How to disappoint (How to be good - Nick Hornby)

Member Name: gemlcoleman

Product:	How to be good - Nick Hornby
Date:	26/01/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Characterisation, dialogue - all Good

Disadvantages: The ending - not Good

No spoilers!

This novel is Nick Hornby's fourth book.

The plot goes that Kate Carr - a doctor, and therefore in her opinion, doing 'good' in the world is married to David, the self-proclaimed 'World's Angriest Man' - newspaper columnist who's negative personality has has a detrimental effect on their marriage. Close to divorce, David suddenly undergoes a transformation - he himself now wants to do 'good' in the world, but he takes this to the extreme. The book explores David's actions, the consequences and ultimately whether David's change can save their marriage.

The writing is perfect, characters are well-drawn and believable - essential in a story where events are a bit on the wild side - convincing characters are needed to pull off this plot, but Hornby does this admirably. The dialogue is spot-on, there is some funny and witty lines, and the idea behind the plot is really interesting.

There is only one criticism, to me, the story kind of peters out near the end. It feels as though Hornby didn't know how or where to end the story. It doesn't feel completed somehow - I felt it wasn't a satisfying ending. Although the book brings up some deep questions about relationships, about political stances, and about our own opinion of ourselves, it doesn't seem to attempt to answer them.

Despite this, it was a good read, a book that will keep you hooked to the end, even if that end is slightly disappointing.

Summary: Interesting topics, but just doesn't fulfil its potential