High Fidelity by Nick Hornby Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of High Fidelity
Book Review: A man's book even a woman can enjoy
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a book (and out loud!) The poor guy...he's really pathetic, but there's a little bit of him in all of us. That's what makes the novel so endearing and touching. The only complaint: I'm sorry it had to end.Book Review: A masterpiece that you`ll have in mind for a long time!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was happy and thrilled while readig the book and even severels of weeks after. Nick Hornby has found the art of playing with words. Read it!!Book Review: A real disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
I had heard a lot about this book, and about Nick Hornby, but High Fidelity disappointed me in many ways. The characters all seem to be part of Hornby's "clique" who like his music, go to his hangouts, and so on. Fair enough, one writes what one knows about; Woody Allen movies are full of screenwriters and Bruce Springsteen sings about working class New Jersey, so why can't Hornby write about his milieu? The hero in this book (Rob) is the owner of a used record shop, and he has love life problems, and feels as if life is passing him by. He has a great passion for the music, and much of the book is reconciling this passion with the realities of his life in his 30's. Unfortunately, I didn't care if he got back together with his girlfriend or not, or whether he turned a corner in his life. He was just too unlikeable. The only characters who interested me much were his co-workers at the record store, if you can call them workers. They are depicted bang-on. I have been to record shows myself and Hornby knows that bunch well. The most annoying thing about the book was Hornby constantly drawing the line as to what is good music and what isn't, as if he was telling us what is cool and what isn't. That was very irritating, maybe we all don't dig Solomon Burke or whatever else Hornby beats us over the head with. It's a very snobbish writing style, either we're in or we're out I guess. I saw the movie later and it worked better. I've read several novels from young British fiction writers, the best being the Football Factory by John King. High Fidelity was fun for awhile but it lost me halfway through when I stopped caring about the characters or the plot.
Book Review: A refreshing book, definitely one that was hard to put down.
Summary: 5 Stars
"You haven't read that yet?" asked a surprised friend when I told him I hadn't checked out High Fidelity yet. "Well, you've got to." After putting down the book for the final time, one that was extremely difficult to put down in general, I can understand my friend's overwhelming reaction concerning my unfamiliarity with Hornby's novel.This book was enjoyable from start to finish. The main character, a record store owner and classic music freak, shares his relationship experiences, both past and present, with such refreshing honesty, I dreaded the last page. His tendency to rate the top five everythings prompts the witty first page intro -- Rob lists the top five most dramatic relationships in his life, and then briefly elaborates. He goes on to compare those gals of the past to his current flame, Laura, while working out his fears for the future, his dread of committment, and facing the reality of growing up, finally, in his thirties.
I'd recommend this book to anyone, particularly relationship junkies and some of us looking for that rare, male sensitivity, captured in a work of fiction. Bravo, Nick!
Book Review: A sensation!
Summary: 4 Stars
Hornby is the best I've read in years! Funny, refreshing, Hornby brings humor, insight and relevance to any subject he tackles (ie. football in Fever Pitch, and now music in High fid) and all the while, provides embarrisingly accurate accounts on the male psyche, cleaverly confirming what we females have suspected all along. For people who enjoy something different, High Fidelity will be a rewarding read. It will make you laugh, cry (cause you've laughed so much), and wish that you'd discovered Hornby so much sooner.