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What We're Reading:
Current Picks
from
the Watermark Staff
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Sarah Bagby's book reviews can be heard on
alternate Mondays on KMUW 89.1.
Here's a transcript of her most recent review. To listen, go to
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-648579.mp3
"Last Night at the Lobster" by Stewart O'Nan (Penguin Group, ISBN 9780670018277,
$19.95)
Stewart O'Nan, author of ten novels and nicknamed the "bard of the working
class," dedicates his latest book to his brother and to anyone who works the
shifts no one wants. "Last Night at the Lobster" is a poignant portrayal of
lives that often go unnoticed.
The book takes place four days before Christmas in a no-name New England town.
It's the last day of business for a Red Lobster not making its numbers near a
fledgling mall. Manny, the manager, is stalwart in a job that is often
thankless. He runs the rotations of shifts in a corporate restaurant whose staff
is as much a family to Manny as they are ciphers to the head office. A snowstorm
shuts down all but essential traffic, and Manny wonders if anyone, staff or
customers, will show up on the Lobster's last day.
Manny, in his thankless position, does not lose himself, even at the end, as he
cleans the place up for whatever comes next; then he goes home, using his turn
signal in an empty parking lot, anticipating what might loom just over the
horizon.
Review by Sarah Bagby,
November 29, 2007
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