About this title: A pop music junkie, deserted by his girlfriend, fulfills his lifelong dream of dating a singer with a recording contract. It doesn't help.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
"Great at the beginning. Loses some steam in the middle. Crashes and burns in the end. This book is as tasty as a regular Wonka's Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight but don't expect any golden ticket inside."
"John Cusak was pitch perfect in the movie version of High Fidelity with his portrayal of the slightly manic, self-doubting, never-completely-happy record shop owner. As a bachelor well into my thirties, I could relate to Rob’s craving for love and security and his opposing fear of the safe and mundane. It’s not a novel theme, but Mr. Hornby is spot on with his often painful, sometimes hilarious dissection of the modern English male—hip in popular culture but lacking in grace and honor.
Though I liked the movie, the book is even better. Mr. Hornby’s English colloquialisms give the story an authentic ring and flair. Typically the movie went with a boffo Hollywood ending (wherein the protagonist suddenly transforms his life overnight), but author went with a less satisfying, more realistic, bittersweet ending."
The book is hilarious. If you have seen the film, you should still read the book, its brilliant. I took it on holiday with me for reading on the plane. I was sitting between a woman I didn't know and my sound asleep boyfriend, actually laughing out loud at the book. The woman on my right must have thought I was crazy.
Rob entertains you throughout the book with his top five lists - top five side one, track ones, top five most memorable break ups, top five films, his dads top five films etc. If you like films and music and tend to judge people (slightly) for their own taste in these matters, you'll definately find a little bit of yourself in this book!
It's a really light and entertaining read with just enough to think about to keep you engaged throughout. It's entertaining, not heavy literature. The references to pop culture are brilliant and you really get drawn in to the lives of the characters.
"It's a three-minute single, and I'd had to take it off after about a minute and a half. I played "Holiday" by Madonna instead; I used modern stuff every now and again, at times of crisis, just like people who believe in homeopathy have to use conventional medicine sometimes, even though they disapprove of it.
Good, but not as good as About a Boy. This book is about a guy in his mid-30s whose girlfriend has just left him. It's funny but also a little irritating. The guy is still living the life of someone in college. He can't get his act together and he can't commit to anyone. He owns a record shop and spends his days making top 5 lists and thinking about his ex-girlfriends. At one point he meets a really nice couple and has a great time and then is shocked when their record collection sucks. He's 35 and he's just discovered that you can still relate to someone even if their musical tastes don't match yours.
Anyway, I think this book sometimes irritated me because the main character seemed so real that I wanted him to be the good guy and sometimes he wasn't. Still, a really good read."
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
