Juliet, Naked

By: Nick Hornby

Narrated by: Bill Irwin

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

From the beloved New York Times best-selling author, a quintessential Nick Hornby tale of music, superfandom, and the truths and lies we tell ourselves about life and love.

Annie loves Duncan - or thinks she does. Duncan loves Annie, but then, all of a sudden, he doesn't. Duncan really loves Tucker Crowe, a reclusive Dylanish singer-songwriter who stopped making music 10 years ago. Annie stops loving Duncan, and starts getting her own life. In doing so, she initiates an e-mail correspondence with Tucker, and a connection is forged between two lonely people who are looking for more out of what they've got.

Tucker's been languishing (and he's unnervingly aware of it), living in rural Pennsylvania with what he sees as his one hope for redemption amid a life of emotional and artistic ruin - his young son, Jackson. But then there's also the new material he's about to release to the world: an acoustic, stripped-down version of his greatest album, Juliet - entitled, Juliet, Naked.

What happens when a washed-up musician looks for another chance? And miles away, a restless, childless woman looks for a change? Juliet, Naked is a powerfully engrossing, humblingly humorous novel about music, love, loneliness, and the struggle to live up to one's promise.

©2009 Nick Hornby (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Charming... Nobody captures the zealous devotion and bizarre intensity of amateur music snobs better.” (The Washington Post)

“Hornby seems, as ever, fascinated by the power of music to guide the heart, and in this very funny, very charming novel, he makes you see it matters.” (The New York Times Book Review)

"Rich and perceptive." (The Wall Street Journal)

One of the best audiobooks I've read

Typical Hornby subject matter: pop culture, emotionally immature men, longing women, confused children. Yet also typical Hornby approach to his subjects, bringing humor, compassion and deep insight into his characters lives and interests. I loved it. The multiple readers were spot on. Bill Irwin was fantastic. It should win an Emmy.

Hilarious! so well narrated! bravo!

I didn't want it to end. Loved the characters and the situation of the story! I laughed out loud so many times. A great reprieve from current events.

Entertaining listen

I very much enjoyed this novel by Nick Hornsby. The characters were flawed, human enough to be believable and engaging. The plot was somewhat far fetched but different and interesting, the writing was funny and the narration excellent. Even though the story missed a few beats and had a rather anti-climactic ending, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an entertaining, light read.

A fun, quick read - fanboy meets reality.

I enjoy Nick Hornby's books - being a music dork myself, it's fun to see someone else nerd out over the little details behind the making of some of the greatest albums of all time, or even some of the most mediocre. This book takes a look at the stress that being a hardcore fanboy can put on having to exist in the real world in a relationship. They say there are three sides to every story, his side, her side, and the truth, and that's pretty much what's explored here. There is the rabid fanboy who teaches courses at University on his obsession, his girlfriend of over a decade who has been dragged along for the ride, and the musician himself with the real story of his life. It's a pretty quick read that ping-pongs you between a fan's speculation and scrutiny of the tiniest details of his favorite musician's life and career, and the musician's battle to sort out his own real life in the face of these nuts.

a pleasure

I usually like Nick Hornby's writing better than his stories, but in Juliet, Naked, they both come together for a satisfying book. The plot will resonate with anyone who has been or has lived with a rabid fan. Fun, sweet and thoughtful.

A fun listen

Lots of fun, in typical, unabashedly cliche, Nick Hornby style. Boring-ish, stuck-in-a-rut British girl settled for a boring-ish British Guy, who is obsessed with an obscure, reclusive rock legend… turns out reclusive rock legend is not all that interesting in real life. Funny how it all works out, and how a cast of otherwise boring characters manages to weave a rather interesting story. Malcolm, Annie’s “therapist” is a hoot.

I just assume Juliet, Naked will be picked up and turned into a film, like his other books, and I wonder which British actors will play which characters. I imagine Bill Nighy as Tucker - he played such a wonderful has-been rocker in Love, Actually. John Cusack would make a great Duncan. My hope would be a sensational casting choice for Malcolm, the therapist - maybe Alan Rickman? Who would play Annie? This will be an enjoyable film. Wait for it! Meanwhile, enjoy the audiobook.

Didn't want it to end

I've read almost all of Nick Hornby - I'm a big fan. As usual he gives you quirky characters and an interesting story. I really enjoyed listening but it was too short. (Sharon)

It wonderful book

I probably listen to this book 4 times now. It doesn't seem to get old. Extremely well written. Great story. Great readers.

Slow start, strong finish!

Loved this book! The first chapter or two were a little slow, but a necessary ramping up to the heart of the story. It’s a very touching and funny rendition of unfulfilled lives, the heartache that comes with believing this is as good as it will get (for me), and the real life rage that comes with a know-it-all partner that you’d give anything to publicly prove wrong!! The 3-person narrating is superb, but my biggest complaint is that only one of them is listed anywhere - why are 2 of them not given any credit anywhere?!? I often nix listening to a book if the narrator is bad, or annoying - the female here was SUPERB and I’d like to know who she is to look for other books she’s narrated! Very disappointed in their omission.

Worth the credit. A little quirky

I love Nick Hornby so had to give it a chance. This was an interesting story. I really enjoyed the story and loved the characters.