What a fabulous and useful review. I read A LOT of books but I’ve never read a David Nicholls … however I did really enjoy his article about his love of wet walks in Saturday’s Guardian. I might wait for the paperback for this but I will remember that I should buy it. Also, I like your comments about popular books. I earn my living writing about classical music and the same applies - pieces like Carmen and Handel’s Messiah and the Vivaldi Gloria and the Fauré Requiem are famous and popular because they are full of cracking tunes and very moving to listen to, but some of my colleagues would never dream of going to a performance of any of them.
I can’t wait to read this. I’ve just finished reading Us which I loved and I very much enjoyed Sweet Sorrow too. One day less so but I think it just had SO much hype.
By the time you’d asked if the book was flirting with you I had been compelled to pre-order it (and would not have read it at all without your review).
I read this early too (I wrote the copy for his Manchester Literature Festival event) and loved it. I think it’s his best book by some way. (Caveat that I loathed One Day. I realise that I am probably in a minority of one here.) I loved the walking and the gentleness of it all and even though it’s been two months, I still feel like Marnie and Michael are hanging around and isn’t that always the sign of characters you love?
I read it early and it entered my heart. Beautifully paced and endlessly, softly surprising. As India Knight says that is a lovely review you’ve written
What a fabulous and useful review. I read A LOT of books but I’ve never read a David Nicholls … however I did really enjoy his article about his love of wet walks in Saturday’s Guardian. I might wait for the paperback for this but I will remember that I should buy it. Also, I like your comments about popular books. I earn my living writing about classical music and the same applies - pieces like Carmen and Handel’s Messiah and the Vivaldi Gloria and the Fauré Requiem are famous and popular because they are full of cracking tunes and very moving to listen to, but some of my colleagues would never dream of going to a performance of any of them.
I can’t wait to read this. I’ve just finished reading Us which I loved and I very much enjoyed Sweet Sorrow too. One day less so but I think it just had SO much hype.
By the time you’d asked if the book was flirting with you I had been compelled to pre-order it (and would not have read it at all without your review).
I read this early too (I wrote the copy for his Manchester Literature Festival event) and loved it. I think it’s his best book by some way. (Caveat that I loathed One Day. I realise that I am probably in a minority of one here.) I loved the walking and the gentleness of it all and even though it’s been two months, I still feel like Marnie and Michael are hanging around and isn’t that always the sign of characters you love?
Wonderful review! Sounds like a must read for me to add to my pile!
I read it early and it entered my heart. Beautifully paced and endlessly, softly surprising. As India Knight says that is a lovely review you’ve written
ok, you've convinced me to pick up this book. I've been in a bit of a reading slump and hopefully this will pull me out of it!
Love this review & can’t wait to read it!
I’m going to have to add this to my ‘to read’ pile now aren’t I?!
Damn! I am going to have to buy the hardback aren’t I!?!
I just finished The Husbands and had/have the same gut-level connection to what feels like a new-ish, fresher writing style. What a joy!
Is this another reset of art and culture coming from the shock of pandemic lock downs? If so, yay!
Looking forward to reading this new title - will dive into his earlier work in the meanwhile! Thx
Ooooohhhh I wish it was out now! I’ve been taken out by flu and this sounds like exactly what I need!