Juliet, Naked

Good fun but beware the narration

The story is fun and an interesting look at obsession, which Hornby understands all too well. However I had to warn anyone considering downloading the audio that the narration is split over three voices.
They all fit the characters really well that isn't the problem. The issue comes with the American narrator who ends up having to provide voices for the two English characters during dialogue. He not only has them pronouncing words incorrectly (the first syllable of yoghurt made to rhyme with go that kind of thing) but the attempt at an English accent is so woeful. The characters end up sounding like Australians who've lived in South Africa for many years.
It makes listening a dire and painful experience.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Top form

I thought this was one of Nick Hornby's best and the audio book is well performed and well paced.
Nick's ongoing exploration of the male psyche is undertaken this time from a womans perspective. The premise of the story is that her live in partner is one of a selct group of similar obsessives who worship a reclusive ex rock star. When he releases a new album she dares criticise it on the web but, to her surprise, finds that the one person who agrees with her views is the rock star himself. A relationship is born.
The themes in Hornby's work often revolve around the male need to immerse themselves and over analyse. This comes out in various ways as diverse as record collecting, football supporting and, in this case, an ego driven need to be "experts" and completists.
Nick's insights are often painfully accurate.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Lighten the Load

I write this on the eve of the election and in the sure and certain knowledge that whichever party wins the most seats there are difficult times ahead. Against that background I recommend this book as a welcome ray of sunshine; a small, human tale of middle age frustrations; male obsessions and the ability to change for the better.

The book is funny, heart-warming and very well read (especially by Jennifer Wiltsie). If you enjoyed 'One Day' or 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' or most Richard Curtis comedies then this is well worth getting.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Hornby at his best!

I've read most of Hornby's other books and thought I'd get this download for my commute to work. Have to say that I've never been happier in the traffic. It's insightful, interesting, nostalgic and incredibly witty. If you like to be entertained, you'll love this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An ideal audio book

This was one of my first listens on audible and I was very pleased with my choice. I had a great time listening to this bok in the gym, whilst commuting and even doing chores at home. Time flew.. The narration is absolutely fantastic. If you like Nick Hornby, you will love listening to this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Cracking story a la High Fidelity

I enjoyed this unabridged version as we all know we dont want good stories to end.
This is the story of a couple who live in a small fictional northern seaside town. One idolises a fictional reclusive singer songwriter but the other only likes him.
When the songwriter release an album of demos from his most successful album Juliet. Things happen as he thinks the new Juliet,Naked is the best album ever but she hates it.
She becomes friends with the singer songwriter while all there lives are falling apart.
Its a story of musical snobbery similar to high fidelity written as only Nick Hornby could

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Some of them are just like us, and some of them...

Nick Hornby skewers fandom and the over praising of clay footed artists, and never once makes me think that art isn't important and overwhelming and beautiful. Trusting tellers not tales, and still allowing your idols to be real and human and fallible. There's lots of love in this book, particularly for the emotional charge of rock'n'roll.

Three voices tell the story. The woman's voice, the voice of Annie, is Jennifer Wiltse, and she is immaculate. Ben Chaplin doesn't make Duncan as whiny a nerd as he might, and he's a bit posh for a lecturer in a college in Skegness-cum-Goole, but he's fine, and very easy to listen to. The American voice, Bill Irwin, is perfectly fine when he's being American, but he should be forcibly restrained from ever again attempting an English accent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Makes me smile, thinking about it

I love this - what a great cast of characters, from the obsessed know-it-all Duncan to the 'northern soul' dancer Barnsie, everyone is believable -people you feel like you might have met (or tried to avoid). I've listened to this audio CD so many times, it's like a bit of comfort food for when I need a lift. If you ever start to become so taken with someone who is or was famous, to the extent that you might appear to know more about them then they do themselves, then you need to have a listen to Juliet Naked and get a grip!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Three narrators? Why?

What would have made Juliet, Naked better?

The story was not outstanding but would have read better without this irritating distraction.

How could the performance have been better?

One narrator with the same accent would have worked better, rather than one lady, one English voice and one American - all with different accents for the same characters.

What character would you cut from Juliet, Naked?

Duncan, his girlfriend.......,

Any additional comments?

I usually enjoy NIck Hornby and had been warned this was not one of his best but it really didn't deserve any accolades. It had moments of promise but was not up to his usual standard. Very disappointed but I think it was made so much worse with the three different voices.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hornby on good form

A great listen! If you like Nick Hornby, there's nothing not to like about this book

1 of 1 people found this review helpful