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"Rob is a pop music junkie who runs his own semi-failing record store. His girlfriend, Laura, has just left him for the guy upstairs, and Rob is both miserable and relieved. After all, could he have spent his life with someone who has a bad record collection? Rob seeks refuge in the company of the offbeat clerks at his store, who endlessly review their top five films (Reservoir Dogs . . .); top five Elvis Costello songs ("Alison" . . .); top five episodes of Cheers (the one where Woody sang his stupid song to Kelly . . .). Rob tries dating a singer whose rendition of "Baby, I Love Your Way" makes him cry. But maybe it's just that he's always wanted to sleep with someone who has a record contract. Then he sees Laura again. And Rob begins to think (awful as it sounds) that life as an episode of thirtysomething, with all the kids and marriages and barbecues and k.d. lang CDs that this implies, might not be so bad." (From the back cover of the Riverhead Books edition.)
High Fidelity
has been praised all over blogdom and with good reason. It is just plain good entertainment. It is chick-lit from a guy's perspective. It's funny and emotional and gives us women some insight into just how a guy's mind works. Or might work, anyway. And, yes, they think about sex all the time. Mystery solved! :-) As I began reading, I was a little concerned that it would be the central theme of the story, but while it is nearly always present on the surface, Hornby handles it in a manner that is not at all off-putting.If you haven't tried any of Nick Hornby's fiction yet, this is an excellent place to begin. I'll let you know about the rest of it as I get there, because I do plan to get there.
17 comments:
I haven't read this yet, but I am a big fan of the movie. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it, Lezlie!
I enjoyed this book, too, and I loved the movie. I also liked About a Boy, although I preferred the movie to the book.
This book sounds so good. I really need to read one of Hornby's books.
Literary Feline ~ I heard the movie was excellent.
Charley ~ I will have to look into About A Boy. I need to decide which one will be next! :-)
Bermuda Onion ~ It really was good. And I can't believe how quick a read it was. I buzzed right thought it and was bummed when I ran out of pages. :-)
Lezlie
Oh, I love love High Fidelity. I was first introduced to Hornby's work in high school and have since read more of his novels, but Fidelity remains my top pick.
Now go see the movie if you haven't already :)
I haven't read any of his novels yet, just the collections of writings on books. Sounds like this would be a good one to start with.
Jeane ~ This was the first of his fiction that I read, and I do think it's a great introduction. Very fun!
Lezlie
I absolutely loved the movie version, but I've never picked up the book. I need to. I've read A Long Way Down (before blogging) and really enjoyed his writing.
Literate Housewife ~ I enjoy his chatty style. You should give the book a try! I'll have to check out A Long Way Down. I don't think I've seen that one.
Lezlie
I'd forgotten about this one. Thanks for the reminder.
Carol ~ You're welcome!
Lezlie
I've not written about it since I read the book before I began my blog, but I did really love it. I love the passion for music, and the exasperation with those who don't 'get' it. Great movie, too.
Nan ~ I have been rediscovering books I think I should reread just so I can post a fresh perspective on my blog. It's somewhat disconcerting to have books that we loved that we don't have anything written about, isn't it? :-)
Lezlie
I hadn't realized that there were book versions of some of my favourite movies, High Fidelity being one of them. I had seen Nick Hornby's name around recently and now (after your review) I think I really need to add him to the TBR!! Thanks :-)
Jackie ~ Hornby is an author worth adding to the TBR. I'm not sure I've seen a bad review of any of his books!
Lezlie
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Lezlie. Now you need to go watch the movie with the lovely John Cusack (who does not have a British accent).
I remember when I read this book thinking, "really, guys think that?" For some reason the male point of view...even coming from a male author...seemed a little off to me. Perhaps because my husband is emotionally retarded--unlike Rob. :)
Trish ~ I don't think his mode of thinking is common to guys, but he does give us quite a bit of insight into their insecurities. :-)
Lezlie
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