Writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has released the latest volume of her work, which features a dystopian narrative with leaders marked by sexual obsession. The book, titled “Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds)”, has generated discussion since its initial publication, which took place on Substack starting August 22, 2026.
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Central themes of the book and controversial characters
The central plot of Scott’s new work delves into a dystopian society in the United States, which has experienced a partial fascist rise. Among the characters, two leaders with behavior considered depraved stand out. One of them is described as a “snobbish President” who fantasizes about “services” in the White House, while another is a South African surgeon who has relationships with dozens of women weekly.
MacKenzie Scott: trajectory and impact of her philanthropy
Known for her discretion on political issues, MacKenzie Scott has a history of significant donations that reveal her ideological leanings. After her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019, which made her one of the richest women in the world with around $40 billion worth of Amazon shares, she became one of the world’s biggest philanthropists. Their financial contributions are primarily directed to progressive causes, such as:
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- The LGBTQ+ community;
- Youth suicide prevention projects, such as the Trevor Project;
- Several environmental organizations, including the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance.
This social engagement offers an interesting backdrop to the implicit criticism present in his most recent fiction, adding a layer of depth to the interpretation of his work.
The release format and scope of the work
Unlike his previous publications, this new novel was released in stages via the Substack platform. At the end of the process, the book will have a total of 320 pages and approximately 80 thousand words, being distributed in volumes over several weeks. This digital and split release strategy allows for continuous engagement with readers, following the unfolding of the dystopian narrative in real time.
Other publications by the author on the literary scene
The new work is not MacKenzie Scott’s first foray into the world of literature. She has already published two other novels. The first, “The Testing of Luther Albright”, arrived in bookstores in 2005, followed by “Traps” in 2013. Both works were released by traditional publishers, which contrasts with the serialized publishing model used for “Last Days in Two Nations”, marking an evolution in its editorial approach.