Day: The stunning new literary novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham Paperback – 1 Aug. 2024

The word Covid does not appear in this book but it a story, or several stories, of life in the time of Covid, covering two generations of one extended family over three days and three years.Cunningham's prose is exquisite and his observation of people, seen by themselves and by those closest to them, is particularly acute because we do not, of course, see ourselves as others see us, save that in this book, and with these characters, we are given that privilege thanks to the author's imagination and skill.One particularly clever device is that Robbie, a gay man on whom the book hinges, has created an Instagram storyline which is partly about him but also about someone who is a creature of his imagination. The two identities almost merge into each other and timelines go askew in ways which do not undermine an underlying insight into "real" life.

This is a beautifully written book. It takes place in a morning, then about 2 years later, in the afternoon, and finally about 2 years later in the evening, thus Day. At no point is Covid or epidemic mentioned but it is about Covid and how it affected a family. Superbly written by the author of The Hours, which was made into a movie staring Meryl Streep.

As a fan of Michael's writing I can safely recommend that you don't read this book if you've not read any of his infinitely better books.He's used a slew of words that he most likely doesn't in his everyday vocabulary, which makes for a very clunky read. Also, because of deploying this ostentatious tactic, it seems disingenuous.

A gentle, very human novel about people, relationships and grief. At one point (about a third through) I feared it was a self indulgent piece about middle class New Yorkers and their very first world problems. By the end I’d decided that was exactly what it was but that it was utterly brilliant because of that. The cherry on the cake is Cunningham’s prose which is as beautiful as ever.

Michael Cunningham fans will be well versed to the author's technique, and this new novel doesn't disappoint. New readers may however need to adjust their minds to his acerbic prose which in times is demanding and too nuanced. However all in all not too demanding and a worthwhile read nonetheless.

This "searing meditation on love and loss" from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham is brilliantly insightful but stretches credulity at times for being so self-absorbed. Or rather its characters do, all of whom live in a world where they are constantly psychoanalysing themselves and those around them in a very authorial voice whether they're 5 years old or 45. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing stuff, but every so often the introspection gets too much, and a couple of times tips over into the pretentious. Otherwise it's a fairly short and very rewarding read.

A real disappointment. None of the characters rang true, and the interaction between them seems forced, and clumsily managed. Feels like writing by numbers.

Cunningham’s previous success has gone to his head/pen. It all seems so self-absorbed as if he’s trying to prove to us what a great writer he is and woe behold any Editor who cuts out (should have!) all the waffly bits that we have to plough through to find the narrative and the nuggets giving flesh to the characters. Only finished it because I paid £££s for a hardback. I have read some excellent first novels recently and their editors/publishers would have sent this back with “good first draft, try again”.