Last Night at the Lobster

By: Stewart O'Nan

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Perched in the far corner of a run-down New England mall, the Red Lobster hasn't been making its numbers, and headquarters has pulled the plug. But manager Manny DeLeon still needs to navigate a tricky last shift. With only four shopping days left until Christmas, Manny must convince his near-mutinous staff to hunker down and serve the final onslaught of hungry retirees, lunatics, and holiday office parties. All the while, he's wondering how to handle the waitress he's still in love with, his pregnant girlfriend at home, and where to find the present that will make everything better.

Last Night at the Lobster is a poignant yet redemptive look at what a man does when he discovers that his best might not be good enough.

©2007 Stewart O'Nan (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"A deeply moving novel about how we work, how we live, and how we get to the next day with our spirits intact. If there was ever a book that embodies what's best in us, it's Stewart O'Nan's Last Night at the Lobster." (Stephen King)

A caring heartfelt story

As a chef and restaurateur this story has heartbreaking weight to it. Relationships ending, unsure futures unfolding, letting "family" go good and badly. I am happy I decided to take the short listen. For anyone in the industry or for people who enjoy real characters and real situations this would be a good pick.

Very good novella

This is a short novel...aka a novella...and it's worth the price of entry. I greatly enjoyed the author's "The Great Circus Fire" and this is a small but tasty slice of life taking place on the last night of a restaurant that's going out of business.

Superb. Strong Rec. Short & Wonderful

Simply beautiful writing. Enjoy the Last Night at the Lobster with your favorite bottle of wine.

Inge's Bus Stop for our world today and just as sweet. I dare you to not read and find at least three friends in those words.

Unusual!

It never occured to me until "Last Night at the Lobster" how few jobs there are in fiction... it's mostly detectives and magazine writers out there. This was really the closest a book has reflected my current life, working in retail, punching in and out, running shortstaffed- it's a fun, gentle listen and a slice of life that never gets much glamour.

Depressing .. this is my life

Where does Last Night at the Lobster rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Bottom half. It was well written and well read but the story just got me down.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stewart O'Nan? Why or why not?

Sure. He did a good job.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I have.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. It make me sad. People can do their best and still get kicked around. I didn't enjoy it. I work in retail and experience this.

Any additional comments?

The book was recommended to me by someone I met online and don't know. I don't know why. She said it was one of her favorites. There you are.

Meh....

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not especially, the story just kind of sat there. I kept waiting for something to happen and then the book just ended.

What could Stewart O'Nan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Something dramatic or exciting could have happened.

Which scene was your favorite?

SPOILER ALERT: There were several scenes where something could have happened. The unknown car could have come in and robbed them. One of them could have won the lottery and they all fought for the winning ticket. But, alas nothing did happen ever.

Do you think Last Night at the Lobster needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I wouldn't read it. It did have some interesting characters, but they never did anything that would make me want to read another book.

4th time listening!

I absolutely LOVE this story! It's an every day, real life story and the narrator makes you feel like a part of it. Manny is just like all of us. Not perfect but he tries. I laughed out loud at this heartwarming story.

Lobster Lover

Excellent story...well told with enough left to the imagination you believe it could be real.

Not a Christmas story

Although this book was listed by Audible among its holiday selections, the only connection with that category is that the events take place on December 22. Rather, this is an unremittingly depressing account of the last day of a chain restaurant. The manager is very appealing in a Charlie Brown sort of way, always running for the football that will inevitably be yanked away. The reading is well done. But don't expect to come away from this book with any warm feelings about the redemptive power of goodness or hope.

A book that moves like the last shift before Christmas

It reAlly feels like a shift during the busiest time of the year. With all the betrayal and frustration that goes with it