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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I hadn’t particularly high hopes for this book. It seemed too much like something you would see advertised at a train station and prominently displayed at WH Smiths. There’s nothing wrong with these commendations, but they don’t tend to line up with my tastes very often. I’m aware of how snobbish this seems, but in my defence, there are an endless supply of books that have been tried and tested by time and still stand up. Whereas the flavour of the month doesn’t always last long or prove to be worth the time (I’m looking at you, American Dirt). So with only so much time available to read, I feel like a certain snobbery can be worthwhile. But my Dad bought me this for Christmas 2021. Or rather, since I live in Australia, I selected it from the list of recommendations he gave me and bought it, and he reimbursed me.
One Day is about Dexter and Emma, two star-crossed lovers, and each chapter moves forward one year from the date they met, on St Swithin's Day in 1988. We follow them and their friendship though this day, and how they bond and come together, but never quite fit into each other’s lives due to differing wants and needs. Emma is a beguilingly witty northerner, with a strong conscience and principles and a desire to do good through her creative efforts. Dexter is handsome, rich, feckless, and has had life given to him on a plate. To his credit, he does cherish her though, but only as a friend, since she doesn’t fit into his promiscuous lifestyle. She loves him, but he won’t settle.
As they move later into their twenties, Dexter becomes a TV presenter and continues to sow his wild oats in typical 90s fashion. Emma struggles, unable to make something of herself and stand up to her own standards. Gradually Dexter receives some much-needed blows to his confidence, and Emma gains what she needs to succeed and be happy. It took me a long time to like Dexter. I tend to resent anyone who “has it all” in life. Where are their feelings of inadequacy like I have? I was very pleased when life knocked him about a bit. Now Emma I can relate to, and was rooting for her from the start.
This book was very readable. I coincided with a spell of bad sleep, and was a good companion to have on nights when I wouldn’t drop off. It was an easy read and a fun read. But as it was drawing towards the end I started to realise that it had many other qualities as well. I was startled by its richness, and how deeply I had begun to feel about Dex and Em (more her than him). Over the course of the book 19 years passes. I realised that this is as much a book about ageing as it is about love. These people grew up together in front of my eyes. Life has a sublime indescribable beauty to it when viewed at the right angle. It was something that was clear to me when I was a lonely student in Plymouth. Everything had an inner secret world that was dripping with emotion. Not sadness, but not without sadness. A cocktail of strong emotions that makes one realise you are witnessing life. This book reminded me of that feeling. It made me feel a lot, and I became quite emotional. Not bad for something you see advertised at a train station.
One Day is about Dexter and Emma, two star-crossed lovers, and each chapter moves forward one year from the date they met, on St Swithin's Day in 1988. We follow them and their friendship though this day, and how they bond and come together, but never quite fit into each other’s lives due to differing wants and needs. Emma is a beguilingly witty northerner, with a strong conscience and principles and a desire to do good through her creative efforts. Dexter is handsome, rich, feckless, and has had life given to him on a plate. To his credit, he does cherish her though, but only as a friend, since she doesn’t fit into his promiscuous lifestyle. She loves him, but he won’t settle.
As they move later into their twenties, Dexter becomes a TV presenter and continues to sow his wild oats in typical 90s fashion. Emma struggles, unable to make something of herself and stand up to her own standards. Gradually Dexter receives some much-needed blows to his confidence, and Emma gains what she needs to succeed and be happy. It took me a long time to like Dexter. I tend to resent anyone who “has it all” in life. Where are their feelings of inadequacy like I have? I was very pleased when life knocked him about a bit. Now Emma I can relate to, and was rooting for her from the start.
This book was very readable. I coincided with a spell of bad sleep, and was a good companion to have on nights when I wouldn’t drop off. It was an easy read and a fun read. But as it was drawing towards the end I started to realise that it had many other qualities as well. I was startled by its richness, and how deeply I had begun to feel about Dex and Em (more her than him). Over the course of the book 19 years passes. I realised that this is as much a book about ageing as it is about love. These people grew up together in front of my eyes. Life has a sublime indescribable beauty to it when viewed at the right angle. It was something that was clear to me when I was a lonely student in Plymouth. Everything had an inner secret world that was dripping with emotion. Not sadness, but not without sadness. A cocktail of strong emotions that makes one realise you are witnessing life. This book reminded me of that feeling. It made me feel a lot, and I became quite emotional. Not bad for something you see advertised at a train station.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coincidentally, I’ve decided to read this (version of the) book just a few days before 15 July, which is the day Dex and Em, started. The story has a bittersweet ending to it. I feel melancholy and heartbroken for them.
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I saw the film in the cinema years ago when it came out. I even watched the Netflix mini series…. Neither really stuck with me.
I could not put the book down and now I will watch the mini series again and end with the film.
Such a beautiful story of love and friendship.
Highly recommended.
I could not put the book down and now I will watch the mini series again and end with the film.
Such a beautiful story of love and friendship.
Highly recommended.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Car accident
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent
It was a good book, I loved the concept, and it was very well written. However I just hated Dexter. I know that was kinda the point, but I didn't feel bad for him at all, at any point, which reduced the emotional impact of what people kept telling me was an incredibly sad book. It was very good, but I can't rate it higher than a 4.