von_nmr

Usually I am all about characterisation and struggle to enjoy a book where I don't like the main characters, which is why it's surprising that I did like 'One Day' despite not finding Emma or Dexter to be particularly likeable. I think it's because I appreciated the honesty and realism of the novel. Everyone is flawed in real life, although I did feel perhaps the author went a tad too far sometimes, especially with Dexter, and made it hard for me to sympathise with the characters at times. The structure of this novel, each chapter being set on the same date over a twenty-year period, really worked. I'd love to read another book written in this way. It keeps the plot moving and highlights any changes in the characters, their highs and lows. Well, I say it helped keep the plot moving, but unfortunately the author counteracted this by droning on far too long. I started losing interest about 100 pages from the end, resulting in the ending not having the emotional clout it should have done, so I think the whole thing could have done with a bit more editing to improve it further. Oh and as a sidenote, what was Sylvie all about?? She was the most bizarre and out-of-place love interest I have come across in a novel, which only served to detract from the rest of the story's realism!

2022-10-21 05:24