Last Orders

by Graham Swift
Last Orders  
published 2001 by Picador
first published 1996
binding Paperback
isbn 0330489674   (isbn13: 9780330489676)
pages 352
literary awards Booker Prize Winner 1996; 1998 IMPAC Dublin Award Nominee
description From the author of Waterland and Ever After, Last Orders is a quiet but dazzling novel about a group of men, friends since the Second World Wa...more
date added
12-07-06



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 383)



SarahJ
SarahJ rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
02/04/08

Read in February, 2008
recommends it for: social realists
The weird thing about this book is I must have started reading it once before and forget that. Either that or I was having major deja vu, which quite honestly could be the case. I knew so many details that I otherwise can't explain. Maybe I read a review when it was published?

Anyway, the book was enjoyable, but definitely didn't seem to me like a Booker Prize winner. (I preferred Seamus Deane's "Reading in the Dark," which was shortlisted the same year.) Life could be beautiful, bu...more
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Preeta
05/08/07

recommends it for: Mrs. Samuel
Mrs. Samuel was my English teacher when I was twelve and I only put her name down because I'm tired of thinking of specific people to whom I want to recommend EACH BOOK. I recommend this to all of you, folks, all of you. Gavin is right (and I'm not just saying that because he said I was right about Waterland): this is a lovely novel, narrated by a bunch of old men and some other people. No, seriously, the old men are lovely. It's like you're sitting with each of them at a pub and hearing his...more
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Steve Aga B'stard
Steve Aga B'stard rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
02/29/08

Read in January, 2002
recommends it for: Anyone who wonders whether to read the book before seeing the film!
Although I liked this tale of reflection, bitterness and revelation, unfortunately I found the book via the film.

And, I'm sorry Mr Swift, I admire your work, but the cinematic interpretation ruined the book for me.

I do so wish I had come to this story from the book first, the film diluted too many of the characters; when reading the book, I could see the characters revealing themselves with the inter-twined storylines, but of course it was too late for me, I already knew what was com...more
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Michele
Michele rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
02/21/08

Read in February, 2008
Follows four English men who are trying to carry out thier friend's "last request" - to scatter his ashes at a specific location. Of course, it is much more about the relationships between the four men, an exploration into male friendship and loyalty, than about the ashes or where they end up.

A quiet book. Not alot of action, but the characters are fairly well created. My problem with it is that I didn't really connect well enough with any of the men, so while I enjoyed reading ...more
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Caroline
Caroline rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
10/12/07

Read in April, 2004
Usually I hate it when books use different narrators and give you a big announcement when the narrator is changing. I like to think that I am clever enough to figure out who is speaking on my own (patting myself on the back). But with Last Orders, it really works. The characters are wonderful, Graham Swift is an excellent writer, and they even managed to make a good movie version of the book. (When in doubt, always cast Michael Caine - can't go wrong.)
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David
David rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/14/08

Not quite as dreary as "Waterland", but not exactly unadulterated reading pleasure either. This was the second book by Graham Swift that I've read, and I think it will be my last. Though he obviously appeals to British readers and critics, judging by his regular showing on the Booker shortlist, his work strikes me as somewhat parochial, limiting its potential to appeal to a broader audience.
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Jennifer
Jennifer rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
08/31/07

bookshelves: literature
I've read this book several times, and love the way the story is told from the different perspectives -- and distinct 'voices' of the men who are the main characters. The book captures an area of London and a set of class experiences at a particular point in time, and also has a lot to say about friendships among men, and father son relationships.
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HiphopQuyn
HiphopQuyn rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
07/14/08

Read in July, 2008
some lines and passages in this book about two friends, an adopted son, a wife, and an undertaker dealing with the ashes of a man who died on the brink of changing his life (or was he?) are so deep and truthful that they almost hurt. the story builds in short narrative episodes told from different perspectives. won the Booker prize.
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Matt
Matt rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/18/07

Read in January, 2006
Loved this book. The book is very dialog-driven but a lot also takes place in the memories of the principle characters as they remember their friend. The characters and their lives are so believable. You really can see people like the characters in this book in the world around you.
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Anders
Anders rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/23/08

Read in August, 2007
This Booker prize winning title, tells the tale of four friends on a journey to fulfill the last request of one of thier mates. This group has been together for a long time, but they must overcome thier history on this one last day together.
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Celia
Celia rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/11/08

Very good and poignant book about men's friendships and relationships. I also liked the book's structure with the narrative switching by chapter. Pay close attention, as important story points are hidden in small details.
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Claire
03/23/07

Read in January, 2005
A tale of a group of aging men who have been friends for years - one of them has just died - I liked the characters...overall a nice story.
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carri
05/24/07

let's stop in for a pint. jack would've wanted it. jack would've expected it.



brilliant.
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Don
Don rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/03/07

Quick, punchy, sad -- worth a look.
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Gavin
05/07/07

Read in January, 2002
It's good. But it isn't Waterland.
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Tommy
Tommy added it
02/08/08

bookshelves: 1st_edition_unsigned, read_me_piles
Hardcover. First US Edition.
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Rachel
08/06/07

Read in July, 2007
Just couldn't get into it.
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Paul
Paul rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
01/04/08

 

An-na
An-na rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/18/08

bookshelves: 2008, bookerprize
Read in July, 2008
 

Dani
Dani marked it as to-read
09/25/07

bookshelves: to-read
 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.47 (300 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.55 (207 ratings)
number of reviews: 19






other editions

Last Orders (Paperback)
Last Orders (Paperback)
Last Orders (Paperback)