Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This is one of my favorite movies, and since I've been on a bit of a Hornby kick this year, of course I had to read "About A Boy". I expected it to be like the movie and hoped I wouldn't end up disappointed in the movie *or* the book. I'm not. Reading this makes me realize just how perfect the casting of the movie is. But enough about the movie. There are so many differences (because that's how it works) and I actually loved the differences. I loved the novel being set when it is: 1993. When talking about teenagers and suicide and pop culture 1993/1994 is *it*. It's all about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain and because I was a teenager at that time and into the grunge movement and because I deal with depression and suicidal thoughts this story really spoke to me. I understood the pain of Marcus, being weird and not really knowing what's going on with the other kids and not fitting in. I understood the pain of Ellie, as she just tried to relate to what she thinks she wants to be. I understood the pain of Fiona, as an adult who sometimes just can't get it together and just wants that pain to go away. I understood the confusion of Will, the child-man who does the most growing in the story, by the way, and who just wants to understand "the point". I am always looking for "the point". I got you, Will. I've always thought the title of the story was about Marcus and the relationship between Will and Marcus, but really, I have to wonder if it is all about Will. I don't know... Anyway... I was disappointed not to have that great scene from the end of the movie with Will joining Marcus on stage and singing "Killing Me Softly", but the way this book ends? It's perfect the way it is. The movie didn't have anything about Kurt Cobain (they didn't make it a period movie or whatever), and I can't think of any replacement pop culture star they could have replaced him with. It was such a defining time. So the way it all works out in the book was great. Perfect. I didn't miss "Killing Me Softly" *that* much after all. :) The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I think "Juliet, Naked" surpasses "About A Boy". Hornby gets close, but "About A Boy" wasn't his peak. Not yet.
I actually laughed out loud in the train a few times reading this book. Hornby is incredibly talented and witty. This is the kind of book I'd like to write if I ever actually write a book: funny, but not frivolous, and a great page-turner.
This is a really enjoyable book to read. It is very similar to the movie but also different in some chapters. It’s about a man and a boy. They have completely different lives. But because the man is on a journey to date single mothers he somehow meets this boy. This boy is becoming a part of his life, more than he initially wanted. They both have personal problems with either family or friends. But the man and the boy can speak to each other about their problems and learn from each other. Every chapter switches from the perspective of either the man or the boy.
I have seen the movie About a Boy and I constantly have the actors who played the characters in the movie in my head, same as the soundtrack on certain parts. I sort of like the ending of the movie better. I think the ending in the book isn’t as wholesome. But still, it is an enjoyable book to read.
I have seen the movie About a Boy and I constantly have the actors who played the characters in the movie in my head, same as the soundtrack on certain parts. I sort of like the ending of the movie better. I think the ending in the book isn’t as wholesome. But still, it is an enjoyable book to read.
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
About a boy is a smart and funny experience. Unlike some other of Hornby's books there is alot of growth from all the characters (a nice change of pace).
A colleague of mine gave me this book before went into surgery earlier this year with a very kind note telling me how much it meant to him - that it made him laugh out loud.
I really enjoyed this book and found it much better than I thought it would be. I really liked the movie and had high expectations for the book, and it exceeded them. Hornby shows he really understands people and is sympathetic with people who have various, human challenges. It's also a funny read.
V
I really enjoyed this book and found it much better than I thought it would be. I really liked the movie and had high expectations for the book, and it exceeded them. Hornby shows he really understands people and is sympathetic with people who have various, human challenges. It's also a funny read.
V
Nick Hornby is one of my all-time favorite authors. This book is hilarious and heartwarming.
I enjoyed the ride. Being transported to favorable times past was fun. The story had me engaged in wanting to know the ending, but it wasn't Earth shattering with thought provoking depth???
I found this made a much better film than book. I felt the book kind of fell apart at the end.