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)

Beautiful Story

Would you consider the audio edition of One Day to be better than the print version?

I only listened to it.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a very romantic story.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I think that I really never related the person that narrated the story to the book. Her voice even though it is sweet, it is shaky and monotonous.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

SPOILER ALERT: towards the end when they were finally closer, it really killed me!

Any additional comments?

At the beginning of the book it was hard to connect with the story for me, I wasn't very engaged to it and even got a little distracted; but overall I would recommend it, because it is a beautiful story and has a great message.

Great Story!!! Not so good narrator.

I loved this story. It was great and it really showed how both characters grew over the years. Great writing. I did not care for the narrator, though. I felt like other than Em and Dex, all of the characters, particularly the ex girlfriend that became famous and Em's ex flatmate, souded the same or near to the same. Whenever these characters would come into play, I would find myself fast forwarding to avoid hearing her rendition of their voices. I am sure she is a great narrator and I loved when she spoke for Em and Dex, but the rest of the characters she performed were not that great, I'm afraid.

Exquisite

Gentle, witty and deeply moving. Content insightful and empathetic. Delivery subtle and varied. just breath-taking.

One Day review

Book was great. Emotional and vivid, however, a slow start and slightly disjointed, at times. Would have been better to read this book, rather than listen, to keep timeline in order. Narration of female characters (other than main character, Em) was extremely annoying- the voices she used were grating. Overall narration was fine.

What A Day!

Firstly, Anna Bentinck's narration is beyond incredible. David Nicholls has written a lovely eloquent novel and Anna Bentinck's gorgeous voice and keen reading skills takes the words and story to a whole other level.
You will fall in love with Dex & Em and root for them at every bittersweet turn.

I still crying

Beautiful story. I listen to this version after seeing the series of Netflix. I recreated the scenes, the characters and both are heartbreaking, beautiful and maybe romantic. Great performance of the speaker, make the different voices of each character.

Wonderful

Narrator was great. The different voices made a difference. Story was beautiful, touching, heartfelt. Enjoyed how it spanned over the years.

An excellent 'read!'

I had read a brief review of this book before ordering it on audible. Although I did feel that the first chapter was not exactly my style, I soon fell into the rhythm of the characters and the overall appeal of the 'calendar' for these two main characters. I absolutely LOVED Emma and (sometimes) Dexter ~ and was amazed by the insight of the author into both genders. I also highly recommend the narrator as an additional character in the book ~ she was excellent in her portrayal of everyone. As the plot unfolded toward the end, I felt absolutely bereft, and I grieved for the devestating losses ~ evidence of the real humanity of the characters. I would recommend this book to everyone ~ and I have! My sister and my daughter are currently reading it, and one of my dear friends from London has already completed the book and passed it on to her daughters. One of my VERY favorites in a long time ~ I will re-read it this year!

Miss the Characters

Very engaging. Loved the characters and really hated to see them go. Everyday I looked forward to hearing more of their story. Entertainment Weekly was right on calling it a light but surprisingly deep romance. It's one of those stories where you get totally involved with the characters and they become like family and then you miss them when they are gone. I even got to liking the narrator who I did not care for much at all in the beginning but she grew on me. I came to appreciate how good she is with the different accents of each of the characters. It's a very engrossing modern day story of a relationship that endured time without having to rely on name dropping of it restaurants or designer clothing and watches like some do. And it's a book whose characters stay in your head weeks after you finish it. It's one I think I would enjoy listening to again.

Wonderful non-glamour life/love story

Realistically written with all the awkwardness and inner monologue of people who are trying to find their place in the world and with each other. I liked the movie a lot so I listened to the book and both are great. Recommended!