Title: About a Boy
Author: Nick Hornby
First published January 1, 1998
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780140285673 (ISBN10: 0140285679)
Rating: 3.79
Overview
ISBN 9780140293456 – Meet Will, a man in his thirties who still behaves like a teenager. He’s single, has no children, and thinks he’s still cool.
Will frequents the right clubs, reads the right magazines, and wears the perfect trainers. His secret to scoring women?
Attending single parent groups, where he meets grateful and available moms. But everything changes when he becomes friends with Marcus, the world’s oldest twelve-year-old.
Marcus is different; he listens to Joni Mitchell and Mozart, he takes care of his mom, and he’s never owned a pair of trainers. Will sees an opportunity to teach Marcus how to be a kid, but he doesn’t know that Marcus has a lot to teach him as well.
Will they both finally grow up? Find out in About a Boy.
About the Author
Nick Hornby, the acclaimed author, has written several novels, including A Long Way Down, Slam, How to Be Good, High Fidelity, and About a Boy. He also penned a memoir called Fever Pitch, as well as Songbook, which was a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award, and Shakespeare Wrote for Money, and The Polysyllabic Spree.
Hornby edited the short-story collection Speaking with the Angel. He has won several awards, including the American Academy of Arts and Letters’ E.
M. Forster Award and the 2003 Orange Word International Writers’ London Award.
Four of his titles have been named Notable Books. Hornby also wrote a film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was the lead movie at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival.
Sony distributed the film that fall. In September of the same year, he published his latest novel, which received widespread acclaim.
Hornby currently resides in North London.
Editoral Review
Nick Hornby’s About a Boy is a charming and witty novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships, identity, and mental health. Hornby, known for his works High Fidelity and Fever Pitch, manages to create a relatable and endearing protagonist in Will Freeman, a 36-year-old who has never worked a day in his life and is living off the royalties from a one-hit wonder his father wrote decades ago.
Set in North London in the late 1990s, the novel revolves around the unlikely friendship that develops between Will and 12-year-old Marcus Brewer, the son of Will’s single mother neighbor. As the two begin to spend more and more time together, they both begin to learn valuable lessons from each other about the meaning of family, friendship, and love.
Hornby’s writing style is engaging and humorous, laced with witty one-liners and relatable observations about human nature. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each facing their own challenges and struggles throughout the novel.
The pacing is steady throughout, with the story unfolding at a comfortable and engaging pace. One of the strengths of About a Boy is Hornby’s skillful exploration of mental health and the importance of seeking help when needed.
Marcus struggles with depression and anxiety, while Will struggles with his own lack of purpose and fulfillment. Hornby treats these topics with sensitivity and compassion, highlighting the importance of understanding and accepting those who may be struggling with mental health issues.
However, the novel does have some flaws. The ending may feel a bit rushed and formulaic, with loose ends being tied up a bit too neatly.
Additionally, some readers may find it difficult to relate to Will and his privileged lifestyle, and may even find him unlikable. Despite these limitations, About a Boy is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and coming-of-age stories.
It offers a poignant and heartwarming exploration of the complexities of human connection, and provides valuable insights into the importance of relationships and mental health.
In conclusion, About a Boy is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
It is a testament to Hornby’s talent as a writer, and a reminder of the enduring power of human connection in a world that can sometimes feel cold and disconnected. The Washington Post gives it a 4.5 out of 5 rating.
