What do you think?
Rate this book
On a First Name Basis
David, a successful novelist with writer’s block, has received some devastating news. Lucy, his housekeeper of twenty-eight years, has her own secret. As Lucy is getting ready to end her shift, David invites her to stay and have a drink. But as the night sets in and the drinks start to flow, secrets reveal themselves for better or worse.
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 22, 2026
A straightforward two hander about a 62-year old writer and his 54-year old housekeeper with delightfully fun and witty dialogue. I laughed out loud multiple times and found the conversation between the two both engaging and entertaining.
There’s lots of punchy back and forth, and while I doubt many people would actual speak so eloquently and be so quick-witted in real life, I’m much more forgiving when it’s a play. It was fun to lose myself in the words.
Story-wise, it does veer into romance a bit…but only a bit. There’s so much more than that. Lots of poignant discussion about the moments that make up a life and reflections on what is truly valuable in a life.
There’s lots of punchy back and forth, and while I doubt many people would actual speak so eloquently and be so quick-witted in real life, I’m much more forgiving when it’s a play. It was fun to lose myself in the words.
Story-wise, it does veer into romance a bit…but only a bit. There’s so much more than that. Lots of poignant discussion about the moments that make up a life and reflections on what is truly valuable in a life.
December 24, 2022
Started this while pre-gaming. I love mr. Norm he’s good.
March 9, 2023
Amusing in some places, but otherwise just a bit ridiculous in the way they speak to each other. It's not very believable and hard to imagine it being on the stage.
March 22, 2021
David and Lucy have known each other for over twenty years. He is a novelist of a spy series and she is his housekeeper and help.
On this particular night it should end like any other, after her long shift she will go home.
However on this night, before she leaves David wishes to know her first name. Lucy.
It appears that these two people have known each other for twenty-eight years without really knowing each other. Over time the drink flows and they are soon telling each other their lives.
I really enjoyed this as a play, I really wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was and one I would highly recommend.
On this particular night it should end like any other, after her long shift she will go home.
However on this night, before she leaves David wishes to know her first name. Lucy.
It appears that these two people have known each other for twenty-eight years without really knowing each other. Over time the drink flows and they are soon telling each other their lives.
I really enjoyed this as a play, I really wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was and one I would highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews