Rating:  Summary: High Fidelity Review: The novel "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby tells the story of a man called Rob in his midthirties, who tries to get over his ex-girlfriends by meeting his former girlfriends from his top-5-list of most painful split-ups. I liked the book very much, because it is written in a very funny and clever way. Reading about Rob's feelings and thoughts is interesting, because he discribes them in a very honest way, although he nobody else about them. The difference between what he thinks and what he says makes the dialogues funny to read.One thing I liked about "High Fidelity", too, is that not only the main characters are described in a very detailed way, but also the minor characters (Barry and Dick rule!), what makes the plot appear credible. I gave the novel four stars, because it's a brilliant book, but the ending is a bit disappointing.
Rating:  Summary: Middle good Review: I would give "High Fidelity" two Stars. "High Fidelity" has not such an innovative and fascinating plot that you could give it more than two stars. But the plot is not so bad that you would have to give less than two stars. I think it is a middle good book. And because of that I give it two stars. I would not say that it is a must to read it, but you could read it if you like lovestorys and storys in which a character changes.
Rating:  Summary: Really bad... Review: I don't like the book because it's too introspective. For me, the main character Rob Flemming is not very symathic and I can't identify myself with him. The story is very boring and too long. The only character I like is Barry, Rob's friend, because he's funny. I think, even a mathbook is better than this book. I would only read the book when I would live alone on an Island and this would be the only readable thing, and even then I would prefer to light a fire with this book. I gave this book one star, because of the character Barry, the rest is [bad].
Rating:  Summary: Boring, boring book Review: "High Fidelity" is about the life of the record shop owner Rob Flemming who has just been left by his girlfriend Laura. To find out why every girl breaks up with him he meets all of his "top five most memorable split-ups". Eventually Rob and Laura get together again and they will live happily ever after. I think the book is not very interesting but maybe this is just because I'm not intelligent enough to get the point.
Rating:  Summary: Liked the movie better Review: This is only happened to me two times but you know when you are reading a book and all you can think about is you can't wait to start reading another book you had your eye on to read. Well, this is exactly how I felt through this entire book. I always feel like I have to finish a book even if I do not like it, so I kept reading it because I felt I had an obligation as a reader. Throughout the entire read, Rob (main character) kept repeating his opinions and how he felt about the depressing world around him over and over again. It was like revisiting a really [junky] day over and over again at the beginning of each chapter. The only reason I gave this book two stars was because of Barry( a character in the book). He helped me get through this book that I thought would be better. Maybe I will not fully comprehend this book till I am Thirtysomething but until then this book stunk.
Rating:  Summary: Superb Review: A brilliant character study of an archetypal young(ish) Londoner. Rob is morose, introspective, unambitious; he lives in the past and, like Morrissey, lacks the fundamental human capacity for re-invention. Laura is, of course, the opposite, but somehow less likeable for it.Barry (a warped, extrovert version of Rob) and Dick (a warped, introvert version of Rob) are wonderful supporting characters. And - like a good Woody Allen film - in the end, nothing much seems to happen - which is, of course, what real life is actually like.
Rating:  Summary: cliches... Review: With great amusement I read the Novel "High Fidelity"during my spring break. Yet while thoroughly analysing it in my twelve-grade English class, I have come to the conclusion that it offers a rather wide spread and worn view on men's behavior. If the author truly believes that man have more depth than a puddle, I would vehemently recommend to rethink the novel's ending. Did Rob really get the impact to change when getting back with Laura or weren't the last chapters not a more or less I-could-have-predicted it happy ending for all women who still naively believe in the power manipulating the opposite sex while being in a love relationship. I unfortunately have to state that Hornby's created "archetypes" in the beginning of his novel, mainly the brilliant couple Barry and Dick, were replaced by the less witty and engaging Is-it-better-sex topic, which mostly defines the protagonist Rob, making him an overly stereotyped figure. Being stuck in the rather dull discussion about the nature of men, which arouse after finishing the book, I would be more than happy to receive a letter from Mr. Hornby, revealing his clear position on this issue. J. Luu
Rating:  Summary: It was funny so I didn't mind the introspection!!! Review: Read the book because it is insightful regarding relationships from the male perspective,because it gives a glimpse into the mind of a fanatic collector(music or other), or because it's doggone entertaining. But read the damn book. The protagonist decides to examine his life after, as is often the case, a painful episode in his life. Normally this type of book is a turn off to most men, but this book is so funny, and so dead on accurate that you don't mind taking the trip through Rob's(the protagonist) psyche. The humor comes in many forms. Rob's co-workers provide some hefty laughs with their top 5 lists, sarcasm and realistic portrayal of music geeks. Rob himself supplies many laffs with his self effacement and irony. And the turns the story takes itself are sometimes hilarious, sometimes just strange.( Wait til you find out what happens at the funeral of Rob's ex's father) The poignancy and depth of the book sneaks up on ya. One minute your chuckling over Rob's frustration with fans of Phil Collins, the next your sharing in a truthful,sometimes almost brutally so, insight into his mind. I guess what I'm trying to say is that any book that can take a self -obsessed guy's ruminating on music,relationships and life in general, and keep me interested because of the humor and truthfulness of the inner and outer dialogues, is a damn fine book. Try it. It makes soul searching fun!!!
Rating:  Summary: Young Male's Version of a "Chick Book" Review: Got the book because I'd seen and enjoyed the movie. But, then, I'm a total hobag for Cusack (and his funny and charming sister, Joan). Alas,I put the book down about 80% through it and have not picked it up since. Go figure. I think this is a "chick book" for guys. I could not relate to the character, which I suspect is the main charm of the book. The audience (and rightfully so) for this book is, I assume, young men with large record collections (and the men who would love to have large record collections). But, then, I don't expect those same young men to like books similar to this whose target demographic is jaded women. However, that said, Hornby's dialogues are real, his descriptions of the settings vivis and his explorations into human feeling are deeply realized.
Rating:  Summary: Outdoes the film in every way. Review: Nick Hornby's novel "High Fidelity" is as good as the superb John Cusack movie adaptation and more. The book's dialogue is stunningly good, and Hornby's observations are entertainly true. Examining the life of a pop-culture aficionado, it's definatly a book one can learn a lot from (especially for those readers who consider themselves to be music, tv or movie buffs). When the protagonist reaches his moment of epiphany, you too will feel as if you've learned something yourself. Cusack's movie only scratches the surface on the book, and if you've liked the film, you aught to pick up a copy of the book as well.
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