“Lad lit” is a genre of fiction characterized by the depiction of men’s personal lives, and it is usually opposed to the so-called “chick lit.” This trend was started by Nick Hornby, and it allows attributing his works to this genre. One of them is High Fidelity, and this novel tells the story of Rob, a record store owner who is experiencing difficulties that are typical for immature men. They are explained by his distorted perception of adulthood and lead to reflection on life, love, and other essential matters (Hornby 24). In this way, the belonging of the book to the genre is defined by the experience that is common for men rather than women.
Another fact that signifies that the novel is an example of “lad lit” is the stereotypical description of men’s lives on the basis of the narrative. Thus, the primary element that leads to the conclusion that the book of Nick Hornby belongs to the genre is the description of sexuality as one of the central themes (Hornby 11). It is complemented by the presentation of typical men’s life consisting of specific stages that, in their perception, should or, according to the main character, should not be realized (Hornby 25). Thus, stereotypical male attributes of socialization and future perspectives indicate that the novel is one of “lad lit” books.
The facts mentioned above signify the difference of this genre from typically female novels. The inclusion of these elements in the book is a clear sign that the target audience is men, not women. In fact, they are all related to male psychology and struggles in life that only they can fully understand. Thus, in my opinion, the book of Nick Hornby lives up to the genre.
Work Cited
Hornby, Nick. High Fidelity. Riverhead Books, 1995.