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Us
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3.5 stars
52 year old Douglas narrates this book and it starts out hilarious. David Nicholls' wit is on full display. I was laughing out loud. As the narrative progresses there are fewer and fewer laughs and more poignancy. Douglas is a scientist while his wife Connie is an artist now working as a rep for other artists. They've been married for 20 years and have one teenage son, Albie. At the start of the book Connie wakes up Douglas to say that she thinks she wants them to separate. Douglas is devastated but has hopes that an upcoming "grand tour" of Europe which they have planned will give him to the opportunity to save his marriage. The problem is that Douglas who was a nice nerdy kid when we first met him (we learn of their first meeting and early years in flashback) has become a boring, obsessive father who can't relax or stop criticizing his teenage son Albie. He has planned out every moment of the grand tour (3 weeks) by the hour, what they will see and do, which train they will take for the next city etc. and he allows no deviations from this itinerary. Albie does a lot of eye rolling and guffawing (view spoiler) The grand tour turned into a very different experience for everyone.
I enjoyed this book but would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if Douglas' philosophizing about life and his marriage had been cut in half. It was too repetitive and became annoying. Towards the end I skipped a few of these monologues.
This book is now a series on Masterpiece Theatre. The book is much more nuanced than the series but both are worth your time if you are interested in family dynamics, Europe and art. Both offer lot of descriptions or great shots of various European cities as well as art along with Douglas' lectures on art taken straight from his guidebook. (I'd prefer to rent the headsets).
52 year old Douglas narrates this book and it starts out hilarious. David Nicholls' wit is on full display. I was laughing out loud. As the narrative progresses there are fewer and fewer laughs and more poignancy. Douglas is a scientist while his wife Connie is an artist now working as a rep for other artists. They've been married for 20 years and have one teenage son, Albie. At the start of the book Connie wakes up Douglas to say that she thinks she wants them to separate. Douglas is devastated but has hopes that an upcoming "grand tour" of Europe which they have planned will give him to the opportunity to save his marriage. The problem is that Douglas who was a nice nerdy kid when we first met him (we learn of their first meeting and early years in flashback) has become a boring, obsessive father who can't relax or stop criticizing his teenage son Albie. He has planned out every moment of the grand tour (3 weeks) by the hour, what they will see and do, which train they will take for the next city etc. and he allows no deviations from this itinerary. Albie does a lot of eye rolling and guffawing (view spoiler) The grand tour turned into a very different experience for everyone.
I enjoyed this book but would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if Douglas' philosophizing about life and his marriage had been cut in half. It was too repetitive and became annoying. Towards the end I skipped a few of these monologues.
This book is now a series on Masterpiece Theatre. The book is much more nuanced than the series but both are worth your time if you are interested in family dynamics, Europe and art. Both offer lot of descriptions or great shots of various European cities as well as art along with Douglas' lectures on art taken straight from his guidebook. (I'd prefer to rent the headsets).
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Regina
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Jun 24, 2021 10:07AM
Superb, helpful review Anne. I had no idea this had been adapted for Masterpiece. I’m interested in the plot/subject so I’ll check it out.
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Regina wrote: "Superb, helpful review Anne. I had no idea this had been adapted for Masterpiece. I’m interested in the plot/subject so I’ll check it out."Thanks, Regina. I think it's been on for 1 or 2 weeks. I watched 2 hours last night. I'm curious to hear what you think of it. It isn't kind to Douglas, at least not the first 2 hours, and there is no wit nor humor.
Carmen wrote: "Great review."Carmen, thank you!
Nice review, Anne. I think I liked this book a tad more than you did. Did not know it was on Masterpiece. Thanks- will check it out.
Antoinette wrote: "Nice review, Anne. I think I liked this book a tad more than you did. Did not know it was on Masterpiece. Thanks- will check it out."Antoinette, yes, you liked it a tad more. I read your review and didn't notice any criticism of the length. Enjoy the Masterpiece series. Unfortunately, it isn't kind to Douglas, at least not the first 2 hours, and there is no wit nor humor.
Terrific review, Anne. We saw a TV adaptation of ‘US� several months ago in New Zealand, and I promptly bought the novel, but I haven’t read it yet. I hardly ever watch TV, but I managed to catch that one.
TBV (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Terrific review, Anne. We saw a TV adaptation of ‘US� several months ago in New Zealand, and I promptly bought the novel, but I haven’t read it yet. I hardly ever watch TV, but I managed to catch t..."Thanks, TBV. Great idea to read the novel when you're in the mood for something lighter than your usual fare. It's much funnier (at least at the beginning) and far more nuanced.
Anne, I read One Day a number of years ago and it just didn’t move me , so I never read any more by this author. I appreciate your thoughts and I find it interesting that it’s a masterpiece series. I think if you had rated it higher I might have given him another try. Thanks.
Angela M wrote: "Anne, I read One Day a number of years ago and it just didn’t move me , so I never read any more by this author. I appreciate your thoughts and I find it interesting that it’s a masterpiece series...."It's a lighter book than what you usually read. I don't think it would capture your attention.
Angela M wrote: "Thanks, Anne. I trust you!"It works both ways, Angela. :))
Excellent review - agree it needed serious trimming!
Lisa wrote: "Excellent review - agree it needed serious trimming!"Thanks, Lisa. I read your review. You were very funny about the length of the book. :))
I had no idea the Masterpiece production was based on this book. I think I'll pass on the book, but may eventually watch the series.
Diane wrote: "I had no idea the Masterpiece production was based on this book. I think I'll pass on the book, but may eventually watch the series."Absolutely the right decision for you, Diane.
I gave up on this as a book and also on the tv series.
Great review, Anne. On the surface, this sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy, but your rating tells me that something will be lacking for me here as well.
Candi wrote: "Great review, Anne. On the surface, this sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy, but your rating tells me that something will be lacking for me here as well."Candi, you're right. This book doesn't have the substance that you would need to really like the book. It's a light read - you don't go for many of those.
Dale wrote: "I gave up on this as a book and also on the tv series."I guess they weren't for you, Dale.
Great review, Anne. I watched the first part of the series, initially for the shots of Europe, but have to say I'm sucked in to the story now. It's so hard to change as we get older ...!
Kathleen wrote: "Great review, Anne. I watched the first part of the series, initially for the shots of Europe, but have to say I'm sucked in to the story now. It's so hard to change as we get older ...!"Thanks, Kathleen. I'm watching the show too. I want to see how it compares to the book. I can understand why you'd be sucked in to the story. Enjoy. :))
