The three novels About a Boy and High Fidelity, author Nick Hornby and also Man and Boy by Tony Parsons, together, pay particular attention to the development of the male characters and their relationships with society. Both authors
             have purposely used characterisation, relationships and structure to emphasis the themes which run through the three novels: change and growing up. These techniques also help to establish and develop the central characters throughout the novels. I found these novels rational and realistic to modern society, which together made them a compelling read.
             By the author's use of language to develop character, has allowed the reader to focus on the central characters and establish their own personal opinions and perceptions of them. Both Hornby and Parsons have written their novels from a first person perspective which creates a particular closeness to that character. Harry Silver of Man and Boy author Tony Parsons has it all: a wife, a son and a good job; however, still persists on having childish fantasies. The fact that his 30th birthday is approaching:
             'Thirty should be when you think-these are my golden years, these are my salad days, the best is yet to come-and all that old crap'
             reminds him of a 'glorious youth' he feels he has missed out on. For example his infatuation of having the MGF sports car emphasises his immature childish disposition and the fact that he hasn't grown up yet:
             'a wedge shaped sports car which, even with its top off, looked as sleek and compact as a muscle'
             Parsons descriptive language and use of imagery here, adds to Harry's imaginative, irrational world and leads our opinion of him, to be cowardly towards his present day responsibilities: 'Maybe I'm compensating for becoming an old git'. Throughout the first chapters of Man and Boy, Harry's use of wimpish, negative language portrays him as a ...