Book Review: One Day

At the beginning of the year, I set myself some books to read… I even blogged about it. As fate would have it, a lot happened and my booklist unfortunately had to wait. Months later, I’m back to reading and couldn’t be happier! Like a fish to water, I’m swimming (or rather reading) as much as I’m breathing! The first book checked off my 2017 booklist is “One Day” by David Nicholls, reviewed below.

First of all, David Nicholls is one of my literary heroes! He writes in powerful, blunt truths and makes it feel as if his characters have been in your life for years. Their pain becomes your pain and their triumph becomes yours, too.

This book is perfect for pretty much anyone. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or pessimist, it will surely become a favourite. It’s not purely a love story; it talks of loss, struggle, time, fate, courage and fear. Every word and moment has a double meaning and things never happen as you expect them to.

Countless tragic and heartwarming stories are weaved throughout the book and Nicholls refuses to glorify his characters in any of them. The daily commuters on my train were forced to become used to my laughing and crying, as I emotionally absorbed the chapters on my journeys to work.

A few years ago, I watched the movie version and absolutely loved it! Much like Nicholls intended in his book, the movie captured the humanity in the characters and their stories. While I don’t usually read books after I’ve watched the movie version, I made an exception because I wanted to get to know the characters more. So here I am, years after watching the movie, having just finished the book and wanting more. In all honesty, the movie captures most of the highlights in the book, but can’t compare in that it misses most of the smaller yet significant stories and struggles the book entails. Now watching the movie after reading the book, I can smirk at all the things I know are “happening” outside what is shown and giggle at my prior ignorance.

As soon as I turned the last page of the book, I was sad… I was sad because I knew I would never be able to pick it up and read it for the first time again. That’s the thing about books; your emotions will never be as raw as they were the first time you read them. Either way, there is no doubt in my mind (or heart) that I will read it again. Thank you, David Nicholls.

Have you read the book or seen the movie? Let me know what you thought in the comments. 

Also, I’d love to know what you’re reading at the moment! I’m currently reading “The Last Letter form your Lover” by Jojo Moyes- book review coming soon.

Love, Christina