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A review by kba76
You Are Here by David Nicholls
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You Are Here is a love story that is not packed with fizz and excitement. Our two main characters, Marnie and Michael, are both - in their own ways - lonely. When a mutual friend cajoles them into participating in a group holiday involving walking the Coast to Coast they are each intended for someone else.
We follow the group on their initial travels, and it eventually fizzles out with everyone else leaving. Daily walks, whatever the weather, are not for everyone.
Being married to an outdoorsy type I found myself nodding in sympathy with some of the details given about the walking in inhospitable conditions. Like Marnie I have, on a number of occasions, found myself swearing like a proverbial navvy at the stupidity of hopping from soggy tuft to soggy tuft. Like Michael, I have also found myself on many a walk struck dumb by the beauty of our natural world.
The description of the walking itself was entertaining. It was entertaining to see their interactions with unfamiliar people. I felt saddened by the fate of the old couple they passed, and laughed out loud at the image of the strict landlady.
At its heart this was a love story focusing on two people who’ve become rather disillusioned with the experience. Neither seemed blown away by the other, but there was still something touching about the way they formed a bond.
We follow the group on their initial travels, and it eventually fizzles out with everyone else leaving. Daily walks, whatever the weather, are not for everyone.
Being married to an outdoorsy type I found myself nodding in sympathy with some of the details given about the walking in inhospitable conditions. Like Marnie I have, on a number of occasions, found myself swearing like a proverbial navvy at the stupidity of hopping from soggy tuft to soggy tuft. Like Michael, I have also found myself on many a walk struck dumb by the beauty of our natural world.
The description of the walking itself was entertaining. It was entertaining to see their interactions with unfamiliar people. I felt saddened by the fate of the old couple they passed, and laughed out loud at the image of the strict landlady.
At its heart this was a love story focusing on two people who’ve become rather disillusioned with the experience. Neither seemed blown away by the other, but there was still something touching about the way they formed a bond.