Alta fidelitat (1995)

"Only people of a certain disposition are frightened of being alone for the rest of their lives at twenty-six; we were of that disposition. Everything seemed much later than it was" (30).

I've read this book before, but rereading it now makes a lot of sense. So many novels about break-ups are written in the chick-lit genre or from the female perspective; this is the narrative of a man who seems firmly stuck in the emerging adulthood stage as he muses over his most recent and previous relationship fiascoes. It is by turns funny, pathetic, depressing, and insightful.

"You know the worst thing about being rejected? The lack of control. If I could only control the when and how of being dumped by somebody, then it wouldn't seem as bad. But then, of course, it wouldn't be rejection, would it?" (110) ( )

This was JUST what I needed. I had got in a rut with trying to find books that didn't drag me down any more, in my vulnerable lockdown misery, and that were a good read - sharp observations, realistic characters. this hit the sweet spot. It was a re-read, my first being a long time ago, possibly close to when it was written, so I had forgotten the intricacies of the plotline, even though I have watched the film, and also bought the soundtrack. (good CD, on high rotation, if you were wondering).
When I started this, I knew I was onto a winner and dragged out my entire Hornby collection, and then topped it up with some extras from the library. ( )

If you're a girl, you're probably gonna be frustrated with Rob. But, there's the pure charm of it. Of course you're gonna hate him. He's insecure, messed up, thinks too much, talks too little about what matters and messes with you. But you're also gonna understand him and relate to him. And maybe you're gonna hate yourself for it :P
And the ending is excellent. Mr Hornby, great job.
Oh and yes, SO MANY GOOD MUSIC REFERENCES, I wanted to die!!! ( )

This is one of those feel-good books for people who want to keep their options open and kinda stumble about their lives only to realize they had already made up their minds and are pretty dully okay with it. :)

Does this sound kinda horrible?

Nah... but yeah, kinda, and no, because that means we're all a bit horrible. :)

But that's okay because we all have that music snob in us and we are all horribly geeky about certain things. I happen to love music just as much as Rob in the book and I'm much worse when it comes to my books, but you know what? It's freaking charming. I love it.

Just the way I loved the movie before I knew it was based on this book, I loved it. It was super charming and embarrassing and appropriate and pathetic and downright glorious. All at once.

And I'm a fan. Still am, now that I've read the book. And my only complaint? I need that soundtrack running in the background... OH WAIT! I HAVE SPOTIFY! :) Tee hee! ( )

Si può dividere l'esistenza con qualcuno che ha una collezione di dischi incompatibile con la propria? Trentacinquenne appassionato di musica pop, ex dj e attualmente proprietario di un negozio di dischi in cattive acque, Rob Fleming è pieno di interrogativi che lo inquietano. La ragazza lo ha appena lasciato; se per caso ritornasse, sarebbe capace di amarla totalmente, disperatamente come adesso? Appassionato, commovente, amaro, ma anche e soprattutto ironico, anche e soprattutto divertente, Alta fedeltà mette felicemente in scena le avventure, gli amori, i sogni, le disillusioni di una generazione (di trentenni) già piuttosto provata, ma ancora piena di voglia di vivere.