Title: His Last Companion

Author: Sophia Conway

Genre: Sci-fi / Fantasy

 

In His Last Companion by Sophia Conway, Isaac is the last man alive on Earth after the devastating consequences of humankind’s destructive ways. While Isaac languishes on the verge of insanity and death in the middle of a desert, Death himself comes to meet Isaac. What ensues is a timely conversation between the two that raises some probing and serious questions.

His Last Companion is a short story of just over six thousand words, so Sophia Conway has limited words to deliver her message. She pulls it off well. The setup of humankind being at the end of its days because of war, famine, disease, and the like is nothing new; however, her consideration is not to belabor the fact that people can be cruel to each other, to the point of ultimately destroying themselves. What she aims to create is a compelling conversation between Isaac, the last man alive who is grasping the last vestiges of life, and Death, personified as a humanlike entity.

In the conversation, Conway does touch on the fallen nature of humanity as Isaac mourns all that has been lost, but the interesting part is where she dares to take the dialogue next. Death is not conveyed as something, or someone, to fear. Rather, Death is perceived as a mere companion who comes for all in their time and simply travels with them from this life to the next. What should be a comforting thought still scares Isaac, who, like most humans, resists Death.

Isaac is a realistic portrayal of humanity, of our desperation to hold onto what we know, rather than embrace the unknown. Simply stated, he represents us. Even in a broken world with no one else around and cities in shambles, Isaac would choose that. This speaks to how we often refuse to let go of what makes us miserable, even when we know it isn’t good for us. However, that unhappiness is what we know, so this makes sense.

Isaac, at one point, also tries to flee Death. Although Death is shown to be patient and calm throughout most of the conversation, when Isaac makes this foolhardy decision, we see Death’s rage, if only momentarily. Again, we understand Isaac’s reasoning. How often have people tried to outrun or outsmart the inevitable? We can never quite wrap our heads around death, yet it comes for us all in time. We can only fight for so long, and even as the last man standing, Isaac has only known a life of survival. How can he simply give in and give up now?

What lies beyond this life? Conway doesn’t say, nor does Death. Leaving this open-ended keeps an element of mystery, yet there is the tease of something more, a life that doesn’t end. It’s assumed this forever life must be better than the devastation left in the wake of earthly life. That is hope, and Conway’s delicate and creative handling of this message, delivered by Death, nonetheless, is brilliant.

The book could use a bit more editorial polish, but it doesn’t take away from the quality of the story.

His Last Companion is a compelling short story that touches on some of our toughest questions about life and death. Sophia Conway has crafted a deep tale in few words that will sit with the reader’s psyche long after finishing. In His Last Companion, the author delivers a message of hope amidst ultimate brokenness.

 

 

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