Books
by David Nicholls
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One Day |
Emma (working class, political, strong-minded) and Dexter (country house upbringing, trades on his looks) have a one-night post-graduation fling on 15 July 1988. They and their shifting relationship are revisited every St Swithin's Day for the next twenty years. I didn't like it much at first, but got drawn in - it's funny enough and honest enough to keep you reading.
(Siobhan Thomson - bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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Starter for 10 |
Anyone who was at university in the mid 80s, as I was (albeit on a different continent) will probably enjoy this just for the memories it brings back. Brian, obsessed with the beautiful Alice, decides that achieving greatness on University Challenge will win her heart. Silly, but fun - a bit like student life.
(Siobhan Thomson - bwl 29 April 2005) |
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Starter for 10 |
My lasting impression of this novel was that it was written with the film in mind. It bounces along ok with the usual 'gawky young male not able to cope with more assured females' plotline mixed with some 'gawky young male not able to cope with male friends or relationship with mother' sub plots, but I felt as though I'd read it before. It took me several weeks to finish - other books just seemed more interesting . . .
(Clive Yelf - bwl 43 December 2007) |
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Us |
In a desperate attempt to save his marriage, research scientist Douglas organises a 'Grand European Tour' for his family - Connie, his artist wife and their 17year old son Albie. Predictably it doesn't go quite according to plan . . . The story unfolds in short chapters, flitting between present and past (confusingly) and I would have liked more of Connie's take on things, but it's engaging, very funny and yet so sad - I really cared about all the characters.
(Mary Standing - bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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You Are Here |
Two unlikely protagonists are thrown together on a 10-day walking trek across the hills and moors of northern England. The rest drop out leaving the pair to continue alone. Both are divorced, both wounded. If you're looking for a will they, won't they, when will they piece of romantic escapism, this could be it. I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't kept comparing it to Nicholl's One Day and the splendid TV adaptation.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 113 Summer 2024) |
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You are Here |
The hotly anticipated new David Nicholls concerns a small group hiking coast to coast through the peak district. Like a Jane Austen novel the outcome is never in doubt, it's about the journey not the destination. Maybe my expectations were too high but while enjoying it I was a tad disappointed after the much loved One Day and found the narrative predictable and limited in comparison, although the characters were engaging and well drawn.
(Sue Pratt - bwl 113 Summer 2024) |
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