One Day
by David Nicholls
Published: 11 June 2009
Buy on Waterstones or Amazon
Synopsis:
15th July 1988.
Emma and Dexter meet on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways.
So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that?
And every year that follows?
My Review:
This book had been on my wish list for several months, when one afternoon, whilst browsing in Waterstones, I decided that it was time for it to come home with me. One of the main reasons being that the movie “One Day” was about to be released in cinema and I really wanted to read the book before it did.
After my shopping trip, I came home, put the kettle on and got reading. A few days later, I turned the last leaf of Emma and Dexter’s story and let me tell you, if there is one thing I regret, it is not to have read “One Day” earlier. It was absolutely amazing! Without hesitation, it is one of the best books I read in 2011.
I found the structure of the book particularly interesting. The first chapter is set in 1988, on St Swithin’s Day (15th of July) and every chapter after that is set on the exact same day of the following years, up to 2007. It’s only 20 days, but it’s also 20 years and it gives you such a great insight on Emma and Dexter.
Emma and Dexter could not be more different. She’s an outspoken, working-class, double-first graduate who sometimes lacks the confidence to really go for it. He’s middle-class, handsome, arrogant and wants to be remembered for his work in 20 years time “without having any clear notion of what that work might be.”
Over the next few years, Dexter becomes a successful TV presenter whilst Emma is working as a waitress at Loco Caliente, a tex-mex restaurant in Kentish Town, London. Everything changes when her boss offers her the job of restaurant manager. He wants “someone who isn’t going anywhere. Someone reliable who isn’t going to run off to India without giving proper notice or drop it all for some exciting job.” Emma decides then that it it time to tidy up her life and start again.
Part of this tidying includes breaking up her friendship with Dexter. After Dexter makes a hurtful comment to Emma over dinner, a revelation comes to her. “ You’re not who you used to be, Dex. I really, really liked the old one. I’d like him back, but in the meantime, I’m sorry, but I don’t think you should phone me anymore. [...] I just don’t like you anymore, I’m sorry.”
Several years pass where they don’t see each other, until they are both invited to an old friend’s wedding. Happy to see each other after all that time, Emma realises how much she missed Dexter but before she can mention anything about it, he drops a bombshell. He is getting married in 7 weeks.
What happens next? You will have to find out by yourself.
"One Day" is about love and friendship but it is no fairytale. It is about growing up, regrets, loneliness and the cruelty of life as well. A wonderful, wonderful book that I highly recommend.
