The Last White Man: A Novel

Content Warning: This guide discusses racism, suicide, substance use disorder, and violence.

Anders wakes one morning to discover his skin color has turned brown. While he hopes it is a dream, he soon realizes that it is a reality. The change in skin color leads to other changes; for example, he slows down his pace in his own house so he will not be seen as prey. He is driven to a murderous rage when he sees his reflection in the mirror, wanting to kill the “colored man.” He feels he has been robbed of his whiteness and calls in sick to work. When he finally leaves his house, he is convinced that people look at him with hostility. He thinks about his mother, who died of cancer, and how she was always his staunchest supporter.

The narrative introduces Oona, a yoga instructor; she is self-absorbed, barely listening to Anders when he tells her about his change. She has recently returned to her family home to live with her mother after her brother died of substance use disorder. Her relationship with Anders is described as “transactional,” and she planned to allow it to fizzle out.