Us – David Nicholls
I have read One Day and seen the adaptation of Starter for Ten (the book is in my to be read pile). I had seen this in the book store a few times, but finally decided to buy it while on a trip to Melbourne – I thought it would be a fun and light travel read.
Here is the blurb …
‘I was looking forward to us growing old together. Me and you, growing old and dying together.’
‘Douglas, who in their right mind would look forward to that?’
Douglas Petersen understands his wife’s need to ‘rediscover herself’ now that their son is leaving home.
He just thought they’d be doing their rediscovering together.
So when Connie announces that she will be leaving, too, he resolves to make their last family holiday into the trip of a lifetime: one that will draw the three of them closer, and win the respect of his son. One that will make Connie fall in love with him all over again.
The hotels are booked, the tickets bought, the itinerary planned and printed.
What could possibly go wrong?
This novel has some fun moments – Mr Nicholls is a great comedic writer and he creates fabulous family dynamics. I must say (without giving away any spoilers) that I was disappointed by the ending. Does ‘literary fiction’ always have to end badly? Anyway, that is not a criticism about the writing I just want a happy ending! It is a well-written and witty novel with great characters (who have the occasional pithy one-liner). It would be a great movie – although I still want my happy ending.
More reviews …
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/01/us-david-nicholls-review-fiction
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/books/review/us-by-david-nicholls.html?_r=0