Reviews

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

crlopez2013's review

4.0

I'm quite surprised at the low ratings of this book. It seems that many people did not truly comprehend the purpose. I think the book was get to reader to self-reflect on their lifestyles and choices. The main character is a 'good' person--we mostly all consider ourselves to be 'good people.' But we feel that we are good people because we occasionally donate to charity or hold liberal political beliefs etc, and this is enough to stave off guilt about others' misfortunes. Throughout the book I found myself mentally going back and forth as to which spouses side I was taking. In the end, the book isn't going to answer your questions or provide a happy ending. It may not be satisfying, but it's real.

tillybolgar's review against another edition

challenging funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

Thoroughly enjoyable to read, I like how nick hornby writes and can make quite monotonous things interesting, comforting and funny

paperbacklyds's review against another edition

funny 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

tomgenue's review against another edition

funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

gbeach's review against another edition

funny relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

Genuinely so funny. As always such vivid and immersive entry into the minds of characters. Makes the implausible seem just believable enough. Has aged decently over the past 25 years with much of the core message remaining. Straddles the line between cynicism and being completely corny quite well. Thought the pace was a bit uneven, it wrapped itself up quite quickly. Very enjoyable 

thebrainlair's review

4.0

How to be good. by Nick Hornby (2003)

bethamanj's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.25

moment2shine's review

4.0

Very good - vintage Hornby. Enjoyed the language, the wittiness. The ending left me a little depressed though. Otherwise, very enjoyable read!

carlyfly's review against another edition

3.0

Bit hard to get into but a quick read once you do.

dtab62's review against another edition

3.0

I've heard a lot of good about Nick Hornby, but this was the first book of his I'd read. I didn't put much thought about which of his books to read first, I found this at a library book sale so that was that.

It was a bit more "out there" than I anticipated, but once I started to really get into it and seeing that much of the "out there" material was meant to be metaphorical, I did enjoy it more. And the dry humor was a constant, which was a plus.

I will indeed be seeking out more of Hornby's books.