The Last of the Light

by Alexander Shalom Joseph

One Wednesday evening, the governments of the world send out a mass text message announcing that the world will end in one month. In the thirty days leading up to the last day of the world, our protagonist, a young man in his late twenties, has watched the love of his life leave, has lost his job and friends and sense of meaning, and has moved back home to spend his final weeks with his survivalist father, Jewish studies/author mother, and Yiddish-speaking grandfather. As everything draws to a close, the young man tries to make sense of faith, family, and how to live a worthy life even though it will be cut short.

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Joan Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a retired librarian who was very moved by the author’s sharing of the history of his protagonist and his family as they face the last month of living together on a planet that will end in 30 days.

Joseph reveals the humor and sadness of one three generational family subsisting on the food gathered by the survivalist father over decades as their end nears, living in the family home which is isolated and removed from neighbors and without communication with others.

A slim novel which is very thought provoking. What would you do with your life knowing that
30 days remain until your demise and the end of life on the planet? I have been haunted
by that question since I finished the book.

No incendiary ending just a fading away on the last day.

[Adam Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been long enough since lockdown ended to read a story inspired by but not about covid.
Really enjoyed the way each of the 4.5 main characters' histories allow them to share so much wisdom, love, beer, and elk meat that a story that takes unfolds entirely in one location to feel spacious rather than confining.

Highly recommend!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grape soda, shrek and cigs make up an optimistic tale of family during the end of everyone’s life as we know it. The whole book has a melancholic, poetic, funny, gentle and sweaty tone that sets it apart from your more run of the mill apocalyptic novels. Love it.

[Erika Dreifus]

A dystopian chronicle of the last month in the life of the unnamed protagonist—and, evidently, the last month of human life. Despite the grimness from the outset, it's a quiet, gentle book—more melancholic than menacing.

[Jordan Hebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful exploration of loss and love at the end of the world. It moved me to tears at points with how well it articulates loss, youth, love, and family.

Can’t wait to read what Alexander does next.

[Andrew Neely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written meditation on heredity, abstract faith, and eschatology. Joseph manages to write about the end of the world without resorting to nihilism or platitudes. Highly recommend.

[Renee Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last of the Light is a timely novel for generations of grievers, writers, lovers, and those faith-questioning fire tenders—all of whom will find both tenderness and peace in this story of a young man, and his family, at the end of the world. 

Be prepared to swoon over Alexander Shalom Joseph’s poetic writing style—with one of my favorite descriptions of stars ever written: “pinpricks of white heat so many lifetimes away”.

The Last of the Light melds the mundane and sacred, and will leave you wanting more when the story fades to black.

My absolute favorite book released in 2024! I’ll be reading it for years to come.