One Fine Day
Date de l'article :
20.03.2022
Chapo de l'article :
I had to share about a book that I read not long ago. It is "One Day" by David Nicholls. It has received mixed reviews and I'm not sure why. It has its flaws, it drags at some points, and at others I get annoyed with the characters...but getting annoyed with them means that I am invested in them, right?
Here is the Barnes and Nobles synopsis of the book:
It's 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. They both know that the next day, after college graduation, they must go their separate ways. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. As the years go by, Dex and Em begin to lead separate lives--lives very different from the people they once dreamed they'd become. And yet, unable to let go of that special something that grabbed onto them that first night, an extraordinary relationship develops between the two.
Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day--July 15th--of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.
I read this book and I got seriously invested. I won't give away the ending, I won't give away the important plot points but I will say that I found myself really relating to Emma. She falls madly in love with Dex and he is so painfully oblivious. She continues to love him despite him mistreating her. They have other relationships, some significant and some not, and come frustratingly close to revealing that they both care for one another but then don't.
I guess it reminded me a lot of my relationship with EK. Alright, no I guess...it really did. Him and a couple other guys who I have circled for years and years now. It's hard to love somebody, care for somebody, and know that they'll never be who you need them to be, who you deserve, who you wish they would be. It hurts. To my very core it hurts. So I read this book and I cried. I mean I really cried.
I cried the kind of cry that doesn't happen unless there has been a death in the family. I cried until my pillow case was soaking wet, I was surrounded by tissues, my eyes were red and puffy and I had to apply a warm washcloth to get them open. I cried like my heart was broken and would never be repaired. I cried because I was afraid Emma's fate was one I was dooming myself to as well and I can't handle that.
I know I haven't made the most glowing review of this book but I do hope you give it a go. If you do read it, or already have, I'd love to get your take on it. I am sure that it's effect on me was because of my position in life when I read it (right around the time I wrote the EK blog) and won't effect everyone the way it did me. I know my life experiences and fears of being left behind in the game of love lead me to my very emotional reaction but I do think it's a good book.
"And then she frowned, and shook her head, then put her arms around him once more, pressing her face into his shoulder, making a noise that sounded almost like rage.
'What's up?' he asked.
'Nothing. Oh, nothing. Just...' She looked up at him. 'I thought I'd finally got rid of you.'
'I don't think you can.' he said"
— David Nicholls (One Day)
Somehow David captures the raw hope and blind love that a woman can have for a man despite knowing that he's going to hurt her. The amazing passion that can lead you through hell and back to forgiveness. He seems to understand that for one smile from "him" we would gladly forget the many tears he has caused us to shed. There is something so beautiful in Emma's all encompassing love for Dexter.
So, I guess this blog won't really make sense to you unless you read this book...so I suggest that you do...then please come back and give me your own review. I'd love to hear what it meant to you.
Here is the Barnes and Nobles synopsis of the book:
It's 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. They both know that the next day, after college graduation, they must go their separate ways. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. As the years go by, Dex and Em begin to lead separate lives--lives very different from the people they once dreamed they'd become. And yet, unable to let go of that special something that grabbed onto them that first night, an extraordinary relationship develops between the two.
Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day--July 15th--of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.
I read this book and I got seriously invested. I won't give away the ending, I won't give away the important plot points but I will say that I found myself really relating to Emma. She falls madly in love with Dex and he is so painfully oblivious. She continues to love him despite him mistreating her. They have other relationships, some significant and some not, and come frustratingly close to revealing that they both care for one another but then don't.
I guess it reminded me a lot of my relationship with EK. Alright, no I guess...it really did. Him and a couple other guys who I have circled for years and years now. It's hard to love somebody, care for somebody, and know that they'll never be who you need them to be, who you deserve, who you wish they would be. It hurts. To my very core it hurts. So I read this book and I cried. I mean I really cried.
I cried the kind of cry that doesn't happen unless there has been a death in the family. I cried until my pillow case was soaking wet, I was surrounded by tissues, my eyes were red and puffy and I had to apply a warm washcloth to get them open. I cried like my heart was broken and would never be repaired. I cried because I was afraid Emma's fate was one I was dooming myself to as well and I can't handle that.
I know I haven't made the most glowing review of this book but I do hope you give it a go. If you do read it, or already have, I'd love to get your take on it. I am sure that it's effect on me was because of my position in life when I read it (right around the time I wrote the EK blog) and won't effect everyone the way it did me. I know my life experiences and fears of being left behind in the game of love lead me to my very emotional reaction but I do think it's a good book.
"And then she frowned, and shook her head, then put her arms around him once more, pressing her face into his shoulder, making a noise that sounded almost like rage.
'What's up?' he asked.
'Nothing. Oh, nothing. Just...' She looked up at him. 'I thought I'd finally got rid of you.'
'I don't think you can.' he said"
— David Nicholls (One Day)
Somehow David captures the raw hope and blind love that a woman can have for a man despite knowing that he's going to hurt her. The amazing passion that can lead you through hell and back to forgiveness. He seems to understand that for one smile from "him" we would gladly forget the many tears he has caused us to shed. There is something so beautiful in Emma's all encompassing love for Dexter.
So, I guess this blog won't really make sense to you unless you read this book...so I suggest that you do...then please come back and give me your own review. I'd love to hear what it meant to you.