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David's Reviews > High Fidelity
High Fidelity
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Nick Hornby writes about losers and makes them lovable. But not this time. I couldn't stand the self-pitying little git, his loser wanker record store buddies, nor their ridiculous fracking lists. Reading this book felt like being trapped in an elevator with the pathetic Scrubs douchebag (Zachy McWhinerson, or whatever his fracking name is) for an entire weekend. You know the type - the constant puppy need for the approval of every critter on the planet, all the time. It might seem like a charming vulnerability, but don't be fooled. It actually signals a pathological narcissist whose solipsism and incessant neediness will bleed you dry.
I know, I know. Many fine books have been written about unlikable characters. Anyway, it's about the character's emotional growth. Etc. etc.
All true. But when you find the central character so annoying that just reading about him makes you twitch, it's probably time to switch to another book.
Your mileage may vary. For all I know, you're the kind of person who watches marathon "scrubs" reruns. If so, you'll probably love this book.
I know, I know. Many fine books have been written about unlikable characters. Anyway, it's about the character's emotional growth. Etc. etc.
All true. But when you find the central character so annoying that just reading about him makes you twitch, it's probably time to switch to another book.
Your mileage may vary. For all I know, you're the kind of person who watches marathon "scrubs" reruns. If so, you'll probably love this book.
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July 14, 2007
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Joshua Nomen-Mutatio
(last edited Sep 25, 2009 07:47PM)
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rated it 1 star
Sep 25, 2009 07:47PM
I really did not like this book either (and coincidentally Zach Braff irritates me in a big way as well), and I gave it a single star accordingly. So the mystery I need help solving is why a book with a scathing review like this is still given three stars?
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I was also wondering why the generous three stars??? I confess that I enjoyed the music geekiness of this book but yeah, the main character was exceedingly annoying (and I only gave it 2 stars) and if the book hadn't been music-based, I doubt I would have even read it - in other words, I won't be reading any of his other books anytime soon.
Zach Braff is definitely a douchebag, more of an annoying douchebag than Nick Hornby. Yet an even bigger douchebag is probably the author of Bongwater, Mr. Micheal Hornburg.Yep.
Jimmy wrote: "Zach Braff is definitely a douchebag, more of an annoying douchebag than Nick Hornby. Yet an even bigger douchebag is probably the author of Bongwater, Mr. Micheal Hornburg...."
Haha. That movie. That awful, awful movie.
No way man! It begins with a Sonic Youth song, angry Luke Wilson, and Portland montage ... and fire ... damn that's one edgy film.
Mary's Club is connected to the Mexican restaurant that I used to go to for lunch. They have no restroom of their own, so you have to go into Mary's in order to use the bathroom. It was sort of a running joke to point people in the direction of the restroom without explaining the fact that they were walking straight into a shady strip club.
Hahaha! Portland? Sonic Youth? Really bad acting right off the bat (Luke Wilson's "fuck you" is so forced)? This is too much!That's such a good song kicking off such a gloriously atrocious flick.
Jimmy wrote: ""There's something really troubling about the fact that I feel like I could only watch this movie stoned. This movie makes pot soooo unappealing, yet, yet...necessary for viewing! What a mindfuck.
Jimmy wrote: ""Oh man, those paintings are a fucking riot!
Flashing on the TV: "Tai Chi with Tripp!" Tripp. Subtle!
I can find the rest of the parts pretty easily on my own. No need to make this thread any more disturbing for David when he finds it than it already is.
MyFleshSingsOut wrote: "Jimmy wrote: ""There's something really troubling about the fact that I feel like I could only watch this movie stoned. This movie makes pot soooo ..."
But do you remember how fun it used to be to get stoned and watch this? Every single line, frame, and scene as a whole, where so unbelievably bad. That fucking sitar part, with Jamie Kennedy!
I really don't remember it all too well (I wonder why?) other than how outstandingly terrible it was. We should have a B-movie night or two next time we meet up.
MyFleshSingsOut wrote: "I really don't remember it all too well (I wonder why?) other than how outstandingly terrible it was. We should have a B-movie night or two next time we meet up."I'm trying to think of another film (aside from Garden State) that is this bad.
Oh wait, I haven't seen this yet, but it looks equally "indie" and self-important.
MyFleshSingsOut wrote: "I can find the rest of the parts pretty easily on my own. No need to make this thread any more disturbing for David when he finds it than it already is."Yeah, sorry David. I guess that I just felt like being a jackass tonight.
