After thoroughly enjoying High Fidelity, I realized I could have found a new favourite author, so I was compelled to give Nick Hornby's second book a try. I wasn't disappointed: the guy not only writes well, but also seems to write from the heart. Althought some might argue that this book doesn't have much depth or substance, I've concluded that Hornby's writings don't give you answers, they make you work hard for them, to find them yourself.
"About a Boy" is another book about single thirty somethings with ties to pop culture: Will Freeman is the child of a one hit wonder song writer turned rich and Marcus (what is his last name again?) is a kid with an uncontrollable urge to sing out loud. The music connection is there again, but you won't see top 5 lists this time. The story revolves around Will, a 36-year-old man who has no direction in life and Marcus, a kid who doesn't fit in his new school. Through a series of unlikely events they meet and are thrown into a situation where a friendship develops. As they go along, they seem to complement each other and to provide a much needed learning ground where they both find a chance to grow.
If I were to stop this teaser right here, I'm sure you'd think it's corny story (and it may very well be so), but it's not really the story that matters when Nick Hornby is writing, it's how the story is told. This book makes you laugh out loud and also makes you stop to think and re-evaluate yourself as a human being. Maybe it's some kind of homeopathic cure for the modern day cynicism and hopelessness that you don't really see as medicine, until you observe the results. I highly recommend it for a pleasant light reading when you want to have your spirits lifted.
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