One Day - is Emma meant to be like this?

[AreolaGrande]

Have never read the book. Saw the film years ago but don't remember loads about it 😳.

Am on ep 3 of the Netflix show and Emma is just so bloody miserable and sour? She's vile to Dexter and I don't get why someone as charismatic as him would bother with her relentless negativity and moaning. I seem to remember Anne Hathaway's Emma having more about her? The connection between her Emma and Jim Sturgess's Dexter was much more believable?

Not sure I can be arsed persevering tbh.

I watched it. Fecking depressing for the most part.

I loved the book. Nervous about watching the series.

I started watching it. Didn't finish ep 1, started ep 2 but gave up after a few minutes. Dont get all the hype, the main female character is awful. No redeeming features at all.

Oh no I love the series Emma. She does remind me of sarcastic me a bit but much more realistic that Anne in the film I think!

I loved it although to be honest I imagined Emma to be prettier as well as clever and funny.

Great book
Good film, reasonably faithful to the book
Watched episode 1, mostly enjoyed the Edinburgh scenery. Started Ep 2. Fell asleep. I'm not rushing back.

I only ever got through the first few chapters of the book as I thought it was terrible with unlikeable characters. When the film came out I thought I'd watch it see what happens, and the best bit of the whole film involved the bus. Emma was an awful character, such a wet wipe. Hence I can't bring myself to watch the new TV show.

Oh I loved her?! Haven’t seen the film or read the book but really enjoyed the series and think the chemistry between them is only better for their surface differences. I thought she was a good person with a self-deprecating sense of humour. So interesting everyone sees things differently!

Oh I love it, the casting and character was spot on for me. It was so fucking sad though. I binged it and then sobbed despite knowing the end.

Just watched the first episode, not much happened and I felt depressed afterwards, why does he keep clicking his tongue ?

Is this the novel where they go to Greece but they aren't really a couple then he turns into Chris Evans?

i watched the first one and gave up. There was no chemistry between them at all totally unbelievable.

Similar to you OP I've never read the book, though I've never seen the film.

I felt the same, she's so miserable. Also he's a bit of a dick, I don't understand why either have continued this friendship. I stopped after episode 3.

Do yourself a favour - give up on the series and read the book instead! The book gives so much more depth to the characters and story.

Yes @MorrisZapp

Oh no the TV series is so much closer to the book than the film! I found her grating at first but you soon warm up once she gets a bit less chippy. Yes she is miserable at the beginning but I think we're meant to think that Dexter enjoys hanging around with her as a counterpoint to his awful Marlborough friends. Perhaps a little bit patronisingly at first, deigning to spend time with the weird northern girl who isn't afraid to be honest with him. Also his mum adores her, and he adores his mum, and once his mum dies that has even more meaning for him. I love the fact that he becomes a complete dick and she walks away from the friendship but they still reunite. I'm 10 episodes in and watching with DH who hasn't read the book or seen the film and has no idea of the devastation to come.

There are a couple of threads about this already. Consensus seems to be she perks up in later episodes.

I think she's much better than Ann Hathaway, although I agree that the connection between them isn't as believable. However I do think Leo Woodall is a great actor, the scene at the station after he's been to see his mum made me cry.

The other thing that bugs me is that Ian isn't meant to be short and cute!! He's meant to be a bit overweight and not very attractive. They got it completely wrong with Rafe Spall as well, who is a beautiful charismatic man.

A brilliant summary! (Also I always smile when I see your username, he's one of my favourite fictional characters ever! David Lodge was one of the first 'grown up' authors I read independently)

I found her quite depressing in the book.i didn't like it and don't intend to watch the film or TV version. Having slogged through the book I found the end doubly depressing.

The series warms up and Emma makes more sense as it goes along. The other thread on this has some good discussion. I enjoyed the book when I read it (many years ago) and really enjoyed the series.

Ambika Mod is beautiful

I don’t remember the book or film that well but I am LOVING this adaptation. It’s absolutely beautiful and I think Ambika is amazing. She’s miserable when she’s unhappy, as is he. They both change loads as it progresses. I’ve got 3 more to go I think and then I might start it again. It’s a treat.

Oh I love meeting Lodgians! I've been MorrisZapp forever but I quite fancy HilarySwallowsZip too 😂

Quite interesting to see Ambika talking about it: