I've been reading Nick Hornby lately. About five years ago I read three of his books. I enjoyed About a Boy, really liked High Fidelity, and devoured Fever Pitch. So it's no wonder I waited such a short period of time before reading more. This month I finished Slam, am struggling through A Long Way Down, and was really pleased with Juliet, Naked. So that's what book I'm going to talk about today.
A description of the plot would not do it justice, suffice it to say it made me pick up my Dylan albums again, specifically Blood on the Tracks. Not that it is about Dylan, or even a Captain Ersatz of Dylan; the musician in the book is an 80's singer songwriter. But it still feels like it's somehow about Dylan.
The musician interacts with family and strangers after a 20 year reclusive span. There you go, that's the simple plot right there I guess. But to me it's really not about Tucker Crowe and where he's been for so long. I cared more about Annie.
Nick Hornby is getting older. And so are his characters, older and frailer. But the depth he brings to Annie, a curator at a small museum in a small seaside town in North East England is almost painful it feels so true. I'm not saying that Annie having to reassess her life will make you take a look at yours. I'm just saying it made me look at mine.
"Given to Fly"
11 years ago
2 comments:
I'm planning on picking up Juliet, Naked soon, read a chapter online and liked it.
I must warn you, looks like the only novel you haven't read is How to Be Good and I thought it was terrible (having enjoyed many others). If you struggled with A Long Way Down, I think you'll find it tough going.
On the bright side, I really enjoyed Songbook (and I think Dave UK would like it too).
I don't know anything about Songbook, but I'll keep my eyes open for it. I haven't touched A Long Way Down in two days. That's almost a coffin nail.
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