What have you done today, to make you feel proud? (How to be good - Nick Hornby)

Member Name: Pjenkins

Product:	How to be good - Nick Hornby
Date:	07/03/02 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very insightful for both men & women.

Disadvantages: Can't think of one.

We all want to be good citizens don’t we. You know, donating money to Children in need every year, helping old ladies out with a seat at the bus shelter, you may even spare 50p to give to someone begging in your local subway. For some people, being good is not just a lifestyle choice, it’s a job too. Look at firefighters, police officers, teachers, and of course doctors. They are good people from nine to five. Helping people is what they do. So if there so many of these good people floating about our streets, then why on earth do we have so many problems? The above question is one which is tackled in Nick Hornby’s latest offering, ‘How to be good’.

Following the story of Katie, a London doctor and mother to a nuclear household, HTBG tests these classic ideas of ‘goodness’ that our society holds so dear. Hornby portrays them in such a way however that we begin to question not only society’s moral codes, but also our own personal viewpoint on life. Never before has a book actually had such a profound effect on me, to the extent that I have taken a decision, however subtly to alter some opinions of how we judge ourselves and others in our daily lives.

The plot itself revolves around Katie’s home life, her husband David and their two children, Tom and Molly. You would be forgiven for thinking that this book is likely to turn itself into a suburban drama, and therefore be nothing new. Hornby (as in all his books) manages to skew this ‘ordinary’ situation in a way that only a true artist can. The obsessive quality that has been prevalent in so much of Hornby’s former work comes to light as we see Katie frantically trying to convince herself that she is one of these ‘good’ people, even as she is she having an affair that she know risks destroying her whole family.

The revelation of this affair as predicted causes shockwaves throughout her house, affecting the b
ehaviour of her children and more dramatically her husband who Katie regards as humourless, sour and brutal, her justification to herself to have the affair. What does one do then if the cause of your infidelities suddenly reforms himself and becomes the living embodiment of the good samaritan? It is at this jucntion that the book really comes alight.

David, her reformed and now homeless saving husband becomes an object of annoyance not just for the lead character, but also for the reader, meaning pangs of guilt for all involved as David never tries to do anything but good. There are homeless people out there, and David has a spare room. Why shouldn’t they help them out? I found myself saying the words ‘Just …because’ a lot, and instantly felt bad. What is it about us all that we are so closed off to what happens on our very doorsteps?

Hornby writes with vigour and skill, portraying a female character in the first person throughout, without once sounding like an insensitive chap. You could argue that his perception of the female psyche is already clearly demonstrated in his other books, which deal with male-female relationships, but never before has gone as far as to tackle head on the problems that a woman may face in the breakdown of a relationship. It is all handled extremely well.

The characters are extremely well drawn, my personal favourites being Tom & Molly, the children. Hornby uses them to increase the tension during arguments, and provide light relief, as we see the two parents drawing battle lines behind their two kids who neatly fall on either side of the Mother/Father divide when it comes to loyalty. Another good character is DJ Goodnews who is a spiritual healer who becomes a temporary member of the family as David starts to carve out his ‘new’ life. His new age enthusiasm and pierced eyebrows are a real source of irritation for our main character and the battle between them for David
217;s support is extremely well devised.

Like Hornby’s other books, ‘How to be good’ forces you to examine yourself in a new light, but this time, it really cuts to the chase. In the past I was asking myself such questions as – Does my support for football suggest that I am somehow shying from more important commitments? Now I am asking – Am I a good person? If there was a heaven (which I don’t believe in) would I get a ticket?. It says something for an author that you come away from their work feeling this way.

In a recent poll by the BBC, the nation was asked 'If you had to choode a book for everyone to read in order to encurage discussion, what would you choose'. Despite only being about for six months, this shot in at number 4 (Mr Potter was nowhere in sight, the winner was catch 22). I think that this says something about the way that the book has been received by the public.

As far as I am aware the book is only out in hardback at present, but is due for it’s paperback release soon. It is a real page turner and I managed to finish it within a few days (for my reading speed, that’s like lightning). I would definitely recommend it.
A final note for Hornby fans- there is a nice little cameo hidden in the middle for a previous Hornby character – I won’t spoil it (and it might give you another reason to read it), but it’s pleasing to know he’s getting on okay…...

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