Nick hornby/how to be good. riverhead trade book review samples

In reference to how David has been acting, it is clear that he has continuously neglected his role at home and as husband over the many years that he has been married. Based on his previous behavior, it would be absurd to think that he has suddenly has a change in heart just when he realizes that his marriage is falling apart. This is because his speech regarding his change in nature comes just after his wife requested for a divorce over the phone. It is clearly put that he has been selfish and unsuccessful in his career, which he has put little effort to improve. It would have been considerable if his speech had come at a more convenient time (Hornby 89). This is because his sudden interest in change comes when he is about to lose his wife whom has over the years been patient and supported him. It is clear that he continues to be selfish since despite all the difficulty that he has put his wife through he continues to be selfish. This is not wanting to free her from the marriage yet she is not happy and has requested the divorce, which is left pending. In spite of their marriage being on the rocks, David is seen to put up a homeless kid in the spare room. This is done at the expense of his wife who is not comfortable with the arrangement since she is finding it difficult to live with him yet he goes ahead and brings a third party into their house. This move is obviously done with little regards to the wife who is evidently the major contributor into the family. It is also inevitable to state that David has not changed and his recent good deeds are just a plot to lure his wife back into their marriage that has already ended. In essence, all things that David has done have been out of his best interest and not as sign of humility and willingness to change (Hornby 99).
Through analyzing David’s character, it would be absurd to like him even after he tries to show interest in other people around him (Prostano 44). This is because the move is seen to be in efforts to acquire sympathy and love from his wife. In spite of him showing interest in other people, he further goes ahead and disrespects the need for consultation through accommodating a homeless kid in their house. His efforts to illustrate that he has change are not well taken since it has taken him too long to change. It is also clear that his current interest in change may be to safe guard his life. This is because he has been in underemployment throughout his marriage where he has not had a lot to offer to his family. It is likely that he has a lot to lose if the divorce does go through. Based on these reasons, it is hard to know whether his sudden interest in change has been driven by hypocrisy and self-interest or need to change. In the year that David has been in marriage, it has been clear that he had not shown any interest in changing despite the constant effort that his wife made to make him a better man. His sudden need for change is unacceptable and should not be considered by his wife since she is finding it impossible to live with him anymore (Hornby 104).

Work Cited

Hornby, Nick. How to be good. River Head Books. 2002. Print.
Prostano, Emanuel T. Books: The Quick and Easy Way to Select the Best. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2004. Print.