This week in a bid to keep my toe in the realm of contemporary fiction (and not keep running off to the safe haven of fantasy worlds) I submerged myself into the cuttingly blunt world of David Nicholls. I have read Nicholls' “One day” before and enjoyed it but never really pursued his work after. However; on a recommendation from a friend I picked up “Us” the fourth and latest book from Nicholls to my knowledge. It is safe to say that his first book that I read had an impact on me but this one was a new level completely. This comes from Nicholls' writing style being very blunt and to the point and having no problem throwing his characters flaws out into the open, it is this that makes his novels so unique.
The story explores a middle age man's journey through a strange break up with his wife whom he loves and has loved for decades whilst trying to mend the relationship with his son who he has nothing in common with whatsoever. The story follows their “grand tour” of Europe, an old English tradition to educate young boys before they go off to universities. Entwined in this is the long history of Douglas and Connie; the two lead characters. It slowly becomes obvious to the reader that they are two people in the unlikeliest of relationships and know that these types of people wouldn't normally form a life together. But even this gnawing at the back of your mind, you are still routing for them. It was refreshing to read a story of this nature written from a man's perspective and for it to be written by a man. True to form Nicholls' doesn't seem to believe in happy endings and is more of a realist but it is this, I believe, that is the litre of pure vodka that brings on the raging hangover the next day.
To read a story such as this, wishing and hoping for the outcome to be all happy and flowery and then get kicked in the stomach over and over. To be so invested in a person and can't help but pick up your own flaws in the long list of theirs and in a way end up hoping for your own happy ending. We all become invested in characters; do we not? But normally those characters are within a aseries of books, so you can always reach out for that bloody Mary and read the next installment. This book was a solo act (not something I am used too) there is no sequel, there is no prequel, all that there is and will be is that one book. That, my friends, is the epitome of a book hangover.
Let us know what you are reading or about your worst book hangovers using the links on our contact page.
Happy Sunday,
The A.O. Team
The story explores a middle age man's journey through a strange break up with his wife whom he loves and has loved for decades whilst trying to mend the relationship with his son who he has nothing in common with whatsoever. The story follows their “grand tour” of Europe, an old English tradition to educate young boys before they go off to universities. Entwined in this is the long history of Douglas and Connie; the two lead characters. It slowly becomes obvious to the reader that they are two people in the unlikeliest of relationships and know that these types of people wouldn't normally form a life together. But even this gnawing at the back of your mind, you are still routing for them. It was refreshing to read a story of this nature written from a man's perspective and for it to be written by a man. True to form Nicholls' doesn't seem to believe in happy endings and is more of a realist but it is this, I believe, that is the litre of pure vodka that brings on the raging hangover the next day.
To read a story such as this, wishing and hoping for the outcome to be all happy and flowery and then get kicked in the stomach over and over. To be so invested in a person and can't help but pick up your own flaws in the long list of theirs and in a way end up hoping for your own happy ending. We all become invested in characters; do we not? But normally those characters are within a aseries of books, so you can always reach out for that bloody Mary and read the next installment. This book was a solo act (not something I am used too) there is no sequel, there is no prequel, all that there is and will be is that one book. That, my friends, is the epitome of a book hangover.
Let us know what you are reading or about your worst book hangovers using the links on our contact page.
Happy Sunday,
The A.O. Team