High Fidelity

A Great Character Study

Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity" gives incredible insight into the psyche of a worn out, wounded man. The protagonist, Rob, carries the reader through the novel with a mostly stream of consciousness style that allows for a raw, personal look into his character. This man is middle-aged, but still childish in some respects, as so many adults are. And this is what makes his character so believable, so real. The reader witnesses Rob responding to and recovering from his his girlfriend, Laura's departure. And although the tone reveals a deeply hurt man, Rob's cynical sense of humor and initial, almost immature reaction towards Laura adds a humorous dimension to the book. As his break up forces him to recall his "Top 5" most painful past failed relationships, his insecurities come into light, rooted as far back as age twelve. But his recollections of these flings and obsessions are meant as a jab at Laura, a last-ditch, desperate and immature comeback. This weak and childish attempt is at once slighlty pathetic and largely amusing. But this is what makes this book so fantastic. This is a real person we're dealing with.

On top of his break up, Rob also struggles with where his life has brought him. With his run down record store as his only claim for a career, he's easily pinned as a loser by society. But his honest and vulnerable state makes him certainly more affable (I wouldn't go so far as to say pitiable) to the reader. Through the course of the book, the reader will most likely come to establish a relation to Rob, some parallel fom his life to their own. Or perhaps, from the opposite end, a somewhat better understanding of the male psychology, thanks to superb and realistic character development.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Remorsefully funny

In, High Fidelity, we the readers get to live the life of Rob, a record store owner who lives in shame and denial over the many failed relationships of his past. Right from the first page he begins to list his 5 most memorable failed relationships, beginning from when he was eleven years old. A great part about the novel is that anyone can connect with his story since we all have had some troubles in the past. Also, he may be a middle-age man, but he can act like a child at times. He has a child-like obsession with music, and does not seem to business-like in owning his store. Throughout the novel it is easy for the reader to establish a relationship or feel sympathy for Rob. The ending of the novel is appropriate and leaves the reader feeling fulfilled.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review

Nick Hornby masterfully tells a story about how a man comes to adapt with himself about his own shallowness. A must read for anyone.

A Modern Day Jane Austen for Guys

I had been a fan of the movie adaptation of the same name for quite a while (and I would highly recommend the film along with the book), so when I found a free copy of the novel I was intrigued enough to give it a try. I found that the novel is just as humorous and appealing as the movie, and is filled with witty and insightful observations about relationships from the male perspective.Hornby is clearly a highly gifted writer, but the real strength of "High Fidelity" lies in what he is saying, not how he is saying it. The book takes a unique approach to storytelling, basically arranging the narrative with the use of a list of the main character's five most hurtful breakups. Though this would be a little repetitive and dry if the entire book were organized like that, thankfully Hornby moves away from that device before it goes stale. Another reason that this book was a joy to read was that the characters felt real. The main character was not all that nice, and in fact could be downright spiteful at times, but instead of hating him, I found myself drawn more into the story because of his flaws. Readers looking for some kind of adventure or meaningful story should probably find something else to read, but the plot is highly entertaining regardless.This book manages to excel in a genre mostly dominated by female authors/characters, and will provide readers with plenty of laughs.Highly recommended

good book

I saw the movie years ago and it's pretty similar to the book. The book was a little slow and the main character is whiny and gets sort of annoying. I finished this all the way through but was a little depressed after. Not a page turner or something I'd recommend to many people.

Good book, musical references made it better

This book has so many musical references, they bring the book to life. It was enjoyable, a little predictable but good none the less. The British english was sometimes difficult to understand but it didn't pose any major problems.

liked it from the start

An engaging story that tells a lot about love, life, perceptions, and relationships. The book also is very good... but as is usually the case, the book packs a more powerful wallop.

Loved It!!!

I found myself laughing out loud in public while reading this book. It's so much better than the movie!

