One Day follows the lives of Emma Morley and Dexter Meyhew on the anniversary of the day they met, 15 July, over the course of 20 years. Starting with the day the meet (the day of their graduation from University, July 15th 1988, Emma and Dexter start a relationship that leads to them becoming best friends.
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During their early twenties, Dexter becomes a famous t.v. host who continually abuses drugs and alcohol while Emma continually struggles with finding a purpose. Dexter is known for being a bit misogynistic and being a womanizer which Emma puts up with. Though they are at completely opposite personality wise, they often see each other. Through their early and mid twenties Emma and Dexter remain good friends. However, their friendship falls apart after some inexcusable behavior from Dexter.
The book continues to follow Emma and Dexter (now in their late twenties to early thirties) although they are no longer on speaking terms. Emma-who has been a school teacher for some years-feels trapped in her relationship with her unfunny comedian boyfriend and Dexter is trying to cope with the loss of his mother and being fired from his job as a television host.
During their early thirties, Emma and Dexter reconcile at the wedding of a good friend from University. Dexter tells Emma that he is getting married and has a child on the way. Emma explains that she has received a small advance to write a children's book. A few years later, it is revealed that Emma has become a successful children's book author and has moved to Paris and Dexter is divorcing his wife. To get away from the divorce, Dexter follows Emma to Paris.
The book ends with the ideas of love and loss. The ending is set in both the present and has flashbacks to the day (from the beginning of the novel) when Emma and Dexter met.
Best part of story, including ending:
David Nicholls writes the story that depicts an honest relationship and what life is really like. Sometimes friendships, fall apart. Sometimes we lose people, there's not always a happy ever after.
Best scene in story:
Emma and Dexter on vacation is a hilarious chapter in the book, especially when the set ground rules and then proceed to break all those rules in a matter of one day.
Opinion about the main character:
The characters are believable. Their honest, they have the good characteristics and they have their flaws.
