Plot: The plot centres around the two main characters, Dexter and Emma, where they spent the night together at Edinburgh University however do not follow on to a relationship and remain friends. It tells each of the characters story on the 15th July for 20 years after they met at university. It goes through the struggles that each of the characters go through and their bond. Its all about how they change through the years and how they interact with each other.
The development of the character is key through the book and how they interact with each other. At the beginning they might have the odd conversation here and there but gradually they begin to speak each more after their encounter at university. They each go through their different trials and you see how the other is doing. What the theme is, that when one is doing well in their life, the other falters and gives you the chance to see how the other characters tries to support the other. However at the beginning a lot of the communication is done by phone call as the characters seem to be very preoccupied with their occupations to meet up. But through the book there are moments where you care about the decisions the character makes and may may from one minute hate the character to liking them again.
It is written on the 15th July of each year since its the anniversary of the day they first met. However any events that have occurred in the year that has been missed out are usually conveyed in the chapter by means of narrative or a monologue of what that character has done so the reader is not kept out of the loop. This information is normally plot central and would leave a lot of the monotonous details out. Through these chapters it is either told from the perspective of either Emma or Dexter. Both of these perspectives is different due to their regional upbringing (Emma - North, Dexter - South), which highlights how differently the characters are and how they feel about each other. Not written as a diary but more of an account what they are doing on that day and what they are thinking which provides a bigger insight to the characters development more than if it were told from a third person perspective.
I would have liked to go into the plot more but it may mare the enjoyment of a brilliant book which I had enjoyed reading. I must say the story was well written and you were taken on a journey about two people and how their friendship/relationship is developed through the 20 years that they know each. I would recommend this book to anyone.
9/10
Also the book has been turned into a film which may/may not be an accurate portrayal of the book. But as the case is normally, the book will surpass the film. As well as this, Emma being portrayed by an American (Anne Hathaway), I personally believe that these sort of characters should be played by British actors with the correct dialect. However I will not give my final verdict until I have seen the film. I have included the video below and you may give your opinion on the book and the film adaptation in the comment section below.
Due to the lateness of this post I have read about 2/3 books as it was the beginning of the summer holidays and finishing university, the posts for these will be uploaded in the next few days. But the first one will be Room by Emma Donoghue. This book is about mother and son being brought up in a small room and are under the eye of Old Nick. You find out how the mother ended up in the room and how the child is brought up by the mother in the room. If anyone has any recommendations, they are always welcome. Happy Reading!
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