BOOK REVIEW: HIGH FIDELITY BY NICK HORNBY

High Fidelity is a cult classic, and it was recommended to me by at least 3 people who were horrified that I hadn't already seen the film or read the book. Knowing how good of a writer Nick Hornby is and having a huge interest in books focusing on music, it seems that High Fidelity was set up to be the perfect read for me. And was it? Well...

I really wanted to love High Fidelity. I wanted to finish it and feel enlightened and shout from the rooftops about how I'd finally found my ultimate favourite book. This didn't quite happen. The book is great, don't get me wrong, but with all the hype surrounding it I just expected something completely revolutionary and it wasn't. But perhaps that's less Nick Hornby's fault and more the people who the internet who talk about it like it's a bible for music lovers.

The book can be summarised (without spoilers) as Rob Gordon, a man who works in a failing record shop and defines everyone in his life by the type of music they listen to, being left by his long term girlfriend Laura, and his attempts to get her back whilst also working out 'what everything means'. He's a bitter, sad and self-deprecating man, who is wholly dislikable, but there's something about him that doesn't make you utterly hate him, and certainly makes you feel sorry for him.

I think the charm of the novel is how real all of the characters are. Every character is someone you either know already or can imagine meeting at some point in your life. Each of them has their flaws, things that frustrate them that frustrate you, but also their positive notes too.
As well as the characters, the situations are wholly realistic too. The times where Rob discusses what he should have said in various situations, rather than what he did say, and that's something that we all go through. For this reason, there are moments throughout the novel that will make you scream, cringe, laugh and almost cry, just like real life.
The comedic elements of the novel really make it. There's something about sarcastic and self-deprecating British humour that just makes you feel warm inside, and it offers a lighter note to a novel that, without comedy, would be thoroughly depressing.
However, it's almost due to this intense realness that the novel became difficult at times. There were moments where I hated the main character, Rob; with the way he was so selfish and judgemental at points.  It is very rare you come across a character that makes you want to yell at a book like Rob does, but perhaps that is the beauty of the writing. I do understand that that was probably Hornby's intention. Rob was not written as a likeable character. However, towards the end of the novel, he does begin to change, with a particularly poignant moment where he really likes people that he's introduced to, before looking at their record collection and seeing that they listen to terrible music and he doesn't care. This was more poignant than any of the romantic or sad moments.
The writing in general, as I've mentioned previously, was very good. It flowed incredibly well and the repeating of the 'Top Five....' was really interesting, as it not only gave wider context to the novel but also gave an inkling of knowledge of a character's personality.

Many people live their life like Rob, defining themselves and other people by their interests rather than their actual personalities, so it's easy to see how a lot of people relate to the character, and therefore see this novel as a cult classic. However, for me, it becomes a little infuriating. But, I'd rather have a character like this than a 'Mr Perfect' type. I think before judging it too harshly perhaps I need to watch the John Cusack film, as that's really what is talked about. People don't talk about the original novel as much as they talk about the film, and perhaps the film will give me a new perspective on the story.

Overall, High Fidelity was undoubtedly a great book. It was raw and real and laugh-out-loud funny. I see why many people shout their love of it from the rooftops but for me, it was just a good British novel. It was a generally enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it.

RATING 4/5

Finally, I've created a playlist of songs inspired by High Fidelity by Nick Hornby, with some songs mentioned in the book and others that just feel like they fit with the story. Check it out!

Written by Ruby Crowhurst.