One Day

By: David Nicholls

Narrated by: Anna Bentinck

Length: 16 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Dexter and Emma must face the nature of love and even life itself in this page-turning story filled with "heart-melting romance" (Elle). One of the most "emotionally riveting love stories you’ll ever encounter" (People).

It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. 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.

"[A] surprisingly deep romance...so thoroughly satisfying." —Entertainment Weekly

©2010 David Nicholls (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"[An] instant classic....One of the most hilarious and emotionally riveting love stories you’ll ever encounter." (People)

“Big, absorbing, smart, fantastically readable." (Nick Hornby)

"[Nicholls] has a gift for zeitgeist description and emotional empathy that's wholly his own.... [A] light but surprisingly deep romance...thoroughly satisfying." (Entertainment Weekly)

Loved it, loved it, loved it

This book kept me up nights because I was so involved with the characters I couldn't stop listening, anxiously awaiting the next development. Very funny - just adored Emma. Dex had his moments of being so shallow I almost couldn't stand it, but there was a softness about him that redeemed him in my eyes. Very sorry about the ending though. Had to listen to the 'twist' twice just to make sure I had heard right. Even so, I found the book very satisfying and the reader was fantastic. Will definitely listen to her again.

Good...not great

The was a little disappointing...not sure what all the fuss is about...I was depressed by the ending but I guess I like my fiction happily ever after....Hope that's not a spoiler...it really is kind of a surprise ending, and that's cool.

Good story, great characters, bad ending

Emma made me laugh through the book. She was such a clever, funny and sweet character. Dexter was so opposite to her that made the whole story very interesting. But the ending was way too sad.

Heartbreaking and very...human

I had seen the movie before listening to this book, and found it absolutely engrossing all the same. The writing is very good, and I was really pleased that the narrator's performance seemed to perfectly convey the tone and emotions that are described, down to the well-timed pauses. Highly recommend to anyone that likes epic love stories.

Interesting Characters, Disappointing Ending

What was most disappointing about David Nicholls’s story?

The last chapter and ending. So as not to give anything away, I had expected so much more from the tension which built throughout the book.

Which character – as performed by Anna Bentinck – was your favorite?

Emma Morley by far.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, though the characters were interesting and their relationship compelling, nothing became so emotional I felt any tug on my heartstrings.

Quite liked it!

The story is somewhat reminiscent of my own, but with myself in the role of idiot. Maybe because of this the ending hit me quite hard. I saw it coming, but still feel haunted. I'm off to go be really nice to my husband!

Good Novel

Hello Readers,
This book was 1 that I couldn't put down. I kept wanting to know more about all the chericters that were in the book. I love the authors history of the 3 countries as well. I was a little dissapointed where the ending was concerned, but over all, it was a wonderful book.

This should win an award

I have listened to hundreds of audio books. The narrator on this one deserves an award ; her performance throughout, covering as it did a wide range of accents, was stellar. I have actually never heard anything so good in all my years of listening.

You must hear this

This is one of those books that seems made to be listened to, or perhaps it's just that Anna Bentinck is such a skilled narrator. David Nicholls' painfully ironic, hilarious, sad and finally redemptive comedy of manners couldn't possibly come off as well in print. I don't believe I could've caught on how desperately unfunny Ian is without Anna Bentinck's dopey voices. A printed page could never convey the lightness or bitterness or love of the banter between great friends.

I'm ten years older than the characters in the novel, and thought at first I would not be interested. I might not have read the novel, but the narrator pulled me in. Her tone, her facility with accents, even her pace seem perfect for this novel. Bentnick pauses and alters the volume of her voice just enough to allow a listener to follow the shifts in time that give structure to Nicholls' plot. The story itself is grounded in a particular time and place, yet Nicholls touches universal longings. I am impressed with Nicholls' ability to be absolutely honest without making the reader cringe. His language is spare and direct. He writes so beautifully I can almost forgive him for murder.

Brilliant Writing

I'm rather shocked by the number of reviews that call this novel funny. I found it insightful, realistic and searing, but funny? Well, perhaps it's a particularly dark, British humor. This is the story of Emma, a sweet, smart girl who lacks self-confidence, and Dexter, a narcissistic alcoholic. I think Nicholls did a tremendous job of delineating the characters and providing a believable progression from the hopes and affectations of one's early twenties to the disillusionment and acceptance of the late thirties/early forties. I might have chosen a different path at the end, but I've also (unfortunately) had a couple of similar circumstances and can relate to the characters. They're believable. This is far from lightweight fare. It's a dual character study, and it's not always clear whether you should be rooting for the two protagonists to get together, or to hope that Emma can resist Dexter's self-absorbed nonsense. If you're into the typical Romance plot-line, or expecting a plot-driven book, don't bother. If you like character studies, this is right up your alley.