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Last Orders

By: Graham Swift
Narrated by: Phil Davis, Sandra Duncan, Simon Slater, Gareth Armstrong, David Timson
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About this listen

 WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 1996

Four men once close to Jack Dodds, a London butcher, meet to carry out his peculiar last wish: to have his ashes scattered into the sea at Margate. For reasons best known to herself, Jack’s widow, Amy, declines to join them . . . On the surface a simple tale of an increasingly bizarre day’s outing, this Booker-prize winning, internationally acclaimed novel is a resonant and classic exploration of the complexity and courage of ordinary lives. Intensely local but overwhelmingly universal, faithful to the fleeting rhythms and accidental eloquence of everyday speech but also to the timeless truths of life and death, it succeeds in being comic and heartstopping, affectionate and wise, and in conferring on its stumbling, disappointed characters an enduring decency, dignity and depth.

‘A surpassing testament to Swift’s vibrant and powerful gifts’ The Times
‘A triumph . . . a story about the most fundamental things of all’ Evening Standard©1996 Graham Swift (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt

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The story begins 4 days after the funeral of Jack Dodds, who left a request that his ashes be scattered off the end of Margate Pier. Through flashbacks we learn of the lives and interactions of Jack’s friends as they take his remains on their final journey. This style of story telling introduces the reader to a dozen or so characters in the initial chapters and I had to make some brief notes to untangle them. Swift is one of those writers who expects the reader to do some of the work. Once you’ve sorted out June from Joan, Vic from Vince and Suzy from Sally it’s all plane sailing.

I understand that awarding Last Orders the 1996 Booker Prize caused some controversy as it was considered structurally similar to Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying.” Great. Now I have to another crack at reading Faulkner.

Once you’ve got the characters sorted Last Orders takes you on an intriguing journey which I thoroughly enjoyed.

(I was nearly put off by the audiobook having multiple readers but it’s done that way to help separate the different strands of the flashbacks.}

Enjoyable and Intriguing

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I read this book when it was first out and felt it could not be betttered. This listen was just as perfect.

Brilliant, just brilliant.

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This is such a touching and we'll written book, and deserved to win a Booker Prize. The narration is excellent, more of a play than an audio book. I tried to watch the fim, but this audio book is so much better. The author gently reveals such personal details about so many lives, all on a simple trip to Margate. Wonderful.

Touching and well narrated.

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This has always been one of my favourite books. It does as it says - depicts the ordinary lives of ordinary people, and does it brilliantly. Moreover the evocation of working class South Londoners is magnificent, but would be recognised by people anywhere. Phil Davis' reading is just right, and he creates the perfect "pitch". I can't reccomend this audiobook highly enough.

Wish I could give it 6 stars.

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Far too much writing today concentrates on the Krays, gangs and violence. This book focuses on ex-servicemen and their families dealing with the aftermath of war and the changes that disrupt the traditional way of life.
The reading is superb, accents totally authentic. A joy start to finish.

a real slice of the old East End

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An amazing reflection of lives shared. And if you are from Bermondsey even more enjoyable

magnificent

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Boring and too long, good narration but this was more suited to a short story.

Poor use of English language

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