High Fidelity (novel)

Infobox Book
name = High Fidelity
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover of the 2000 paperback edition
author = Nick Hornby
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
subject =
genre = Novel
publisher = Penguin Books
release_date = 1995
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 336 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-575-05748-3
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"High Fidelity" is a 1995 British novel by Nick Hornby. It was adapted into a 2000 film directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack. It also served as the basis for a 2006 Broadway musical of the same name.

Plot summary

Rob Fleming is a London record store owner in his 30s whose girlfriend, Laura, has just left him. At the record shop — named Championship Vinyl — Rob and his employees Dick and Barry spend their free moments discussing mix-tape aesthetics and constructing "top-five" lists of anything that demonstrates their knowledge of music.

Rob, recalling his five most memorable breakups, sets about getting in touch with the former girlfriends. Eventually, Rob's re-examination of his failed relationships and the death of Laura's father bring the two of them back together. Their relationship is cemented by the launch of a new purposefulness to Rob's life in the revival of his disc jockey career.

Also, realizing that his fear of commitment (a result of his fear of death of those around him) and his tendency to act on emotion are responsible for his continuing desires to pursue new women, Rob makes a symbolic commitment to Laura.

"Top Five" lists from the book

Most memorable split-ups (chronological order)

#Alison Ashworth
#Penny Hardwick
#Jackie Allen
#Charlie Nicholson
#Sarah Kendrew

Favorite Records (singles)

#"Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
#"The House That Jack Built" by Aretha Franklin
#"Back in the USA" by Chuck Berry
#"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" by The Clash
#"Tired of Being Alone" by Al Green

Floor-fillers at The Groucho (p. 87)

#"It's a Good Feeling" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
#"No Blow No Show" by Bobby Bland
#"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
#"The Love You Save" by The Jackson Five
#"The Ghetto" by Donny Hathaway

Rob's Dad's Top Five Films (p. 137)

#"Genevieve"
#"The Cruel Sea"
#"Zulu"
#"Oh! Mr. Porter"
#"The Guns of Navarone"

Rob's Mum's Top Five Films (p. 137)

#"Genevieve"
#"Gone With The Wind"
#"The Way We Were"
#"Funny Girl"
#"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"

Rob's Five Best Side One Track Ones (p.147)

#"Janie Jones", "The Clash", by The Clash
#"Thunder Road", "Born to Run", by Bruce Springsteen
#"Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Nevermind", by Nirvana
#"Let's Get It On", "Let's Get It On", by Marvin Gaye
#"Return of the Grievous Angel", "Grievous Angel", by Gram Parsons

Rob's Top Five Bands or Musicians Who Will Have To Be Shot Come the Musical Revolution (p.160)

# Simple Minds
# Michael Bolton
# U2
# Bryan Adams
# Genesis

Rob's Five Dream Jobs (p. 290)

# "New Musical Express" journalist, 1976-1979
# Producer, Atlantic Records, 1964-1971
# Musician (Any kind except for rap or classical)
# Film director (any kind except for German or silent)
# Architect