Nick Hornby is an English novelist, essayist, columnist, and screenwriter known for his work inspired by pop culture, music, and sports. His famous books, such as ‘About a Boy’, ‘High Fidelity’, and ‘Fever Pitch’, have been adapted into successful movies featuring renowned American actors like Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and John Cusack. Born in Surrey and raised in Maidenhead, Hornby developed a deep love for football, particularly Arsenal, due to his father’s influence. His memoir ‘Fever Pitch’ delves into his lifelong passion for the sport. Additionally, Hornby’s talent as a screenwriter was recognized with an Oscar nomination for his work on the acclaimed film ‘An Education’.
Quick Facts
- Name: Nicholas Peter John Hornby
- Age: 66 Years
- Gender: Male
- Spouse: Virginia Bovell (m. ?–1998)
- Siblings: Gill Hornby
- Children: Danny Hornby
- Occupation: Essayist
- Founder/Co-Founder: Ministry of Stories
- Education: University of Cambridge, Desborough College, Jesus College, Cambridge
Childhood & Early Life
Nick Hornby was born on 17 April 1957 in Redhill, Surrey, England. His father, Sir Derek Hornby, was a known businessman. He was raised mostly in Maidenhead and attended Maidenhead Grammar School. Hornby studied English literature at Jesus College, Cambridge.
Hornby’s parents divorced when he was 11 years old. During his teen years, his father started taking him to watch football matches, which led to Hornby becoming an ardent fan of the North London Premier League club Arsenal. He still considers himself a loyal and irrational fan of the team.
From a young age, Hornby developed a love for reading and was always absorbed in books, whether it was comics or works by authors like Lorrie Moore. This passion for reading led him to pursue a major in Literature at Cambridge, where he wrote stage plays, screenplays, and radio plays.
Career
After graduating from Cambridge University, Hornby took on various jobs related to his interest and talent in English literature. He started by teaching at a grade school and then began giving language classes and hosting for Samsung executives visiting England.
Hornby then became a paid journalist and started writing a column on pop culture for the Independent. He also wrote about sports for publications like Esquire and the Sunday Times. In 1992, he released his first book, “Contemporary American Fiction,” which was a compilation of essays on American scholars.
In the same year, Hornby published his first memoir, “Fever Pitch,” which detailed his irrational love for Arsenal. The book was adapted into a UK film and later an American movie. It received widespread acclaim and continued to sell well after its initial release.
Hornby’s success continued with the publication of his first novella, “High Fidelity,” in 1995. The book, which tells the story of a record shop owner’s love for pop music, was later adapted into a movie and a Broadway musical.
In 1998, Hornby published his second novel, “About a Boy,” which was inspired by his experiences as a grade school teacher. The story revolves around the relationship between a rich bachelor and a troubled preadolescent. The book was also adapted into a film.
Hornby went on to publish several more books, including “How to Be Good” in 2001, “Speaking with the Angel” in 2002 (a collection of short stories), and “31 Songs” in 2003 (also known as “Songbook” in the US). He has received numerous awards for his work, including the W.H. Smith Award for Fiction.
In 2007, Hornby ventured into young adult fiction with his novel “Slam,” which won the ALA Best Books for Young Adults Award in 2008. He continued to write novels, screenplays, and essays, and his books have been adapted into Hollywood movies.
Personal Life
Hornby has a son from his first marriage, who is autistic and attends the TreeHouse school for autistic children in London, which he and his wife founded. He is currently married to film producer Amanda Posey, and they have two sons together.
Trivia
Hornby’s books have been turned into popular Hollywood movies, featuring actors like Colin Firth, John Cusack, Hugh Grant, Jimmy Fallon, and Drew Barrymore. Johnny Depp even bought the film rights to his book “A Long Way Down” before it was published.
In 2012, Hornby openly discussed his struggles with depression on BBC Radio 4. His novel “About a Boy” earned him the E.M. Forster Awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.