After I missed last month’s Flips Flipping Pages (my book club) book discussion (The Shadow of the Wind, one of my favorite books!) because it coincided with the Ultimate Book Geek finals, I was glad I was able to attend this month’s book discussion: Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, as moderated by Mike, Ronald and Shani.
Holed up in an Irish pub, we had some music related games. We were divided into two teams (morbidly named Team RIP and Team Condolence), and for the first game, Mike produced a list of songs and read them aloud while we attempted to identify the songs’ album, artist, and year released. I was in Team Condolence and we got creamed by Team RIP! Then we had an Anti Music Snob Name that Tune contest, where we managed (with Ronald’s help!) to squeak by with a one point win over Team RIP.
We then proceeded to the discussion proper, where we gave our own observations about the book, dissected some quotes, discussed double standards for lad lit vs. chick lit, and other aspects of the book.
I’d never read any Hornby and I figured this discussion was a good opportunity to start. I’ve had a copy of the book (angel-mooched from Australia) since January, a special hardcover compilation — Triple Platinum, which has High Fidelity, About A Boy, and Fever Pitch.
Rob Fleming, the protagonist in High Fidelity, is a 36-year old guy who has just broken up with his girlfriend Laura. He is dirt-poor, he runs a flailing vinyl record shop, he judges people based on their taste in music, and he has a penchant for making lists.
Rob’s breakup with Laura opens a can of worms, as it reveals Rob’s insecurities, carried over (and with a lot of bitterness!) from his past relationships.
I’m not a very musical person — I can’t read and listen to music at the same time, and since I spend a lot of time reading, that doesn’t leave much time for music (just mostly when I’m drifting off to sleep, or when I’m emo). Nevertheless, the book still had its entertaining moments, and I can totally relate to Rob’s music obsession by substituting books for music (hehehe) .
I have no problems with Hornby’s writing; it’s Rob as a character that I’m not very fond of. I’ve read my share of chick lit, but Rob is actually more neurotic than any chick lit character I’ve read. I was actually reading the book in fits and starts because he was grating on my nerves with all his wallowing, and finished the last quarter of the book on the morning of the book discussion. Aside from this compilation, I have a couple more Hornby books on my shelves; I think I’ll wait awhile before picking one up again.
The group ratings ran the whole gamut of 0.5 to 5 out of 5, giving us plenty of interesting points to talk about that afternoon. We ended with a trivia game, and finally, the book swap.
It was another great discussion for FFP — I can’t wait for next month, when we discuss Hunger Games!
(Special shoutout to Iya — it was great seeing you! We totally forgot about taking the group photo earlier!)
***
High Fidelity, hardcover (in Triple Platinum compilation), 2.5/5 stars
Book #35 for 2010, H for A-Z challenge
[amazonify]::omakase::300:250[/amazonify]
I love both the book and the movie :) If Rob pained you in the novel, you can check out the movie for an improvement. John Cusack is always charming.
Yeah, I think I’ll check out the movie as well. Although I’m not too crazy about the idea of losing all the British-isms, as the film was set in the US, right?
am also interested into starting to read nick hornby’s works hmm i’ll start maybe with about a boy or high fidelity
About a Boy is a favorite among the Hornby fans, I hear
I love High Fidelity, although it is not my favorite Hornby book. My advice would be to check out A Long Way Down. It is is my favorite Hornby novel and is narrated by multiple people, so if one character is unlikable you can fall back on others.
Aw, I missed the photo op! But was so pleased to be there for the discussion. It was great to meet you all, and I look forward to joining more of them in the coming months!
Yes it is, but it’s a pretty faithful rendition otherwise.
Binasa ko lang din ito kase my friend love the book at pinahiram nya sakin pero i really don’t know bakit di ko siya matapos tapos basahin. Parang ang weird marinig na nag rant ang isang guy about relationships. Mas madali panoorin yun movie nya… Wow ganda ng book topic nyo next week.
Binasa ko lang din ito kase my friend love the book at pinahiram nya sakin pero i really don’t know bakit di ko siya matapos tapos basahin. Parang ang weird marinig na nag rant ang isang guy about relationships. Mas madali panoorin yun movie nya… Wow ganda ng book topic nyo next month.
oh sige i’ll find nga hornby books sa booksale by sweldo, blooey am so inspired by u finally i bought kanina hunger games then pag may pera na catching fire naman sana i could attend to one of ur bookclub’s sessions sounds wonderful
@Ash- I do have that one in my TBR!
@Iya – it was great meeting you as well! Til next time!
@Kubi- Ok, that’s comforting. Will see if I can get ahold of the movie
@Ray-ann- Sama ka next month!
@Ella- Hope you enjoy that as much as I did. Join our book discussion in April!
Hello!
Would love to join your book club! Can I? Here’s my book blog: http://bookcrazyblog.wordpress.com. :)
Also, I work for Summit Media. Would like to send you some books (local chick lit though. Let me know if you’re interested.
Thanks and hoping to hear from you!
Hi Ro! Sure — join our book club Flips Flipping Pages at Shelfari:
http://www.shelfari.com/groups/12439/about
And I’d love to review some Summit books — I’ve read some of them and I love Drama Queen!
Will email you my mailing address. And will add your blog to my blogroll! :)