Amin Maalouf's 'The First Century After Beatrice' plunges readers into a chilling near-future where male births plummet, threatening human extinction. As the world grapples with this inexplicable demographic crisis, societies fragment, power structures shift, and desperate measures are taken. Maalouf masterfully explores the psychological and social ramifications of such an apocalypse, questioning human nature, gender roles, and the very essence of civilization. This thought-provoking novel is a profound meditation on survival, legacy, and the fragile balance that sustains our species, inviting contemplation on humanity's resilience and vulnerability.