Customer Reviews

How to Be Good

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(72)
3 star:		(79)
2 star:		(54)
1 star:		(52)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed How to Be Good. Another great read from Nick Hornby, I thought, full of admiration for such a wonderful talent. Then I looked at the reviews on Amazon.com. I couldn't believe how mixed they were.

Then a pattern emerged. The ones that hated it usually started out with how much they loved his earlier work. Then they would criticize the two-dimensional characters and the unbelievable plot. Finally, for the more pretentious, there's an invitation to read "real" literature, like Dostoyevsky.

To sum up, how dare Hornby write a book about something other than "How to Grow Up"? And how dare he introduce characters that aren't "realistic"? (these people would criticize ET because it was unrealistic).

In answer to all those one- and two-star reviews on this page: I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that Nick Hornby wrote a breezy novel about contemporary adults and their everyday problems - you know, little things like trying to find satisfaction as we get older and our lives have settled into well-worn grooves - and not about the aging, but still immature, male.

And instead of a really cool protagonist, we get a weary and confused narrator. So unrealistic to be so flawed. And who can believe in a trippy faith healer and a suddenly transformed house husband? Yet all of the characters spoke and acted in ways that seemed utterly real - in the context of the novel.

I will admit that the novel seemed more like a first draft than a fully realized work, but that doesn't mean it's not worthwhile. The ending felt rushed, while also containing some lovely writing about the importance of reading, as well as a moving final image (perhaps a hint of the greatness Hornby may yet achieve). But that's Hornby - even his lesser efforts contain gold. Last I checked, Van Gogh's sketches were pretty highly regarded. Not that comparing Hornby to a past master is fair. But what a pleasure to read he is. And how artfully he examines the everyday issues so many of us are concerned with.

Nick Hornby has much to say. He's still young. He hasn't produced his definitive work yet. I, for one, am looking forward to Hornby's future efforts.

I have never read a Nick Hornby before and received this one as a birthday gift. Started out with a lot of promise and then just COMPLETELY lost steam. He didn't follow through on any of the issues he raised, they all just sort of faded away.

Also- I felt like I was reading a screenplay instead of a book, that Hornby was so obviously angling to create the film that will presumably be created from this, rather than a book. It was as gimmicky as "Liar, Liar" or "What Women Want" in its plot-what happens when the crankiest guy in the world becomes a 21st century hippie? Unfortunately, nothing happens, really. I was very disappointed in this one- it was a chore to finish.

This is the selection for our book group this month. I know when it comes time to talk about the book, we'll get in a lot of discussion about what to make for dinner, what the kids are doing, etc. because no one is interested in the book.

You know the gist of the story, so I won't go into discussing that. However, I will say this -- "How to Be Good" was like reading about my neighbors or anyone I might know. The characters are typical people with typical crises in their marriage, but with what might be called atypical specifics in their problems. Big whoop. I'm not interested in reading about people much like myself.

I found myself thinking Hornby was being a bit preachy with me, the reader, trying to make me feel guilty for feeling more like Katie than like her husband, the newly sainted lover of the homeless. Well too bad, Hornby -- I still feel more like Katie when it comes to my level of compassion for those less fortunate. I'm aware of what I'm able to do to help, and I do it. I'm not dumb enough to think that putting pressure on others will solve a social problem.

To sum up, if you like reading about, well, yourself and your friends, you'll like the book. If you're a bleeding heart, you'll like the book, because you can feel vindicated for your views. If you'd rather read about interesting characters in a world not just like your own and want to come to your own conclusions about the world's woes, you'll hate this book.

I hated this book.

I adored High Fidelity and About a Boy. Hornby is a genius at drawing characters who are lovable despite their flaws--because, let's face it, most of us are flawed and hope to be loved anyway. Yet with Katie Carr, Hornby has managed to paint a character completely devoid of feeling and totally self-absorbed. She hates her husband, yet won't leave him and continues to belittle him every chance she gets. Does she stay with him for the sake of the children? I wonder, since she seems to dislike her children as well. While funny in parts (parts that are few and far between), How to Be Good left me depressed and wishing for the old Nick Hornby, author of books that are seriously funny, hopeful, and believable.

This one is better than the average novel, but pales in comparison to Nick Hornby's other fare. I can't really imagine this one being made into a movie, although it likely will be. Starts out funny, but becomes somewhat preachy and misses its mark. The characters aren't quite as believeable as Hornby's other ones, likely because he is trying to write from a woman's viewpoint and is out of his element. Read this one after you have loved all of Hornby's other novels and be mildly entertained but somewhat disappointed.

Having been a Hornby fan for quite sometime, I snapped this up when it first came out and was eager to tear into it! The story is, conceptually, very intriguing, and starts off in true Hornby fashion, a delightful read. However, as the plot winds on, the story and the concept fall flat. I had to force myself through to the end, and was left very disappointed.

Of course, I will most certainly read whatever he puts out next. Besides, everyone deserves a good flop now and then. Kudos for the effort, and high hopes that what is to follow far surpasses this one!

This book is good for the odd chuckle, but you have to wade through too much boring dialogue from unbelievably self-absorbed characters to find the little gems hidden here and there. Hornby is a master of weaving pop culture with a plot and coming up with a relevant statement about life, but in this book his formula just falls apart. First, the characters in this book are boring, and not only that, they whine incessantly. This book may be thought provoking, but only thought it provoked in my mind is which character I would strangle first if given the chance. Secondly, the pop culture references that Hornby has used with great success in his previous works just fall flat in this book; everytime you read one here it is like a red flag reminding you of the nonexistent plot and the annoying characters. Sadly, however, these references are what is most real about this book as most of the characters seem to be caricatures of real human beings. Considering the time it took Hornby to give us a new work (over 3 years), I was expecting much more.

I have truly enjoyed Nick Hornby's other tales but this one killed me. It would have been a lot better if it were about 100 pages shorter. By the end I lost track of the characters and storyline and just felt like I was being preached to. Too bad - my recommendation is to read About A Boy and High Fidelity.

I'd hate to think that this could be someone's first time reading a book by Nick Hornby because I doubt they would give his other much better books a chance. For about 3/4 of the book I just felt annoyed at all of the characters. Do yourself a favor and check out Fever Pitch or High Fidelity instead.

A very talented author strays out of his comfort zone, and the results are lousy. Paper-thin characters, implausible plot - in short, a waste of time. All his books before this one, however, I'd highly recommend.