Synopses & Reviews
David Nicholls brings the wit and intelligence that graced his enormously popular
New York Times bestseller,
One Day, to a compellingly human, deftly funny new novel about what holds marriages and families together—and what happens, and what we learn about ourselves, when everything threatens to fall apart.
Douglas Petersen may be mild-mannered, but behind his reserve lies a sense of humor that, against all odds, seduces beautiful Connie into a second date . . . and eventually into marriage. Now, almost three decades after their relationship first blossomed in London, they live more or less happily in the suburbs with their moody seventeen year-old son, Albie. Then Connie tells him she thinks she wants a divorce.
The timing couldnt be worse. Hoping to encourage her sons artistic interests, Connie has planned a month-long tour of European capitals, a chance to experience the worlds greatest works of art as a family, and she cant bring herself to cancel. And maybe going ahead with the original plan is for the best anyway? Douglas is privately convinced that this landmark trip will rekindle the romance in the marriage, and might even help him to bond with Albie.
Narrated from Douglass endearingly honest, slyly witty, and at times achingly optimistic point of view, Us is the story of a man trying to rescue his relationship with the woman he loves, and learning how to get closer to a son whos always felt like a stranger. Us is a moving meditation on the demands of marriage and parenthood, the regrets of abandoning youth for middle age, and the intricate relationship between the heart and the head. And in David Nichollss gifted hands, Douglass odyssey brings Europe—from the streets of Amsterdam to the famed museums of Paris, from the cafés of Venice to the beaches of Barcelona—to vivid life just as he experiences a powerful awakening of his own. Will this summer be his last as a husband, or the moment when he turns his marriage, and maybe even his whole life, around?
Review
“The Petersen family travels through Europe with more emotional baggage than luggage in Nichollss winning follow-up to his 2009 bestseller One Day….Few authors do messed-up relationships better than Nicholls.” < em=""> People < m=""> , Book of the Week
Review
“A great novel...Nicholls is a master of nuanced relationships. Hes also a pro at delivering a tight, clever structural narrative, as he proved in his terrific previous novel One Day.” < em=""> Entertainment Weekly < m="">
Review
“I loved this book. Funny, sad, tender: for anyone who wants to know what happens after the Happy Ever After.” Jojo Moyes, author of < em=""> Me Before You < m=""> and < em=""> One Plus One < m="">
Review
“Wonderful. A novel that manages to be both truly hilarious and deeply affecting. I loved it.” S.J. Watson, < em=""> New York Times < m=""> bestselling author of < em=""> Before I Go to Sleep < m="">
Review
“David Nichollss latest… is a smartly optimistic romantic comedy that uses angst and humor to illuminate the resilience of the human heart…. Part requiem, part reboot, Douglass endearingly inept efforts to preserve his disintegrating family take him on another kind of journey, too, from despair to unexpected joy.” Oprah.com
Review
“But for all of their burdens and battles, Douglas and Connie have moments of real joy in their marriage and while it doesnt always seem like a pleasure, reading about it sure is.” < em=""> Time < m=""> magazine
Review
“Its a great combination of laughs and heart…Just what you need on these too-short days, no?” Sophie Kinsella, < em=""> Redbook < m="">
Review
“Nicholls brings his trademark wit and wisdom to this by turns hilarious and heartbreaking examination of a long-term marriage…. This tender novel will further cement Nicholls reputation as a master of romantic comedy.” < em=""> Booklist < m=""> (starred review)
Review
“In his latest…Mr. Nicholls again deals with love lost and possibly found, offering an unpredictable (and less grim) ending…. Mr. Nicholls mines the setup for laughs, as he should, but he also provides a poignant story of regret in middle age.” < em=""> New York Times < m="">
Review
“The bestselling author of One Day…is back with another crowd-pleaser, this time about a man trying to save his collapsing marriage and connect with his teenage son during a family tour of Europe.” < em=""> People < m=""> , Best Books of the Fall (2014)
Review
“From the author of One Daywhich was infinitely better than the moviecomes a pathos-laden love story about marriage on the brink of collapse.” < em=""> Entertainment Weekly < m=""> , & #8220;A Dozen Books We're Dying to Read This Fall. & #8221;
Review
“A thoughtful, funny, authentic story…Pitch-perfect dialogue and seamless action propel the story forward in a way that feels cinematic.…This is the kind of book that reminds us what it means to be alive. How often does a reader get to feel that?” < em=""> Good Housekeeping < m="">
Review
“Nicholls is a delightfully funny writer…and this over-planned vacation makes ripe material for comedy…Us evolves into a poignant consideration of how a marriage ages, how parents mess up and what survives despite all those challenges.” < em=""> Washington Post < m="">
Review
“For those who loved One Day, the authors latest is another heart-grabber about discovering what makes us happy and learning to let go.” Library Journal (starred review)
Review
“What happens when domestic bliss becomes rote? Is the past strong enough to bind us together when it happens? Nicholls answer is complicated, poignant, wiseand disarmingly human.” < em=""> Miami Herald < m="">
Review
“Nicholls is a master of the braided narrative, weaving the past and present to create an intricate whole…. A funny and moving novel.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
“Liked One Day? Then youll find this absolutely fabulous.… Very funny and very moving, often at the same time.” < em=""> Daily Mail < m=""> (London)
Review
“Nicholls is a deft craftsman, a skilled storyteller and a keen observer of contemporary mores.” Jay McInerney, < em=""> New York Times Book Review < m="">
Review
“Us is a quick read but a charming one; a portrait of two journeysone measured in kilometers, the other in the heart.” < em=""> Seattle Times < m="">
Review
“Complex family drama...perfect read for the holidays!” < em=""> Huffington Post < m=""> , Top 10 Books to Read This Winter
Review
“A smartly optimistic romantic comedy that uses angst and humor to illuminate the resilience of the human heart.” Oprah.com, & #8220;Paperbacks that Dazzle & #8221;
Synopsis
"I loved this book. Funny, sad, tender: for anyone who wants to know what happens after the Happy Ever After." -- Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You
David Nicholls brings the wit and intelligence that graced his New York Times bestseller, One Day, to a compellingly human, deftly funny novel about what holds marriages and families together--and what happens, and what we learn about ourselves, when everything threatens to fall apart.
