One Day: Book Review

Courtesy of http://www.moviepostershut.com/

I can officially add myself to the thousands of adoring fans of 'One Day' the novel by  David Nicholls. I promised I would blog about this book a while back, and for that I apologise for the delay. My head was buried in the pages of this bright orange glowing cover for days, I couldn't help but be mesmerised by the beautiful reality of the characters. I finished the book about a week and a half ago, in the final 5 and 6 years of the story I could not draw myself away.

I feel really slow on the uptake as it seems the rest of the world have been hooked on this book for years, published in June 2009 the book made it onto all the best seller lists across the world, crowned the highest selling British novel of 2010 and the 2010 Galaxy book of the year.

One Day Cover by David Nicholls

The pages zoom in on the characters Emma and Dexter on the same day each year to see where they are, how things have changed and how their relationship stands at that point in time. Some chapters visit them together, others explore the characters individually. They first meet on the night of their graduation, July 15 1988 (St Swithin's Day) and the story narrates a snap shot of  them on the same day each year as the embark on adult life.

Nicholls said that he wanted to

"create the impression of looking through a photo album, so that the characters seem to change, yet remain the same. Twenty years is a substantial sprawl, so my initial instinct was to cover landmarks – births, marriages, deaths. Instead, I've taken one day at random – like a date on a bank statement."

This narrative may explore the ever suppressing highs of an all consuming love story but it also monumentally tackles the struggles of growing older, the impact of our decisions and reactions to every day events and situations. Aspects of the narrative delve deep into the cruel realities of life's path and linger on decisions that often turn into regrets. It's refreshing to read a book that explores so many avenues and because it spans over 20 years, takes into account how people change and how situations can force you to change. Reading a book like this makes you consider your own hopes, goals and view of the future. From a woman's perspective it makes you fall in love with Emma Morley, a girl that many, if not all can relate to.

I could relate to a lot of her feelings and perspectives. The book begins on the night of Emma and Dexter's Graduation, as I've just graduated myself I think it was the perfect time to read the book.

I hate to sound clique but this book takes you on a complete 'rollercoaster' one minute your on a complete high, and other times the book takes you to your lowest lows. You can be crying one minute (Yes I cried!) and laughing out loud the next.

I was gobsmacked at the ending so really don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book. I've been told by many people that loved the novel that although the film is beautifully made, to appreciate the story it's a joy to read the novel first, don't let the movie spoil it. I'm yet to see the movie, and so it remains on my top 5 new movies to see in the cinema before they are whisked over to DVD.

Image taken from the movie adaptation of One Day
Emma Morley (played by Anne  Hathaway) & Dexter Mayhew (played by Jim Sturgess)