Last week, EHU_Bookclub discussed one of the best reads of last year and debatably one of this year too One Day by David Nicholls. The film of the book is out this year and also with the book winning an Galaxy Book Award last year, this book needed to be discussed! Without further waffling, from the discussion materials kindly provided to us by Sarah, we will now discuss or findings from the book.
1. The title 'One Day', your first thoughts? Our first thoughts was that the book would be based around this 'day', even though we did not know what that day would be. But however, it did seem to draw us in, if that was Nicholl's intention is debatable.
2. From the review by John O'Connell, do you find similarities with Nick Hornby? You can see similarities especially into how Dexter is portrayed in the book. Especially as the media and representations of masculinity within this period are in 'crisis' within this period. However, you do get insights into Dexter's personal thoughts such as in letters with Emma that he writes when he is drunk.
3. Do you think Dexter and Emma would have been happy had they admitted their love and devotion to each other much earlier in their lives? Is their love a product of their long, off and on relationship through the years, or could it have been realised even if they got together earlier? Do you know people have had a similar relationship? Firstly, we don't think they would have been happier if they admitted earlier. As both were young at the time and wanted different experiences from their lives such as Dexter wanting to travel the world. Their love could be based on their off and on relationship, as with other relationships in their lives could contribute to them wanting to be with each other. The relationship wouldn't have worked as Dexter need to 'sow his wild oats' before settling down with Emma later on in the book.
4. Why do you think Dexter came so close to telling Emma his true feelings (for example in the candid letter to her that he stuck in a book and promptly forgot) but then decided against it? Maybe Dexter realised that maybe Emma is what he wanted after all and that he needed to do something about it. However, he has had opportunities to try and get with Emma in the novel, but decided to pursue other women. And maybe Dexter decided against it, as Emma was in another relationship at the time and Emma would maybe think he was jealous.. Also you could say that Dexter was scared to let his true feelings come out incase Emma rejected him. Also, we felt disappointed when reading sections that they both had the opportunity to say how they felt (eg. at the wedding when Dexter announces to her he's marrying and expecting a child with Suzie) and you was egging them to just make the step!
5. Do you know people who make the wrong choices repeatedly and almost seem determined to be unhappy? Do you think this is a good description of Emma? Dexter? Neither? Of course, everyone knows people who make the wrong choices all the time, but it does make you stronger. In the case of Emma, she does seem to have the wrong choices (eg. not going travelling with Dexter and staying with Ian in a relationship) but however, she is more receptive in how she deals with these bad choices. Even though you could argue later on with Ian, she may not have been.
6. Did Emma's sudden accident and death take you by surprise? If not, how did you see it coming? All members agreed that Emma's accident was a surprise. It was totally unexpected and ended up crying reading the death. Also, Ian's letter to Dexter on the anniversary of Emma's death was also unexpected and was really emotional, moving and mature and a great device to the novel.
7. Did Emma ever really love Ian or was she trying to, hoping to? How did you feel when their relationship ended? We think it was a bit of both. As Emma thought she may have loved Ian in the beginning as he was offering an alternative to what she may have had with Dexter. However, due to her feelings for Dexter at the back of everything, we believe that she did not love him as much as he loved her. This was proven when she ended up having a brief affair with the headmaster of the school she was working at. Also, we was not shocked that the relationship ended as it was always lurking and also we did feel sorry for Ian as he did really love her.
8. Do you have a favourite character? A least favourite? Favourite character Emma. Least favourite Suzie and sometimes Dexter.
9. The 'When Harry Met Sally' question: what do you think- a single man and a single women ever truly be 'just friends', or does one of them always want more? We decided that some people can have a friendship with a boy and this may lead to something more in the future or it can just be a friendship.
10. Rate One Day by David Nicholls on a scale of 1 to 5. 3.5/4
We hope this is a great catchup for people progressing the Bookclub or members just wanting to catch up on what they have missed.
Until the next session,
EHU_Bookclub