Douglas Petersen may be mild-mannered, but behind his reserve lies a sense of humor that, against all odds, seduces beautiful Connie into a second date . . . and eventually into marriage. Now, almost three decades after their relationship first blossomed in London, they live more or less happily in the suburbs with their moody seventeen year-old son, Albie. Then Connie tells him she thinks she wants a divorce.
The timing couldn't be worse. Hoping to encourage her son's artistic interests, Connie has planned a month-long tour of European capitals, a chance to experience the world's greatest works of art as a family, and she can't bring herself to cancel. And maybe going ahead with the original plan is for the best anyway? Douglas is privately convinced that this landmark trip will rekindle the romance in the marriage, and might even help him to bond with Albie.
Narrated from Douglas's endearingly honest, slyly witty, and at times achingly optimistic point of view, Us is the story of a man trying to rescue his relationship with the woman he loves, and learning how to get closer to a son who's always felt like a stranger. It is a moving meditation on the demands of marriage and parenthood, the regrets of abandoning youth for middle age, and the intricate relationship between the heart and the head.
--
Time magazine
Synopsis
Now a PBS Masterpiece television miniseries starring Tom Hollander and Saskia Reeves
"I loved this book. Funny, sad, tender: for anyone who wants to know what happens after the Happy Ever After." -- Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You
David Nicholls brings the wit and intelligence that graced his New York Times bestseller, One Day, to a compellingly human, deftly funny novel about what holds marriages and families together--and what happens, and what we learn about ourselves, when everything threatens to fall apart.
Douglas Petersen may be mild-mannered, but behind his reserve lies a sense of humor that, against all odds, seduces beautiful Connie into a second date . . . and eventually into marriage. Now, almost three decades after their relationship first blossomed in London, they live more or less happily in the suburbs with their moody seventeen year-old son, Albie. Then Connie tells him she thinks she wants a divorce.
The timing couldn't be worse. Hoping to encourage her son's artistic interests, Connie has planned a month-long tour of European capitals, a chance to experience the world's greatest works of art as a family, and she can't bring herself to cancel. And maybe going ahead with the original plan is for the best anyway? Douglas is privately convinced that this landmark trip will rekindle the romance in the marriage, and might even help him to bond with Albie.
Narrated from Douglas's endearingly honest, slyly witty, and at times achingly optimistic point of view, Us is the story of a man trying to rescue his relationship with the woman he loves, and learning how to get closer to a son who's always felt like a stranger. It is a moving meditation on the demands of marriage and parenthood, the regrets of abandoning youth for middle age, and the intricate relationship between the heart and the head.
Synopsis
Douglas Petersen may be mild mannered, but behind his reserve lies a sense of humor that, against all odds, seduces beautiful Connie into a second date . . . and eventually into marriage. Now, almost three decades after their relationship first blossomed in London, they live more or less happily in the suburbs with their moody seventeen-year-old son, Albie.
Then Connie tells Douglas that she thinks she wants a divorce.
The timing couldn't be worse. Hoping to encourage her son's artistic interests, Connie has planned a monthlong tour of European capitals, a chance to experience the world's greatest works of art as a family, and she can't bring herself to cancel. Douglas is privately convinced that this landmark trip will rekindle the romance in the marriage, and may even help him to bond with Albie.
From the streets of Amsterdam to the famed museums of Paris, from the cafés of Venice to the beaches of Barcelona, Douglas's odyssey brings Europe to vivid life just as he experiences a powerful awakening of his own. Will this summer be his last as a husband, or the moment when he turns his marriage, and maybe even his whole life, around?
About the Author
David Nicholls's most recent novel, the New York Times bestseller One Day, has sold more than two million copies and has been translated into thirty-seven languages; the film adaptation starred Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway. Nicholls's previous novels include Starter for Ten and The Understudy. He trained as an actor before making the switch to writing and has twice been nominated for BAFTA awards.