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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
One of the best and most thorough female characters I’ve read written by man
I didn’t want to buy this book. I didn’t want to turn into the Hornby geek, plus I enjoyed 'The Polysyllabic Spree' so much where he speaks as himself that I thought I couldn’t possibly enjoy this one as much. I got it just to make the most of a buy-one-get-one-free deal. But wow, I’m glad I did.
One word to describe it: addictive. I’m not sure I can even pick out why, I’m not that good a reviewer! I just found myself needing to read it and continue through the story at any moment I wasn’t working, sleeping or eating. Although given the choice I’d probably have tried to do it during these times as well. I can’t remember the last time I was so eager to read, perhaps during Harry Potter. But I love that feeling, and I’m so happy I got the feel it again, but it has spoilt me because I can’t wait to find my next one. It has partly ruined my next book ('The Girl On The Landing') because I’m not as into it as the wonderful Rowling/Hornby duo..
But anyway, the story grabbed me and the relationship between Duncan and Annie just fascinated me. Frankly, the Tucker parts I didn’t love, but I was absolutely desperate to see what happened when Duncan would find out about Tucker and Annie, and I think that was the moment I was most excited about. It wasn’t as exciting as I hoped, but it did at least happen. With Hornby’s books I always have the moment of panic rise in me when I remember that his books can be quite depressing and realistic, and that the meeting of Tucker might not happen, or that the pair will hate each other. Thankfully he resisted that urge this time, and the book really was quite optimistic even if it was reasonably realistic too; a good mix I think. I don’t mind a book being a bit sad or depressing, as long as it has a moment or two that is uplifting, and if that’s near the end, even better. So, gold star for that, and another for doing it when I didn’t expect it. Totally enjoyable, and actually, reading his column and learning what he’s like and his interests actually enhanced the reading – It was like another level of understanding. I knew that Tucker liked Dickens because Hornby likes Dickens, I understood when he was being subtly funny because I understand his sense of humour, and I get that he knows his way around music and UK and USA like a normal person. Yes, turns out I am a Hornby nerd.
One word to describe it: addictive. I’m not sure I can even pick out why, I’m not that good a reviewer! I just found myself needing to read it and continue through the story at any moment I wasn’t working, sleeping or eating. Although given the choice I’d probably have tried to do it during these times as well. I can’t remember the last time I was so eager to read, perhaps during Harry Potter. But I love that feeling, and I’m so happy I got the feel it again, but it has spoilt me because I can’t wait to find my next one. It has partly ruined my next book ('The Girl On The Landing') because I’m not as into it as the wonderful Rowling/Hornby duo..
But anyway, the story grabbed me and the relationship between Duncan and Annie just fascinated me. Frankly, the Tucker parts I didn’t love, but I was absolutely desperate to see what happened when Duncan would find out about Tucker and Annie, and I think that was the moment I was most excited about. It wasn’t as exciting as I hoped, but it did at least happen. With Hornby’s books I always have the moment of panic rise in me when I remember that his books can be quite depressing and realistic, and that the meeting of Tucker might not happen, or that the pair will hate each other. Thankfully he resisted that urge this time, and the book really was quite optimistic even if it was reasonably realistic too; a good mix I think. I don’t mind a book being a bit sad or depressing, as long as it has a moment or two that is uplifting, and if that’s near the end, even better. So, gold star for that, and another for doing it when I didn’t expect it. Totally enjoyable, and actually, reading his column and learning what he’s like and his interests actually enhanced the reading – It was like another level of understanding. I knew that Tucker liked Dickens because Hornby likes Dickens, I understood when he was being subtly funny because I understand his sense of humour, and I get that he knows his way around music and UK and USA like a normal person. Yes, turns out I am a Hornby nerd.
After reading a number of books before seeing movies that were made out of them, I've leaned toward preferring to see the movie first, because I thought the books were inevitably more dense, more nuanced, and generally more enjoyable than the movies.
But after reading this, I found myself wanting to watch the movie that was made from it. And I'm still trying to work out why.
I think at least part of it is my age. After reading Dune Messiah, I'm starting to feel that all the modern novels I'm reading, while interesting enough (and they do a decent job portraying people as unique and real), are still somehow lacking. There's something insubstantial about them.
I've enjoyed enough of Hornsby's work that I picked this one up (at a Little Free Library). But I have the feeling that, while I have clear memories of his other work, this one may not stick.
That said, it did do one thing for me. Toward the end, I found myself thinking about the songs I wrote after college playing in bands, and the ones I wrote for a musical a decade or so ago, and it helped me appreciate anew some of the songs I wrote. No-one out of my little circle knows of them, but they were, in their own way, good. Good enough that when I think about them, I also remember vividly the experiences that were the inspirations. So, I have no idea how others will experience the book, but I thank him for sparking that little piece of self-revelation.
But after reading this, I found myself wanting to watch the movie that was made from it. And I'm still trying to work out why.
I think at least part of it is my age. After reading Dune Messiah, I'm starting to feel that all the modern novels I'm reading, while interesting enough (and they do a decent job portraying people as unique and real), are still somehow lacking. There's something insubstantial about them.
I've enjoyed enough of Hornsby's work that I picked this one up (at a Little Free Library). But I have the feeling that, while I have clear memories of his other work, this one may not stick.
That said, it did do one thing for me. Toward the end, I found myself thinking about the songs I wrote after college playing in bands, and the ones I wrote for a musical a decade or so ago, and it helped me appreciate anew some of the songs I wrote. No-one out of my little circle knows of them, but they were, in their own way, good. Good enough that when I think about them, I also remember vividly the experiences that were the inspirations. So, I have no idea how others will experience the book, but I thank him for sparking that little piece of self-revelation.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just love him! His books are always so interesting to me.
Una novela divertida, perfecta para melómanos y, a fin de cuentas, para todo aquel que ha vivido largas y cortas relaciones amorosas que a veces no van a ningún lado. De nuevo el humor y la sagacidad de Hornby son un aire fresco (perfecto para cuando uno se debate entre la intensidad de Pizarnik y de Nothomb).
Dit is by no means een super goed boek en de hoofdpersonen zijn eigenlijk stuk voor stuk enorme eikels maar toch kon ik ‘m echt niet weg leggen. Ik vond de verfilming al heel grappig maar het boek doet daar met z’n Britse humor nog een schepje bovenop en het verhaal is met de music/fandom aspecten heel herkenbaar
I almost didn't make it through, as I felt the start was slow, and at first I didn't care about the characters. But then I got into it, and loved it. Lots of insight into fandom, relationships, and life regrets. Am very glad to have finished, and enjoyed how the pieces came together, like their lives.