Book - High Fidelity, Nick Hornby
The film passed me by but I’d have been disappointed if any book about music, more accurately, about a record store, wasn’t up to standard. It’s still a dream job despite having worked in two stores in my youth; the first similar to the books’ ‘Championship Vinyl’ where the staff were all musos although we did earn our living and therefore the owner some profit. The second, a more serious commercial entity and I did have to undertake a music quiz before I got the gig. This independent, however, got taken over by a big chain (Our Price – since you ask) and that was the end of my record store career.Sadly my dream job will never come round again as no sooner have I got used to CDs, all the music stores are disappearing to be replaced by downloads. No sleeve notes, no exciting journey home anticipating the sounds of the new purchase, nothing to add to collection on the shelf.Aside from the shameless and welcome Bruce Springsteen song references, I enjoyed all the music talk in and out of the record store setting. What’s more, although it felt like I was eaves dropping, I loved the insight into the 30something male mind; the preference of having respect rather than lying next to a perfect 10 body, the fondness for absolute devotion from their chosen one and best of all always wearing the good underwear, not just when on the early dates. I have to say, I concur, so these are not exactly revelations to me, I’ve been around far too long for that, but it is nice to have confirmation.Having said that, of course it’s not always true which just goes to show not every man is indeed the same, despite what they always say.I read that the film was based in Chicago rather than the more perfect north London book setting but I’m sure I’ll find out one day that John Cusack was made for the role. 7½ /10 Inspiration 8½/10 Come on, I can do something (semi autobiographical) like this.Follow my latest updates on TwitterHigh Fidelity
