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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
Hornby's hitting on all cylinders with this one. I have read most of Hornby's books, and from that perspective Juliet, Naked is the most refined in terms of development of the themes of music and relationships. This book takes the music theme first explored in High Fidelity and elegantly weaves this obsession/passion for music into the plot.
I think I have to give up on Hornby. I am always just left a bit less than impressed by him and expecting more. I also found out he's an Arsenal fan which explains perhaps why I don't like him!
I think this will be my last book by him - and that is ok.
I think this will be my last book by him - and that is ok.
Right from the get-go I liked the humor of this book--the hopelessly obsessed fan Duncan and his long-suffering partner Annie who are on an American holiday tour featuring the public toilet in Minnesota where his musical hero Tucker Crowe supposedly decided to end a brilliant career. While Duncan and his fellow online obsessives--Crowologists, if you please--find no detail of Crowe's life or work too small for scrutiny, Annie suddenly sees the 15 years she has spent with Duncan as time that could have been much better spent. She wants a grown up life and Duncan wants to wallow in his fanboy hobby forever without interruption, and explore possibly teaching a class on Crowe minutiae. Then, in a series of beautifully scripted turns, the story becomes Annie's to tell. While the charm of the characters wears thin for me once the focus shifts and things get a bit rom-com predictable, I still enjoyed the peek into these people's lives and found much to like about them.
(Spoiler ahead to explain the missing star) I found the first half of the book truly enjoyable--right up until we start to see things from Tucker's perspective. I admit I have a low tolerance for the sort of hackneyed has-been male character you find SO often in novels--the grizzled alcoholic police detective, the has-been alcoholic reporter, and yes, that includes the reclusive former alcoholic rock star, if Tucker can be called a star. So Annie's eventual fascination with him turns me off quite a bit; still, though, I saw it through to the end long after I saw what was coming, like you do with any good romance.
(Spoiler ahead to explain the missing star) I found the first half of the book truly enjoyable--right up until we start to see things from Tucker's perspective. I admit I have a low tolerance for the sort of hackneyed has-been male character you find SO often in novels--the grizzled alcoholic police detective, the has-been alcoholic reporter, and yes, that includes the reclusive former alcoholic rock star, if Tucker can be called a star. So Annie's eventual fascination with him turns me off quite a bit; still, though, I saw it through to the end long after I saw what was coming, like you do with any good romance.
1⭐️ = Not For Me.
Hardback.
Now, I really enjoyed A Long Way Down but sadly it was the subject matter that let this down for me. Not a great start talking about toilets.😂
NH certainly can write though…just a little alternative’ at times.
Hardback.
Now, I really enjoyed A Long Way Down but sadly it was the subject matter that let this down for me. Not a great start talking about toilets.😂
NH certainly can write though…just a little alternative’ at times.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
It was fine as a light, end-of-summer read. The sort of book you could take camping or to a weekend at the cottage.
I loved this book. Characters are wry and ironic, intelligent and humorous. A book that reminds you why reading is such a joy.
it definitely felt like a Nick Hornby book. not a bad thing, just a lot of it was familiar somehow. I enjoy his style and enjoyed reading this, it was quick and fun.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced