Monday, January 26, 2009

We are reading in February

We are reading Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan. O'Nan, born in Pittsburgh has won several literary awards including the Drue Heinz Prize for Literature, 1993. Recently, O'Nan was interviewed in the Hot Metal Bridge, the literary magazine of the University of Pittsburgh, which publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, criticism, and art twice yearly (fall and spring). A review for February's book can be found in BookForum

Discussion: Everybody liked the book about a guy's last day at the Red Lobster Restaurant. I was surprised since some of the critics were bored with the level of detail provided on running a restaurant. The story is poignant and the main character is lovingly drawn: Manny is doing his best to make the last day at the Red Lobster a success inspite of a Christmas season snowstorm, bitter employees, and his own demotion. Manny maintains his dignity throughout.