There is something so cinematic about Nick Hornby's writing. It isn't surprising that so many of his books have been optioned and that he also recently wrote a screenplay. His characters all feel real, but in a fanciful way.
In Juliet, Naked, we are given a scenario that, if over simplified, would come across as wildly unrealistic. A woman in her late thirties, living is a seaside town in Northern England, is unsatisfied with her 15 year relationship with a man obsessed with an obscure rock singer who disappeared from the public eye 20 years prior. The woman then, in an act of spite towards her long-term partner, posts an unfavorable review of the release of the obscure rock star's demos from his most famous album, Juliet. The striped down version is known as Juliet, Naked.
The woman's review sparks the interest of the real musician, who then e-mails her. They continue their e-mail flirtation for a while. Her long-term partner then cheats on her with a woman who teaches at the same college as him, and gives the woman a reason to leave - guilt free.
The rock star, now living Pennsylvania with his estranged wife and their six-year-old son. We learn the rock star has several children he hardly sees, all with different mothers. After his marriage ends, and one of his estranged daughters' suffers a miscarriage in England, he travels to London to see her, but also to meet his internet flirtation - Annie.
The aged obscure ex-rock star, Tucker Crowe, suffers from a heart attack while in London. Yadda yadda yadda - he asks Annie to take him to her quaint little sea side town to recuperate. Here he meets Annie's ex, Duncan, who is his biggest fan.
Anyways - Annie falls for Tucker, Tucker seems to like her as well...and the end is open for our own interpretation.
This story might seem silly and contrived, but there seems to be an honest sense of reality here. Mainly having to due with fan perception versus reality.
We all claim to know what's happening to our favourite stars, or those we love to hate, because some jerk-off from TMZ or Perez Hilton tell us. The truth is that we cannot presume anything. And that those living their lives out loud, in front of the cameras, are creating their own imagine, but those who hide have stories we cannot know.
The other aspect of the story that struck me was the relationships it presents. The main character, Annie, is given a chance to redeem herself after spending 15 years with a cold and dull man who's only passion was for a rock star who hadn't produced anything new in over 20 years. The fact that Annie got to know the real Tucker, the man Duncan would never understand, is part of the nice little package that draws the two points together. Meaningful relationships vs. Superficial fantasies.
The book ends with message board postings from the Tucker Crowe fan page. The messages suggest that Tucker releases a new album after his long absence from making music, and the posters, including Duncan, rip it apart. There is one curious post from a woman who goes by "Uptown Girl" who states that she and her husband love it. The romantic in me hopes that this woman is Annie. Even if Tucker isn't her husband, it is my wish that she finally makes herself happy.
