Sweet Sorrow

Sweet Sorrow

By David Nicholls

A summer of Shakespeare and unexpected things...

Book Review, no spoilers I swear!

I first read this book back in August 2019 and my god it was it brilliant.

If your looking for the definition to what a great summer book is then look no further as Sweet Sorrow ticks all the boxes.

This was my first David Nicholls book I have ever read as I only started reading in June 2018. However, as I walked round Sainsbury's with my reluctant brother and saw the beautiful hardback on the shelf and saw a sticker that said, "From the author of One Day." Now I have seen the film version and found it emotional, funny and so real. It took me two more trips to the shop to convince myself to buy it as I wasn't sure if I would read the book as I knew it would be real, honest and emotional and I didn't know if I was mentally prepared for that.

I began the book and from the very first page I knew that it was going to be a good read.

The story follows Charlie Lewis who is one of those kids from school that is easily forgettable, he never did anything amazing, he was just another face in the crowd. Failing his exams and just existing Charlie prepares himself for a boring summer, reading and avoiding his family. A father who has hit rock bottom and a mother with a new family. That is until he meets Fran Fisher, a girl who catches Charlie's attention, before he knows it, he joins a drama summer club in order to talk to Fran and get to know her better. Fran teaches Charlie that there is more to life than the little bubble Charlie has created. Charlie finds himself doing things he never dreamed of doing throughout the summer.

A summer to remember, full of hope, dreams, sorrow and truth.

The story begins in 1997 and flicks to the present where Charlie is much older and looking back at the unforgettable summer that changed his life. Through out the novel I was guessing at what would happen, what I would like to happen, how I would like it to end. If it was a unrealistic romance novel that is. However, Nicholl's writing is so honest that how the novel ends is nothing short of wonderful and real.

I found this book emotional, true, heartbreaking, funny and refreshing.

It was unlike anything I have ever read before. I have never cried at a book before but this has me in tears, it was so relatable. Without giving too much away, the relationship Charlie has with his father is something I have with my mum. It rang so true to me and there's a moment in the book where Charlie speaks something that I feel so much and it had me in tears. It made me feel less alone and that other young people share this worry, this thought.

The character's in this book are true to life, they are beautifully written and each character you can imagine in real life. Most of the time when I was reading this I felt like I was transported into another time, the story just unfolds perfectly, I could see the characters, the locations and everything so clearly. The characters aren't perfect either. They are all flawed in there own way, especially with most of the characters being teenagers trying to navigate themselves through to adulthood, making mistakes all along the way. This it the type of book that when you finished it, you feel lost for so long, just thinking about the characters. Words playing on my mind.

This is a book that needs to be read by all. It truly a great book and I can't express that enough without giving away spoilers. This is a great summer read but now that we're in autumn soon to be winter, I shall say that it is perfect for the cold months when you earn to be in summer once again.

After reading this book, it left me thinking about a lot of things in my own life and to me that's what reading is all about, if it doesn't make you think or question, then did you really pay attention? I absolutely loved this book and have found an all new love for David Nicholl's work. One Day sitting on my to read shelf at this moment.

So if you haven't read Sweet Sorrow yet, get to your local bookstore, or online. However you get hold of this book, just remember that your in for a real treat when you open that first page. Also if you find it hard to get hold of it, let me know and I'll send you my copy.

My rating... 5 out of 5*

I'd give it more if I could.

After all tomorrow is another day spent reading in the life as the Yorkshire Bookworm,

Till next time,

Phoebe x