Book Review: One Day by David Nicholls

 “This is where it all begins. Everything starts here, today.”

― David Nicholls, One Day

David Nicholls' book One Day was released in 2009. Two main characters' lives are chronicled in each chapter for a period of 20 years on July 15, St. Swithin's Day. The book received largely favorable reviews and was selected the Galaxy Book of the Year for 2010. Nicholls turned his novel into a screenplay, and both a Netflix television series and a feature picture using that adaptation were published in August 2011.

It was revealed in November 2021 that Netflix will be turning the book into a television series. The writing team for the television show is led by Nicole Taylor and includes Anna Jordan, Vinay Patel, and Bijan Sheibani. Drama Republic, Universal International Studios, and Focus Features will produce the show. Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod are slated to play the key roles. 

Synopsis from Wikipedia...

Dexter and Emma spend the night together following their graduation from the University of Edinburgh, in 1988. They talk about how they will be once they are 40. While they do not become romantically involved completely, this is the beginning of their friendship. The novel visits their lives and their relationship on 15 July in successive years in each chapter, for 20 years.

My reaction to the novel...

Due to how slow-moving and boring the book was, it took me a while to finish it. I really like how Dexter and Emma's personalities differ from one another. I thought he was arrogant and impolite. I apologize for using such a strong word, but that is how I perceived him. I don't much like him for Emma. They wasted their time and a chance to connect. After 20 years apart, they only recently realized they were meant to be together.

I thought this book would be a sweet story of friendship, love, and relationships. And for the first third of the book, that is precisely how it seems to be. However, in view of the fact that the author is providing us a glimpse into their life for a year at a time, this is not surprising. After giving it some thought, I realized that it is truly a dreadful tale of yearning, loneliness, and perhaps a life wasted by not following your genuine passions.

The narrative does, in my opinion, have a slight resemblance to that of Love Rosie, but I prefer Love Rosie. It would be better if the slow and boring parts were removed from the story. It wasn't at all enjoyable to read. The ending was awful and depressing. They were unaware that they were meant to be together. What had happened to Emma had saddened me.

I'll sum up my evaluation of this book by saying that it's dismal, leaves out way too much, and probably makes you unhappy. If you like surprises and don't mind some twists and turns, this novel is undoubtedly something you'll really appreciate. Some of the events annoyed and disappointed me. If you enjoy reading stories with happy endings, I wouldn't recommend this.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5)

“You can live your whole life not realizing that what you’re looking for is right in front of you.”

I was saddened by this quote. When we are looking for something, we occasionally fail to see that what we need is there in front of us. To clearly see it, all we need to do is open our eyes.