"Starter For Ten", "The Understudy" & "One Day" by David Nicholls.
cherbrinkleyfan
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I read "One day" but am thinking of reading these 2 books too.
I know they're not follow ups but read great reviews.
Anyone read all 3?
I know they're not follow ups but read great reviews.
Anyone read all 3?
0
Comments
I don't think Nicholls is capable of writing a bad book. However, One Day is easily his best piece of work so reading backwards is bound to put the other two books at a disadvantage. They are still funny and well crafted, but it feels a bit like Nicholls is still honing his skills. Just don't set your expectations too high. Also, I'd leave a gap between reading each book because the author does tend to rely on a set formula (even though it's executed well) so the books might feel samey if read too close together.
I personally hated the Understudy, I disliked the main character, didn't enjoy the style of writing and thought the plot was lightweight.
I thought One Day was Ok, liked the structure of the story, but wasn't completely enthralled by it. I only read it on the recommendation of someone whose opinion I respect, I probably wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't been urged to give it a go based on my thoughts about the Understudy.
I loved both "One Day" and "Starter For Ten". I actually think I enjoyed "Starter For Ten" more, thought I know this goes against conventional wisdom.
Bought and read One Day not realising it was by the same author. There are some similarities, but I largely found Starter for Ten more of a comedy.
I read The Understudy after the other two and didn't think it was as good.
Charity shop?
Of course - reduced from 50P:D
Here's my little review that I put on the 211 in 2011 thread:
"Starter For Ten" by David Nicholls.
This was a re-read for me - I was inspired it to read it again by the thread on this forum recently asking for opinions on David Nicholls' books.
I have to say, too, I borrowed it from my local library here in the States, and it has been retitled in the USA to be called "A Question Of Attraction". I guess the title "Starter For Ten" wouldn't mean much to Americans who are not used to University Challenge. Indeed I wonder how Americans received this book as it is very, very British in its cultural references - extremely funny to us Brits (especially of a certain age) but I wonder how well it travelled. Think I'll look at some Amazon reviews to find out.
Anyway, I ADORE this book! It's set in 1985 and follows working-class first-year uni student Brian finding his feet in the rather middle-class uni world, falling in love for the first time and trying to fulfill his lifelong ambition to appear on the quiz show University Challenge. David Nicholls captures perfectly Brian's earnest pretentiousness and gaucheness (I can remember being a bit like that at Uni
100% recommended.
I did like One Day, but not as much as the rest of the world seems to - thought it was OK but it's not in my top ten or anything. Starter for Ten I liked a lot actually, though again not one that would go in my top ten.
really enjoyed Starer for Ten chiukled all the way through. I was at Uni 1983-86, so I'm definitely of a certain age. Lambrusco rosso the height of sophistication;)
I hated the characters too, didnt find them realistic, the whole thing just had no depth. I know it's not supposed to, it's basically just chick lit but after all the hype I am disappointed.
i havent seen the film but cant wait. the author had a lot of input to it and said hes very happy with the movie so i cant wait to get the dvd
Anyway I've read all three and liked them all although I would say the Understudy is my least favourite. I didn't really care about the characters or what happened to them. My favourite was definitely Starter for 10 - my heart breaks for Brian and also he kinda reminds me of my brother and the problems he faced when trying to make friends... I also loved One Day - couldn't put it down! Although a lot of my friends didn't enjoy the book - they said they didn't like Emma or Dexter...
Me too. I much prefered it to 'One Day', which I thought was overrated, dull, and a bit corny.
I got 'Starter for Ten' from the library yesterday but I haven't started it yet.
I'd have thought any A-list actor living on drug fuelled parties
Yay! That's my birthday! Actually, it felt odd as I was reading the book as I knew what I had done on many of those days.
I've read 2 of the books and liked them but have got stuck with The Understudy....tried a few times to read it and had to put it down, just couldn't get into it. Will try again though.