Book Review: One Day

BOOK review

Started on: 8.December.2011

Finished on: 12.December.2011

 finally after 5 longg days, i finally finished reading the book yesterday :D my first impression of the book would be: what a complicated life they have. but i guess that's how real life goes; i think One Day portrays the life of two seemingly ordinary people, who's had their ups and downs in life; problems with family, dealing with careers and also relationships. reading this book, it feels like i've grown together with Emma and Dexter; getting to know them through their personality and feels like a friend.
that's why i feel sad at the end of the book; i sincerely feel sad for both of them. :(
and so without further delay, here's the book review (probably a longg one) :)
*i will also post the movie review after this one*

-----

15th of July. St. Swithin's Day.

one day that will be a memorable day for both Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew.
here goes the story; every 15th of July; for 20 long years.

------------------------------PART I: (1988-1992) EARLY TWENTIES------------------------------

it was on the graduation day, that Emma and Dexter first knew each other. and they spend a night together, talking about their future, what they are going to be when they are 40. they sort of almost developed a romantic relationship, but from that day their long-lasting friendship had started.
after that day, they go on separate ways. Dexter goes travelling to various places, having on and off relationships with lots of women. while Emma starts working as a waiter at Tex-Mex restaurant. during those times, they both keep updates on each other through writing letters and sending postcards.
they both even went on a holiday to Greece together; both secretly longing for each other but doesn't have the courage to say it out to the other. and when Dexter do say about his feelings, he messed things up (honestly, very stupid of him) by then saying "Well i suppose i fancy pretty much everybody". i think Emma was disappointed at that point, but she still manage to hold Dexter as her best friend.

------------------------------PART II: (1993-1995) LATE TWENTIES------------------------------

Dexter started his career as a TV presenter, and he started living the glamorous life of a famous person. he starts going to parties, got involved in drinking and drug problems. in this point of life, it was revealed that Dexter's mother suffered a terrible disease. but when he visited her mother, Dexter was in a drunken state. this saddens his mother, not only because he's drunk, but also how he is living his life. his mother even said "Sometimes I worry that you're not very nice..."
while Emma works as a teacher, teaching English and Drama. she's also in a relationship with Ian Whitehead -  a stand-up comedian who worked at the Tex-Mex restaurant.

later, Dexter faced the downfall of his career. he's somewhat become a failure but does not want to accept it. he keeps drinking; he thought it will solve everything. (again, stupid.) and when he was meeting Emma one night, he not only screws up his career, but also his friendship. that night, Emma ended her friendship with Dexter Mayhew.

"Dexter, i love you so much. so, so much, and i probably always will." her lips touched his cheek. 

"i just don't like you anymore. i'm sorry."

------------------------------PART II: (1996-2011) EARLY THIRTIES ------------------------------

Emma declines Ian's proposal to her, making her a single woman once again. and now Emma makes an effort to reach her dream all these time: to become an author. even though she was rejected by many publishers time to time, she kept writing.
Dexter, on the other hand, is now madly in love with a girl named Sylvie Cope. he even got to know Sylvie's family too (even though things ended up very badly because Dexter's stupid. typical Dexter.).

then, Emma meets Dexter again. they were both invited to a wedding and it seems they have both seen each other quite a lot at weddings but never got a chance to really talk to each other. and that chance came. they both went inside a garden maze and... talk. they both are comfortable with each other again then (i am so very amazed with Emma's loyalty to be able to withstand a guy like Dexter) , talking about life; Dexter talks about Sylvie, Emma talks about life.

afterwards, Dexter revealed that he's marrying Sylvie, because she's already pregnant with his child.
even after Jasmine was born, Dexter's marriage life doesn't go very well. he was constantly arguing with Sylvie, and Sylvie was always blaming him for being drunk. it was revealed then, that Sylvie was having an affair with Callum, a guy who used to be Dexter's best friend.
after a hurtful moment of divorce, Dexter finds himself looking for Emma again; the only person who's always there for him. Dexter goes to Paris to find Emma, who already became a successful author.

but what happens after he found out Emma is seeing another guy in Paris called Jean-Pierre?
will Emma and Dexter ever be together?
read the full story and reveal the shocking ending of the book !

i'm not spoiling the ending here, but i will tell you how i felt about it. i was SHOCKED. literally. with my mouth hanging open right in front of the book. after reading this book that feels like a long longg journey, the ending just twisted around unexpectedly. for me the book is very complicated with lots of problems, but as i've also said before, i guess that's how life goes; it's complicated. it is very true that in 20 years time, people faced a lot of ups and also downfalls. people also changed, become more mature too. and that's how i see Dexter and Emma in this story. reading this book makes me see them grew up :)
honestly though, i hated Dexter. there, i've said it. :P

overall, the book wasn't bad :) it teaches me about life; about friendship and love. how you should have realized what you've got with you, before everything's a little too late :) but remembering my journey reading this, i will give it a 4 out of 5 :)

♥♥one of my favorite quote in the book♥♥

"Live each day as if it's your last", that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion... Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.

click here for the Movie Adaptation Review 
4/5 stars
by.stefaniesugia♥