Scan barcode
A review by vivianaxmoreno
One Day in December by Josie Silver
3.0
3.5/5
I’m kind of teetering on the line about whether this novel is a 3.5 or 4 for me (from a holistic perspective).
There were some things I found myself questioning in my head and not enjoying, like some of Jack’s bits. But having just finished the novel, I enjoyed it overall. I liked that there were realistic, true things happening in the novel. Like Laurie’s struggle to break into the magazine industry (must be the journalism major in me). On that note, I liked that the inclusion of her periodically realizing when she wanted to be challenged more and sought new opportunities. I loved the sisterly bond between Sarah and Laurie because it felt authentic — they love each other without bounds even when they separate for a while (which is probably what broke my heart the most). Although the bit about trying to get pregnant left me anxious (because what if she DID get pregnant?!), the way their relationship dissolved stung but there was also a soothing balm quality to it. What they had was not be looked back on as wasteful but a precious period in both of their lives. There are other bits I enjoyed, but those are sticking out the most to me.
I was just now scrolling through some other reviews, and I realized there were some things nagging at the back of my head that other readers voiced — for example, Laurie does not move to Brussels with Oscar but seems to be willing to uproot her life to Edinburgh for Jack (based on her conversation with Sarah in Australia). And while I understand the difference is that she truly loves Jack in a way she doesn’t Oscar, there’s no clarification on this so it just seems like a contradiction.
I really enjoyed the tension created when Jack and Laurie came in contact over the years, but there seemed to be so much space in between, which I know is necessary to show their lives and what they’re doing, but it felt long at times and drawn out.
This is one of those books that I definitely enjoyed reading, but there are small holes that make me stop and think a little bit more. Maybe if you ask me in a couple of days from now what my rating is, I’d say a 4. It definitely has the potential!
I’m kind of teetering on the line about whether this novel is a 3.5 or 4 for me (from a holistic perspective).
There were some things I found myself questioning in my head and not enjoying, like some of Jack’s bits. But having just finished the novel, I enjoyed it overall. I liked that there were realistic, true things happening in the novel. Like Laurie’s struggle to break into the magazine industry (must be the journalism major in me). On that note, I liked that the inclusion of her periodically realizing when she wanted to be challenged more and sought new opportunities. I loved the sisterly bond between Sarah and Laurie because it felt authentic — they love each other without bounds even when they separate for a while (which is probably what broke my heart the most). Although the bit about trying to get pregnant left me anxious (because what if she DID get pregnant?!), the way their relationship dissolved stung but there was also a soothing balm quality to it. What they had was not be looked back on as wasteful but a precious period in both of their lives. There are other bits I enjoyed, but those are sticking out the most to me.
I was just now scrolling through some other reviews, and I realized there were some things nagging at the back of my head that other readers voiced — for example, Laurie does not move to Brussels with Oscar but seems to be willing to uproot her life to Edinburgh for Jack (based on her conversation with Sarah in Australia). And while I understand the difference is that she truly loves Jack in a way she doesn’t Oscar, there’s no clarification on this so it just seems like a contradiction.
I really enjoyed the tension created when Jack and Laurie came in contact over the years, but there seemed to be so much space in between, which I know is necessary to show their lives and what they’re doing, but it felt long at times and drawn out.
This is one of those books that I definitely enjoyed reading, but there are small holes that make me stop and think a little bit more. Maybe if you ask me in a couple of days from now what my rating is, I’d say a 4. It definitely has the potential!