About this title: Will Freeman, a 30-something Londoner, is vaguely in search of a wife, but is simultaneously turned off by the responsibilities that a real life might entail. He befriends young Marcus, son of a single mother with problems, and finds himself being drawn against his will into a tumultuous set of circumstances. Finally he is able, after all, to engage with life in a normal way. A New York Times Notable Book for 1998.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9781573229579ISBN:1573229571
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Very light edge and corner wear. No marks. Tight, square book. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 307 p. Movie Tie-In. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9781573227339ISBN:1573227331
Description: Very Good. GREAT BOOK! NO SPINE CREASES & MODERATE WEAR ON COVER. NAME INSIDE, NO MARKINGS IN TEXT. "Description: Inventing a son got Will into a single parents support group, but rather than a fabulous new sex life, he found someone else's very real son--a 12-year-old with a lot to teach about being a grown up. From the acclaimed author of "High Fidelity" comes this national bestseller that "GQ" calls "Clever and winning". " read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9781573229579ISBN:1573229571
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 307 p. Movie Tie-In. Audience: General/trade. Creases in CVR & PGS, small tears in CVR, fine reading copy, 12th printing read more
"Even better than the film version... funny and wry and pithy. Some of the best British writing of recent years. A quick read for me, much appreciated after a diet of heavy non fiction this Fall. If you're looking to enjoy yourself for several hours, this is a good bet."
"I almost find it sacrilege to claim a movie is better than the book. But I'm taking that stance here. No that the book wasn't good. I enjoyed it. I just think the adaptions they made to update the book (it's set in the era of grunge music) were improvements and the cast well played (especially Marcus). Since I didn't read the book before I saw the movie, I kept picturing his interpretation to the character, even when I would not have interpreted it that way I found his version better. About the only thing I liked better in the book was the relationship between Will and Rachel.
But enough about the movie. The book is enjoyable. It's a quick read, the characters are strong in all their quirkiness. I enjoyed watching Will grow from a sheltered outcast boy to one understanding the social set up and trendiness of society and his place in it, learning that what his mom says isn't law (but you still don't argue with your parents) and that maybe he shouldn't always strive to please her instead of fit in. His thoughts and realizations are poignant and interesting, as much as being stuck between a shallow non-committal child of a man and his depressed hippie mother."
"I really really enjoyed this book. It is probably my favorite Nick Hornby book I've read so far. But, I think that I can honestly say that I liked the movie better. But this isn't a movie review, so I will stick to the book. The book centers around 2 characters, Will, a self-centered, 30 something male, and Marcus, a very awkward teenager; and their unlikely friendship. It was very entertaining, especially the dead duck day chapter, it is also a very quick read. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys coming of age stories. You will have to go to your local bookstore to pick up your own copy, because you can't have mine."
"The only thing wrong with About a Boy is that I read it just after finishing High Fidelity. After absolutely loving High Fidelity, About a Boy was just a little bit of a disappointment.
Another Hornby book that was made into a movie. Another book about a thirtysomething man who can't grow up and settle down. About a Boy has a man named Will who basically doesn't do anything. Doesn't really have a job. Has never fallen in love. Doesn't really have any hobbies...or really any friends. At the same time, he doesn't really have a desire for any of the above. He's satisfied floating through life without any anything holding him down, or really having any feelings.
He ends up dating a single mom for awhile, and decides to make up a son and join a single parent group to meet more. He meets a boy named Marcus, and the two end up sort of becoming friends. We're never sure who the boy is in the book, Will or Marcus, but its likely both. It has Nick Hornby's wit and sarcasm while touching on some more serious subjects and shows us growth in all of the characters.
Though still cute and funny, it's a somewhat forgettable and lacks a little something found in High Fidelity. On its own, a pretty good book."
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