David Nicholls - One Day

Review by Babs Simspon on show 8th July 2010.
A friend told me about this book. She'd read a review and thought it sounded great, as did I when she told me. It is set on one day, 15th July, in each of twenty years and is the story of Emma and Dexter who meet on graduation day at university.
She's a down to earth Northern girl, not particularly pretty but very clever while he's an extremely handsome public school boy who has just scraped a 2.2 degree.
They became close friends and although they both fancy each other they keep the friendship platonic for many years. Dexter starts working in television and with his exceptional good looks, soon forges a brilliant career as a presenter. But, with fame and fortune, comes temptation (sound familiar?) and he soon loses everything in a downward spiral of drink and drugs. Emma, meanwhile, can't decide how best to use her good degree and becomes a teacher.
They communicate frequently and often see each other, although both (particularly Dexter) have other relationships. Eventually, they get together and marry but not until after Dexter has had a disasterous marriage which produces a child.
They are blissfully happy when Emma finds out she is pregnant, then disaster strikes and it all ends in tears.
If this sounds trite and predictable, it's because, in my opinion it is just that. While reading it, the thought occurred to me that it was like chick-lit without the laughs!
I am sure I am in the minority. Allegedly it is a totally brilliant book, but I am afraid its brilliance quite passed me by. Emma was ok as a character quite sympathetic, but Dexter got on my nerves and I only got to like him after tragedy strikes when he becomes more interesting and believable. Read it and see shat you think.
review by Babs