This is an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) uncorrected proofs - different cover paperback. Large trade paperback size.
From Publishers Weekly It is the autumn of 1918 and a world war and an influenza epidemic rage outside the isolated utopian logging community of Commonwealth, Wash. In an eerily familiar climate of fear, rumor and patriotic hysteria, the town enacts a strict quarantine, posting guards at the only road into town. A weary soldier approaches the gate on foot and refuses to stop. Shots ring out, setting into motion a sequence of events that will bring the town face-to-face with some of the 20th-century's worst horrors. Mullen's ambitious debut is set against a plausibly sketched background, including events such the Everett Massacre (between vigilantes and the IWW), the political repression that accompanied the U.S. entry into WWI and the rise of the Wobblies. The grim fascination of the narrative will keep readers turning the pages. Update 10/19/07: This was a very powerful and emotional novel set during the great flu epidemic of 1918. The novel raises some very serious issues about family and community responsibilities during times of crisis. When the town decides to quarantine itself to protect the community from the flu epidemic, pressures and paranoia set in. On top of the flu epidemic was added the pressures of World War I, refusals to enlist, and rights of the mill workers. In the town of Commonwealth, the fear of flu, the lack of supplies, and agreed-to restrictions eventually lead to catastrophe. This was a very thought-provoking and well-written novel and raises some big questions about how people react in crisis situations. The story is also very relevant to today’s world with the threat of a bird flu pandemic and international terrorism. I have heard favorable comparisons of this novel to Geraldine Brooks’ YEAR OF WONDERS, about a similar self-imposed quarantine of an English village during the Great Plague, which is one of my TBRs that I hope to get to soon. “Last Town on Earth” is definitely one of the best books I have read this year.
It's days later, and I'm still thinking about this book. Choices people make, even with the best intentions, doesn't always work in the long run. This book is a compelling look at how an epidemic during wartime affects a small town in early 20th century America in ways both large and small.
Journal Entry 6 by krin511 at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, November 11, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (11/10/2007 UTC) at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
This apparently arrived in the mail yesterday, though no one bothered to tell me that it was here. I'm in the middle of a book, but I should be able to start this soon, and then send it on its way.
The town of Commonwealth, Washington, was founded with high ideals as an experiment in fair labor. However, with the Great War raging in Europe and the Spanish Flu ravaging town after town, the residents of Commonwealth try to protect themselves with a quarantine, shutting the rest of the world out. This seemingly logical step turns out to be fraught with unexpected dangers, first from two soldiers wandering the forests and then from residents of the neighboring town who harbor deep resentments against the men of Commonwealth.
Set against a backdrop of extreme labor unrest and a war that is adamantly and vocally supported by many but quietly opposed by others, this is a story about the choices people and communities face in times of crisis, and the often difficult to predict consequences of those actions. While the best path may appear obvious at first, circumstance may later suggest that it was the wrong choice. Perhaps the best we can do is pick what seems best at the time and hope for the best. This is not a story with a happy ending, but for someone who likes stories that give them issues to ponder, this book will provide an entire feast of food for thought.
The book is wrapped up and ready to move on. I'll probably drop it in the mail to Tennessee tomorrow.
This was a really interesting book! I really enjoyed it. I am living in Everett at the moment, which is mentioned often in the book, which did start as a logging town. This whole area was a big logging area.
This book made me think, esp the moral dilemas presented in the book. I could see things from both sides. Makes you wonder what you would do in this same situation. Sure, it was set in the past, but you never know what the future will bring. What is more important, protecting your family/community or abiding by socities rules?
Book went out on 2/14 to Wiley90. Sorry I am just now journaling.
Sadly, I'm having difficulty getting into this book. I generally like books like this, so not sure what the problem is. If it wasn't a ring (with others waiting in line) I would probably struggle through.
On its way to Portugal next week. Thank you for sharing!
