Book Review

One Day in December

Rating:

Another winner!  I loved One Day in December.  With the evening news such a slog on my tv each night, this book is a pure, well-written, entertaining escape.

The premise is simple.  The bus on which a London woman is riding reaches a stop where a man is waiting for his connection.  She is inside; he is outside.  Their eyes meet.  Something passes between them, an instant connection.  She thinks of getting off; he thinks of getting on.  Neither acts, and the moment is lost – but not forgotten.  She spends the next year hunting for him; he spends the next year hunting for her.  Then they finally see each other again in an untenable circumstance …

But I can’t say more without giving away the story, and why do that?  It is beautifully written, with twists and turns enough to keep emotions running high.  Call it a romance if you want; I prefer to think of it as a smartly-written slice of modern life.  Compared to other books I’ve recently read and reviewed, it’s nowhere near as heavy as Paris in the Present Tense, as timely as Home Fire, or as culturally relevant as Becoming.  But, boy, is it a pleasure to read.

Adding to the pleasure?  Hugely?  The readers of the Audible version, to which I listened.  There were two, one female and one male.  Both are truly skilled actors and give the story warmth and charm and flair.  If you watch “Poldark” on PBS’s Masterpiece, you’ll recognize the female voice as that of Eleanor Tomlinson, who plays Demelza.  She’s wonderful here.

One Day in December is billed as a Christmas love story.  And fine, if you don’t believe in love at first sight, this book may not be for you.  But if you’re feeling fanciful, and you want something to sweep you up and take you away at any time of year, why not give it a try?

 

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