M P Shiel – författare

Dark, desolate and fantastical, The Purple Cloud was a pioneer in the genre of apocalyptic novels, and the first great science fiction work of the twentieth century. It inspired authors such as H. P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. The Purple Cloud tells the grandly bleak story of Adam Jeffson: the first man to reach the North Pole and the last man left alive on earth. A sweet-smelling, deadly cloud of poisonous gas has devastated the world, and as Jeffson travels the stricken globe in search of human life, he slowly succumbs to madness, and unleashes fire and destruction on his planet. John Sutherland's introduction discusses M. P. Shiel's dissolute life, the originality of his book and its place within the context of 'last man' novels. This edition also includes a chronology, notes and further reading.

"If now a swell from the Deep has swept over this planetary ship of earth, and I, who alone chanced to find myself in the furthest stern, as the sole survivor of her crew . . . What then, my God, shall I do?" The Purple Cloud is widely hailed as a masterpiece of science fiction and one of the best "last man" novels ever written. A deadly purple vapor passes over the world and annihilates all living creatures except one man, Adam Jeffson. He embarks on an epic journey across a silent and devastated planet, an apocalyptic Robinson Crusoe putting together the semblance of a normal life from the flotsam and jetsam of his former existence. As he descends into madness over the years, he becomes increasingly aware that his survival was no accident and that his destiny—and the fate of the human race—are part of a profound, cosmological plan.

"Det purpurfärgade molnet" (1901) av M.P. Shiel (1865–1947) förtäljer den storslagna, ödsliga och dystra historien om Adam Jeffson: den första mannen som nådde Nordpolen och den sista människan kvar i livet på jorden. Ett sött doftande, dödligt moln av giftig gas har ödelagt världen. I jakt på mänskligt liv reser Jeffson jorden runt, samtidigt som han så sakteliga sjunker ner i galenskapen.

"The Lord of the Sea" by M. P. Shiel is a gripping adventure novel set in the 19th century, centered around nautical fiction and the quest for power and revenge. The story follows a mysterious and ambitious protagonist, a wealthy and influential figure who dominates the seas with his vast empire. His drive for control and retribution shapes the narrative, revealing his complex motivations and moral ambiguities. As he navigates treacherous waters and confronts various adversaries, the novel explores themes of romance, ambition, and social commentary. The protagonist's quest for dominance and conquest unfolds against a richly detailed maritime backdrop, highlighting the interplay between wealth and power. Shiel's tale delves into the consequences of unchecked ambition and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who seek to rule. The novel's intricate plot and dynamic characters make it a compelling exploration of human desires and societal structures.