Book review: Us

From the author who broke all our hearts with One Day and made us all laugh/cringe with Starter for Ten comes another book that you are going to seriously struggle to put down, and that book (obviously) is Us.

I love David Nicholls (if you haven’t read One Day you really need to..now, I am being serious) his books always captivate me from the very first page and by the last you feel like you have known his characters forever and are wishing the story didn’t have to end. I felt exactly this way reading Us, I was desperate to know what happened next.
Before we get to the end though (no spoilers), lets start at the beginning. Us is the tale of Douglas, a man in his 50’s who believes he and his spouse are happily married. That is until his wife, Connie, wakes him one night in the early hours and admits she is considering leaving him. This would be awful at the best of times but poor, clueless Douglas has already booked a family holiday, travelling around Europe for the summer. The trip is booked for Douglas, his unhappy wife and their teenage son Albie, who shares a very strained relationship with his father.
In a hope to save his marriage, and the hundreds of pounds already spent on the trip, the Grand Tour of Europe goes ahead. A series of mishaps ensues and I often found myself thinking ‘Oh Douglas, why did you say that?’. We quickly learn that all Douglas wants is to make his wife and son happy but, for several different reasons, he often struggles to achieve this. As the family travel all over Europe, Douglas sees himself getting in to all kinds of trouble – his shenanigans in Amsterdam are particularly hilarious – and on more than one occasion I was convinced this poor man would never please his already distant wife and his moody, ‘the whole world hates’ me teenage son. 
I loved that the story was not set in one place and Nicholls describes the big cities of Europe in beautiful detail. I have never been to Venice or Madrid but I feel as though I have. He made me long to visit Paris again and made me wish I appreciated art a little bit more. You come away from this novel feeling like you know just that little bit more about this continent we live on, seeping with culture and history.  
I found myself conflicted at times reading Us. I just could not decide if I wanted Douglas and Connie to stay together. His wife’s character is so complex and different to his own, I  often thought maybe this trip was all in vain, perhaps their marriage isn’t worth saving. However, at other points I so desperately wanted them to stay together because it is clear how much Douglas loves Connie and does not want to be without her. I won’t tell you the outcome of their journey (both marital and the physical trip), all I will say is when I read the very last sentence I had a smile on my face.
Have you read Us or any other David Nicholls novels? Do you love his books too? If you are looking for something to read I hope this review encourages you to give Us a go.

Fa`mily Fever
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14 Comments

  1. Tracey S
    November 16, 2015 / 5:59 pm

    I have read Starter for ten, and One day is one of my favourites but haven't got round to Us yet. It is on my list! 🙂

  2. Rachel Bitmead
    November 16, 2015 / 8:01 pm

    I've not read any books from David Nicholls. Us sounds like a good book to start me off with 🙂 #KCACOLS

  3. November 17, 2015 / 11:17 am

    I've read one day but didn't watch the film as I didn't want to spoil it. If I ever get the time to read a book I may give it a go! Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS

  4. November 17, 2015 / 11:48 am

    One day, what a heart breaker. I'm not sure I ever got over the shock of her being run over! Sounds like a good book for my holidays! (If I ever get a decent nap time to read in) Great blog name by the way! Lucy@bottlefor2 #KCACOLS

  5. November 17, 2015 / 12:21 pm

    I have never read any of his books but after reading this review I can't believe I've never come across his books. They sound absolutely captivating!xx #KCACOLS

  6. mumisthewordblog
    November 18, 2015 / 7:32 pm

    I haven't read this book yet but I think I have it on my kindle on my too read list. I have read One Day and Starter for Ten which I loved. I really enjoyed Starter for Tea, it kept me entertained through my pregnancy! I might even have another read actually to refresh my memory – it's a fab book. I will definitely have a read of Us! Thanks for your views 🙂 #KCAKOLS

  7. November 22, 2015 / 7:11 pm

    Never read any of his books but after getting it from the book swap recently I can't wait to finish my current books to start this one now!

  8. November 23, 2015 / 7:42 pm

    One Day is my all time favourite book. If you read his other books then you will definitely love this one too xx

  9. November 23, 2015 / 7:43 pm

    You should definitely read them, they are so so good xx

  10. November 23, 2015 / 7:45 pm

    You did right not to watch the film, it's nowhere near as good. I only watched it because I hoped they might have given it a happy ending instead of how it ends in the book..they don't 🙁 haha xx

  11. November 23, 2015 / 7:46 pm

    Aww thanks. Yes I know, that hit me like a tonne of bricks, I couldn't believe what I was reading!xx

  12. November 23, 2015 / 7:47 pm

    They really are, if you get a chance to you should read it xx

  13. November 25, 2015 / 10:27 pm

    Yes, you will love it! When you finish Us, add his others to your reading list too..he's so good xx

  14. November 25, 2015 / 10:29 pm

    Thanks for your comment :). I loved Starter for Ten too, I read it twice – don't watch the film though it is awful! Yay, glad I have made you want to read it, I hope you enjoy xx