»Last Night at the Lobster

Stewart O'Nan's Last Night at the Lobster presents the poignant story of closing night at a Red Lobster restaurant in a Connecticut mall reminded me of a story by David Mamet, and of the movie Reach the Rock. The author quickly drew out the characters, delineating their relationships and their habits, and let the quotidian events unfold.

One sees the inexorable arc of the story from the first page, but O'Nan's narration allows it to unfold at a welcome pace. He treats the story and the characters with respect, allowing their thoughts and their voices ample space. He gives plenty of room to the manager Manny DeLeon, the romantically-ambivalent protagonist, from whose limited third-person perspective we see the last night at the Lobster. Everyday events at the restaurant give Manny the occasion to contemplate and to reflect. He tries sincerely, if naïvely, to make the day's events perfect for the remaining staff and for himself. The novel is a pleasant, quiet presentation of dignity and everyday people.