The Last White Man: A Novel

Super Short Summary

In Mohsin Hamid’s The Last White Man, Anders wakes up to find his skin color has changed from white to brown, prompting a transformation in his identity and perceptions. As more people in his town undergo similar changes, societal tensions rise, leading to violence and fear. Anders navigates this new reality while reconnecting with his former girlfriend, Oona, and reckoning with his past behaviors and attitudes toward people of color. The town grapples with its evolving identity, mourning its losses but also finding a sense of rebirth and adaptation. The narrative culminates in a future where the memories of whiteness begin to fade except for a few who still hold on to the past. The text discusses racism, suicide, substance use disorder, and violence.