The Last Man

Set in a future devastated by plague, this apocalyptic science fiction novel explores themes of isolation and despair. Mary Shelley weaves semi-biographical elements into the narrative, featuring characters inspired by notable Romantic figures, including her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. Initially met with harsh criticism and obscurity, the work gained recognition during a scholarly revival in the 1960s, highlighting its significance in the genre and its rich connections to Shelley's life and contemporaries.