This review is probably a little late, way behind the wave of movie-goers. This wonderful novel did not find its way to the top of bestseller lists for nothing, did it? For a long time, I was very sceptical about reading this novel. It seemed so very predictable to me, as well as being slightly annoying as everyone I met was constantly talking about it! With the trailers swamping the internet, I could not resist to take a little sneak-peak, which eventually made me think, "Maybe I should give this a go, after all."
So, wo and a half days ago, the novel found its way into my hands. A friend had just read and loved it - so I decided to give it a try. Dog-eared and clearly adored by its previous reader, I dove into the story at the beginning of two free periods. The story begins with Emma Morley, an opinionated and ambitious girl, and Dexter Mayew, who cares more about being handsome than being smart, in bed. A typical morning-after, they are making that fateful decision: friends or lovers? This question hovers between them throughout the entire story. Their not-getting-together is mostly down to miscommunication and pride.
Two hours later I surfaced from Dexter and Emma's world feeling as though the warning bell was pulling me by the hair. How could I go back to class now, when the letter had just been lost, the letter that said everything? How could the world go on without me knowing what happened next? When I was finally free of the classroom - two distracted hours behind me spent worrying about what would become of them - I immersed myself again.
Much of that day was spent reading, as was today until finally, finally, feeling quite exhausted and hungry, I closed the doors of their world behind me again.
Well, I have to say that this book was a real tease. It lets you hang there by a thread, hoping that maybe this time it will work out between the two of them. Even as Dexter drinks himself through several years as a hapless TV-presenter despised by the public, frequently changes lovers and treats Emma horribly when she needs him most, you cannot hate him. The reader knows exactly that, if they could just get over themselves and tell one another how they feel, everything would be allright. In the end, it takes Dex and Em more than 15 years to manage this.
It was hard to feel sorry for self-righteous, snobbish Dexter during his time on television. While Emma became the inspiring "care diem"-type teacher she had always dreamt of being, he is drunk for almost the entire middle part of the novel. To be honest, I felt quite annoyed with his childish behaviour and with Emma for putting up with a boyfriend she did not love.
While I was reading this novel, I was constantly thinking: "Why don't you just get over yourselves?! He loves you, you love him, JUST SAY IT!" Nicholls only shows one day of their lives every year. More than fifteen chapters of disappointment and frustration on my part, they finally get together. Of course. You hope for this from the beginning of the novel because you know they are just right for each other - opposites attract and all that - and when it fnally happens and there are more than 70 pages to go, there is a twinge of fear in your stomach. "This is not over yet", you keep thinking, hoping against hope that they will live happily ever after.
I will not give away the end of this novel, even though it was very important in shaping my opinion. That is for everyone to read for themselves.
All in all, "One day" is one those books one reads in an addicted rush. It's the kind of book that won't let you sleep at night for fear of missing something. And there's an important message to it: don't wait too long, seize the opportunity to say how you feel. If not, you may lose the only thing that really matters to you. "One day" is definitely a carpe diem book and through all the sad parts you cannot help but fall in love with Dexter and Emma. Both characters are incredibly real in their mistakes, their dashed hopes and never-realised dreams. It is only when they finally let go that they find each other. This book is as much about love and friendship as it is about growing up and adjusting to the ever-changing world. Many have called this book wise, and I do agree with them.
I recommend this book, though I would not count is among my favourites. There is too much sadness in this story, too many what-ifs. It would have liked to see Dex and Em together from the start and I hoped very much for a happily-ever-after, but that would not have made it such an intriguing book now, would it?
I think Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway look good as Dex and Em, don't you think? Especially Dexter.
Love, x
