The Last Werewolf

By: Glen Duncan

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Then she opened her mouth to scream - and recognised me. It was what I’d been waiting for. She froze. She looked into my eyes. She said, “It’s you.”

Meet Jake. A bit on the elderly side (he turns 201 in March), but you’d never suspect it. Nonstop sex and exercise will do that for you - and a diet with lots of animal protein. Jake is a werewolf, and after the unfortunate and violent death of his one contemporary, he is now the last of his species. Although he is physically healthy, Jake is deeply distraught and lonely.

Jake’s depression has carried him to the point where he is actually contemplating suicide - even if it means terminating a legend thousands of years old. It would seem to be easy enough for him to end everything. But for very different reasons there are two dangerous groups pursuing him who will stop at nothing to keep him alive.

Here is a powerful, definitive new version of the werewolf legend - mesmerising and incredibly sexy. In Jake, Glen Duncan has given us a werewolf for the 21st century - a man whose deeds can only be described as monstrous but who is in some magical way deeply human.

One of the most original, audacious, and terrifying novels in years.

©2011 Robin Sachs (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A brilliantly original thriller, a love story, a witty treatise on male (and female) urges, even an existential musing on what it is to be human. Get one for yourself and one for the Twilight fan in your life.” (James Medd, The Word , UK)

“Space should be cleared for this violent, sexy thriller... The answer to Twilight that adults have been waiting for.” (Courtney Jones, Booklist)

“Yes, there are vampires here... But don’t give this book to Twilight groupies; the frank tone, dark wit, and elegant, sophisticated language will likely do them in... smart, original, and completely absorbing. Highly recommended.” (Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal)

The cynical views of the inevitable

That is what made this story for me. The only thing that I scratched my head about is the change of perspective in the story. Americans call it a flashlight, not a torch. That would have made the transition better for me. It’s one of those stupid things my stupid brain fixated on. Still, I truly enjoyed it.

Good but slow in the beginning

the first half was really slow. it picked up when he meet tulula....good though. Would still recommmend

Great reader

I would probably given up reading this book, but the reader was excellent. I am reaching saturation on the ware vampire genre.

Best Werewolf Novel I've read in a long time.

Best Werewolf Novel I've read in a long time - both Intelligent, and Primal - with a steady Unflinching examination of itself.

Glen Duncan writes a wonderfully classic Monster tale - that somehow feels 'New' by not being watered down, or homogenized into some toothless, mainstream young adult novel trash. This is not for the timid reader or horror tourist. No Twilight or Hunger Games here. If you like old Stephen King Novels and Hammer Horror films - then this is for you.

There is a lot of sophisticated character development here, couched by plenty of action and horror. Many pleasing story twists and turns to keep the story interesting and opens up a whole universe of classic hammer horror avenues the author could explore.

The protagonist is a werewolf who's lifespan of several centuries has left him numb to his monthly killings and whos only other compulsion is seeking sex with women he generally has great distain for. Much of everything is described with a dry, clinical British narration whether its recalling terrible past murders or brief, crude loveless sex. The characters behavior and the narration - made me think of Daniel Craig's portrayal of James Bond. He's a scarred and tired man who's killed so much and experienced so much cruelty, that he's just done with life. He's Sexy, cold blooded, and at a certain level, crude and a brute beneath his veneer of a sophisticated British man, The phycological injuries and horror he's chosen to keep living through heap upon him and we see how he's made choices, going from a 'man' to the amoral 'werewolf'

So now - if you can take it - go into this story head first and blind. Enjoy just jumping in and letting this unfold. It's quality stuff. The kind of good horror fans scrape and search for and paw through all the junk to find..

What a great ride this book was!

I was initially skeptical about this book when I read a review in the NY Times. But an NPR interview with the author made me bite (haha). I was absolutely hooked on this book from the first sentence. Duncan writes with such abandon and deep passion for these characters, it is impossible not to sympathize with and root for Jake Marlowe, the last werewolf of the title. Robin Sachs was a superb narrator, bringing just the right essence to each character and carrying me right along with the story. And it is the story that is king here - a real plot, a real cliffhanger ending

a little too adult for me

I'm honestly still trying to gauge how I feel about this book. It's basically kind of a memoir for this last werewolf as he believes he's about to be killed and his race gone for good. But then we learn the vampires have discovered a werewolf’s bite helps something they are afflicted with. So his death is no longer an ultimate certainty.

