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Original poster

Anyone read One Day by David Nicholls?

40 replies

said · 17/06/2010 22:05

What did you think?

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MayorNaze · 07/07/2010 17:31

dexter was a nob

emma should have stayed in paris

i was at the ending but bet you all saw it coming a mile off thought was v appropriate though

not surprised nick hornby rates it, thought it was very him...

jennymac · 06/07/2010 16:24

I just finished it on Sunday and really enjoyed it.

Ceasnake · 01/07/2010 19:55

I enjoyed it, although Dexter was such a knob, I almost stopped reading several times. I found it interesting following both their lives through a period of history I remember almost as a contemporary of the characters. Dialogue very sparky too.

lolapupsy · 01/07/2010 15:52

I read it after I'd heard all the hype, which is always a mistake, as looking back I guess it never really had a chance to live up to the expectations. Agree totally with said, but I found both of the main characters rather two-dimensional. The ending was so predictable it was almost mind-numbing; he couldn't give it a happy ending for fear of losing the 'edginess' so instead delved into the EastEnders handbook for wrapping up loose ends. I felt a little bit for Emma at the end, though, but I could never really detach myself from David Nicholls, 'the author', if you understand me. He always seemed to be holding the characters on a leash.

Kniternator · 29/06/2010 22:30

Really loved it. Liked the 1990's parts, lots of associations with my own life. Haven't cried at a book in a long time.

MayorNaze · 29/06/2010 12:54

have just got this out of library

will report back when read

Merrylegs · 29/06/2010 12:53

Oh I loved it and I hate chick lit. I think it was more bloke's lit actually. A funnier Nick Hornby. Have just read Starter for Ten and actually LOLd. Don't think I've ever done that with a book. Brian is such a loser and yet so very very funny.

VerityBrulee · 29/06/2010 12:44

Decorhate the age thing bothered me too, but I enjoyed it. Not intellectually stimulating but a good read.

I just finished it last night and sobbed

All the way through I kept wondering who would play them in the film!

Original poster
said · 27/06/2010 17:43

And he used the word "chi-chi" on consequecutive pages

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FolornHope · 27/06/2010 17:37

i dont care i loved it

Original poster
said · 27/06/2010 17:33

Yes, completely unbelievable that she wouldn't have woken up to what a knob Dexter was over 20 years. So, totally implausible that she would have married him. Emma was supposed to have had her head screwed on

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 27/06/2010 16:46

Dexter was an utter waste of space. I kept trying to find his redeeming features, but he had none. Why was Emma so obsessed and forgiving of him?

Decorhate · 27/06/2010 16:20

Did anyone else notice that at one point Dexter said his sister was 34 and then on the next page that his mother was 49. Obv she could have been a teenage mother but that wasn't the impression I got if the character.

That sort of sloppy editing really annoys me!

CristinaTheAstonishing · 27/06/2010 16:08

I gave up on it halfway through, then started again after some comments on another board. Good writing, in that it flows easily, but I didn't care enough about the people. I should have cared about Emma, had all the right traits etc but she didn't develop at all over 20 years and it became frustrating.

Original poster
said · 24/06/2010 22:42

Anna Hathaway - really? Oh no, she's all wrong. Surely, Emma is pretty in an accessible way. If she was Anne Hathaway pretty there's no way she'd just be shagging bearded married Head Masters on the staff room floor.

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Honeymum · 22/06/2010 22:45

I just read it and it's a real page-turner. Really enjoyed the period as it was mine (made me feel old ). I know what people mean about chick lit and now and again it did feel contrived...especially the thing that happens....(and if the author had a hand in Cold Feet he was plagiarising himself here). But overall I did enjoy it. There is a film in the pipeline - Anne Hathaway (couldn't it be a real brit) and Jim Sturgess (?)

Portofino · 20/06/2010 12:31

I really enjoyed it.

LoveTheCarbs · 20/06/2010 12:28

I'm with basildonbond, I'm afraid. Although perhaps I'm not the best critic as I really don't enjoy chick-lit as my poison is fantasy and sci-fi. I just found it predictable and the ending knowingly manipulative. I can just see the author - 'I wonder how I can end this book that will make all the women cry.' Not for me.

But on the positive side, if you do like chick-lit, you'll probably enjoy it and it is an easy read.

sharbiebowtiesarecool · 18/06/2010 23:33

I have read all his books - my fave is the understudy .this was my least fave despite it being bout my birthday.

basildonbond · 18/06/2010 23:24

didn't like The Slap either

Original poster
said · 18/06/2010 16:16

And, yes, went to buy The Slap the other day but, I seem to remember it was about 12.99 for a paperback when they're normally 7.99 . Will check Amazon

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Original poster
said · 18/06/2010 16:14

Yes, agree - Emma pre-success was pretty believable. Could relate to her feelings and situations a lot. Except, if she was as pretty as it ws implied I think she'd have had a few more shags. Even bad ones. Well, mostly bad ones. Then it was all a bit J K Rowling re her success. Before IT happened I was thinking 'Where is this going?', knowing there had to be an Event.

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CJCregg · 18/06/2010 14:52

'It's the kind of book you believe you could have written yourself if only you'd got your arse in gear.' - that's so annoying, isn't it?! I never get my arse in gear ...

I loved the Emma stuff - her lack of confidence, and worrying about where her career was going - thought that really rang true. The sudden success was a bit cliched and convenient, and I don't think the bloke's (sorry, forgotten his name) marriage was at all believable, but yes - I cared enough to cry at the ending.

RunforFun · 18/06/2010 14:49

I've just finished it and I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed.

I loved Cold Feet (the TV series) and it was all too similar ( I think he had a hand in writing that too ) so it was all a bit predictable and I could see it coming.

Me too Foosa !

LadyPeterWimsey · 18/06/2010 14:45

I agree with TheFoosa.