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)

One of my favorite books

This is my second time listening to this book 3 years after the first time. It's as beautiful as I remember.

great for any werewolf lover

I am a big werewolf fan with an autobiography of a werewolf hunter and cycle of the werewolf being some of my favorite works. Although it starts off rather slow the writing pulls you in and the ending makes you want to hear more lucky there's two more book after this one.

This was a recommendation

I stumbled on the story when I saw somebody complaining about another story. I saw their complaint and I saw them make a comparison to this story. So I went to see what all the fuss was about. And I’m so glad I did. This was a fantastic story, just what I needed to fill the void.

I was looking for something different!

Unique take on the modern werewolf, the last werewolf. This is a trilogy and because of circumstances in book 1 I will probably not continue. I did like the story though it didn't go in the direction I wanted. I was looking for something out of my comfort zone and this definitely went there both in story and narration, it is worth listening to again in the future.

High Literature Meets the Werewolf -Fantastic Tale

If you could sum up The Last Werewolf in three words, what would they be?

Original, enthralling, lush.

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

The use of language throughout the book made the whole read memorable.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the scene when he first changes and learns that killing a loved one is so exquisite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It was best enjoyed over a longer period, like savoring glasses from a bottle of fine wine. There were many passages that deserved to be listened to and reflected on. This is not a book to be rushed.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the most original takes on a horror novel I've ever read. This book would appeal to anyone who loves a well written book. The end was rather predictable, but that's OK because the ride was so enjoyable. I look forward to reading the sequel.

Best werewolf book

Jacob goes from present to past in the beginning which makes it harder to understand, if you know that now it'll be easier

Fantastic story! 👏

A fantastic story you won't want to pass up! The narrator, Robin Sachs was brilliant 👏 Loved this so much, I bought all three books and now looking forward to listening to the next audiobook. BRAVO!

Quite possibly one of THE best books I have ever read/listened to.

Words themselves are difficult to describe how incredibly well written this is. Kudos to you Mr Duncan, kudos to you.

Explicit sex scenes, adult language, low-horror

Werewolves like to have sex. Oops I just spoiled the book for you! Seriously, that's all it is. Sex, sex, sex. The "C" words get a lot of use, I've never heard "Male Rooster" so often in such a short time, as well as the "C bomb". Seriously, one or the other would be on every single page of the physical book, I'm willing to bet.

When it got to the point of likening a woman's area to "a feverish baby's mouth" I stopped listening. Like that's an image I want, a male roster and a baby's mouth... That was right at the point it was starting to get into bestiality, so I'm pretty happy with where I stopped. I should've figured it out at the beginning when they mentioned a granddad getting aroused when the grand kids were on his knee. I had a "What the?" moment when I heard that, but the story was interesting at that stage and the reference was fleeting so I forgot about it quickly.

The story line is interesting (for as much of it as there is, think 10% plot/90% dirty novel), the last werewolf deciding whether or not to live or die. There's a hook about the origin of werewolves, but I really couldn't keep listening to it. It would probably turn out to be something like dogs having sex with dead humans, or humans having sex with dead dogs.

If you are into furry-fantasties maybe this'll do it for you. It was one huge Ick-factor for me though.

On a positive the narrator had an excellent voice and did a great job. I'll be looking out for more by him.

Oh, and as far as graphic violence - there isn't a lot, so if you're squeamish about that sort of thing don't worry. He likes to use the word "gobbet" but it's rarely about violence...

less than I expected

I write very few reviews, yet this one needs one. I read the great reviews of this book and said , Yea, sounds like a very cool book.
I could not have been more wrong....it jumps and skips from here and there, the reader, is like an old fog horn that never changes pitch. Told from first person most of the time, it is like a sleeping pill.