About a Boy

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as High Fidelity
Review: I was anxious to read this book, after thoroughly enjoying High Fidelity. Although About a Boy starts out strong, it quickly loses steam (both in terms of humor and subject matter). Compared to High Fidelity, About a Boy was sophomoric in its observations of single parenthood and of a child growing up without a father -- a true disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Another Hornby success
Review: Nick Hornby has excelled with this novel. About A boy certainly justifies Hornbys inclusion in the five best authors of the nineties. Few books are of the type that you cannot go to sleep as you need to get, just to the end of the chapter. This is one of those rareties. Read it and obtain an insight into the nineties man.

Rating:
Summary: could have been great...
Review: i enjoyed this book, but i think it ccould have been ten times better had it kept to the humor of posing as a single father. my complaint is that it wandered from that to marcus and while i found it all interesting i wanted more wacky slapstick how did he get himself into this and how is he going to get out without blowing his cover action...

Rating:
Summary: Though I loved Hi Fidelity, I liked this book better since
Review: it deals with the very real issue of single motherhood. As a single mom to a teen aged son I got a lot out of this. I actually dated "nice" guys like Will . The attitude surrounding Parenthood also smacks true. Nick Hornbys second novel might be a far reach for some but I highly reccomend it for single Moms & other parental types .... The right sneakers ARE important. My only crticism is that Hornby needs to stretch his perspective on women a bit. I only found one female character realistic & well drawn ...Ellies Mom... This woman is more typical of the woman I know & so I guess I am prejudiced... More Like her!!

Rating:
Summary: Lower than "High" but still a great read
Review: About a Boy is a solid if not spectacular third effort from Hornby. While it lacks the urgency of "High Fidelity" and the subtletly of "Fever Pitch," the story of Marcus is well-written. The other primary character, Will, is a bit of a drip and frequently gives in to the urges that we all have but are too guilt-ridden to act upon. Still, I enjoyed it immensely and anxiously await the "High Fidelity" movie with John Cusack.

Rating:
Summary: Actually, it's about two boys
Review: Hi Fidelity' was hilarious, 'About a Boy' (about two boys, actually) was funny but also a little tragic and not quite as good. It makes fine reading, though. Mr. Hornby is definitely a gifted writer. Looking forward to his next novel.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not quite up to "High Fidelity"
Review: Nick Hornby's a great writer and I really enjoyed "About A Boy", but not as much as his first novel, "High Fidelity" (and to some extent, "Fever Pitch").

I may be holding his latest book to a higher standard because "High Fidelity" spoke so loudly to me. In many ways "High Fidelity" chronicled my own life; connecting with my own passions for music, books, and women. And while I did enjoy "About A Boy" on the merits of the story alone, I didn't relate as well to Will as I did with Rob in "High Fidelity" or Nick, himself, in "Fever Pitch."

At any rate, he's one of my favorites and you'll find me first in line at the bookseller's when his next book arrives.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing follow up to an incredible debut.
Review: About a Boy was extremely anticipated after reading Hornby's first novel, High Fidelity. I had picked up High Fidelity on a hunch an was amazed. Never before had I identified myself so much with a literary character. This book made me think, laugh, and even cry a little. I was amazed at Hornby's ability to absolutely nail the male psyche in such a clear manner. High Fidelity actually helped me come to terms with some of my "issues." With that in mind, I rushed to the store to purchase "About a Boy". What I discovered left me sadly disappointed. Where was the wit, and insight that fueled me through High Fidelity? Although this book was clearly written, it failed to inspire thought or concern. The plot didn't flow and try as I might, I absolutely didn't care about any of the characters. They wear dull, lifeless, and uninspiring. What happened Hornby? Please, please try again. Eagerly awaiting the next one- joe

Rating:
Summary: Great summer read; real substance beneath the comic surface
Review: A refreshing look at the business of growing up, for a twelve year old, and a thirty something. (Hint: there could be two "boys" here ...). I often laughed out loud: my wife thought I was going soft, until she read it and did the same.

If you like the comic writing style Douglas Adams, and if you enjoyed "The Diary of Adrian Mole", then you'll love "About a Boy".

Rating:
Summary: A Fast Fun Read
Review: Granted some part of this book is so sweet that one gets a toothache just from reading it, and the pop culture references will doubtlessly date this book rather than making it a literary classic. About A boy is still filled with touching sensitivity and brightness. Reading this book, one gets a view of the complexity of life through a simple and almost naive perspective, and Nick Hornby's humorous style makes the journey into his character's lives as much fun as the ending. A wonderful book to takeaway on vacation.