Ok, this was an enjoyable read up to a point and then it just became too obvious and very uninteresting. The premise is very good and although the characters aren’t especially good or the plot brilliantly conceived the author does manage to keep it readable up to a point and then the whole thing just becomes a little repetitive, lacking in emotion and too dead ended to make it worth it, for me at least. The moral dilemmas and the eagerness to protect a certain way of life in the face of terrible adversity can only carry the story so far (not far enough to be stirring just enough to make you wonder how this story would work if written by a better craftsman), and the cheap way out in which the author brings it to an end were not enough for me to be delighted in the reading. I did enjoy some of the remarks the author throws in there comparing how the government and the media always work together in a war situation be it renaming sauerkraut as liberty cabbage or French fries becoming freedom fries (how dumb can you get during war time? Pretty dumb I guess), but that doesn’t really save the book. It’s a nice mindless distraction but not a good novel. I’ll be sending it on when I get an address.
I agree with perryfran, this was a very powerful, emotional and thought-provoking novel. The story tells all about fear and what it does to human beings. I did not understand the idea to quarantine the town to protect the community from the flu epidemic. How far would you go to protect your family and your own life? Is it worth killing for? It is so selfish and against Christian thinking.
I think Thomas Mullen has made a good job. This is a very good first novel.
Thank you for shareing the novel perryfran!
I'll send the book to safrolistics tomorrow.
Journal Entry 24 by myrtillus at Pori, Satakunta Finland on Monday, September 22, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (9/22/2008 UTC) at Pori, Satakunta Finland
Haven't read a ring in ages..... then three come through the post all at once! This may take me some time to get through!
15th December 2008; Finaly finished this! Sorry for taking so long with it. What with being Xmas, I'm a bit swamped for postage costs, so I'll be posting it on to the next person in the next week or so.
Journal Entry 26 by Safrolistics at a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (12/30/2008 UTC) at a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
This is an excellent first novel from an author who I hope to read more of (excuse the bad grammar!) I especially enjoyed the clear characterisations - Graham, Elsie and Frank were particular favourites of mine. I read The Year of Wonders a couple of years ago and though I prefer Geraldine Brooks’ novel, Mullen paints a chilling picture of life under quarantine, affected by paranoia and fear.
The last few chapters, in particular, hit me hard, maybe because things happened so quickly after a few slow chapters of angst (especially Graham's angst) and people dying of the flu!
This was well written, thought provoking and a real page turner. Highly recommended.
Thanks for sharing, perryfran :-) I've got RonOren's address and will post on to him in the next couple of days.
This just arrived! It looks very interesting and I@ve just finished another book, so I'll get started with this immediately. I'll come back and say some more soon.
Sorry for taking so long to journal this; I've been a bit disorganised lately.
I thought this was a really good book, enjoyable and yet rather deep (and it was quite strange to read, afterwards, that some of the earlier journalers felt it was a bit shallow. Well, I guess you can't argue these kind of things). The book paints a very vivid picture of the US in this time of turmoil, one that I didn't know much about. For one, I always thought that the Spanish flu only hit after the War had been fought, so I never realised that it coincided and that people protecting themselves from the flu would be deemed traitors. The other thing that surprised me was the feeling of a witch-hunt to root out people that were dodging the draft. It was very much like the stories of the McCarthy-era, which I never expected for WWI. Come to think of it, don't quite know why not, though...
I have to agree with some of the earlier journalers that the characters were not very much fleshed out and I guess the ending is slightly wimpy. But for all that, it kept me spell-bound to the end; not so much because I wanted to know what would happen, but because I felt part of this world and I really wanted all the trouble to stop for this people. So I'd say Mullen's done a great job of his debut book and I hope to see more of his in the future!
Thanks for sharing this book, perryfran! I've got frenchnicola's address, so I'll pop by the PO on the way home and send the book onwards in its journey soon.
I devoured this book. I really didn't know anything about Spanish flu before this, only in an abstract kind of way, so I'm pleased that I know a little more now. The book was very sad, a bit depressing really (and unsurprisingly) but I thought it was well-written and kept me interested in the lives of the people.
Thanks for sharing. I'll PM snufkin now and get it on it's way.
This arrived today, thanks so much! I've got quite a TBR at the moment but I'm trying to work through it as fast as possible so I'll try not to keep this too long.
Update 24 June: Sorry for keeping this so long! I'm reading it now, and I'll hopefully be able to pass it on in a couple of weeks.
This was the best book I've read so far this year! I was hooked right from the start.
I didn't know much about the Spanish flu before reading this. I once watched a (I think Disney Family Time) movie about it, but otherwise I hadn't come across much information on it. This book is so well researched that I learned a lot about the epidemic, but also about America during WWI and workers' rights (or lack thereof) during that period. The "Authors Note" at the end was interesting to read - to find out that there really were towns like Commonwealth, the strike in Everett was real, and unfortunately conscientious objectors were really treated as badly as described in the novel.
When I started reading this I had just come back from a trip to Hong Kong, where people are currently very nervous about swine flu: there are signs everywhere about proper hygiene and many people wear gauze masks. So this seemed very topical to me in a strange way, and even though here in South Africa we haven't been very seriously affected by swine flu I think I've picked up some of the paranoia of the characters in the book :P
I'm only giving it 9 stars because, as others have mentioned, the final chapter is rushed and feels more like a hastily written summary of events than a real conclusion. Besides that one complaint I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to more by Mullen. In the meantime I think I'll read Geraldine Brookes' Year of Wonders which I have somewhere gathering dust.
I already have spoiledrotten's address, so I'll send this on next week.
Journal Entry 38 by snufkin81 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, July 18, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/18/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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Sent by airmail today. The delay was due to a break in the spine which I first wanted to fix with some glue - I hope it holds!
Received in the mail today along with another ring. Thanks so much for including me. I will read ASAP. I LOVE the beautiful postcard - thanks so much. So far the binding repair is holding up.
I must say I enjoyed this book a great deal. I was captivated by the story line,characters and overall description from the very beginning. It has been a while since I read a book that I couldn't put down! I agree with perryfran and ResQGeek's comments about the book, so I won't repeat them. I have GrannyAnn's mailing info & will journal after it has been sent. THANKS so much for including me and THANKS to snufkin81 for sending. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and will try and track down a copy of Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
Journal Entry 41 by spoiledrotten at West Henrietta, New York USA on Friday, July 31, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/31/2009 UTC) at West Henrietta, New York USA
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This was sent out this afternoon to GrannyAnn to continue on its journey.
I really enjoyed this book. There was much I did not know about the Pacific Northwest in the time before and during the first World War. Another journaler mentioned the similarities between this book and The Year of Wonders. Both books talk about the difficulties of keeping yourself apart. Although the people of Commonwealth were trying to keep the flu out and the people in Year of Wonders were keeping the plague in.
I found this book both moving and thought provoking. It makes you wonder how we will react if the H1N1 flu is worse than we think it will be.
Will be posting to Hawaii tomorrow.
Journal Entry 44 by GrannyAnn at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, New York USA on Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/26/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, New York USA
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Off to the next reader in Hawaii! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
A complicated story featuring World War I on the homefront, the influenza pandemic, and labor issues, with a side look at the women's suffrage movement. Thought-provoking, especially with the looming H1N1 virus never far from the news.
Another book I might never have read if it weren't for Bookcrossing - thank you for the opportunity!
Journal Entry 47 by hyphen8 at Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Monday, October 5, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (10/5/2009 UTC) at Honolulu, Hawaii USA
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This book is a bit heavy, so I'm sending it to the next person via media mail. It will be sent on 10/05, and normal transit time seems to be about 3 weeks, although every once in a while it's faster.
All of my comments would repeat those of the others. I learned so much about the Spanish Influenza, the Pacific Northwest during that time period and much of the struggles during WWI. Great book and characters. Thank you all for sharing this with me.
I am so sorry that this has taken so long. Things got incredibly hectic around my house with the holidays and everything that I never got a chance to slow down. Just wanted to make a quick note that the book is packaged, labeled and ready to go. Again I am so sorry!!
Journal Entry 51 by kaila-ann at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA on Friday, December 18, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (12/18/2009 UTC) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA
This book has been on quite a journey. I have several Rings/Rays before it, so it will be a while before I get to it.
