Dissection of Mans Mental Anatomy: High Fidelity by Nick Horby

It sucks to be a male. Heck, it sucks to be alive regardless of what your gender is. But as a male, there are certain things that make life.. suck. Just like if I were to ask a female... I'm sure she could also tell me that there are a few things about being of that gender that greatly suck. But returning to the male thing... "High Fidelity" the book, is a crash course in all things male and all things that go with being a male. This book written by Nick Horby is a masterpiece at dissecting the many facets of manhood. It holds a beautiful examination of how when we grow older, our mind sometimes can deceive us and how sometimes it can be our best friend. Also, it finely analyzes the frustration of that inner conflict. Mr Horby also, with much creativity, elaborates on the comical way that males learn and develop when it comes to sexual matters. While speaking of it with great insight, he also displays the notions with a comically poignant sense of humor. At its conclusion, the greatest part of High Fidelity, is its honesty. It is so candid, that it seems as if Nick Horby is giving away every possible secret of the male mind, thru his main character Rob Gordon.

High Fidelity is a novel written in 1995 by Nick Hornby. Yet, it is as fresh a read now in 2011, as it must have been at its release. (Now this dude, Nick, he is a guy who has produced a few famous novels called Fever Pitch and About a Boy and the almost sister novel to Hight Fidelity: Juliet, Naked .) The novel is completely and absolutely the realing of Rob Gordon. It is written as if it were a journal. I would say a diary, but of course being a male that would sound much to infantile. Rob is a pop music freak. Completely obsessed with it. He own a semi-failing record store. Since its location is in a place where it attracts a minimum of window shoppers, it remains open only because of the sort of customers that make an effort to shop there. His Girlfriend, Laura, has just left him. Rob is both miserable and relieved. After all, according to his ideology, how could he have spent the rest of his living days, with a person that has a horrible record collection? "High Fidelity" is basically Rob rethinking his life. Would it be better to move on and try to find the ideal girl? or: Should he realize that its never been her (or any other hers.. past girlfriends..) that have been the problem of his relationships.. but maybe the problem is him? In a story that intertwines with past loves and possibly future ones, and the zany antics of a couple offbeat record store clerks, Hight Fidelity is a comical story about growing up male.. and how much it can suck at times.



High Fidelity by Nick Hornby is a solid piece of popfiction. Hornby writes in prose, and does it, in the most delightful of ways. He writes with great verve and scribes imagery that is filled with vitality. With poignancy he candidly expresses many deep aspects of the masculine mind. He speaks of the frustrations of growing up male, as if he were under cruel and unusual punishment... and thus must reveal the inner most secrets of the male essence. He includes candid sexual discussions and leaves no stone unturned to how unpleasant the activity can often be. His narration is also exquisitely filled with passionate ruminations about music, a narration that seems almost to be supplicating you into motivating your own self to learn about and love MUSIC to a point of intimacy. For females that search to better understand the loneliness and foolishness that males often display. It is a comical yet earnest answer to every unanswered question about the masculine psyche.

Just as serious about the male condition, this book is comical about it. I could not believe, as I read, how many moments of awe I had, but equally, of out loud laughter. Nick Hornby makes it a joy to read about a man that does not have all the answers and is suffering endlessly to find appropriate ones. It makes us question self reflection and the way we sometimes choose to view things, not always seeing it from other peoples perspectives.

"High Fidelity" is also sweet. It is written in a creative way. It does not begin in a typical linear fashion. It takes you to different places in Robs life and becomes almost an unfolding of a persons soul. Its author has created such a fantastic story that it almost.. not quite.. but almost makes you believe that Rob Gordon actually exist somewhere. The notion is comforting , to feel like: Man, so I'm not the only one.... But then again that is where we find Nick Horby to be splendid, he has channeled all his male faculties into his character. That self revelation makes for a fascinating read. Also, a great novelty about this book is the way in which it uses the term Top 5. Rob and the two clerks from his shop, speak in terms of Top 5. From Television programs to musical albums, they rank everything in a list from five to one. You have to read, to understand, because its funny to see how much weight they actually place in this "to some" trivial exercise.


Oh.. and for those who have seen the High Fidelity movie. (Which I love and Cusack is stellar in bringing Rob to life..) If you enjoyed that movie, you will most certainly enjoy the book. This novel will give you insight into many things about the movie. It will expand many concepts that were merely hinted at in film. Having watched the film first will not have been a spoiler. However, for those who have not seen the film, I would recommend the novel to be experience primordially . It would be ideal to meet Rob in literary form first. For he is one of the best characters written in a comedic novel and High Fidelity is one of the finest novels you can find of the humorous type.