This is about two characters - a 36-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy, neither of whom acts their age. Will, the man, acts like a teenager: he has inherited a lot of money and has no need to work. The boy is a bit of an outsider and acts older than his age. He moved to London from the country and has led a bit of an insulated life - not aware of the favoured trainers that should be worn, etc. The boy and Will form an allegiance. A typical Nick Hornby book but it lacks the usual driving obsession. A straightforward, and fairly weak, story. Inoffensive.
Caroline suggested Nick Hornby may be running out of steam
Andrew thought Nick Hornby was struggling to write about someone other than himself - but failing. The characters area bit two-dimensional.
Andrew 11/4/99
If this was his first book, it would have been admirable - but it's not as good as his first or second. Nonetheless it is still entertaining, but with characters who are not entirely credible - a boy who doesn't know what's what, and a hopeless 30-something man who knows exactly what the boy should know. The man has no need to earn a living, apparently, which is why he can get away with being so hopeless.
Nick Hornby is very good at writing about hopeless men, and this is
another example. But it isn't as good as it should be.
Doreen 13/6/99
By the same author