A review by angieinbooks
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

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.