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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Great, well written and witty palate cleanser. I foresee lots of Nick Hornby in my future. Terrific audio production too. Made me miss the days of home-made mixed tapes.
I was seduced by the photo of Zoe Kravitz on the cover. Great bit of marketing. As much as this book sucked, I am looking forward to the show.
The promo quotes said this would be a witty book where many men will see a reflection of themselves. Maybe so in 1995 when the book was first published. Maybe so now too.
The novel is basically about a guy who pouts about women who leave him and his constant pleading to renegotiate the breakup. He sort of admits his faults, but downplays them a lot. I got the sense if this book was published in 2020 the main character would be a prolific Reddit poster.
Reading between the lines, there is some excellent material on why anyone will leave a relationship where their significant other is a self-focused, emotionally absent, and sexually unfulfilling partner. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is conflicted about the future of their relationship as a guide on how their partner may handle the breakup as an opportunity to express self pity, passive aggression, and gaslighting. But most likely the same story is already playing out in real life.
I would enjoy a book from the point of view of a person who is very committed and supportive of their partner, but there is no reciprocity. That would be much more engaging.
The promo quotes said this would be a witty book where many men will see a reflection of themselves. Maybe so in 1995 when the book was first published. Maybe so now too.
The novel is basically about a guy who pouts about women who leave him and his constant pleading to renegotiate the breakup. He sort of admits his faults, but downplays them a lot. I got the sense if this book was published in 2020 the main character would be a prolific Reddit poster.
Reading between the lines, there is some excellent material on why anyone will leave a relationship where their significant other is a self-focused, emotionally absent, and sexually unfulfilling partner. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is conflicted about the future of their relationship as a guide on how their partner may handle the breakup as an opportunity to express self pity, passive aggression, and gaslighting. But most likely the same story is already playing out in real life.
I would enjoy a book from the point of view of a person who is very committed and supportive of their partner, but there is no reciprocity. That would be much more engaging.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Abortion
I think I hate the main character, Rob, too much to give this book higher than 2 stars. Reading his thoughts made me want to rip my hair out…such an entitled man
so funny! and insightful!
but once again, a nick hornby novel with an abrupt and dissatisfying end. maybe he just wants us to decide how his books end? or maybe the point is that there is no definitive endpoint in mortality, that our stories keep going.... or maybe i'm giving him too much credit, and really he just runs out of steam by the end of writing his books.
but once again, a nick hornby novel with an abrupt and dissatisfying end. maybe he just wants us to decide how his books end? or maybe the point is that there is no definitive endpoint in mortality, that our stories keep going.... or maybe i'm giving him too much credit, and really he just runs out of steam by the end of writing his books.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's nothing to say here other than I love Nick Hornby and this book is wonderful! Good luck getting John Cusack out of your head while reading though.
Basic Summary: Rob loves lists. Rob loves records. Rob loves women. Women do not love Rob. Rob has a disastrous time in his life with women and he makes a list of his Top-5 relationships and relives each and every painfully awkward and hilarious moment.
Favorite Quotes:
The whole quote book! hehe..;)
1) I've committed to nothing...and that's just suicide...by tiny, tiny increments.
2) It's no wonder we're all such a mess, is it? We're like Tom Hanks in Big. Little boys and girls trapped in adult bodies and forced to get on with it
3) What really matters is what you like, not what you are like.
Basic Summary: Rob loves lists. Rob loves records. Rob loves women. Women do not love Rob. Rob has a disastrous time in his life with women and he makes a list of his Top-5 relationships and relives each and every painfully awkward and hilarious moment.
Favorite Quotes:
The whole quote book! hehe..;)
1) I've committed to nothing...and that's just suicide...by tiny, tiny increments.
2) It's no wonder we're all such a mess, is it? We're like Tom Hanks in Big. Little boys and girls trapped in adult bodies and forced to get on with it
3) What really matters is what you like, not what you are like.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At times I really hated the narrator, but I was always interested enough to continue reading. Mid-30s record store owner figuring out(kind of) what he wants from life, not exactly something I can relate to 100% in my mid-20s. It was interesting to read this from the guy's perspective - especially after just finishing Little Women!
Now to watch the movie...
Now to watch the movie...
While Rob is not a very likable character, I was nonetheless invested in his redemptive outcome. All in all, a great break-up story.