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32 Reviews

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
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4.7 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)

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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read This Book, May 10, 2004

By

Elizabeth Hendry (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Question of Attraction: A Novel (Hardcover)

A Question of Attraction is a rare thing: a novel that entertains intelligently and humorously. As the novel begins, Brian Jackson, the eighteen year old narrator of this charming novel is about to set off for university in England during the mid-1980s, leaving his widowed mother, friends and working class background. Brian yearns to have knowledge, to learn, to have witty conversation, to meet that certain special gorgeous supremely intelligent someone. He gets to college and spends a bit more time than he would like recovering from hangovers and pining away after Alice, the perhaps unattainable girl of his dreams. He finally gets to fulfill a life-long dream: he will represent his university on University Challenge, a quiz type game show. This novel is funny, witty, heartwarming and endearing (but not sappy, not by a longshot). It's great fun to read. David Nichols is sort of like a British Tom Perrotta--he makes writing a funny and thoughtful novel look effortless. Enjoy.

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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it's like to be a "boy", July 5, 2004

By

A. Lively "self proclaimed girly girl" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Question of Attraction: A Novel (Hardcover)

I was impressed with my first read by David Nicholls. Usually, I tend to stay with "chick lit" or novels with female characters because I can relate better but I am so glad that I chose to try something different.

A Question of Attraction is about the coming of age for a kid in England named Brian Jackson. He has just graduated high school and will study "Eng Lit" at University. Brian, a self proclaimed geek likes games shows (think Jeopardy) dressing in his late father's clothes, drinking and listening to Cate Bush.

Brian is smitten (think stalker) with the beautiful Alice whom he meets at school. Brian attempts to impress her with dinner, poems, dancing but something always happens to make his good intentions backfire. These make VERY GOOD laugh*out*loud moments!

I thought for sure that girls had it rough growing up, but I might actually have to think twice about that statement. My heart breaks for Brian who is trying to find out who he is. From the top of his 'oozie red boil infested face' to the bottom of his wet muddy shoes (think stalker again).

I would like to believe that Brian grows up (and out of his acne) to be a wonderful, intelligent person with a promise of a great life.

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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsentimental coming of age tale, February 12, 2005

By

Cherry Stone "Cherry" (Baltimore, MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Question of Attraction: A Novel (Hardcover)

Eighteen year old Brian Jackson has high expectations for his imminent trip to University to study English lit. He hopes to expand his mind and also to have sex in a bed (instead of against a trash can, the first and last time he's had sex in the past). Initially he thinks his friend from home, drop out Spence, is way off beam when he criticizes university as a total waste of time, "Reading poetry and wanking into your sock for three years."

But pretty soon after arriving at his establishment of learning, Brian's ideals have died, he finds his lectures incomprehensible, he's frequently too hungover to focus and he's got a go-nowhere crush on a fantasy figure girl called Alice, a fledgling actress and experienced prick tease. Seems like maybe Spence knew what he was talking about, after all ...

A bittersweet coming of age novel that involves you so thoroughly, that by the end you will hate to leave Brian, his acne and his incredibly unique sense of humour.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it to love it
Amazing. You won't want to stop reading. David Nicholls is an artistic genius and has created an awkward male protagonist that everyone with a sense of humor will love and never... Read more

Published on May 19, 2008 by badashek

2.0 out of 5 stars pale
This novel rambled on and bored me. It is difficult to develop respect or a liking for the main character as he is portrayed and developed. Read more

Published on April 17, 2008 by Marie Aggs

2.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Unfunny, Predictable, and Implausible
I love both coming-of-age books and comic novels, especially British ones, and like the protagonist of this book I was a teenager in the '80s -- so this seemed to be right up my... Read more

Published on December 18, 2007 by A. Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and dry-witted right to the very last page
I can't say that about many of the books that are out there nowadays. This little novel is truly entertaining, smart and engaging and more should know about it. Read more

Published on August 27, 2007 by R. Delfino

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book
This book was great. I can't remember who recommended it to me, but I wish I did so I could thank them. Read more

Published on April 15, 2007 by Nancy

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Read the book; go see then movie!
I agree with the esteemed reviewer below. I know the publisher had to rename it because a very small handful of yanks would be familiar with University Challenge terminology, and... Read more

Published on February 8, 2007 by GP Jones

3.0 out of 5 stars Good For a Laugh
AQOA is a light look at a lower middle-class 18-year-old as he goes to his freshman year at university. Read more

Published on October 1, 2006 by A Discerning Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
This book is an absolute hoot. We are talking belly-laughing-out-loud, wetting-your-pants hilarious.

But the book is not just funny. Read more

Published on August 1, 2006 by Jason

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm bummed that I've already read it because nothing will measure up!
I like to think that I have very high standards when it comes to books. Especially comedy. There are probably only five that have made the grade. Read more

Published on December 21, 2005 by Isalena Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars It felt like he wrote this book just for me
I laughed out loud reading David Nicholls' novel that seemed to have so many of my own youthful thoughts and experiences in it - except funnier. Read more

Published on October 18, 2005 by Joe

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
All young people worry about things, it's a natural and inevitable part of growing up, and at the age of sixteen my greatest anxiety in life was that I'd never again achieve anything as good, or pure, or noble, or true, as my O-level exam results. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
donkey jacket, starter question, bonus questions, student bar

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
University Challenge, Kate Bush, Alice Harbinson, Lucy Chang, The Challenge, Brian Jackson, Rebecca Epstein, Janet Parks, Valentine's Day, Patrick Watts, Professor Morrison, Student Union, Bamber Gascoigne, Colin Pagett, Hedda Gabler, Joni Mitchell, Kenwood Manor, Baja California, Richmond House, Spencer Lewis, Boxing Day, Charles Dickens, James Brown, John Donne, Red Stripe

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