) allowed me to appreciate this well-crafted novel on two different levels.

The act of the small town quarantining itself from the flu (and the war) can never be proven as hubris or selfless humility. The characters' internal and external conflicts are never proven as perception or reality. The novel, then, is an engaging read; I felt like the plot could not continue without my participation. As I writer, I was awed by the consistency of the tightness of the plot and the comprehensive creation of the characters made Commonwealth a real world, populated with people I cared about.

Mullen's story is painful at times. A lot of times. But this is still the most fun I've had with a book in a long while.

Great WWI-era historical fiction

A very nicely written historical novel set in the American northwest during the 1918 flu epidemic. The town of Commonwealth is a small, backwoods mill town, founded by an idealistic mill owner and settled by a variety of workers, mostly fleeing from union strife and harder conditions in other mill towns. Their pleasant, egalitarian little town lives in peaceful isolation except for the lumber they send downriver, until the coming of World War I and the draft, and then the influenza.

Thomas Mullen weaves many issues into this novel. By 1918, the Great War was well underway and thousands of Americans had already died in Europe, but it was not universally popular. There was a strong anti-war sentiment, but thanks to laws passed by Congress and President Wilson, it had become effectively illegal to protest against the war. This was also a time of violent labor strife, with workers fighting for better wages and safer conditions. Marxism, socialism, and anarchism were all popular in many circles. When the war came, business interests took the opportunity to label unionists and other civil rights agitators as unpatriotic and undermining the war effort.

Commonwealth, "the last town on Earth," is a place that many people fled to to escape these troubles. Many of its male residents did not enlist for the draft. There are socialists and war protestors among them. No one cares much, except for a few rival mill owners in neighboring towns.

Then comes the flu. It's been decimating towns across the country. Commonwealth's leaders decide to quarantine themselves: let no one in or out of the town until they think the flu has passed. (Mullen based this on rumors that some towns tried this in 1918, though apparently none were really successful.) They post guards to keep visitors out -- with guns if necessary. Then a soldier comes out of the woods, begging for food and shelter, and beginning a series of events that brings tragedy to the town.

This isn't a book with a very happy ending, but everything follows logically from the choices people make, and the plotting just flows sensibly and smoothly. Violence happens, and there are consequences. No one gets away clean. Most of the time, you can understand all sides in the various conflicts.

Mullen populates Commonwealth with a variety of characters, pausing the story to tell the histories of several of them. So this is also a somewhat leisurely book in that it's not non-stop action, though the story does move right along between brief passages of exposition.

Great characterization and an interesting story with fine historical details. Highly recommended.

What is more savage?

War? Or disease? The devastation of mind and body recounted by those who suffered in WW1 and the Great Influenza that struck a nation. Graham, a mill worker, who only wanted a quiet life amid his family found a personal war for possession of his soul, almost more desperate than the scourge unfolding in his town. Or? Was Phillip or the soldier's plight the more haunting? The ghosts of the town were the only peaceful inhabitants....for their graves were many...surrounded by pines. The story tugged me in every direction. I loved it.

Could have been better

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator. A better narrator might have kept me engaged in the story. As it was I felt no involvement or investment in the characters.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Unremarkable ending.

What didn’t you like about Henry Strozier’s performance?

Slow, tedious, I zoned out a number of times and didn't seem to miss anything significant.

Could you see Last Town on Earth being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, the story is too long and slow.

What if...?

What if the world around you was frightening and dangerous?
What if you were morally opposed to war and employed those who were also opposed?
What if a dangerous disease was spreading like wildfire, killing and injuring anyone in its path.
How could you protect those you love, those in your employ?
These are the questions Thomas Mullen wrestles with in his brilliant historical period novel, "The Last Town on Earth."
Henry Strozier tells the story like a wise grandfather who has seen it all. You're drawn in to the moral dilemmas, how impulsive acts can change you, your family, your town.
Well worth your time, money and credit.

Really makes you think

In a time of the new H1N1 flu virus, this really makes you wonder to what extent people really would go to in an effort to prevent the spread of a disease that is killing half the population. I really enjoyed this book. It was very thought provoking. I was a bit disappointed with the ending as it seemed like there was no closure for any of the characters. They would have had to answer for the actions they had chosen to take, and yet there was no resolution to that, or the mental anguish that you would imagine they had to feel.

Loved the history

I now know that Thomas Mullen is an excellent author. I enjoyed this book and will certainly look for others by Mr Mullen I have it four stars because the end felt tacked on, but the epilogue resolved that issue. Excellent narration, too.

Havent finished but a little tedious to listen to

Several friends liked this book and I may as I get further in it but at least the first third feels more stiff and slightly pedantic than I'd expected it to be. I'm still trying to figure out why the author keeps having people "smirk" when they are in fact being rueful.

historically accurate and frightening

this book is full of historical accuracies that only go to show that we are repeating history with today's covid-19 pandemic

A great book for todays pandemic

While it deals w the Pandemic of 1918, i.e. the Spanish flu. And it’s all about quarantines and our neighbors dying. The ramifications of our actions have consequences. I truly enjoyed the book, it was written before COVID-19. The setting is 1919. It was well written and thought provoking.