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69th out of 484 books
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About a Boy
by
Nick Hornby
Will is thirty-six, comfortable and child-free. And he's discovered a brilliant new way of meeting women - through single-parent groups. Marcus is twelve and a little bit nerdish: he's got the kind of mother who made him listen to Joni Mitchell rather than Nirvana. Perhaps they can help each other out a little bit, and both can start to act their age.
307 pages
Published
by Penguin Books Ltd
(first published 1998)
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Samilja
rated it
Recommends it for:
lovers of dry british laughs & anyone looking for an entertaining, easy read
Brilliant - ok, that's just a bad homage to the Brits but really, this was a funny, sweet book. I'd have given it a 3.5 but with no half-stars at my disposal, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Anyway - bought it b/c I was looking for High Fidelity at our local used shop but this was the only Hornby on hand. I'm glad since I saw the movie version of H.F. but not this so it was a good surprise. It's a love story of sorts - but not between lovers. Rather, between a mid-thirties man-child (Will...more
Will Freeman has some growing up to do. At 35, he lazes around all day listening to his CDs, watches "tele," dates serially and by nature keeps himself from any emotional entanglements, living off the royalties of a single Christmas tune his father wrote. After dating a single mother, Will discovers that a way to meet more single moms is to attend a single parent support group, conjuring up an imaginary son in the process to back up his story. Soon enough, his cover is blown, largel...more
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I have weird habit of reading books that were made into movies AFTER I've seen the movies. Dopey, right? I don't know why I love to do this. I guess just to see how it all turns out on the other end.
Anyway, this review is pretty straight forward: "About a Boy" is awesome. Like the rest of Hornby's work that I've read, it's hilarious in such a BRITISH way (so dry, the laughs usually coming from some poor uptight Brit's bumbling embarrassment). I also admire Hornby for writin...more
Anyway, this review is pretty straight forward: "About a Boy" is awesome. Like the rest of Hornby's work that I've read, it's hilarious in such a BRITISH way (so dry, the laughs usually coming from some poor uptight Brit's bumbling embarrassment). I also admire Hornby for writin...more
Originally, I picked up a friend's copy of this while watching babysitting, simply as a means of amusing myself while the kid was happily playing with some toys. I'd already seen the movie, and figured the book would probably be something that I could pick up and put down fairly easily.
I was wrong.
See, I went into this thinking I obviously knew the story and the characters - but what happened was I quickly forgot about the movie version, and became fascinated with the st...more
I was wrong.
See, I went into this thinking I obviously knew the story and the characters - but what happened was I quickly forgot about the movie version, and became fascinated with the st...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 hadn’t watched the About the Boy movie before reading the book and so I knew nothing about the plot nor the characters. I was therefore very surprised to find that it’s narrated by Marcus as well as Will. I thought this worked perfectly they are both stand-out, likeable characters. I loved Marco’s naivety and his ability to see things in a straightforward, literal way, and I loved Will’s hilarious cynicism. If you’re familiar with Danny Wallace, that’s who he reminded me of.
I was r...more
I was r...more
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 ...more
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 frien...more
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 frien...more
Well, this was a slight disappointment after High Fidelity, which I loved. This had a similar style and humor which was so refreshing after a long week, but it fell short of High Fidelity's originality and wit - I guess each book needs to be judged on its merit, but even so this one was sometimes too silly or too cheesy, as if he just didn't have another 'slimy yet endearing' guy left in him.
It was enjoyable enough, and Hornby's humor is so great in that sardonic British way that even a b...more
It was enjoyable enough, and Hornby's humor is so great in that sardonic British way that even a b...more
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Nick Hornby is a master of writing a heartwarming book that isn't heartwarming (I mean that as praise, in case that wasn't clear). His brilliant method is to make the main character as self-centered and unadmirable as possible, then make him do something incredibly good, but rationalize his or her actions to him or herself in self-interested reasons.
