elanakw's review against another edition
4.0
Didn’t want to enjoy the cynical, witty, occasionally disgusting and disastrous male persona as much as I did, but I am a sucker for pop culture reference and both the film and tv adaptations of this novel.
gregtatum's review against another edition
4.0
A short description for this book would be "the romance comedy for the cynical". I just watched the movie with Jennifer, and now the two blend together in my mind. However the two are very similar and much of the dialog in the movie seemed to come straight from the book. It was an easy fun read, and I really connected with a lot of the insights the main character had. It was a realistic matter-of-fact view of modern day relationships. It's kind of nice to read a romance book without any real romance.
larywrites's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sllimika's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for any music-lover who has had a broken heart. Hornby effortlessly melds popular music, and movies with relationship woes into one of my all time favorite novels.
dsullivan's review against another edition
2.0
Nick Hornby has written some of my favorite books (About A Boy, A Long Way Down and Juliet, Naked) but High Fidelity was a let down. Not as bad as How to Be Good, but it wasn't entirely enjoyable. The main character is a narcissistic man who doesn't know what he wants out of life. His thoughts are constantly consumed by music, sex and love (in that order). He's not a likable guy, yet he's what the story is all about.
There were some really funny bits, especially near the end, but mostly it's just sad. Most of the novels that Nick Hornby wrote after this one do a much better job of balancing the misery with humor and hope.
There were some really funny bits, especially near the end, but mostly it's just sad. Most of the novels that Nick Hornby wrote after this one do a much better job of balancing the misery with humor and hope.
violet_gray's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jehsface's review against another edition
5.0
I can't even describe accurately how much I adored this book. It was sarcastic, gritty, hopeful, miserable and just all around wonderful. It was real, and had a raw bluntness to it that I wasn't expecting, despite having seen the film.
Set in London, it's about Rob, an audiophile who collects records, makes top five lists, and discusses his love life and his general life direction with himself on a very personal level. Rob is made out as a both lovable and terribly horrible person, and finding the middle ground of thinking he's just an alright bloke as he explores himself can be a challenge, but I quite enjoyed that about the book.
Rob is blunt, apathetic, passionate, miserable and self-centered, but he's got a bit of charm about him, and his sometimes pathetic life makes you look upon him with more kindness than you would think. As he deals with love, life, sex, commitment and pieces how it all works together, you kind of cherish the character he is. He is who he is, and the changes he makes are so gradual, you barely notice them.
It has it's funny, lighthearted moments, completely juxtaposed by the darker more serious bits of the book.
I just loved how real this book felt, like I could walk around London and see Rob, this disaffected, thirtysomething man, who's having almost a midlife crisis in several men down the street.
Rob's look into music (albeit not the music I listen to) is perfect, and his ultimate question from the beginning of 'which came first, the music or the misery?' just puts the cherry on top.
Applause to Nick Hornby, because this book was so wonderful, and was an absolute wonder to read.
Set in London, it's about Rob, an audiophile who collects records, makes top five lists, and discusses his love life and his general life direction with himself on a very personal level. Rob is made out as a both lovable and terribly horrible person, and finding the middle ground of thinking he's just an alright bloke as he explores himself can be a challenge, but I quite enjoyed that about the book.
Rob is blunt, apathetic, passionate, miserable and self-centered, but he's got a bit of charm about him, and his sometimes pathetic life makes you look upon him with more kindness than you would think. As he deals with love, life, sex, commitment and pieces how it all works together, you kind of cherish the character he is. He is who he is, and the changes he makes are so gradual, you barely notice them.
It has it's funny, lighthearted moments, completely juxtaposed by the darker more serious bits of the book.
I just loved how real this book felt, like I could walk around London and see Rob, this disaffected, thirtysomething man, who's having almost a midlife crisis in several men down the street.
Rob's look into music (albeit not the music I listen to) is perfect, and his ultimate question from the beginning of 'which came first, the music or the misery?' just puts the cherry on top.
Applause to Nick Hornby, because this book was so wonderful, and was an absolute wonder to read.
lill1tha's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved this book when I read it at 16 and would have said it was my favourite book at the time. I was excited to read it again, and it was quite enjoyable but somewhat disappointing because I’d remembered it being the best book ever. The last few chapters were especially enjoyable, and I liked the idea of using lists as part of the characterisation. There is some really clever writing in this book. Someone else reviewed this book and described it as a male version of chick lit which I have to agree with, but I mean that as a compliment because it is refreshing. It’s a great book for a different phase of my life!
angieinbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly thought I’d be one-starring this book because Rob, the main character and narrator of this novel, is spectacularly awful. There’s basically nothing redeemable about him—he’s running his music store into the ground and his successful girlfriend has just dumped him (because he cheated on her)—and to have to spend so much time with him and his misogynistic tirades was painful. He’s every stereotype of an underachieving white man who feels he deserves more than he’s willing to put any effort into, choosing instead to blame his ex-girlfriends (and pretty much all women) for who he’s become. Or rather who he hasn’t become. And I honestly don’t know if Nick Hornby wants us to like Rob or if we’re supposed to hate him.
But I didn’t give it one-star because, despite everything, it’s not a bad novel? My main problem is I’ve read this guy’s story before. Hell, I see this guy’s point of view every day of my life because he’s everywhere. And I’ve had to be subjected to his story over and over again, and, well, I don’t want to read/watch/be subjected to Underachieving White Man or his self-imposed-but-doing-nothing-to-improve man pain. No thanks.
Also, comments on the novel aside, Russell Tovey’s performance on the audiobook is great. No complaints at all there. It isn’t his fault Rob is an utter waste of space.
But I didn’t give it one-star because, despite everything, it’s not a bad novel? My main problem is I’ve read this guy’s story before. Hell, I see this guy’s point of view every day of my life because he’s everywhere. And I’ve had to be subjected to his story over and over again, and, well, I don’t want to read/watch/be subjected to Underachieving White Man or his self-imposed-but-doing-nothing-to-improve man pain. No thanks.
Also, comments on the novel aside, Russell Tovey’s performance on the audiobook is great. No complaints at all there. It isn’t his fault Rob is an utter waste of space.
sirkatieinrhythm's review against another edition
3.0
typical british man. if it’s weren’t for laura, he probably wouldn’t ever leave his house with his shoes on the right feet. all i’m saying is, somebody give this man a good book to read or if this took place 15 years later, i would say force him to listen to some fiona apple. lying in some grass might do him some good.