#3 On My Top Five Desert Island Books

High Fidelity is a story about Rob Gordon: a thirty something, failing record store owner who¿s girlfriend of three years has just left him. Rob is then forced to re-examine his life after Laura¿s departure and figure out why he can¿t be happy with any ¿normal¿ relationship. I found out High Fidelity to be a pretty good page-turner and the humor was relatable. There were times when the book became dull but overall, it was good. Hornby has a way with words and some of his quotes are quite memorable. I would read this book again just for the wit, the music references, and the top five lists that seem like an added bonus.

Mind opening

The book High Fidelity by Nick Hornby was one of the best ive read. I have not read many! But, somehow i could relate to this protagonist, a quickly-approaching-Thirty-something record store owner. The only difference was the pain that he went through. The discription that hornby set for this guy was almost heart breaking. The guy would torcher himself by listening to slow romantic music all the time by himself, thinking about his past relationships. Yet he never learns from the past. For one of the few books i read i liked High Fidelity and would read it again.

Everyman in Heartbreak ... by Chronological Order

Another flawed character with whom I relate excruciatingly well. Hornby describes every failed love affair, every nuance of heartbreak, every comfort of being in your late twenties & realizing that your dreams have fallen into your memory as these faint love affairs of the past. & he does it all while slamming in amazing music references, encouraging us all to draw upon our own Soundtrack of Our Lives. A must read.

Got music?

This book rocks. If ever I could relae to a book, this is it. Have YOU ever wanted to sit at home, alone with your record collecton? I know I have. I almost feel as if Nick Hornby discoverd all of my emotions and put them down on paper. The movie was also excellent. John Cusak ad Jack Black were fantastic in it.

Greatest Book Ever

The funniest, most cynical, in-depth story of an overly average male ever written.

British Wit at Its Best

Rob is you. Rob is me. His words didn't leave me after I read them. I hunkered over this book, so engrossed and engaged, I forgot about my destination, walking across campus, and sat down on a bench and read instead. How can you resist - "Charlie was too witty, too smart, too pretty, too much...I always felt (with her) that I was standing on the edge of a very narrow ledge... I was always afraid she was going to go off with one of the guys in her art class." "She went off with one of them." Dialogue like that makes you think that when you turn the page, you're going to have to put it down for a while. It's just too much -then you're trapped again in the next graceful sentence, and you feel more whole than any other time you can recall.

Accurate and True

I don't really read books, but i enjoyed this one. I sacificed hanging out and having 'fun' to sit down and read this novel. It amazes me, on how accurate Nick Hornby can be about the subjects like relationships, jobs, middle age, sex etc. If you are a person who just got out of a bad relationship and want to get over it in a 'academic' way, reading this book will do so. I know at least one of YOUR ex's will seem like one of the characters in this book. Even if you don't want them to be.

This is your life

This book is perfection. Male or female it's as if someone has been following you since that first kiss on the playground recording every excruciating detail of your love life. Easily identifiable so you can't put it down.

Funny for males, hilarious for females

What struck me the most about this novel is its realism. Nothing is ever contrived, over-the-top sweet, or unbelievable. It truly portrays life: the uncertainty, loneliness, and love. The genius of this story lies in is its ability to convey those deep issues and stir great emotions in the readers' hearts without being pretentious or too serious. I bet men will chuckle to themselves knowingly as they follow Rob's quest, and women will be surprised and often enlightened about (bizarre) male behavior. Kind of like a hip, contemporary 'Cacher in the Rye' set in Holloway.

This book gave me high fidelity

the raw honesty of this novel grabbed me from the moment I read the first paragraph. It was never boring and I loved the musical references. I bought the movie which is strickingly accurate to the book.

a very fun read

a funny, open and honest look at relationships from a mans perspective. had to laugh at myself will reading. I'd recommend this to any male or female who has ever been in a relationship

'Best book ever'

Somehow, Nick Hornby has managed to write a story about my life...and I've never even met the guy. His ability to create characters that could be anyone you know-including yourself-is what makes his books (particularly this one) so great. Almost every paragraph I find a reason to nod in agreeance or laugh out loud...or both. Highly reccomended! (See the movie too!)