Dimensions
135 x 190 x 6mm
Four men once close to Jack Dodds, a London butcher, meet to carry out his particular last wish: to have his ashes scattered across the sea. For reasons best known to herself, Jack's widow, Amy, declines to join them. On the surface the tale of a simple if increasingly bizarre day's outing, 'Last Orders' is Graham Swift's most poignant exploration of the complexity and courage of ordinary lives.
'Continuum Contemporaries' is a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration for members of book clubs and reading groups, as well as for literature students at school, college and university.
The series gives readers accessible and informative introductions to 30 of the most popular, most acclaimed and most influential novels of recent years. A team of contemporary fiction scholars from both sides of the Atlantic has been assembled to provide a thorough and readable analysis of each of the novels in question.
Each book in the series features:
- Biography of the novelist including other works, influences and, in some cases, an interview.
- Full-length study of the novel, drawing out the important themes and ideas.
- Summary of how the novel was received upon publication.
- Summary of how the novel has performed since publication, including film or TV adaptations, literary prizes, etc.
- Wide range of suggestions for further reading, including websites.
- Lists of questions for reading groups or students to discuss.