The Last Town On Earth

American author Thomas Mullen’s debut historical novel, The Last Town on Earth (2006), delves into the fictional town of Commonwealth, Washington during World War I, addressing the real-life concerns of warfare, workers’ rights, and the notorious Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. Other major historical events, such as the Everett Massacre, and the political workings of organizations that include Industrial Workers of the World, the Four Minute Men, and the American Protective League are also addressed. Though a work of fiction, Mullen’s inspiration for the novel stemmed from factual accounts of towns during the Spanish Flu epidemic that quarantined themselves. Mullen modeled Commonwealth specifically after one such town—Gunnison, Colorado.

Commonwealth is a small sawmill town in the Pacific Northwest. To the outside world, it might seem like a less-than-stellar abode. As the narrator indicates, “Commonwealth was no ordinary town, and that helped explain why it appeared on no maps, as if the rest of the civilized world preferred to ignore its existence. It had no mayor, no postmaster, no sheriff. It had no prison, no taxman, no train station, no rail lines. No church, no telephones, no hospital. No saloon, no nickelodeon. Commonwealth had pretty much nothing but a timber mill, homes for the workers, plenty of land from which to tear down more trees, and the few trappings necessary to support the mill, such as a general store and a doctor’s office.”

For the inhabitants of Commonwealth, however, the town is a haven from worker exploitation. Founded by Charles Worthy, the mill town is also a paradise of sorts for his adopted son, Philip. For the first time, Philip feels that he has a place to call home, and people—like his friend Graham—who truly care about him. The beginning chapters highlight how important the sense of safety and community are not only for Philip, but the entire town of Commonwealth.



Despite this sense of safety, however, larger threats are making their presence known. For starters, World War I is being fought, and the fear of spies running rampant in town causes loyalties to be tested. As if the threat of subterfuge or being considered a traitor isn’t enough, the deadly Spanish Flu is also laying waste to the surrounding communities. So far, Commonwealth is the only town in the area to not be hit by influenza.

In an attempt to keep its inhabitants safe, Commonwealth agrees to quarantine itself from all outside contact. This, in fact, is how the narrative begins. Sentries are posted at the sole entrance into and out of town, and Philip Worthy is among them. The townsfolk are determined to remain safe from the flu, at all costs. One day, however, a tired and possibly sick soldier arrives at the town’s gates, begging for sanctuary. Philip and Graham are the only two on guard. The soldier begs for food, and though Philip notes that the man is a soldier, he also feels that the man seems untrustworthy for some reason. The ensuing altercation leads to shots being fired, and Philip, despite the quarantine, brings the soldier into town. When people in town fall victim to the Spanish Flu, themes of morality, friendship, and survival all come to the fore as Philip and the other townsfolk try to survive in the face of looming fate.

The Last Town on Earth was named the Best Debut Novel of 2006. Additionally, Mullen’s novel won the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in Historical Fiction. Mullen’s works have also garnered other awards. His novel Darktown, for instance, is being developed for television by Sony Pictures and has been nominated for a variety of notable awards, including two Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards.