Plot Summary

Last Night at the Lobster

Stewart O'Nan
Guide cover placeholder

Last Night at the Lobster

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007

Book Brief

Stewart O'Nan

Last Night at the Lobster

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

146

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Britain, Connecticut • 2000s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan details a single December day at a closing Red Lobster in Connecticut. The story follows Manny DeLon, the restaurant's devoted general manager, as he navigates the last shift amidst a snowstorm, staff insubordination, and his lingering feelings for a former lover, Jacquie. Manny faces the emotional weight of transitioning his mixed, soon-to-be-disbanded team to an Olive Garden and confronting unfinished personal matters.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

3.8

13,275 ratings

56%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Stewart O'Nan's Last Night at the Lobster is lauded for its poignant depiction of ordinary lives, capturing the quiet struggles and dignity of the working class. The narrative’s attention to detail and character depth are praised. However, some critics find the plot uneventful and the pace slow. Overall, it’s considered a touching, albeit subdued, exploration of everyday resilience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Last Night at the Lobster?

A reader who would enjoy Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan likely appreciates character-driven stories that delve into the nuances of everyday life. Fans of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout or The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro will find the exploration of ordinary but poignant moments particularly engaging.

3.8

13,275 ratings

56%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

146

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Britain, Connecticut • 2000s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!