Last Orders
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OCLC 34367883 | |
Last Orders is a 1996 novel by British writer Graham Swift.[1] The book won the 1996 Booker Prize.[2] In 2001, it was adapted for the film Last Orders by Australian writer and director Fred Schepisi.
Plot
The story makes much use of flashbacks to tell the convoluted story of the relationships between a group of war veterans who live in the same corner of
The plot and style are influenced by
Characters
Jack Dodds: a butcher, husband of Amy. His death from cancer in St Thomas' Hospital brings together four men who take a journey to scatter his ashes. Played by Michael Caine in the movie.
Vince Dodds: a used car salesman. Adopted son of Jack and Amy Dodds, when his biological parents (the Pritchetts) were killed during the
Ray 'Lucky' Johnson: an insurance clerk, who has an uncanny ability to wager on the right horses. The main narrator of the book. Fought alongside Jack Dodds in the war, who saved his life on one occasion. Was left by his wife Carol, for another man, and has a daughter Susie, who lives in Australia. Ray is attracted to Amy Dodds, wife of Jack, and the two had a relationship in the past. Played by Bob Hoskins in the movie.
Lenny 'Gunner' Tate: Drinking buddy of Jack Dodds. The odd man in the group, who is the instigator of many conflicts. Lenny's daughter Sally had a relationship with Vince Dodds, and became pregnant, before marrying a jailbird. Played by David Hemmings in the movie.
Vic Tucker: an undertaker/funeral director. The backbone of the group, who mediates and keeps the peace when conflicts arise. Many parallels are drawn between Jack's profession and Vic's, in that they both handle bodies. Played by Tom Courtenay in the movie.
Amy Dodds: Jack's wife, who declines to join the men when they scatter Jack's ashes. Amy and Jack had a mentally disabled daughter, June. On the day the four men travel to Margate to scatter the ashes, Amy visits June in a Home. Played by Helen Mirren in the movie.
Mandy Dodds: Left her home in
Awards
Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Booker Prize | Winner | [5][2][6] |
1996 | James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction | Winner | [7] |
1996 | Whitbread Award for Novel
|
Finalist | |
1998 | International Dublin Literary Award | Shortlist | [8] |
References
- ^ Lyall, Sarah (30 October 1996). "Graham Swift's 'Last Orders' Receives the Booker Prize". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ The Booker Prizes. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Last Orders". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "A Swift rewrite, or a tribute?" by Chris Blackhurst, The Independent (London), 9 March 1997.
- ^ a b Jordison, Sam (24 July 2012). "Booker club: Last Orders by Graham Swift". The Guardian.
- Britannica. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Previous winners". James Tait Black Memorial Prize website. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- Dublin Literary Award. Retrieved 26 January 2023.