ONE DAY (buy here) is a novel based around two university graduates, Emma and Dexter. The main concept is that every year, on the same date, we see how their friendship has evolved from the previous year. Throughout the novel, David Nicholls perfectly captures the ever frustrating friendship between a very well matched girl and boy - they can never be just friends, can they?
July 15th 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time at their graduation, and end up sharing a bed for the night. Dexter seems a little uncomfortable, conteplating escaping the dorm whilst Emma is in the bathroom, which is why it is difficult to understand the jump to the next chapter, July 15th 1989, where the pair have become friends who frequently write to each other. Nevertheless, Nicholls portrays the friendship realistically, making it easier for us to believe and become attached to.
The main reason I continued to read ONE DAY, is because of the desparation for the couple to be together. It seemed to be that whenever she admitted her feelings for him, he never felt the same way, and vice versa. It almost became unbarable to read because of how poor their timing always was, and when Dexter formed multiple relationships, we felt sad for Emma. Despite this frustration, I couldn't put the book down. I was too nervous for the pair, and I needed to know how it turned out.
For all the sadness the book held, there was always an equal amount of laughter and happiness. Emma and Dexter were comfortable together, they had a true frienship. One where Dexter could get away with suggesting they go nude on the beach, which is why it was such a shame that it took them so long to eventually be together. Even after the relief of seeing them as a real couple, finally engaged and making all their life plans, a terrible tragedey rips it all away, leaving us feeling quite confused as to why Nicholls didn't want a happy ending.
Maybe he was trying to portray the harsh reality we all live in, there's never really a happy ending, is there? You know, Sod's law and all that. No fairytales in this world.
Love, heartbreak, happiness, sadness, life, death; it's all in there. Highly emotional, but a great read.
No comments:
Post a Comment