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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I read this book some time ago but really enjoyed it. The book is better then the movie.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Great book.. Great movie.”
Felice L wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I bought this while on holiday some years ago, started reading it, and just couldn't put it down. It's the only novel I've read in a single day. Very funny, highly perceptive and well-observed.”
sid_rw wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love Nick Hornby! This is a brill book, not as funny as the film but much better in other ways. ”
Mel P wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“3.75 Stars
Nayla M wrote this review 4 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I saw the movie a couple of years ago, so the characters' images have been sort of set for me. Everytime Will's name comes up on the page, Hugh Grant's face pops up in my mind. I quite liked the movie, and didn't mind the cheesy ending. But I've also enjoyed the book. This is one of the rare cases where the movie didn't ruin the book for me.
So there's Will Lightman, a 36 year old who apparently has no goals or ambitions. He lives comfortably enough with a steady source of income from his late father's song royalities. He indulges the kid in him, and is still up to date with all that's cool and in, unlike his friends who are gradually getting married, and settled. And actually asking him to be a god father to their kids, the horror.
After dating a single mum, he finds that they're exactly what he's looking for. Single mums don't harp on about getting married and they usually break things of with the commitment fearing Will because they aren't ready for a new relationship. With this new found information, he makes up a 2 year old son name Ned (sometimes, Ted) and joins SPAT: Single Parents Alone Together.
Through SPAT he meets 12 year old Marcus. A kid who had recently moved to London with his mum and who was having trouble at school. While Will carefully makes sure he's still within the 'cool' status, Marcus is anything but. Marcus wears all the kind of wrong clothes, sports the wrong hair cut and is clueless about most things his peers enjoy (music, video games, movies, etc). And somehow, Marcus attaches himself to Will and forces a friendship that helps one of them to grow up and the other to act his age.
This was an enjoyable read. Humor and sarcasm galore that lighten your mood, but it also tackles some serious issues like suicide, single parents, and bullying.
I had no problem with Will's character whilst I was reading the book, the portrayal seemed believable. But after finishing the book, I just can't help it..how can a person not be bored from living that kind of life? If my memory serves me right, the movie didn't portray him as aimless as this.
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“It's a very funny book.”
Julio Romano wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“About a boy has two main protagonists, Marcus and Will. Marcus is a lonely twelve year old boy with a complicated home life, while Will is a carefree adult who lives a life of leisure due to the fact that his father wrote one famous song. Will meets Marcus on a date with Marcus' mom's friend, as Marcus' mom Fiona made Marcus get out of the house as she is too depressed to care for him properly. When they go to drop Marcus off, they find Fiona unconscious, as she tried to commit suicide. Marcus is confused and angry at his mom, but thinks if Will and his mom have a relationship, Fiona will be happy and he won't have to worry about her. Marcus blackmails Will into going on a date with his mom. The relationship between Will and Fiona doesn't work, but Will and Marcus still hang out, though Fiona doesn't know. Will becomes like a father to Marcus, and helps him deal with bullies at school and a girl he likes. Eventually, though, Fiona does find out about the relationship. She is initially angry because she dislikes Will, but after talking with him finds just how many problems she has caused for Marcus, and decides she is OK with him hanging out with Will. The book ends with Marcus going to see his dad with the girl he liked from school and getting arrested, and his dad, Will, Fiona, and his father's girlfriend all together. I like this book because it is funny and not boring. I like the characters, especially Will, because his sense of humor is funny. I would recommend this book because it an easy read and very funny. ”
natalie c wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Oddly enough, I enjoyed the movie more.. or maybe that's just because I watched it first before reading the novel.”
Erikaaa wrote this review Friday, October 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“One of my all-time favorite authors and books. It laugh-out-loud funny and touching at the same time. ”
Kristen B wrote this review Monday, October 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“absolute love.”
F S wrote this review Sunday, October 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
