Summary
One Day by David Nicholls is a critically acclaimed novel that captivated readers worldwide upon its release in 2009. The book follows the lives of Emma and Dexter over two decades, revisiting them on the same day each year. Praised for its wit, depth, and poignant exploration of love and friendship, One Day became an international bestseller and was named Galaxy Book of the Year in 2010. The novel's popularity led to a successful film adaptation in 2011, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, and a Netflix television series that premiered in February 2024.
Plot
One Day by David Nicholls follows the lives of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew over two decades, starting from their graduation night on July 15, 1988. The novel visits the pair on the same date each year, chronicling their evolving relationship and individual journeys. Initially, Emma aspires to make a difference in the world but struggles as a waitress and aspiring playwright, while Dexter travels the globe, indulging in a carefree lifestyle.
As the years progress, their paths continue to intersect. Emma eventually becomes a teacher and later a successful children's author, while Dexter's career as a television presenter flourishes before collapsing due to his struggles with alcohol and drugs. Their friendship endures despite romantic entanglements with others, including Dexter's marriage and divorce from Sylvie. After years of missed opportunities and personal growth, Emma and Dexter finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and get married.
Tragically, their happiness is cut short when Emma dies in a bicycle accident. The novel concludes with Dexter, three years after Emma's death, visiting Edinburgh with his daughter and reminiscing about his first encounter with Emma two decades earlier.
Themes
Love and friendship over time
Missed opportunities and timing
Personal growth and life transitions
Careers and ambitions
Relationships and compatibility
Regret and second chances
Loss and coping with grief
Setting
Set primarily in the United Kingdom, One Day spans two decades from 1988 to 2007, capturing the essence of late 20th and early 21st century British life. The story begins with the characters' graduation from the University of Edinburgh, offering glimpses into their lives on the same day each year as they navigate the changing social and cultural landscape of the era.
