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　　　(点击右键“另存为”可下载语音)

　　For most people, accepting greater responsibility is an inevitable part of aging. To Will Freeman, however, the main character in Nick Hornby’s novel About a Boy, each year that passes is another chance for him to postpone“growing up.”Like a modern-day Peter Pan, he is childless and hasn’t the vaguest concept of what it means to be mature.

　　Will prides himself on having no responsibility for the feelings of other people. One day, for example, he invents a son and joins a single-parent support group just so he can pick up needy women. Although Will’s pick-up lines fail, through his participation in the group, he meets Marcus, a lonely twelve-year-old boy.

　　In many ways, Marcus is Will’s total opposite. Caring for his depressed, suicidal mother has made him mature for his age. Marcus is selfless where Will is selfish. However, when Marcus meets Will, he is busy juggling his concern for his mother with problems at school.