Reviews

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

graceverse's review against another edition

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1.0

I like Nick Hornby as an author. Even if he lives in the opposite ends of the world, something about his story or the voice of his characters or both feels familiar and completely relate-able. I have read a couple of his books which I enjoyed (Slam and Fever Pitch) and loved (About A Boy) but this one really made me scratch my head - at least when I came to the middle part and then it all went downhill from there.

The first few chapters were funny and there were a lot of clever lines and issues brought up that made me think. But then, I thought there'd be some change, like some spark of hope or realization on kindness and I don't know, I guess I was looking for something uplifting and not the depressingly repetitive whining from the main character, Katie.

By the end of the book Katie was depressed, her husband was depressed, the kids are depressed and I join them in that awful depression. I was kind of hoping that the whole family, with the exception of Tom (their youngest and the most likeable character in their family) to fall off that damn window and get it all over and done with.

akicrp's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lolitasousa's review against another edition

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5.0

hilarious and depressing, but amazing

yaynotboo's review against another edition

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3.0

It was ok. Nowhere near the brilliance of About a Boy or High Fidelity though.

clairewilsonleeds's review against another edition

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2.0

Hasn't aged well

Seem to remember enjoying other Hornby books, but this is tired, New-Laboury, moany, and just wasn't particularly enriching or even enjoyable. Damn you, kindle daily deal.

famke_hv's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

lexreading1997's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Alright, a bit meh but funny at moments 

nightlightstories's review against another edition

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funny reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

janainbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm quite a big fan of Nick Hornby but this book was somewhat awful. I was upset in the begining when they started talking about a divorce, but then her husband turned into an unbearable person and I was almost begging in my head and hoped she would actually leave. SOON.

On the other hand, it is true that the person we love can turn into something we cannot stand and how hard it is to cope.

jwanz86's review against another edition

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2.0

Not for me. Too granola.