BVBook Verdict
Essential Read

About a Boy

by Nick Hornby · 1998

Literary Fiction · ranked #155 in category

Will Freeman, a wealthy, commitment-phobic 36-year-old who has never grown up, begins attending a single parents' support group to meet women. He meets Marcus, an awkward twelve-year-old whose mother is depressed, and the two form an unlikely relationship that changes both of them. Hornby's novel is about maturity, responsibility and the unexpected routes to both.

UK: Bookshop.org US: Print on Amazon Kindle Audiobook

UK visitors: Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops. All links open a search — never a specific listing. As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.

The verdict

Category
Literary Fiction
First published
1998 · 1990s
Author
Nick Hornby
Standing
Essential Read

More by Nick Hornby

High Fidelity Nick Hornby · 1995 Essential Read See details →
Fever Pitch Nick Hornby · 1992 Recommended See details →

If you liked this

More literary fiction worth your shelf. See the full books like About a Boy list. Or try our book club guide.

Beloved Toni Morrison · 1987 Editor's Choice See details →
The Stranger Albert Camus · 1942 Essential Read See details →
The Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro · 1989 Essential Read See details →
Atonement Ian McEwan · 2001 Essential Read See details →
The Secret History Donna Tartt · 1992 Essential Read See details →
The Goldfinch Donna Tartt · 2014 Essential Read See details →

Ready to read it?

Get About a Boy

Buy at Bookshop.org → Print on Amazon → Kindle edition Audiobook

As an Amazon Associate, Bookshop.org and CJ Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Magzter

Between books? Read magazines too.

Book readers love Magzter — 10,000+ magazines and newspapers on any device, 50% off the annual GOLD plan.

Start Reading — 50% off Annual Plan →