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Original poster

'One Day' by David Nicholls - come and chat only if you've read it (Plot spoiler!!).

47 replies

kimlouiseb · 05/12/2009 15:50

Sniff sniff.
I loved it but am brokenhearted now. I can't cope with sad endings. Emma's character was so alive to me I feel like I've lost a friend.

OP posts:
TheFoosa · 05/12/2009 17:05

I loved this as did DP who NEVER reads fiction

it was a really easy read but deceptively well written

HeffaMerryChristmas · 06/12/2009 11:35

Oh, I really enjoyed this. Much more than Starter for Ten actually. I didn't see the ending coming at all (unusual for me) and was so upset.

Original poster
kimlouiseb · 06/12/2009 15:26

No I didn't either HMC, I was really shocked, and cross with David Nicholls for doing it!

OP posts:
notamumyetbutoneday · 16/12/2009 14:40

I made the mistake of reading this when I was away in london and DH was at home- cue me not being able to put it down, reading til 1am and sobbing uncontrollably when Emma died. I kept imagining that I to would die in London and then DH would be all alone [overactive imagination].

kaxter · 17/12/2009 14:54

I enjoyed this a lot, was sorry to finish it and it's one of the few recent books that i will recommend but won't lend because i want to keep it.Because i'm a mean cow.

BertieBotts · 29/04/2010 01:26

I know this is an oldish thread, but decided to search in case of an old thread, because of possible spoiler.

I just finished this book this morning and WHY?? Gah. I was expecting it to be all a happy ending too. Fantastic book though, I thought! I loved it

Tikkabillajive · 29/04/2010 17:06

I loved it too although hated the ending - I thought it was as if David Nicholls felt he had to do that just to be unexpected shake the rug from underneath the reader. No reason why it couldn't have had a cliched happy ending IMO.

They are just starting production on a film of it apparently - which is good as all the way through I was imagining it as a film, and I spent ages after I'd finished it trying to think of who I'd cast as Emma and Dexter!

PeppaPigot · 29/04/2010 17:06
sharbie · 29/04/2010 17:11

I love all his books but not sure about the shocker on this one. This book is set on my birthday and I found out recently that he grew up in my home town and my neighbour used to work with his mum and knows the family.
I think Dominic Cooper (Mama Mia) would be perfect for Dexter and maybe Rebecca Hall (from Starter for 10) for Emma?

Tikkabillajive · 29/04/2010 17:15

Yes Dominic Cooper would be good! I was thinking of Matthew Goode (this bloke! and maybe the girl in An Education - can't remember her name! Like the Rebecca Hall idea too but wonder if she's a bit skinny and not warm enough for Emma?

Tikkabillajive · 29/04/2010 17:16

Carey Mulligan! Though maybe too posh?

sharbie · 29/04/2010 17:21

Tikka, yes to both your suggestions.

lalalonglegs · 29/04/2010 18:01

I loathed this book, I thought its characterisation was unbelieavably poor and it was really quite cynical: basically an attempt to sell a film script rather than write a story (can't you just picture a nicely-lit, Richard Curtis treatment?). Sorry, but I couldn't have cared less when Emma died.

lalalonglegs · 29/04/2010 18:02

Sorry, novel rather than story.

ElizabethWakefield · 29/04/2010 18:06

I really liked the book too and was also surprised by the ending.

I think it will make a good film, but I do know what you mean lala about it being almost script like.

squeaver · 29/04/2010 18:08

They'll change the end for the film, guarantee it.

Turniphead1 · 29/04/2010 18:15

I had proper sobs when Emma died I must admit. Rather loved it - but I think a lot of that was because of nostalgia for the time periods.

basildonbond · 30/04/2010 21:00

I'm with lalalonglegs on this - it's only just one notch above chicklit - I can't believe it's had soooo much positive press

carocaro · 30/04/2010 21:10

I was annoyed, Dexter was such a tosser, why she wasted her time with him.

I wanted to punch him most of the book.

minko · 02/05/2010 10:45

Best book I've read in ages. But then I do usually buy books in the supermarket!

Was getting a bit worried it was heading for a cliched ending of baby and happy ever after so was quite relieved as I'd have felt a bit let down with that.

LostArtOfKeepingASecret · 08/05/2010 19:33

I'm another one agreeing with lalalonglegs and basildonbond. I was so disappointed with this book, but I think it had more to do with the hype than the book itself IYSWIM.

I was expecting something a little deeper, not chick lit. Serves me right, I should have checked out the reviews on the inside of the book more closely. Nothing good comes of listening to Heat magazine and Fay Ripley!

Jajas · 11/05/2010 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LoveTheCarbs · 15/05/2010 14:33

I'm afraid I also agree with lalalonglegs et al. All the way through I was thinking of it having the Curtis chick-flick treatment.

Anyway back to the book, I thought Dexter was a complete twat, why she would have chucked her lovely French man for him is beyond me. And the ending - really?? Totally unnecessary. Did he REALLY have to kill her off? V. disappointing, and in a way obvious.

All in all, a bit blah..

Bumperliouzzzzzz · 18/05/2010 19:28

Just finished it and I have to admit I did shed a little tear (but then I am pg and have been up since 5am!).

I think it perhaps wasn't done as well as it could have been. You never really understood what they saw in each other. But maybe you have to have had that sort of relationship to get it. I had a long standing Em/Dex non-love affair with a boy from when I was 15 till, well, just before I got married and he went all weird on me and haven't heard from him since.

We were amazingly attracted to each other, though looking back I just can't see why. He was a twat like Dexter and I was very bookish. I wouldn't say he was 'the one that got away' as I love my DH dearly, but I do still think about this person and am nostalgic for that 'friendship and more type relationship'. We fell out several times too, the severity of the fallings out a reflection of how passionate we felt about each other.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the book, and I haven't really fancied reading in a long time, so it was nice.

Maria2007loveshersleep · 16/07/2010 14:45

Old thread, I know.

We read this at our book club. Some people loved it (particularly because of the trip down memory lane thing, 80s music etc). Other loathed it.

Thought it was basically chick lit too, but ok chick lit, ok for a plane ride or something like that. I agree with Lalalonglegs, this book is basically a film script ready to happen.

How about Emma Watson for Emma? Or too young?