Book vs. TV Show: High Fidelity

The TV show, High Fidelity is adapted from both the book and the movie. Right from the start there are few obvious changes from both the book and the film. The TV show reverses the gender of Rob, and her being a woman brings upon some changes to her past experiences and relationships. Whereas the book takes place in London and the movie takes place in Chicago, the TV show takes place in Brooklyn. Also, the book was written in the 90s and the movie was produced in 2000. This adaptation is a modern take on the story, which, again, brings about some changes from the original story.

Rob in the TV show has been dumped. However, now a year has gone by since the ex has left her to move across the pond to London. Now, he’s back in town, with his new girlfriend. She moves him into her top five most devastating heartbreaks of all time. First in the top-five most devastating heartbreaks is Kevin Bannister (the name of the boy Rob’s first girlfriend kissed in the book and the movie), who, like Alison Ashworth, kisses someone else after just a few days after Rob first kisses him. Number two on the list is Kat Monroe, who, like Charlie from the book and film, was Rob’s college girlfriend who “when she talked she said remarkably interesting things.” Number three on Rob’s list differs from the book and film; Rob and Simon broke up when he realized he was gay, and the two still remain friends. Number four on the list, Justin Kitt, had a girlfriend, and things were fun until it was no longer a secret, much like Jackie Allen from the book.

In the book and the movie (though more so in the book than in the movie), as Rob is trying to figure out why he’s constantly being rejected, he spends time with an American singer, Marie DeSalle (played in the movie by Lisa Bonet, Zoë Kravitz’s mother). In the show, Rob spends time getting to know a Scottish singer, Liam. Just as Marie DeSalle does in the book, Liam becomes a friend (and, sometimes, a friend-with-benefits) to Rob.

In the book, it felt like Rob was only friends with Dick and Barry because they worked in his shop and he had no one else. However, in the TV show, Simon and Cherise are portrayed as genuine friends to Rob. She clearly likes them and the three have a positive relationship. They still make fun of each other, teasing each other and jabbing at each other, but there’s still a genuine affection behind their actions. At one point, Cherise gets mad at Rob when Rob says that she wants to help these two teenagers sell their records, when Cherise, herself is trying to make it as a musician, and doesn’t feel supported by Rob. However, we know that she still accepts Rob as her friend when she still shows up that night to go to Liam’s show with Rob.

The TV show introduces a new character. When Rob finds out that Mac, her latest ex, is back in town, she goes out on a date with a guy name Clyde. They sleep together and then it’s some time before he’s seen again. They have a connection and I found myself rooting for them to get together.

One of my favorite things about this adaptation of the book is how they address women’s issues. When Rob goes to meet her ex Kat and ends up at a party full of Instagram influencers, one of the influencers makes a comment about how bad-ass Rob is for taking up space traditionally occupied by men, as the owner of a record shop. In the next episode, Rob and Clyde go spy on the husband of a woman who is trying to sell his one-of-a-kind record collection for just $20 (it’s a collection that’s worth thousands of dollars). The guy is a misogynist, ignoring everything Rob says about music, dismissing her knowledge of records, even calling her “sweet pea.” The scene is, unfortunately, a realistic portrayal of how women are treated by too many men in this society.

The show ends differently than the book. Rob does not get back together with her ex; she ends the series being single. However, there’s an optimistic ending and a sign that she really has grown by visiting her exes and learning what’s gone wrong in her relationships. There were things left out of the series that could be addressed should there be a second season, but I would honestly be fine if the series remained this one, ten-episode, mini-series.

I really loved this TV show. Forgetting for a minute that it’s adapted from a book, it’s a good show. There are interesting characters. The obstacles that are thrown at the characters and the challenges that they face are realistic, which makes it so much more enjoyable to watch. I thought Rob was a strong main character. She made mistakes and there were times when I was groaning at her choices, but I was still rooting for her to have a happy ending.

As far as an adaptation from a book goes, I think this show is a good adaptation. There are changes made to account for the change in gender of the main character, the new location, and the new setting. However, none of these changes take away from the heart of the original piece. The show respects the original story, which is what is most important in any adaptation.

I also loved the music in the show. Obviously, a show that takes place in a record shop is going to feature music, especially a lot of classics. I love music, but I don’t really know a lot about music. I was very impressed by Rob’s knowledge, and it made me want to learn even more about music.

This show is a must-see. If you’re a fan of music, you’ll love the music in the series and appreciate the passion Rob, Cherise and Simon have for music. If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you’ll relate to Rob in her journey to figure out why she’s still single and what mistakes she’s made in her past to end up here. Or, if you’re a fan of the author Nick Hornby, you’ll love this latest adaptation of one of his books.