Sally Flint's Reviews > Us

This was a fantastic read. A male stuffy, pompous scientist goes on a journey of exploration of his own emotional relationship with his wife and his son. He doesn't hold back and we see the relationship as it was as newly weds and as they enter their solo life after their son leaves home with all the steps between, warts and all.

It is rare to have a male protagonist explore his emotions, and it is all the more touching as this protagonist, is portrayed throughout by son and mother as lacking empathy. You really do live the journey with him, and despite his shortcomings care deeply about what happens. The structure is clever, it switches between past and present quite seamlessly, with various smart, but unpretentious links. It really is successful. David Nicholls, seems to be excellent at capturing the smallness of individual emotion in the big picture, but showing the greatness of it to those involved. I loved it. It would be a superb book club choice!