In the memoir portion of this book we get a very raw description of his libido and all that entails. It really does feel like an accurate depiction of what you'd think a dog/werewolf would feel, lust for etc. However after a while it's just a bit too much, for me. It doesn't add to the story at all.
This is a very adult book.

But then I found myself really interested in the underlying story being told. It's just unfortunate that it was kind of over powered by the constant descriptions of the werewolf’s lust. I think if it was balanced more it would have been great.

Not for prudes

Glen Duncan is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited when I found one of his books on audible.com. I always read the reviews before I download a book to see what other people thought and to get an idea of what to (or not to) expect. While reading the reviews for this book I started giggling, then laughing out loud. (My favorite review said something about him using the "c bomb".) If you've never read a book by this author before, then you're in for a surprise when the "c bomb" and other naughty words start spewing from your speakers. It might be less of a shock if you bought one of his books in a hard copy first and let the offensive language come through in your own inner voice. But, unless you live in a different universe than I do, you've heard those words before. The best thing to do would be to lighten up and enjoy the ride that a book like this can take you on.

Worse than the words, I think, is what issues those words raise for some people. This is not a pretty story, like a lot of those silly YA novels that glamorize and romanticize werewolves and vampires. This asks you to imagine how truly horrible it would be to be powerless over your own impulses.

I only gave this book 4 stars because, when it comes right down to it, I doubt I will ever love one of his books more than I loved I, Lucifer. Having said that, this is a really good book. I would recommend it to anyone who can tolerate some naughty language.

Amazing, sexy, raw

A tale about one werewolf's ("Jake's"/Jacob Marlow) power struggles and efforts to come to terms with his centuries of life and impending death while battling those (not all human "those") who want him to make other plans regarding his living and his dying. The werewolf is 1 bougie MF. So his knowledge of languages, the "finer things" of life (European literature, art, food, wine, luggage, interiors) add gravitas to this story of blood and sex, implied and very explicitly laid forth. And it takes a narrator of high talent to sufficiently pull all this off. He surpasses "sufficiently" by miles.
A major part of this story's yumminess is how it exquisitely and resolutely evokes  ambivalence in the reader in wanting good things for a killer werewolf. It's wonderful and aggravating.
You might need a dictionary to fully comprehend the beautiful words used, though the meaning is usually pretty clear. And you certainly need to be comfortable with raw sexual terms (esp. c*nt) if you're going to fully enjoy this story.
It ends at a good stopping place, though the story continues.

Outstanding in every way!

What made the experience of listening to The Last Werewolf the most enjoyable?

Glen Duncan is a master story teller with an extraordinary flair for use of language; which can only be described as melodic sophisticated and seductive. One can actually feel the wolf inside Jake trying to emerge and heave a sigh at his sheer exhaustion of having lived life for so long - the descriptions are that good! This is an intelligent read and even if the story weren't that good - it would be worth the read to experience the writing style. The combination of this type of writing and an excellent story line which is fresh and innovative make this one of my top three reads -- ever!
Robin Sachs did an outstanding job as narrator and the dry british intonation and humor in several parts were laugh out loud funny. The narration was also much apreciated in the french accent of one character and italian accent of another also in the voices of two women lovers. There were times where the accents flowed in conversation with three or four characters at the same time -- absolutely amazing!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Werewolf?

The most memorable and surprising moment was when he learned that he was not the only.......

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was fairly early in the book where Jake describes the full moon pulling at him like the Virgin Mary..................
One of several classic scenes and lines in the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Incredible sadness when the vampires killed his foxes.....you could actually feel his sense of loss.

Any additional comments?

This is an incredible book not to be missed. Intelligent, fresh, imaginative, and sharp - no teen lit shallow story line here. Bravo Glen Duncan and Robin Sachs - really incredible! Thank you both for a great book and read that resonates!

5th listen on this one

The language is smooth and literary butter. The narrator is gravely whisky. This book is what happens when you have an author who really really knows how to write. It is one of my favorites and yes, it is my 5th time listening.