The Thumbnail Book Reviews
by John Q McDonald --- 14 March 2005
by Nick Hornby
The first two thirds of this book are almost improbably entertaining. Nick Hornby, in his first novel, manages to capture the obsessive voice of a thirty-something man running a forgotten London record store (Championship Vinyl, selling an eclectic but somewhat snobbish collection of vinyl recordings), a man who has recently lost his girlfriend and who falls into the usual depression and self analysis that comes with that kind of loss. Rob Fleming has the gift of insight, but what he discovers is a level of cluelessness that is just hilarious to read. Rob starts out recounting his top five desert island breakups. He then decides that the answers to his problems might lie with those lost women and girls. This could be a mistake. Meanwhile, his life must go on, with the loser hanger-ons at his store and the intriguing possibilities of sex with an American folk singer. Hornby tells Rob's story, as Rob narrates it, with not just humor, but wit. The narrative is very sharp, funny, observant, and has a lively zing that is irresistable. The latter third of the book turns more sober and gentle, as Rob begins to uncover those things that are askew in his life, and sets out to make some repairs. There is a sweet tone to the outcome. The book is hard to put down. Hornby's writing is highly addictive and highly recommended. (This book, of course, was made into a 2000 movie by the same name, which misses almost nothing of the novel, except for one small, but seemingly key moment.)
Also by Hornby: [About a Boy] [How to be Good] [Just Like You]