About a Boy by Nick Hornby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Strangely, of all Nick Hornby’s books that I’ve picked up, I didn’t pick this one up first. No siree! The first book that makes me fall in love with Nick Hornby was actually “How To be Good”. So, when I saw this book in the bookstore, I was like: “The title seems familiar” and like a book hit on the head (hur hur), it occurred to me that it’s the movie. But of course, the book comes first before the movie. But yes, I was slow.

Anyway, if you’ve watched the movie, then you know what the story is about. I don’t have to tell you. No, I’m kidding, I will. So, “About a Boy” is about a 36-year-old man, Will, who never seems to grow up and a 12-year-old boy, Marcus, who grows up too fast. But the two needed each other to learn a thing or two about growing up (for the man) and about being a boy (for the boy).

Like all the other Hornby books, it’s witty, funny and heartwarming all the same time. It’s very… British, for the lack of a better term. I just love the relationship between two people who have no blood relations whatsoever but became someone they both need in their lives. And the one you need the most to learn about life doesn’t have to be your mom or dad or siblings or significant other but could be a stranger. I also love how each chapter is in the point of view of Will and Marcus respectively and it could be about the same incident or situation but it doesn’t stop the story flow, rather moves it forward.

So, yes, Nick Hornby is now one of my favourite authors, especially if I need something funny but at the same time, fill my heart with warmth (that just sounds cheesy but it’s true). Or you know, something so inherently British.

View all my reviews