Wednesday 11 September 2013

One Day - David Nicholls

Posted by clapalisoc | Wednesday 11 September 2013 | Category: , , , , | 0 comments

I haven't really formally reviewed a book through a blog. I usually read and tell my husband what I think of the book - the story, the characters and the overall feel of the plot as I go along. Then I thought, why not put my opinions into writing? It will not hurt anyone anyway and it'll give me a break from my usual food blogging.

See, I love to read and write. These take up my free time. Every Yuletide Season, I horde books - from wish lists and from my hubby! I love books! I was first adamant to get ebooks. I think they kill the fun of flipping pages. But then as soon as I run out of books to read and had no time to go to the bookstore to sort through and find the titles I wanted, I resorted to ebooks.


One Day is the most recent one that I got the chance to finish. I wasn't really rooting for this book, unlike the other titles I bought online. When I was browsing, it kind of popped out and got me curious. The cover looked like Anne Hathaway. I was not sure and did not even bother to research if it has been made into film - just being lazy, you know.

And so the story goes...

Dex and Em, Em and Dex .... never really friends in college but had some common ones. They got to know each other after graduation. They had this special night that was shared - just having fun, nothing serious. It was more like a one night stand that turned out into a life long friendship, tested by time. They talked and talked until they felt comfortable with each other. It was obvious that they liked each other but they both denied their feelings, too shy to give in. They exchanged numbers and addresses, promised to call and write letters. That was the start of a friendship built on strong foundations.

Em obviously liked Dex - too much in my opinion. They constantly exchanged mails. Em writing about her life, her thoughts and the books she has read. Dex, on the other hand, sent in post cards and letters but with very limited details. He was so consumed with the world, with fun and with girls. But at the back of his mind and deep inside his heart, he always longed for Em. He felt empty and knew that Em will somehow complete him. But he was too busy to take the feeling seriously. He wanted to explore, to go places and meet all the girls he can.

Em has been reserving herself. All she wanted to be was with Dex. Events that almost led the way to a happy ending - once, twice or even more. But Dex will always get into something that will distract him and let the chances fly. Years passed and they seemed to have grown apart from each other. Dex got so involved with fame, money, alcohol, drugs and girls. He lost himself. Em got busy changing careers, looking for that one job that'll make her happy as she tried to write and complete a book. As Dex wanders, she got herself into a relationship that she never wanted to be in the first place. But she trapped herself. 

Wanting to pour her heart out, she went on a dinner with Dex, one of the many that they've shared all though out their friendship. But Dex was too distracted with the people around him, with the chemical and alcohol running into his blood. He has changed big time and that made Em pull the trigger. The emotions involved were too strong. I felt the pain that Em felt - your best friend and the only one you wanted to be was drifting away from you. She was confused and hurt and decided to end the friendship. That scene played so strongly into my imagination. Hurt and loneliness....

Then she gave up Ian, her partner. She declined the engagement offered. She didn't want to get married to someone she didn't love. Em has been keeping her feelings for Dex, not wanting to ruin the friendship. But they made a promise - when they're both in their forties and still unmarried, they have promised to get on together. Marry each other - the last resort. I felt that Em was really holding on to that promise. She moved on with life, yes, but deep inside her heart Dex was the one.

Some more years passed and Dex fell in love with Sylvie. She was the Audrey Hepburn type and Dex liked her so much, loved her if I can say that. In this wedding that Dex and Em both attended, I felt all the feelings being restrained by Em for Dex. He is happy in love. She is single and on her 30s. They re-united. They weren't able to deny the connection that lingered between them - Dex most specially. As Em took her shot to remind Dex of the promise made about resorting to each other when they turn forty, Dex announced that he was getting married and that Sylvie was pregnant. Em played it so well in hiding the pain. I knew it, I just knew it --- she really loved Dex. 

Dex went on with life as a husband and a dad even when he has been struggling financially. Sylvie, on the other hand cheated on him. They were never a happy couple. They never go out or have fun or just laugh together. They were together because of Jasmine. Finally, they got divorced and Sylvie went with her lover. Dex was devastated. He has been through a lot in life. Such a grief, such a waste if you ask me. He could have  been phenomenal and successful had he given up show business early on. He had potentials that he did not use. From a boy next door to a TV presenter and host that's being booed. No other projects came as he became old. Lost his TV career, went into hard manual work, got divorced and then...nothing...He sold properties after properties in an attempt to start a decent life. 

After the divorce, he got re-united with Em. The successful Em - a popular writer with best selling books, a series actually. She got where she wanted to be career wise. But then there was always something missing - she was never complete. It was Dex. She left her boyfriend of some months and took the love risk with Dex. FINALLY!!! After more than a decade of chasing and waiting and contained feelings, they allowed themselves to be care free and just be in each other's arms. It was the best reunion. They were perfect together -- Dex & Em, Em & Dex... They started a new life together, put up a business for Dex and decided to move in together. They got married finally. They were perfect for each other - happy and content. They can talk about anything, can laugh endlessly and just be together dong nothing yet feel the love overflow. They have waited too long for this. Nothing can stop them now. Having a baby of their own was the next goal - the cherry on top. But it was not working. They were having a hard time but never giving up. They loved each other too much. 

The day came when they were about to check on the house Dex was eyeing to get for Em. It started to rain as Em made her way through the streets in her bike. Turns and short cuts, worried since she's running late. But something was wrong. As she tried to move to the side walk, people around her looked her way with so much concern. And then just like that .......... Em was gone. Hit by a truck, Em didn't get to her destination. She didn't get to see Dex for the last time. It all happened so fast. In just a blink of an eye.... Em was gone...

Imagine hoe Dex felt... He was lost, yet again. Drunk and unsure, yet again. How can life be so cruel and unfair to him? Life took the one that he has been wanting to be with for years and years. He wanted more, more than what they were able to share but Em was gone... never to return again...He moved on with his life. But never will his heart be as happy as when he was with Em.

Dex and Em, Em and Dex.... sad story. Made my heart cry. So beautifully written that you almost feel like watching a movie while you read. It'll take you to places in London and Paris. It will make you want to push Em to risk it and tell Dex early on about her feelings. Each details needed for you to feel how they felt was there. It was as if I was there with them as I read through. 

Dex and Em, Em and Dex...friendship built overtime that turned into the perfect foundation of a love that is unconditional and giving...

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