I immediately recognised the cover as one I had seen before. The orange shapes with the title in the middle, different, noticeable so I thought I will read this. My daughter recommended the book rather than the film.

I did not know what to expect but lots of people loved the book, the two front pages are covered in admiring, implausible and superlative recommendations. But if I am honest the book left me cold and bored. 

Em and Dex, or Dex and Em are an unlikeable pair. Their meetings on St Swithins day allows the reader to catch up on their relationship and the world. Dexter in particular is a self absorbed nonentity who drifts from girl to girl, always looking for fun and finding it in booze and drugs.  He is offered a presenting job on TV fame and fun are here for him; but he ends up on late night satellite TV reading scripts that only he feels show his talent and good looks to perfection.

Emma on the other hand is another lost university graduate no nine to five person either but without the family money of Dexter she works in a horrible café, her redeeming feature is she knows her life is drifting aimlessly and wants better. Emma can analyse her situation but cannot seem to do much about it. She has talent as a writer, her quirky, chatty letters to Dexter on his endless gap years and her ability to write novels for teenagers show loving Dexter has given her some insight into teens who are not yet adult.

The scenario does improve, Dexter always finds a way and Emma is always there for him. As in all novels Dexter realises too late what is important, love, family, hard work bring fulfilment and happiness, a life lived for fun is no fun at all. I think I am missing something here, other people love the book. It is well written, I think David Nicholls is trying to say something about society but what! Read it for your self you may find it ‘the funniest, loveliest book’ or ‘just so moving and engaging’ sorry I didn’t.