Book Review: One Day

Book #37

“You’re gorgeous, you old hag, and if I could give you just one gift ever for the rest of you life it would be this. Confidence. It would be the gift of confidence. Either that or a scented candle,” David Nicholls, One Day

I didn’t want to put this down. I’m at a loss for words, because all that’s coming to me are cliches. “Incredibly readable” “cannot be put down” “very real” “touching” “characters become friends” etc. I sound like I’m one of the soundbites for the cover. When I bought this book, I knew I was going to enjoy it — I just didn’t realise how much. I can’t say it’s an extraordinary feat of modern writing, because it’s not. But it is: wonderfully written, an easy read, well-drawn characters and it sucks you in. As you tumble through the years of their lives, you groan at some of their decisions and applaud others. Jonathan Coe said in his review that you put down the book feeling like you know more about these characters than your closest friends, and I see where he’s coming from.

I’m attending the Hay Festival this week. One of the events I’m going to is to hear David Nicholls speak about One Day. So I am definitely glad I enjoyed it, and I’m glad I finished it before turning up to the event. I can’t wait for the festival.

I recommend this wholeheartedly.