David Nicholls’s ‘Us’ (book, not series). Do I persist?

[WHATtom]

I’m about a quarter of the way through (they’ve just left Paris for Amsterdam). Slightly frustrated by the pace, but moreover I find I’m quite irritated by Connie.

I’m an appallingly slow reader and have a stack of others to get through, but OTOH I really enjoyed Nicholls’s earlier stuff and absolutely hate giving up on a book. Please guide me…

David Nicholls is my favourite author and I loved the TV adaptation of Us, although was not tempted when the book was published as the plot sounded a bit basic.

Sweet Sorrow is, in my opinion, his masterpiece - much more evocative and moving than One Day. I also loved his latest, You Are Here.

I myself would put it away for another time. There are many other books you can read. I don't see a point in continuing if you're not enjoying it.

I haven’t read Sweet Sorrow but absolutely loved One Day (and so refuse to watch the adaptations!). I do adore Tom Hollander, though, so maybe this is actually the one time to switch to the series.

I did read the first chapter of You Are Here recently (Kindle sample) and was worried it looked more cliched. Does it get better?

Do stick with it - it’s such a bittersweet tale of family relationships. I agree with PP about Sweet Sorrow which I found profoundly moving mostly because the characters would be around my age now (early 50’s) so the eighties reference points really chimed with me.

I enjoyed You are Here but the plot is very predictable

The first couple of chapters of You Are Here are quite predictable, but once I became aware of the back stories of the two main characters, weaved in amongst the action, they became increasingly endearing and I so wanted things to work out for them. The male character’s arc is heart-wrenching.