UEFA Champions League
Buy used
£4.23
£1.99 delivery 28 April - 3 May. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by momox co uk
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: From Europe's No.1 in used books & media articles.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

The Last of Us Paperback – 21 April 2016

by Rob Ewing (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

Selected for the QI Book of the Year Award, 2016

'Gripping and utterly believable' IAN RANKIN, Guardian Books of the Year

‘A story about the strength and fragility of human nature.
Rob Ewing's writing is powerful, compassionate and brilliant.
I absolutely loved it’ JOANNA CANNON, the author
of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP

The island is quiet now.

On a remote Scottish island, five children are the only ones left. Since the Last Adult died, sensible Elizabeth has been the group leader, testing for a radio signal, playing teacher and keeping an eye on Alex, the littlest, whose insulin can only last so long.

There is ‘shopping’ to do in the houses they haven’t yet searched and wrong smells to avoid. For eight-year-old Rona each day brings fresh hope that someone will come back for them, tempered by the reality of their dwindling supplies.

With no adults to rebel against, squabbles threaten the fragile family they have formed. And when brothers Calum Ian and Duncan attempt to thwart Elizabeth’s leadership, it prompts a chain of events that will endanger Alex’s life and test them all in unimaginable ways.

Reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies and The Cement Garden, The Last of Us is a powerful and heartbreaking novel of aftershock, courage and survival.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Borough Press
  4. Publication date
    21 April 2016
  5. Dimensions
    15.3 x 2.4 x 22.1 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0008149593
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0008149598
Next slide of product details
Amazon Books Sale
Shop early deals up to 70% off. Learn more.

Product description

Review

‘Ewing does a fantastic job of making us feel like children again – not carefree, but lost in a confusing world replete with dangers over which we have little control’ Guardian

‘An amazing book of courage and survival … a book about memory, friendship and hope. It's the kind of book that made me want to wake my children from their beds, just to kiss them and whisper that I love them. A tremendous novel – I absolutely loved it’ Claire Fuller, author of Our Endless Numbered Days

‘Ewing succeeds brilliantly. Be warned: you’ll feel well and truly wrung-out after reading this, but you’ll also hold your loved ones that little bit closer’ The Scotsman

‘A beautiful, heartwarming story of survival and strength . . . an original piece of work, one which grips the reader to the very end’ The Press and Journal

About the Author

Rob Ewing is a GP and lives on a small island off the Scottish coast. His poetry and short fiction have been published by New Writing UK, New Writing Scotland, and performed on BBC Radio. This is his debut novel.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Borough Press (21 April 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008149593
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008149598
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.3 x 2.4 x 22.1 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
164 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline engaging, with one review describing it as a finely observed story about survival. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability and plot, with one customer particularly appreciating how the characters are beautifully described.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

8 customers mention ‘Storyline’8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storyline of the book, with one describing it as a finely observed story about survival, while another notes how children found a way to endure.

"...The author has painted a picture of human nature: of friendships, of survival, of longing for the past or the future." Read more

"It is written from the perspective of a child and conjures the abandonment felt. Not a book I would reread but it was enjoyable." Read more

"...What I do know is this somewhat dark story really grabbed me and took me through a range of emotions on each turn of a page...." Read more

"This is a harrowing yet finely observed story about survival seen through the eyes of a child...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Readability’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as their favorite book of the year.

"I am not an avid reader and the story of this great novel is best read in other reviews...." Read more

"I loved this book...." Read more

"Excellent read! My favourite book of the year. Couldn't put it down!" Read more

"Enjoyable read..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Plot’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, with one mentioning the beautifully described characters.

"...I absolutely loved the plot and the characters. Would definitely like to see more from this author." Read more

"I loved this book. The characters are beautifully described and the story is heartbreaking as it is revealed how a band of children cope with the..." Read more

"...In many ways I liked the plot; how the children found a way to survive, their struggles and squabbles and how things do go (terribly) wrong...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Dr M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A definite must read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I wasn't sure a book written from a child's perspective would be my kind of book, but I couldn't put it down. The story follows the survival of a small group of children trying to survive on a remote Scottish Island after an epidemic has killed everyone else. Although the premise may sound a little macabre, 8 year old Rona guides the reader through the catastrophe with the child like wonder and matter of factness that keeps you turning pages. We catch glimpses of her life before, and the sometimes fly infested reality she now finds herself in. The struggles and conflicts she, and the other children who have survived, are so tangible. The author has painted a picture of human nature: of friendships, of survival, of longing for the past or the future.
    Helpful
     Report
  • book mad
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    It is written from the perspective of a child and conjures the abandonment felt. Not a book I would reread but it was enjoyable.
    Helpful
     Report
  • David B
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read from promising new writer
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I am not an avid reader and the story of this great novel is best read in other reviews. What I do know is this somewhat dark story really grabbed me and took me through a range of emotions on each turn of a page. Read it on holiday (only time I really read) and was transported to the western isles of Scotland and also to my own childhood where the rules are different and everything is a big adventure. You won't regret buying this book and I am hoping the author's next novel arrives soon.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • dragonsmama
    3.0 out of 5 stars A good idea but depressing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2018
    The idea was good, but I just found it a bit annoying. Normally I like these kinds of books, but I think this was rather sad.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Chantelle Phillips
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A few people seemed to find this a tedious read, but I couldn't put it down! I absolutely loved the plot and the characters. Would definitely like to see more from this author.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kay Smillie
    4.0 out of 5 stars A wee gem
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The end of the arrival as seen through the eyes of youngsters on a remote Hebridean where a virulent flu style bug has decimated the local population, leaving only children living on their wits. It has been a worldwide virus but, as far as they know, they are the only people left alive on the planet. A different slant on the end of the world. Do they all survive? Not telling.

    Ray Smillie
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • MCKerry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a harrowing yet finely observed story about survival seen through the eyes of a child. Children's actions that under normal circumstances would be just bad behaviour have devastating consequences in this world. I couldn't put it down in my eagerness to find out how it ends. Amazing.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. The characters are beautifully described and the story is heartbreaking as it is revealed how a band of children cope with the aftermath of a pandemic. Couldn't put it down.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Carla Mondadori
    2.0 out of 5 stars buono
    Reviewed in Italy on 9 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Libro in lingua inglese preso come regalo per mia figlia per imparare meglio l'inglese e il regalo è stato gradito molto. Il libro è la versione integrale ed è molto bello, l'unica pecca è che le pagine sono leggermente sottili, ma va bene comunque. Le scritte sono grandi e quindi non si affatica la vista e il rapporto qualità/prezzo è davvero ottimo.
    Report
  • Rose Mccrink
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Too simply written
    Report