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cloudsway 's review for:
Juliet, Naked
by Nick Hornby
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.