OFF : High Fidelity

[M Holmes]

Jon Browne writes:

> In message <9704092302.aa02743 at uk.ac.ed.tattoo>, J Strobridge
> <eset08 at TATTOO.ED.AC.UK> writes
> >ok - you can all go back to reading 'High Fidelity' now  8-)
> >
> >jill
>
> Read it a couple of months ago. Can't say I recommend it. I found it a
> bit depressing really, and I disliked the attitude that
> collectors/enthusiasts are that immersed in records/comics/
> trains/whatever because of an inability to function on a normal social
> level. I actually think it's a bit sad that no-one goes trainspotting
> anymore because of the social stigma attached to it. Enthusiasts in a
> very real way catalog and preserve our culture for the future and I
> honestly think it's pretty disgusting the way innocent passions are
> derided. Not that "High Fidelity" is *that* down on collectors, I'm
> digressing a bit, but it's not entirely innocent of that either and it's
> hardly a celebration of the joys of finding Sun or BlueBeat originals
> but rather it's saying that if you find *that* much pleasure in (in this
> case) records rather than OTHER PEOPLE then there's something wrong with
> you. A position I don't agree with. Sorry. BTW I have a lovely wife and
> two kids, an annoyingly full life and make no apologies for not going
> out much anymore. <grin>

On the other hand, the book is killingly funny on men's attitudes to
relationships. At one point in the book ("Oh, so she didn't reject me
after all, I should have done this years ago...") I laughed so hard that
I couldn't read for ten minutes because of tears streaming from my eyes.
I haven't laughed so hard since Life of Brian.

> Jon Browne

FoFP