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The Last Woman in the World

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The Last Woman in the World

By: Inga Simpson
Narrated by: Federay Holmes
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About this listen

AFTER THE FIRES. AFTER THE VIRUS. THEY CAME. A remarkable literary novel from the multi-award-nominated Australian writer

It's night, and the walls of Rachel's home creak as they settle into the cover of darkness. Fear has led her to a reclusive life on the land, her only occasional contact with her sister.

A hammering on the door. There stands a mother, Hannah, with a sick baby. They are running for their lives from a mysterious death sweeping the Australian countryside.

Now Rachel must face her worst fears: should she take up the fight to help these strangers survive in a society she has rejected for so long?

From the critically acclaimed author of Mr Wigg and Nest, The Last Woman in the World looks at how we treat our world and each other - and what it is that might ultimately redeem us.

©2021 Inga Simpson (P)2021 Hachette Australia Action & Adventure Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense

Critic Reviews

'creepy and chilling, this becomes a hell-for-leather survival race through burning countryside' The Observer

'enthralling . . . a powerful allegory . . . every passage swells with the momentum of an action-flick. Each page is shaped with an impressive, world-building cinematic scope' Jessie Tu, Sydney Morning Herald

'Simpson's page-turner layers precise nature writing with a conspiratorial tone for our times, turning in a gripping apocalyptic thriller that infects the sublime features of the landscape with primal fear' The Guardian '

Chilling in its warnings. Powerful' Good Reading

'This novel is fast-paced, adrenalin-fuelled - and dramatic enough to keep me reading into the night' Sarah L'Estrange, ABC Online

'Seat-of-your-pants gripping' ArtsHub

'This book is deeply affecting. Inga Simpson writes with literary brilliance. The Last Woman in the World is an action driven novel, but it is also intensely philosophical, a clever study of character and intensely beautiful. Many fine books have been published in Australia in the last couple of years . . . This is amongst the best. It will stay with me long after the last page was turned' Living Arts Canberra

'The Last Woman in the World is heart-racing, page-turning, hiding-under-the-doona stuff. A smart and pacey thriller that is also a lament for a world we have failed to care for.' Kate Mildenhall, bestselling author of The Mother Fault

'The Last Woman in the World is a novel of fear, fire and an uncertain future. A powerful narrative in Inga Simpson's unique voice. Horrifying, yet humane and ultimately hopeful - a masterwork' Angela Slatter, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Bitterwood Bible

'The Last Woman in the World will grab you and not let go. A necessary read that is sure to set the literary world on fire' Christina Dalcher, author of VOX

'An eerie fiction that mirrors the chaos that has descended on Australians recently. A heart-racing read fitting for our times' Refinery29 Australia

'Simpson is a graceful writer' The Australian

'Inga Simpson writes wondrously' Good Reading

'A powerful voice in Australian literature' The Australian Women's Weekly

'One of the most creative nature writers of our time' MiNDFOOD
All stars
Most relevant
Inga’s description of the environment and landscape is beautiful. Compelling and so well told. Loved this story. May be my new favorite author. Loved Nest too.

Loved it

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A great book to listen to. Fast paced. Creepy thriller set in a post pandemic fire ravaged environment. Intelligent. A reluctant female hero who the listener grows with.
I liked the idea that the ‘new threat’ to humans was self created, shadows that fed off humans own fear. I enjoyed the love of the environment and all the flora and fauna. The environment became another character not just a backdrop.
On reflection the book points to not only the very worst of human nature but also the very best.

Female post-apocalyptic hero a nice change

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What The strength of the mind can achieve. This Stood out the most in this listen. How to reach within and focus.

Twist and turns

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An excellent story experience. I realty enjoyed the language, characters and social commentary.

What a brilliant piece. It will go down as one of Australia's most notable novels.

Amazing!

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I love Inga Simpson’s books but I just found it all a bit too cliched, I guess. ‘They’ were a little too woo-woo for me too. I get it, I get the symbolism etc, but the whole thing was not entirely convincing, which is weird considering it’s probably not far from reality. Still, Simpson’s writing is good and I was looking forward to listening each time. The performance was excellent — loved the voice with just enough emphasis and drama.

Mixed feelings

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I love so much about this. Firstly it's Australian. The authors description of the sounds, smells, flora and fauna is extraordinary.
Love it 😀

An excellent listen

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I am a prolific reader of post-apocalyptic fiction. This is a very good example of the genre. For once it has some serious characterisation. It also has mystery and is VERY well written. It screams for a sequel.
If you’re not a post-apoc reader, and you’re Australian, I urge you to read this. If you’re an aficionado, you will appreciate a well written approach.

Australian Post-apocalyptic that’s better written than 90% of others

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Loved it. Richly developed protagonist and supporting characters. The building tension kept me hooked, and looking forward to getting in the car so I could listen again. Inga Simpson's description of the Australian landscape and how Rachael connects with it, lives and creates in it and eventually moves through it, makes me want to pack up and go bush! The landscape is as much a character in this story as the people and the awful creatures that take over the country. Faraday's narration is wonderfully nuanced and a pleasure to listen to.

A different spin on the apocalyptic genre

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Bit slow at the start but once it started to get further in the story really developed and was engrossing and left you wanting to keep listening

Once it gets going it’s a wonderful novel

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.