References in "About a Boy"
This page deals with the various cultural references in Nick Hornby's "About a Boy". Following are a few descriptions of novels and films referred to in the film, but you can also read the lyrics to Nirvana's song "Smells like teen spirit".
Iain Banks' novel "The Wasp Factory"
Francis Leslie Cauldham is a strange kid: as imaginative as cunning, cruel and aggressive. He is 16 years old and lives with his father in a wilderness at the ocean, nearly to a small Scottish town. His mother has left the family a long time ago. His brother, who went crazy during his medicine studies, escapes from a psychiatric clinic. His father, a strange crank, who makes strange researches, gives him every freedom he wants to have, protects him against the outside world and protects him from compulsory education.So, Francis Leslie could devote himself in his daydreams, which turn more and more into bizarre rites. At these rites the random deaths of animals and humans take a big part.
But when the arrival of his mad brother comes near, he discovers the awful secret of his father that concerns to Francis and his life.
"The Wasp Factory" was published in 1984. To find out more about Iain Banks' "The Wasp Factory" and his other books, click one of the following links:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1027/ or
http://www.soft.net.ok/theziggy/books/ibanks/index.htm
Avery Corman’s novel "Kramer versus Kramer"
The lively advertising expert Ted Kramer was promoted. But when he comes back home, there is no "Congratulation Party" with champagne or something, there is only the farewell letter of his wife. Joanna leaves husband and child to live her own life.
So, Ted has to take care of his 14-hour job and his seven year old boy Billy. Soon a fight for the custody over Billy breaks out, which is conducted with the gloves off on both sides.
This book has bee turned into a very succesful film starring Dustin Hoffman.
Ken Kesey’s novel "One flew over the Cuckoos‘ Nest"
Randel Patrick McMurphy is a criminal outsider of the society. Mid 30, ex-Korea-fighter, dismissed from army because of disobedience, he becomes a prisoner because of brawls, violation and alcoholism. From there, he refers himself in a psychiatric clinic with a trick.
One day McMurphy is taken to the trist world of an anonymous sanatorium. There he finds a cruel system that divides its helpless and weak patients up into "hard" and "easy" cases.
A despotical senior nurse and a lot of brutal attendents put down every individual impulse. The mental state of the patients is "treated" with heavy medicines or electrotherapies, which only worsen the state of the patients. In this system McMurphy seems like a catalystic converter... he scrutinize the system of the psychiatric clinic an set the inmates against the system.
The novel was turned into a famous movie (directed by Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson).
Donna Tartt’s novel "The Secret History"
Five students of classical philology at an American college build up a conspired community: They learn together, arrange drinking bouts, enjoy weekends and kill a person...
"The Secret History" is the first book by the young author Donna Tartt.
The Music Group "Nirvana"
Nirvana is an American Grunge band which was founded by Kurt Donald Kobain (1967 – 1994; vocals and guitars) and Anthony Novoselic (born in 1965; bass guitar) in the year 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington. After a few personnel changes, a stable trio with the drummer Dave Grohl (Born in 1969) developed. After the the first two records ("Love Buzz", 1988; "Bleach", 1989) Nirvana have been successful with ‚Nevermind‘ (1991; with "Smells like Teen Spirit"). They sold more then a million records in the first few months. In 1993 the last Nirvana record "In Utero" came out.
Every Nirvana Song is written by Kurt Cobain. The lyrics stagger between humor, indignation and depression. Cobain’s drug addiction wrecked his relationship with Courtney Love (a singer and actress) and made him kill himself in April 1994.
To find out more about Nirvana in "About a Boy", please have a look at the page about the role of fashion and music in "About a Boy".
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
Load up on guns, bring your friends
It‘s fun to loose, or to pretend
She’s overboard, self assured
And knows enough a dirty word
Hello, Hello, Hello, hell no (4x)
With the lights out, it‘s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contageous
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my labido, yah
I'm worse im what I do best, and for this gift
I feel blessed, our little group
Has always been and always will until the end
Hello, Hello, Hello, hell no (4x)
With the lights out, it‘s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contageous
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my labido, yah
And I forget just what the taste of
Ya I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it was hard to find
Oh well whatever, nevermind
Hello, Hello, Hello, hell no (4x)
With the lights out, it‘s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contageous
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my labido
A denial (10x)
information compiled by Matthias Doden