#4 About A Boy.

Title: About A Boy.

Author: Nick Hornby

Published: Penguin; New Ed edition (4 April 2002)

Genre: Humour/ Family Life.

Synopsis: Will is a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in his search for available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings. As a result of one of his liaisons he meets Marcus, a strange 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Gradually, Will and Marcus become friends and, as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up.

My Thoughts:

My first experience of the story of 'About A Boy' is from the film adaptation featuring Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult in 2002, it wasn't until 2008 that I read this book during a module in my second year of university. Humour features heavily throughout the book whilst occasionally sensitive and upsetting topics are introduced such as depression and suicide, however these are handled with sensitivity and care and allow the book to be viewed more seriously. The character of Will is both brilliant but annoying, he does not live his life in the usual way, living off royalties from a song made my his father, he finds little things to fill in his days such as getting  haircut and watching countdown, it is interesting to watch his character develop throughout the novel and experience new things. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, well worth a read!

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