One Day by David Nicholls
by Jenners • 08/26/2010 • 4.5 Stars, Contemporary, Fiction, N Authors, O Titles • 24 Comments
I love a book with a good gimmick, and One Day has a great one: the story takes place on the same day over the course of 20 years. Each year, we check in with the two protagonists—Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley—on July 15 (which, as Dex tells Em is St. Swithin’s Day) and see how their lives and relationship are developing.
The thing with gimmicks, though, is that an author might come up with a great gimmick but not be able to execute it effectively. I’m pleased to report that David Nicholls writes a book that lives up to (and even exceeds) his gimmick. The easiest way to describe One Day is as a “literary version of When Harry Met Sally” … if Harry was a handsome TV personality with a drinking problem and Sally was a plain-looking, bookish nerd and the story went on for a few years after the happy ending. The real comparison, of course, is that Dex and Em are meant for each other (the reader knows it, Em sometimes knows it, Dex seems blissfully unaware of it) but—for one reason or another—keep missing each other because life (jobs, relationships, success) constantly gets in the way.
Seeing their friendship and lives develop over the course of the book was a true pleasure. I thought Nicholls did a brilliant job of handling the “one day” check-in each year without making it seemed forced. The story develops naturally, and we get invested in Dex and Em and their relationship … so much so that I was stunned when Nicholls pulled the rug out from under me towards the end.
Nicholl’s writing feels genuine whether he is writing from Emma or Dexter’s point of view. There are quite a few amusing scenes that had me cracking up, but Nicholls provides emotional heft as well. When reading, I found myself utterly absorbed, and I was always wondering where the next July 15 would find Dex and Em and what they would be doing. The only real quibble I had with the book is that I wish Nicholls hadn’t chosen to give Dex and Em such “glamorous” careers at various points. I didn’t think the book needed it to “goose” up the drama/comedy, but it is a minor complaint. If what I’ve written so far hasn’t convinced you to check this book out yet, how about a few excerpts?
Emma on being a writer: Sometimes, when it’s going badly, she wonders if what she believes to be a love of the written word is really just a fetish for stationery. The true writer, the born writer, will scribble words on scraps of litter, the back of a bus tickets, on the wall of a cell. Emma is lost on anything less than 120gsm.
Emma on being a writer (again): … but she was discovering once again that reading and writing were not the same – you couldn’t just soak it up then squeeze it out again. She found herself unable to think of a name for her detective, let alone a cohesive original plot, and even her pseudonym was poor: Emma T. Wilde?
Dexter caring for his baby daughter: How much longer until she can speak? A year? Eighteen months? It’s insane, an absurd design error, this refusal to master speech just when it’s needed most. They should come out talking. Not conversation, not repartee, just basic practical information. Father, I have wind. This activity centre leaves me jaded. I am colicky.
Emma thinking about her friends: What has happened to her friends? They used to be funny and fun-loving, gregarious and interesting, but far too many evenings have been spent like this with pasty, irritable hollow-eyed couples in smelly rooms, expressing wonder that baby is getting bigger with time, rather than smaller. She is tired of squealing in delight when she sees a baby crawl, as if this was a completely unexpected development, this ‘crawling’. What were they expecting, flight?
My Final Recommendation
This deliciously fun and engaging story of a relationship developing over the course of 20 years is told in a “gimmicky” fashion (we check in with the main characters on the same day throughout the book) but transcends the novelty aspect to be a heartfelt, genuine, realistic look at modern life and relationships. An engrossing, fast read that will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart. (How much did that just sound like a blurb on the back of a book jacket? Perhaps I’m turning into a “real” book reviewer!)
Note: This book is already being made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway as Emma and Jim Sturgess as Dexter.
What are other book bloggers saying about this book? Find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Whys and Wheres: I bought this book for my Kindle after seeing it recommended in Entertainment Weekly. As a sucker for a good gimmick, I had to check it out. In this case, at least, EW was right on the money.
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I love a gimmick when it works. Adding this one to my wish list.
What an intriguing read. I can definitely see how it would attract Hollywood. I'm going to look for this one too.
One Day sounds excellent Jenners; thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I bought this one on my Kindle too, but I haven't read it yet. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it! The premise sounds lovely, and the reviews I've read (of both bloggers and authors I enjoy) have all been positive. I'm curious to see how they age the characters in the movie too.
This sounds like such a good read! It's going right on my wish list. I loved When Harry met Sally. The plot of this book also reminds me of a movie called "Same Time Next Year" (although that was about a couple having an affair).
I waited to read your review till I read the book, and just now finished. OMG. No, that wasn't a fire engine siren you were hearing! It was me, wailing!
This one is already on my shelves at home waiting for me to read it. Sounds like I am in for a treat!
I've read this book and loved everything about it! I also think that Anne Hathaway is going to make a great Emma… some people disagree, but I know she can pull it off!
I have a collection of David Nicholls books. Every novel that he wrote is very amazing. I can compare his novel to the most famous writer in the world.
I adore it when a gimmick works! I wish I could be effectively gimmicky actually.
Interesting gimmick! I've never heard of this author before.
Like Bermudaonion, I also thought of 'Same Time Next Year' (especially since I just went to a stage production of it this past Sunday).
This really sounds fun and I want to read it! I liked the excerpts you included.
ya know, i have this book…i gave it to my daughter because i thought it might be too 'gimmicky' and i was just overwhelmed at the moment between moving and life and reading and reviewing to have time for it….sound like one i need to go back and get from her just for a brief respite from moving and life and reading and reviewing
thanks for the recommendation! and as always for reading the same stuff i like too!!! i know i can always count on you !!!
I am having a hard time with this one! I have picked it up and put it down numerous times. Emma is not an appealing character to me, at least not in the beginning. She seems so needy.
Dexter is more appealing to me which I find interesting, but with all the other books I am reading, this one keeps getting left behind.
not sure I like the gimmick in general as much as you. but gladd it worked in this case. I think a gimmiick is in danger of often taking over a book..or movie.
also, his name..Dexter. In my mind there is only one Dexter and he is a very nice serial killer.
Enjoyed the little quotes, made it even more tempting, I have this on request from the library but have been waiting weeks.
thanks for the review
martine
This sounds really good to me! The plot reminds me of the old movie Same Time Next Year with Alan Alda, but you're probably not old enough to remember it.
I just picked this book up because I found it for a dollar at the thrift store, but I wasn't sure I was ever going to read it because I hadn't come across a review that really made me want to. Until now! Thanks, Jenners.
So glad you liked this. My daughter and I bought it recently. When we checked out the clerk said "Oh, I LOVED this book!" Daughter took it with her on the train and I haven't seen it again. I need to ask her what she thought and then demand she give it back!
Oh — this sounds like a perfect escape book for this fall. Thanks so much, Jenners, for an honestly glowing recommendation
It is great to know that the gimmick really works. I have a copy of this and hope to read it at some point.
I highly recommend Starter for Ten (the book and film) I'm sure you'll love that too!
You are a great writer! I loved the review. I've heard about this book from a few places now so I'll definitely have to pick it up. It sounds like something I would really enjoy. I also happen to love Jim Sturgess so I can't wait to see the movie.
Sounds like a promising read – something a bit different, I'm so glad that the author managed to pull it off and it wasn't just all gimmick with no real content.