Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read, 14 Aug 2005
I received this book from a friend as a birthday present, who chose it because of its subject knowing I was a big football fan. Perhaps this was a rather misguided choice, though, as although Fever Pitch is based around Hornby's childhood (and early manhood) experiences of football, it is so much more than a run-of-the-mill football book. Its beautifully crafted life experience stories are, admittedly, set around key Arsenal matches in the 1980s, but if this were to put of non-football fans it would truly be a shame. Unlike many authors, especially in this genre, Hornby has a gift of true communication - throughout the book one gets the feeling of being with him as he searches for the purpose of his life, and the position of his hobby-come-obsession within that.
Although for non-football fans the match descriptions may seem dull and unappealing, they make up only a small percentage of the book and are included in such a way as to be intrinsic to the storyline rather than as an added extra to appeal to the terraces. It is in crafting this into his personal life that Hornby achieves his real success, and creates what many believe to be the best football book ever.
But don't forget, this book isn't just about Arsenal, or even football, but about how a young Londoner grows up, and learns to live his own life. A heart-warming tale, not to be overlooked.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, 24 May 2005
I am a woman, not british and not a big football fan, but I do watch a match every now and then. I came upon this book by accident and I was very reluctant to start reading, as I guessed I was not the intended audience. I have watched a couple of times Arsenal games on tv, I can identify a hadfull of the most important british players and I have a vague idea where Highbury is, but I imagined it would take more than this to enjoy the book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover some authors can really capture any audience. This book is brilliant. You can completely relate to the writer and feel his passion, his anticipation for the next game, his disappointments and his happy moments. A great read, highly entertaining, and not just for hardcore Arsenal fans (ok, I will not recommend it to people who have never watched a football game in their life).
|
|
|
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A great text on obsession and football, 25 Mar 2001
By A Customer
Fever Pitch is the first Hornsby book I ever read, and I enjoyed lots of it even though a bit more of it was bleak. I enjoyed all the obsessiveness of the main characters and how they got all together with their footy team and the whole statistical thing. It will help women to understand their men and their passions and why they're so shut off from the rest of the world. English soccer captures so many people, but these people according to Hornsby have empty lives. It is to his credit that he gives them a vestige or normality and humanity, especially at the end. A good book for everyone, especially Arsenal fans (I barrack for Manchester United)!
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Nick Hornby
by David Peace
by Mark Haddon
![Fever Pitch [DVD] [1996]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512833GA7hL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Colin Firth
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk 
Amazon Home