Title: One Day
Author: David Nicholls
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 435
How I Read It: ARC provided by the publisher
Synopsis: “I can imagine you at forty,” she said, a hint of malice in her voice.
“I can picture it right now.” He smiled without opening his eyes.
“Go on then.”
July 15, 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. But, after only one day together, even though they are clearly mismatched, they cannot stop thinking about one another.
So where will they be on this one day next year?
And the year after that?
And every year that follows?
Twenty years. Two people. ONE DAY.
My Review: I didn’t know much about this book prior to reading it, just that it was being turned into a movie and people liked it overall. So I came into the book with few expectations, and although it took me awhile to get used to the format of it simply being a snapshot of the lives of Emma and Dexter on their “anniversary” every year, I quickly understood why people enjoy this book so much. Because it’s just a lovely, honest story.
Admittedly, I spent a lot of the book wondering why on earth Emma would put up with Dexter. He is such a stereotypical, slightly famous jerk – alcohol, drugs, women. A very frustrating guy to read about! But I feel like he’s someone we all know a variation of, which ultimately lends credibility to the real-feel of this story.
Emma, on the other hand, can be pretty endearing at times. Like all of us, she makes mistakes and I definitely found myself shaking my head at her, but Emma is the kind of lady I’d like to know. Why she maintains a lingering love for Dexter for so long is honestly beyond me, I don’t think I could do it, yet I think we all know that person we are always there for despite their bad behavior.
The romance between the two of them is largely one-sided for much of the book, but I did find myself coming around to Emma’s way of thinking as we watch Dexter grow throughout the course of their friendship. As a reader, I found myself just wanting them both to be happy, regardless of how they necessarily get there. I guess you could say that not too far in, they felt like friends of mine as well.
I was a bit taken back by the end of the book, but then again, much of this book wasn’t what I expected. To say the least, I adored the journey it took me on, the range of emotions I felt, and the way it seemed like this could maybe even be my own life. I was very impressed with the author, in fact I went straight to my goodreads list and added his other novels to my list. I can see myself becoming a devoted fan of David Nicholls as time goes on, and I hope you will be too.
Oh, and I’m rather disappointed that the movie isn’t in my local theaters anymore, so I’ll have to wait to see it when it’s out on DVD!
Read this book if: So this is labeled as chick-lit or romance to an extent, and I disagree with that wholeheartedly. This isn’t romance, it’s life. I think it’s a good story, one most people will like. And fans of Nick Hornby will probably really enjoy it too.
My Rating: 4/5 – Borderline Amazing!
