The Last Man by Mary Shelly

Set in a distant future, this novel follows Lionel Verney as a devastating plague slowly wipes out humanity. As society collapses, Verney and his companions struggle to preserve hope, love, and dignity amid growing despair. The story is deeply personal, chronicling losses, migrations, and the slow erosion of the human world. Political idealism, personal grief, and philosophical reflection intertwine throughout. It’s a haunting meditation on isolation and the fragility of civilization.