Have you seen the Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr movie The Magic Christian? Mich and Clark made me watch it. It's perfect for a b-movie night. I don't think I could do Garden State. Braff really irks me in a way that's not even funny. Chinless, deer-faced mothafucka.
Braff really irks me in a way that's not even funny. Chinless, deer-faced mothafucka. How true. How true. But what happened to this thread?
Thank you for your review. I couldn't sit thru the movie, so now I won't waste time trying to ingest the book.
haha I love this book and I love Scrubs. But of course, Zack Braff isn't John Dorian..
VERY good point Elizabeth. as a fan of this book, Zach B. and Scrubs i agree with you all around. especially in that Zach is NOT his Scrubs character. he's done some really great work elsewhere, including writing, directing and starring in Garden State... as for this book, i think it's very relatable for people of my (30-something) age - particularly for those of us whose current career - or just overall situation in life - is turning out to be less than satisfying. good on the rest of you if you've got all your stuff in order, but for those that don't this is, for lack of a better word, comforting. Hornby continues to be one of my favorite authors, whether or not he is writing about 30 something losers, cheating wives, or an unintentional suicide club...the man has a way with words. speaking of which, if you haven't heard the album he made with Ben Folds (Hornby's lyrics set to Folds' music) do yourself a favor and check it out!
THANK YOU. This book was so whiny I could hardly finish it. This book is the bible for pathological Nice Guys.
I give your review a 5-star rating! High Fidelity is not the first Nick Hornby novel I've read but it is the worst. I was very bored with the cast of characters and really did not care what happened to any of them because their existence was pointless.
I took a number of "pauses"—and skipped a few pages. Ultimately, one of the pauses took the such a long hold that I ended up accumulating SGD21 library fine. That was a sign to quit it.
I'm with you. When I was 20 this and Catcher in the Rye were my 2 favourite novels, now I can't stand either of them. He seems so self obsessed and petty now, when I thought he was cool deep and moody back then.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for this review. I would have been so annoyed, buying that book and not being able to finish it. Your description of that personality is so perfect that I am inwardly cringing.
I agree with nearly everything in this review and yet I love the book! Mostly because I know people who are somewhat like the protagonist, and it makes the book ring true. It feels well written that way. But I also can see how some people might not be able to suffer reading about an egotistic, music snob looser :D
I found Rob to be extremely annoying too. Such a pathetic loser. Not a great music fan either so just skimmed those “top 5� lists. The book was interesting in the first few chapters but I quickly lost interest. Spoilers ahead:
Laura should not have taken him back. He clearly is not suitable for her. She’s young, ambitious and knows what she wants. He on the other hand is dull, unambitious and commitment phobic.
Hit the nail on the head with this review. Normally I quite like Nick’s book, but this book had me want to do anything else other than read it as it was just getting annoying. I thought maybe the git would get a redemption arc but when it was clear no such thing was coming I just ended up skim reading the book
Haha AMEN. I only want to finish it for the sake of finishing my first book of 2021 but sooo disappointed
It's written in the stream of consciousness from perspective of a person with personality disorder. I know, because I am one. Rob's first encounter with love was important to understand that. If you haven't gotten that far let me explain: his first girlfriend left him for someone else. It wasn't his fault but that's what he expects from every woman in his life and that what he gets. Because that is exactly what mental damage does to you. Even if there's no reason for him to expect that, he manufactures it. The lists, the elitism, the asshole behavior, the self destruction is all part of the illness. And sure you can say 'why didn't he go to therapy?'. Well, 80s in England were different time. Therapy was something shameful and perhaps even not widely accessible. It's the only thing that didn't translate well to the movie because of cultural difference of times and location. I resent your argument that 'if you like that book, you must like eating poop'. It's only shows what kind of man you are and what culture you represent. Good day, sir.
Ironically you sound a lot like Rob
You're spot on and I can't even finish this book. I want to punch this little whiny git. I think I added this book to my to read list years ago because I liked the Cusack movie. But it's been so long and my tastes have clearly changed.
I just hated the whole 'boys will be boys' vibe, he did no growing beyond figuring out which side his bread was buttered. I sincerely hope that a sequel would show Laura having seen the light, dumped him and buggered off with an actual grown-up.
I thought I was the only one week thought this. I really wanted to like it...being set in the same time period I was in high school...but I couldn't get thru it.
Funny, you come across quite like him in this review
