Rating: 
Summary: Better than the movie
Review: Most readers of this book probably come to it as a result of having seen the film. This is again a prime example of why books are most always better than the movies that come after them. Hornby's novel contains a deep insight into the modern male. Rob twists and turns through the issues the grip most men his age: relationships, sex, music, and what he is going to do with his life.The book is deliciously filled with many very funny jokes and the scenes of Rob getting in contact with the Top 5 break-ups he has ever had are priceless. These are only made better by the scenes in the record store, helping us to understand a man and the way he interacts with his friends. Hornby may be the greatest analyst of the male to come along in a long time. I know there were many times when I caught myself thinking "That is sooo true." Treat yourself to the book if you are a fan of the movie. You will discover why the movie was so good and get a deeper glance into what made Rob so compelling. If you are new to High Fidelity, you will not be disappointed. Hornby is a master craftsman.
Rating:
Summary: WAW
Review: 'High fidelity' is one of those books that kept me reading untill 3 am, because I just couldn't stop. For this, I can see lots of reasons:
First of all, the book is written in an easy and fluent style. It needed zero concentration, let's say it practically read itself.
Secondly, it bursts with wit. From the first page on, Hornby swept me off my feet with his smart observations and his funny way of putting things.
Thirdly, Rob (main character) is a perfect prototype of the 30 year old single person in modern society. Some parts were so recognisable me and my friends had some good laughs reading them out loud to each other.
In the last place, the book is written in the first form, which makes it -if such a thing is possible- even more accesable.
In short: hurray hurray hurray for Hornby !
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: The book is about Rob, a record store owner who, after breaking up with his girlfriend, reflects on his past relationships while also trying to win back his ex. The story line is quite simple and does not sound that exciting. The story itself is in fact not that lively. What makes the book worthwhile is Rob's reflections on relationships and pop music. I thought it perfectly described the thoughts that go through my head when I have been in situations that were similar to the ones Rob is in. I think the book provides great insight into the mind of us males. It has been over a year since I've read it and yet I still think about it from time to time, especially when I'm listening to certain types of music and when I'm going through relationship problems. If you are a woman and are very puzzled about what men think, read this book and you'll have a much better understanding. If you are a man, you'll laugh and smile at the many things you can relate to. It is a very funny and amusing book and highly entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: HiFi rocks
Review: We're a group of twelve ESL students who read "HiFi" as a class assignment. Although the novel is a light read, it deals with serious problems facing many young (and not so young) people: finding their way of life concerning relationships and career decisions. What we liked best about the novel were Rob's interesting though often bizarre observations about life in general, the witty dialogues interspersed with slang and profanities, and the surprising turning points and sub-plots. Still, we found that Laura's and Rob's relationship was depicted quite superficially. Also, due to lack of cultural background, many jokes on pop music and movies were wasted on us. All in all, quite refreshing for a book read at school.
Rating:
Summary: much better than the movie...
Review: I admit, I went to go see the movie because of John Cusack. I found I liked the story and the characters. I decided to buy the book because I heard that there were huge differences between the book and the movie, like the location. I know it's not the usual reason for buying a book, but sometimes I do things for unusual reasons. The characters are well written. Even the minor characters are well written. You get the idea that the author had a great time writing this story. I will definitely check out the rest of Nick Hornby's works.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate "guy" book.
Review: It's pointless to try to provide a synopsis of this book as any effort would be misleading--it would sound stupid while utterly failing to convey the spirit and sense of the work. Let's just say in Rob one every guy will see strong elements of his own character and every lady will immediately be able to relate Rob to no less than 50 guy's she's known in her life. Rob may be something of an immature loser, but his world view, aspirations and general "muddling-through" lifestyle epitomizes all guys at some point in their lives. his constant ratings of this, that and the next eloquently render one's late teen-early adult years way of looking at the world. (Remember the "is she nice looking?' "I'd give her a 7.5 on a scale of 10" days???) The book is a funny, quirky, funny, sympathetic, funny, articulate & funny social commentary of the state of men--past, present and yet to be. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: guide to guys
Review: I saw the movie before I read this book, and I liked the movie version, but it was sort of hard to figure out whether I liked the movie for itself, or because of the cool feeling that went along with knowing the chicago neighborhoods and landmarks shown throughout the film. In any case, I liked the film enough to go out and try to find the book. Now, I usually don't like both reading the book and seeing the movie, but in this case I'm glad I did. This book was a lot of fun to read. Guys, read this book, because its a rare male perspective on things that seem like they're always written about by women. You'll find yourself completely understanding how Rob thinks and acts, seeing shades of yourself, and maybe even get some perspective on how our typical guy behavior appears to outsiders. Females, read this book just to get some insight into the world of the guy mind, a place governed by its own separate set of logical rules and axioms, that make complete sense and are valid to themselves, but sometimes with no real connection to the external world. Maybe you'll be able to figure out some of your crazy boyfriends. And thats as good a reason to read a book as any.
Rating:
Summary: Crisp, witty and fresh
Review: Wonderfully written. The protaganist, Rob, an unsuccesful record shop owner nursing a broken heart, is funny and imperfect. First you like him -- and then you don't -- and then you like him again -- and in the end, you're really rooting for him.
Rating:
Summary: The Bizarro Bridget Jones's Diary
Review: Nick Hornby's comic romp about a pathetic thirty-something incapable of love starts strongly, but inevitably falls into the predictable pit of direct-to-Hollywood fiction. Rob, anti-hero, slacker, hero to his fellow thirty-somethings, lives what he does, listening to music. He and his two part-time full-time co-workers don't really work, they sit around talking about music, listing their favorite and most-hated songs. After work, Rob whines about Laura, who has left him for the guy upstairs, and hooks up with other women while he waits for her to come to her senses. Rob is at his best as the unrepentant male. His world circles around him, as our worlds circle around us. He's selfish and small: a real guy. He continually lists his life's efforts and failures, categorizing them like records in his collection. Shades of his honorable self shine through. I kept wanting to tell him to keep his head down, he'll get through it, but eventually he falls into the maw of predictability and is on his way to a future of diaper bags and car pools. The first two-thirds of HIGH FIDELITY are an anthem for anyone born in the sixties. The last third, anathema to anyone who hoped for something different.
Rating:
Summary: For guys who want to read about relationships
Review: As a guy, It is difficult to admit that we are interested in reading an occasional story about male-female relationships. Of course, it is also equally difficult to find a story that effectively connects with male readers about such a topic. Rob would make a lot of guys top five list of guys we most identify with. He is immersed in his record albums, spends countless hours in frivolous conversations with his friends and is constantly belaboring his complete inability to start and sustain a relationship. In Rob we find a soulmate, because he has a philosophy about making a good cassette mix, constantly organizes his music and makes lists of his favorite things. Even more so, he connects to our own equally stupid habits about relationships. Fortunately for Rob he finds an answer about how relationships should work. Too bad so many of my buddies haven't gotten the same clue.
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