Us by David Nicholls

I enjoyed One Day by the same author, so I was looking forward to reading Us, which was long listed for The Man Booker Prize.  After two decades of marriage Douglas and Connie Petersen are about to become empty nesters.  Douglas is looking forward to this new chapter in their lives, but then Connie announces she’s thinking of leaving him.  His son, Albie, feels like a stranger.  In one last attempt to save his marriage and keep his family intact Douglas plans a once in a lifetime family holiday touring the cultural delights of Europe.  Douglas is a biochemist, Connie, is an artist.  No one is sure what Albie wants to be, but Connie is keen to encourage him in his artistic endeavours.  In the beginning I wasn’t convinced by the characters.  I felt that Albie and Connie were both self-centred and I wanted to shake Douglas.  As the story unfolded and I learnt more about the couple’s history, the highs and lows of their relationship, I started to believe in the characters and I was hooked.  It was interesting seeing the story through the eyes of Douglas.  I found the book laugh out loud funny at times and at others touchingly sad.  I thought it was pitched perfectly.