Hello to all. This is my first time posting, and Im happy to be here. Id like to talk about a sweet, perfect novel I just cant recommend highly enough, Stewart ONans Last Night at the Lobster. It was published in cloth a year ago, but has just been released in paper, and in both editions, the publishers have created a book thats a lovely and seductive as the words themselves. Last Night at the Lobster concerns the crew of a Connecticut Red Lobster restaurant in its last day. A few days before Christmas, corporate informs the manager, Manny DeLeon that their branch will be closing, and we follow Manny as he opens the restaurant that morning all through final locking of the door. Manny is our guide during this day, but he will introduce us to the rest of this Red Lobsters familythe waitresses, the cooks, the dishwashers, and the restaurants regulars. Each of thee characters, not the least Manny, has their own drama going on, and the final day is a climax for each of them, although softly. Its not a scintillating plot description, I know, but that is much of the books charm. In a literary world where hyperbole, fantasy, and extravagance reign, its a real treat to see such an accomplished writer concern himself with the real lives of real peoplethe life lived on a day to day basis. In some ways, ONan, the author of many other terrific novels, could be seen as the novelist Ray Carver might have been if hed ever attempted the longer form. But that comparison is unfair to ONan, for his view of the world and its people is unique. He understands the small triumphs and the huge losses that we all face constantly. The triumphs in this novel, especially Mannys, are heart wrenching but real. I must have given away five or six copies of this novel to friends, especially to my friends whove worked in the food industry. If youve ever worked in a restaurant, or even just been to one, get this book. It is a quiet, but vital book, and it offers many many pleasures. Manny and his staff will stay with you for a very long time.
Lewis, I truly am looking forward to reading "Last Night at the Lobster". It's one of those little books that for some reason, has captured my imagination. Regularly, I find myself reading a lot of non-fiction because of my need to feel that connection to real people - how they think, why they think the way they do, and why they do the things that they do (it's that Psychology major coming back to haunt me...), but your review of "LNATL" has convinced me that Steward O'Nan has written a book that I'll find just as real and he's put it into a great little volume, perfect for that "carry anywhere read"!
Now, the reason I haven't started it yet... my husband. He read Pillars of the Earth and insisted that I read it. So, I did and while I did, he picked up World without End. Well, when I finished Pillars, Lobster was to be my next book, but he caught me. Though it was an enjoyable book, after reading a 900+ page book about 12th century England, I was anxious to read something a bit different before plunging head first into the next round - My dear husband however, just finished WWE and is anxious to discuss it and pulled the card I didn't expect: "You know, I've read lots of books that you've asked me to read." This is true, and I've never been asked by him to read anything - of course, I've never asked him to read two books for a total of 2000 pages in succession, but that's ok - a quick jaunt through 14th century England and I'll come back to Red Lobster for Dinner and let you know how I liked it! Thanks for the recommendation!
The writing is beautiful. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it seems it is about how and why people go on when a lot of their life doesn't make sense ... sort of M.A.S.H. without the bullets.
It also feels very humanly universal, compromises, how far we can end up from what we once dreamed ... and why that might be okay.
biscuit, so glad you like it. and the analogy to MASH is perfect, that workplace/life setting. as someone who worked retail and food service for a long time, that no doubt was part of the appeal to me. you should try some of his other books, too, he's really quite a lovely writer. snow angels is a good one.
