About a Boy

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Summary: Growing up so hard to do but never has it is been more funny
Review: You can read the synopsis of the book elsewhere. I won't waste my time re-telling and condensing the plot because the synopsis doesn't really do the the story justice. Suffice it to say, that this is a hilarious, touching, and just plain sweet story of Marcus,a 12 year old boy, and Will, a 36 year old boy, who find personal growth with each other and for themselves. If you've read High Fidelity, you'll enjoy this. But even if you haven't, you'll enjoy this. Mr. Hornsby writes with gentle awareness, delivers poignant observations with light, humorous and on target accuracy. Bravo.

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Summary: dont give up on hornby
Review: this 3rd hornby production is also unfortunately his weakest. as others have commented, the book allows one to flick cheerfully from one setting to the next, perfect accompanyment to your favourite cds and not the other way around. if this is your first hornby, give the guy a second chance and try the much cleverer 'high fidelity'.

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Summary: An original and engaging story
Review: This is the story of how two boys, one 12 the other 36, help each other to grow up. I found Hornby's characterizations to be very real and interesting. I never really wanted to put the book down because I was curious to see how the characters would develop. Hornby's great wit also made for many a good laugh. The only shortcoming was that I felt like I was getting hit over the head with sentimentality at the end. All in all, a fine book.

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Summary: The perfect summer read!
Review: I am a newcomer to the work of Nick Hornby, but admire his skill as a storyteller. This book is the perfect summer read. It is a breezy volume that is filled with wit and heart. It delivers its message without heavy syrup or overt sarcasm. I loved watching Marcus and Will grow!

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Summary: A terrible dissapointment after "High Fidelity"
Review: The story had potential, but Hornby never delivered.

I even went back and re-read "High Fidelity" to make sure I still found that book an intelligent and wry look at twentysomething culture. Yep...it was as good as I'd remembered, which only disappointed me more with the follow-up "About A Boy."

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Summary: Witty and wise story of a bachelor and a 12 year-old boy.
Review: Hornby's style is breezy and irreverent without being slick or self-indulgent. Will Freeman is a self-styled "cool" 36 year-old bachelor who doesn't have to work. Marcus is a twelve year old only child living with his single parent mom in London. School is NOT fun, friends are few and mom is depressed. Hornby brings Marcus and Will together unexpectedly. His characterizations are funny and poignant and very believable. You don't know what to expect, but Hornby makes you a willing passenger on his tour of bachelorhood, single parenthood and adolesence. Marcus is a very bright and endearing, if awkward and confused, 12 year-old. Will, is, in some ways, going through the same confusion at age 36. I am now a Hornby fan. This book was a delight!!

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Summary: Hysterical AND moving
Review: About A Boy mines the same comic territory as High Fidelity, yet adds an even deeper level of humanity. It's quirky, weird, funny and very touching. Not many books can claim all of that!

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Summary: A worthy follow-up to High Fidelity
Review: "About A Boy" is a very good read. The humor and easy writing style make for entertaining reading. Hornby's characters are more recognizable than any other authors I've been reading. I even see a bit of myself in some of them. I look forward to the next one, as I did after reading "High Fidelity"

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Summary: An entertaining read about growing up at 12 and 36
Review: "About a Boy" was my introduction to the fiction of Nick Hornby. Without having any preconceptions as to what to expect from this author, I found myself smiling and chuckling all the way through this novel.

Hornby obviously has a sympathetic sense for his characters, so the humor comes across in a good, kindhearted way. It was nice to feel that his characters, flawed as they are, can still be liked and likeable. It was heartening to realize that we don't have to be perfect in order to be able to learn important lessons in life.

At the end of "About a Boy," it's hard not to grasp the humanness of each of the characters as they go through their trials and tribulations, such as they are. The reader also gets a sense that the characters' lives are the better for it--and so are we.

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Summary: Not a bad second novel
Review: While this sophomore effort isn't quite as funny as his first novel, the story is more engrossing, and its characters more charming. I actually preferred this to High Fidelity.