[about suicide] And why is it the biggest sin of all? All your life you're told that you'll be going to this marvellous place when you pass on. And the one thing you can do to get you there a bit quicker is something that stops you getting there at all. Oh, I can see that it's a kind of queue­jumping. But if someone jumps the queue at the Post Office, people tut. Or sometimes they say, “Excuse me, I was here first.” They don't say, “You will be consumed by hellfire for all eternity.” That would be a bit strong.

Adaptations


Film
Several of Hornby's books have made the jump from page to screen. The novel about a neurotic record collector and his failed relationships was adapted into a 2000 film starring John Cusack and a Broadway musical in 2006. Their album Lonely Avenue was released in September 2010.

His books have sold more than 5 million copies worldwide as of 2009. His work frequently touches upon music sport and the aimless and obsessive natures of his protagonists. He is best known for the novels High Fidelity and About a Boy as well as for the football memoir Fever Pitch.