In this book, an unemployed, consumerist slacker named Will (he doesn't need to work as his father wrote a pathetically embarassing Chri...more
In this book, an unemployed, consumerist slacker named Will (he doesn't need to work as his father wrote a pathetically embarassing Chri...more
Books into movies...I always try to read the book first. If I don't succeed, I rarely will read the book later. But there are exceptions and books by Nick Hornby fall into that category (next on my list by him is High Fidelity). I won't say much about the plot because you've most likely seen the movie. But I'll say that the book is much darker, much more sarcastic, and just 'fuller' than the movie. I very much like NG's style of writing. He takes very serious issues, and though gives them the g...more
About A boy
Novel tentang seorang laki-laki 36 tahun yang tidak pernah melakukan apa-apa. Ia hidup dari royalti peninggalan ayahnya. Cowok ini jadi orang yang suka ngebuang-buang waktu untuk ngelakuin hal-hal nggak penting. Sampai suatu hari dia ketemu sama seseorang yang pengen bunuh diri. Novelnya sih biasa banget.
Kutipan keren: “Aku selalu berkata…. Aku tidak akan bunuh diri saat ini. Mungkin besok, tapi tidak saat ini. Dan setelah beberapa minggu, aku tahu aku tidak ...more
Novel tentang seorang laki-laki 36 tahun yang tidak pernah melakukan apa-apa. Ia hidup dari royalti peninggalan ayahnya. Cowok ini jadi orang yang suka ngebuang-buang waktu untuk ngelakuin hal-hal nggak penting. Sampai suatu hari dia ketemu sama seseorang yang pengen bunuh diri. Novelnya sih biasa banget.
Kutipan keren: “Aku selalu berkata…. Aku tidak akan bunuh diri saat ini. Mungkin besok, tapi tidak saat ini. Dan setelah beberapa minggu, aku tahu aku tidak ...more
M'n hele leven al word ik omringd door evenwichtige, stabiele mannen. Vader, nonkels, neefjes, partner: eenmaal volwassen hollen ze enkele mooie ambities na, weten ze succesvol te realiseren en durven tenslotte als echte zen-meesters hun leven bewust af te ronden.
Wellicht kamp ik stilaan met een 'overdosis' en heb ik daarom wel een boontje voor die klungelige dertigers van Hornby. Ze struinen niks-uitvoerend in het rond, leggen nog eens een lp-tje op, zijn super-onzeker, onhandig-kwetsbaar...more
Wellicht kamp ik stilaan met een 'overdosis' en heb ik daarom wel een boontje voor die klungelige dertigers van Hornby. Ze struinen niks-uitvoerend in het rond, leggen nog eens een lp-tje op, zijn super-onzeker, onhandig-kwetsbaar...more
Have to admit, I only picked up this book because I'm shallow and it had a picture of Hugh Grant on the cover. Sad, right? But, it was only a dollar and Hugh is a sexy beast, so I figured why not. Fortunately, I was more than pleasantly surprised at how good it was. This book deals with some very heavy subjects (Suicide, Depression, Finding your place in the world) in a light-hearted way, through the eyes of a child and child-like adult, but I think it's necessary for the story to be told in suc...more
I was very much prepared to hate this book for a roundabout reason. I've always had a great disdain for John Cusack, he was in High Fidelity which I continue to boycott to this bloody day, which was a book originally written by Nick Hornby. I continue to boycott the movie version of this novel for a similar disdain for Hugh Grant, but the book was halfway decent. There's an especially funny part where the kid watches the movie "Groundhog Day" with his mom who was recently released f...more
So, if anyone has seen the movie adaptation of this book, do not expect the book to be the same at all. I was a little disappointed at first when I realized I already knew what was going to happen, but it turned out I didn't...at all. The book is able to explore how the character's personalities change throughout the story, which was of course a good thing. I can't help (and call me shallow if you must) feeling a little sad to be missing the typical Hollywood ending that the movie has though. Ho...more
I watched the movie a little over a year ago and enjoyed it. I was surprised how well the movie stayed close to the book until the end bit, even using bits of dialogue or narrative word-for-word. This was an enjoyable read with a cast of some of the quirkiest - yet realistic - characters I've ever met within a book. Will's transformation from unrepentant bachelor and loafer to someone who finally joins the rest of the world was nicely done, as was Marcus's own evolution from Fiona's son to a nor...more
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 ...more
This was a cute read, but I don’t know if I’d recommend it, necessarily. I saw it at the local thrift store and picked it up for a quarter or so. When I’m interested in a movie based on a book, I always like to read the book first, if possible. I remembered that the movie looked vaguely interesting to me, so I picked this up. It had a lot of cute British colloquialisms, but the characters were pretty forgettable. Frankly, I read it a month or two ago and at this point can’t remember much ab...more
I admit that I was slow to jump on the Nick Hornby bandwagon, but I'm quickly catching up. I saw the movie prior to reading the book, which is typically not my style but Hugh Grant and Toni Collette...what can I say? For the record, I also saw High Fidelity and Fever Pitch prior to reading those as well.
