“Last
orders” means “last call” in British slang. In Graham Swift’s novel, it also
means “final wishes.” Jack the butcher has just died, on the cusp of retiring
to the seaside with his wife Amy. Three of Jack’s friends are driven by his
adopted son to the town he meant to retire in, to scatter his ashes. But why
isn’t Amy coming?
It
seems a simple enough premise for a road trip, but echoing The Remains of the Day and Holiday,
two other Booker winners that also feature British trips to the sea, even a one-day
outing leaves a lot of room for detours and discoveries.
I
had a hard time getting “into” this book because of the plethora of characters:
all five men (Jack and the four living) have wives, children, officially and
unofficially adopted children, and sometimes ex-wives and lovers. Keeping them
all straight, as the point of view changed from chapter to chapter, was challenging.
I’d recommend making a chart, honestly.
But
once I got “into” it, I’m glad I did. Here’s Ray’s observation on his best
friend Jack’s final days:
“…he was sitting up, straight and steady. I thought, It’s like he’s
having his portrait done, his last portrait, no flattering, no prettying, and no
one knows how long it will take. Two weeks, three. Nothing to do but sit still
and be who you are.”
This
is just one of many reflections on life, love, family, loyalty, and friendship
that make this short novel so dense, reminding us always to be who we are.
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