Journal Entry 53 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Friday, May 28, 2010
I didn't really like this book. I did learn some things about the plague of 1918 and also that World War I was not exactly a popular war. So, some of the facts were interesting; unfortunately, I didn't much care for any of the characters
Journal Entry 54 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Friday, May 28, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (5/28/2010 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA
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It's off to Guinaveve. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 55 by guinaveve at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I received this in the mail a few days ago. I am eager to read it after the book I am currently reading. Thanks for including me in this ray. I am going to go ahead and PM the next participant so that I have an address to send this to when I am finished.
Journal Entry 56 by guinaveve at -- Somewhere, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I was very caught up in this story. It is about a time period I don't know much about in American history in an area of the US that I have never been, so both aspects were interesting to me. I have the address of the next participant and will be sending this along tomorrow. Side note: The book is looking a bit rough, though definitely still very readable. The cover is wearing thin and is bent both on the front and back and the binding was cracked in two. I secured it fairly well in order to prevent any pages from escaping. It didn't bother me as I read the book, so hopefully it will make it through several more readers, especially with some TLC.
Journal Entry 57 by guinaveve at on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (6/29/2010 UTC) at
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Thanks!
Journal Entry 58 by firepal at Hillsboro, Texas USA on Sunday, July 11, 2010
This book does stir your thoughts as to what one might do in such violent situations. Fear and political loyalties, community and family pressures and ties, struggeling to live. Interesting. Felt like a more modern time rather than 1918..not sure why that is. Think I will read the suggested refernce about The Great Influenza. Waiting for address to forward on.
Journal Entry 59 by firepal at Hillsboro, Texas USA on Tuesday, July 13, 2010
This book is on it's way to the next person on this book ray! Enjoy
Journal Entry 60 by mhs160 at Media, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I received the book in the mail yesterday! Thank you. I hope to start it later this week.
Journal Entry 61 by mhs160 at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (11/30/2010 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
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No response from next person on the list, so I'm sending it home to perryfran. Thanks for sharing.
Journal Entry 62 by perryfran at North Ogden, Utah USA on Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Book is back home! It looks like it has been around the world and back - oh, I guess it has! Thanks everyone for participating in this ring.
Journal Entry 63 by perryfran at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Saturday, December 11, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (12/11/2010 UTC) at Neenah, Wisconsin USA
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Sending as a RABCK to imawinn2 in Wisconsin. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 64 by imawinn2 at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, December 16, 2010
WOW! This book has made the rounds and looks like it has had much reading and love. I had this on my Wishlist and perryfran was so thoughtful to send this to me as a RABCK. I love historical fiction. This one will be especially interesting to me as it deals with the influenza epidemic of 1918. My great-grandmother died, in 1918, of that very virus. My grandfather was only eight years old. She had nursed the whole family through the sickness but became too weak to fight it herself. I look forward to delving into the pages of this book and reading about the challenges the characters face. Thanks so much perryfran!
Journal Entry 65 by imawinn2 at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, October 15, 2020
One of those books that makes you think and question the decisions made and wonder how I would have responded, if put in a similar situation. When acting with the best intentions, this story shows that this set off a whole bunch of new problems. Hmm.... This was an especially interesting book to read during this 2020 Covid 19 pandemic.
I lent this book out to a friend who lives in a remote northern Wisconsin town, where logging is an important industry. I will be curious as to his thoughts.
Journal Entry 66 by imawinn2 at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Sunday, February 7, 2021
Released 3 yrs ago (2/7/2021 UTC) at Neenah, Wisconsin USA
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Sending this book off in Spatial's Bookbox of the Apocalypse & Other Realities. Hope it finds a new reader. Happy travels!
Journal Entry 67 by Spatial at Moneta, Virginia USA on Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Journal Entry 68 by Spatial at Little Free Library #129747 in Falls Church, Virginia USA on Thursday, November 11, 2021
Released 2 yrs ago (11/11/2021 UTC) at Little Free Library #129747 in Falls Church, Virginia USA
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This VERY well traveled book is off on another adventure.
Left a few books at this nice LFL on the corner and picked up a few books. Then found a LARGE LFL not far from this one that didn’t show up on the LFL map. The other one is on the corner of Carolyn Dr. & Cresswell Dr. LFL #31630.
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