Anyway...I adored this book. The relationship that builds between Will and Marcus is alternates between the sweet, funny and heartwarming. I enjoy watching the progress as both Will ...more
Anyway...I adored this book. The relationship that builds between Will and Marcus is alternates between the sweet, funny and heartwarming. I enjoy watching the progress as both Will ...more
I really liked this book. All the characters are really easy to get to know and you don't like them instantly. That is what I hate aobut many books. The author tries really hard to make sure you like some characters and dislike others. With About a Boy, NIck Horby did a really good job in letting you decide whether you like Will or not, most of the time I didn't. I also like that Nick didn't put curse words in for a better rating or something. Yeah, there were a lot, but it was for a reason. Not...more
of all of nick hornby's books, most of which I own and all of which I love--about a boy is my favorite and the one I most often reread.
hornby does such a beautiful job of creating the voices and characters of both marcus and will. I love how they will both describe the same scene--the dead duck day always makes me laugh (until they go home, of course).
the movie is wonderful as well, a lot of the dialogue and internal monologues are straight out of the book. and I think th...more
hornby does such a beautiful job of creating the voices and characters of both marcus and will. I love how they will both describe the same scene--the dead duck day always makes me laugh (until they go home, of course).
the movie is wonderful as well, a lot of the dialogue and internal monologues are straight out of the book. and I think th...more
I found Nick Hornby and came to love him while reading High Fidelity. After reading "How to be Good" and thinking it was only ok, I decided to try my luck at this one.
I will give Nick this, he is always funny. This book went by very quickly.
Will is in his mid-thirties and lives off of his dad's one hit wonder song called, "Santa's Super Sleigh." What else does he do? Not much. He basically does all of the things that we do in our down time (those that have...more
I will give Nick this, he is always funny. This book went by very quickly.
Will is in his mid-thirties and lives off of his dad's one hit wonder song called, "Santa's Super Sleigh." What else does he do? Not much. He basically does all of the things that we do in our down time (those that have...more
Will Lightman is a 36-year-old unemployed (but well-off man)living in London. He spends his days finding trivial ways to fill his endless amounts of time. He's always fashionable. He always knows what's in. In other words, Will is always on top of the game.
Will is also a womanizer, and soon finds the joy of the single mother. When he joins a single parents support group and befriends one of the mothers, he meets Marcus, a 12-year-old who acts much older than his 12 years -- Will's o...more
Will is also a womanizer, and soon finds the joy of the single mother. When he joins a single parents support group and befriends one of the mothers, he meets Marcus, a 12-year-old who acts much older than his 12 years -- Will's o...more
awalnya nih buku membingungkan, lebih tepatnya terjemahannya berputar-putar **aku gak tau aslinya gimana** tapi semakin bertambahnya halaman-halaman baca, buku semakin menarik.
