About A Boy
(Nick Hornby)
About a Boy is the story, told in alternate chapters, of Will, whose drug, drink and women-filled life is shrouded in emptiness, and Marcus, an old man in a pre-pubescent body. Will lives off royalties and is content job-less, child-less, doing nothing and bearing responsibility for no-one. Marcus on the other hand is feeling the pressure of being bullied at his new school and worrying about his mum, Fiona, who not only suffers from depression, but has also brought up her son to love Joni Mitchell. A bizarre ensemble of beautiful single mothers, an imaginary child and a rather unfortunate duck sees the two forming an unlikely bond, and helping each other much to their mutual surprise. Their interaction provides great comic moments: Marcus is honest to an infuriating degree and hilarious without realising why, whilst Will struggles to defend his lifestyle and to instil some street-sense into the twelve year old. Embarrassing moments are plentiful, and as is the case with many gifted writers, Hornby uses humour to expose deeper feelings
Like High Fidelity, About a Boy is written in such a way as to be perfect for the inevitable film adaptation. However, this is not a criticism, although lovers of the book may have initially raised their collective eyebrows at the casting of Hugh Grant as Will (luckily he proved us wrong, and remained gorgeous throughout). This style of writing actually lends the book its accessibility; the characters are unique and original, yet instantly recognisable. Their search for ?the point? is pathetic, yet intensely uplifting. The universal and classical themes of love, death and despair are explored with a nineties soundtrack in the background. You will laugh until you cry, and cry until you laugh again. And then go for a drive just to sing along to Nevermind.
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