Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - About a Boy

This is such a fun read. This was my first Nick Hornby book and I have not seen the film adaptation. The book switches between the POV of Marcus (a 12-year old who doesn't fit in with the kids and adults around him) and Will (a 30-something playboy/slacker who also doesn't fit in with those around him). I appreciate that this book did not take the usual road. The relationships are messy and the characters are imperfect, but it is satisfying to see them grow and come into their own.

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corallig's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

"Er hatte sich vorgestellt ihre Welt zu betreten, aber er hatte nicht vorausgesehen, dass sie in seine Welt eindringen könnten. Er war ein Besucher im Leben anderer; auf Gegenbesuche legte er keinen Wert."

"Marcus dachte darüber nach. Er hatte keine Ahnung, ob das Leben seiner Mutter ihr allein gehörte oder nicht."

"Letzten Endes war das Leben wie Luft. Daran bestand für Will kein Zweifel mehr. Es gab anscheinend keine Möglichkeit, es auszusperren oder auf Distanz zu halten, und im Moment konnte er nichts anderes tun, als es zu leben und einzuatmen."

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kt01's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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hanneke22's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I never saw the movie, but I could totally picture Hugh Grant as Will.
I didn’t like the character of Will at first, he came of as selfish. But along the way he kinda grew on me as a character. He way he helped Marcus and Fiona was kinda touching. I think anyone can relate in some way to Marcus, being the misunderstood teenager that he is.
3 ⭐️

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sevillamaria's review against another edition

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funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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daryn's review against another edition

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funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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bella_01's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I found this book odd. There was a lot of crude language which I found surprising especially in the chapters from the perspective of Marcus (a 12 year old). The characters were not likeable at all, but I still felt joy as they made progress in their lives.

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rory_john14's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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