Tokoh utamanya adalah Will dan Marcus, dua pria yang sebenarnya memiliki jurang besar bernama umur. Tapi ternyata Will (32 tahun) dan Marcus (12 tahun) malah menjalin hubungan yang unik.
Will, sebelumnya adalah pria tampan "tanpa" masalah, kehidupannya lancar dengan kekayaan melimpah hasil dari royal...more
Tokoh utamanya adalah Will dan Marcus, dua pria yang sebenarnya memiliki jurang besar bernama umur. Tapi ternyata Will (32 tahun) dan Marcus (12 tahun) malah menjalin hubungan yang unik.
Will, sebelumnya adalah pria tampan "tanpa" masalah, kehidupannya lancar dengan kekayaan melimpah hasil dari royal...more
Brian Enos 11/8/11
About A Boy
About A Boy is an interesting book written by Nick Hornby. It is a different type of novel because, instead of writing with just a solo main character, there are two main characters. One of the characters is a twelve-year-old boy named Marcus, who has just recently moved with his mother, Fiona. Marcus is not considered a cool kid, and always gets bullied at the...more
About A Boy
About A Boy is an interesting book written by Nick Hornby. It is a different type of novel because, instead of writing with just a solo main character, there are two main characters. One of the characters is a twelve-year-old boy named Marcus, who has just recently moved with his mother, Fiona. Marcus is not considered a cool kid, and always gets bullied at the...more
I'm happy I picked up this book from the shelf as a light-read for on the beach for a couple of days. And it was brilliant for it. Didn't take any effort to get into as well, and was in fact quite hard to put down. I also finished it in two days. I think the book became even better for me because I started out the day with reading Adorno's Culture Industry, on how capitalism corrupts culture and leads to people living meaningless empty lives entertained by meaningless empty entertainment.
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I'm no Superman, but I have kryptonite. My kryptonite is definitely a good book: this old man can stay up WAY past when he should have gone to sleep, simply to further delight in a good book. "About a Boy" was just such a book; I read until after 2am and was useless the next day.
What made it so appealing? Hornby's style is perfectly deadpan as his characters note the absurdity of the world without being a part of it: the young boy, bullied at school and whose single mum is...more
What made it so appealing? Hornby's style is perfectly deadpan as his characters note the absurdity of the world without being a part of it: the young boy, bullied at school and whose single mum is...more
Will has lots of money and no life experience. Marcus has no friends, no money and no hope of being rescued from his slide in social exile. Fiona is a depressed hippie, trying to raise a 12-year-old son in North London. They meet because Will decides single mothers are an as yet untapped resource. They actually end up having quite a good time together.
This is the first Nick Hornby I've enjoyed. He uses very different characters from the other two, which were replete with emo 30-somethi...more
This is the first Nick Hornby I've enjoyed. He uses very different characters from the other two, which were replete with emo 30-somethi...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Did you think this had a weak ending? | 3 | 12 | Jan 06, 2012 02:57am | |
| About a boy | 7 | 34 | Aug 15, 2011 08:34am | |
| Promoção no Submarino | 1 | 4 | Nov 17, 2009 04:07pm | |
| About a Boy | 5 | 44 | Oct 25, 2008 03:34am |
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Nick Hornby is the author of the novels A Long Way Down, Slam, How to Be Good, High Fidelity, and About a Boy, and the memoir Fever Pitch. He is also the author of Songbook, a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award, Shakespeare Wrote for Money, and The Polysyllabic Spree, as well as the editor of the short-story collection Speaking with the Angel. He is a recipient of the American Aca...more
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“There had been times when he knew, somewhere in him, that he would get used to it, whatever it was, because he had learnt that some hard things became softer after a very little while.”
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37 people liked it
“This thing about looking for someone less different... It only really worked, he realized, if you were convinced that being you wasn't so bad in the first place.”
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25 people liked it
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