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Summary: A wildly comic look inside a man's head "after the breakup"
Review: Imagine living your whole life composing your top five favorite albums only to choke when someone actually asks you the question. Imagine your girlfriend leaving you, your employees ignoring you, and your self respect swirling down the porcelain. That's what this book is all about. Don't fear, though...it's also about hope, a second chance, and a whole lot of growing up. You will be rolling on the floor with laughter and turning the pages with feverish anticipation. Women will love this book because it peeks into the heart of a man scorned; men will love this book because it is the TRUTH
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Summary: Much like Ann Beattie's first Novel, Chilly Scenes of Winter
Review: The best novel about agonizing over a relationship since Ann Beattie's first novel, Chilly Scenes of Winter. So Much of High Fidelity reminded me of that novel. In fact that girl's name was also Laura. This certainly is a great first effort! One of the best since Beattie's
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Summary: Hornby's first novel is too funny to be as moving as it is.
Review: High Fidelity hits where other "relationship" books miss entirely. The book is hilarious and serious at the same time, just like your last date.
You can not read this novel without recognizing yourself, or someone you know, between the pages.
While American readers may want to do a little research on some of the British slang, the tone is so easy-going and comfortable that you'll barely miss a thing.
High Fidelity follows a baby-boomer who acts like a generation X-er, while stumbling his way through girlfriends and his parents' expectations. It's sweet without sop, and sad without melodrama. And funny. I laughed out loud more times during this book than any episode of Friends could ever hope for (and I annoyed my girlfriend by reading half of it to her before she got her shot at it). A must read!
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Summary: Bloody brilliant!
Review: Dead-on accurate (and LOL funny) portrait of how guys grapple with understanding the female mindset
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Summary: Buy it, read it, laugh at it and cherish it
Review: I've been boring people silly, as they wait for me to stop giggling helplessly while I attempt to articulate quotes from this book. I read it on a train and irritated people silly as they tried to block out the noise of my snorts and laughter to concentrate on their own books. I've kept my husband tossing and turning in bed while I was holding my nose in an attempt to stifle my outbursts of hysteria at 3 a.m. Novels don't come much funnier than this.
And it's well written. And it's clever. And, astonishingly, despite - or within - all that humour, it's very moving. And I'm not even all that keen on pop music
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Summary: I'm convinced he was eavesdropping.
Review: I read (and re-read) and then shared the book with a couple female friends I had worked in record stores with. We can't believe Nick Hornby wasn't one of our regular customers! Unbelievably accurate characters and dialog
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Summary: A true must-read for all males (and females)
Review: If you haven't read this book, then do. If you have, then read it again, or give it to a friend to let them share in the experience. This book is one of the best that I have ever read, accurately describing exactly what a middle-aged man would feel, when faced with different situations. Even though it's written by an Englishman, every person should be able to identify with this novel. A perfect way to start a writing career!
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Summary: If it doesn't remind you of anyone, no problem!
Review: I am a Japanese male living in Tokyo. I have an office job. I am about 10 years younger than Mr. Hornby, or Rob Fleming, the protagonist. I am basically a jazz fan, and few of the songs mentioned in the book have any meaning to me, not to mention the fact that the tapes I made for my (might-have-been) girlfriend was more of a cause of misunderstanding.
Why am I writing this? It is because I want to emphasize that "High Fidelity" was a great read for me, a person who, unlike most of the reviewers here, cannot associate myself or my acquaintances with any of the characters that appear in the book (not even The Most Pathetic Man In the World). Because of that I cannot give it a rating of 10, but I think the book is enjoyable to anyone. I guess I cannot speak for women, but I am glad to know that they enjoyed it as well.
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Summary: We Read to Know We Are Not Alone
Review: My copy of High Fidelity is completely dog-eared and I've bought 4 copies for friends just so we have common reference points in conversations. Many universal insights regarding men that nevertheless feel personal and almost too close to the bone to be comfortable. I didn't give it a 10 only because I want that to be reserved for Nick's next book. Also highly recommended, by the same author: Fever Pitch, an autobiography concerning Nick's lifelong obsession with English soccer team Arsenal. More specifically British, but just as good
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Summary: My wife: "I loved it, but I still don't understand you..."
Review: After reading (and loving) High Fidelity, I begged my wife to put down her usual romantic drivel and read this book. She avoided it, then started it but put it down, until I finally convinced her I would never shut up until she read the book. "Read this and you'll understand me better than you do after 12 years of marriage."
Of course, she loved it. (She loves me, doesn't she?) Does she understand me any better? No -- but at least she knows I have good taste in music. Now if only I could get her to stop listening to that country station in my car....
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