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When James Bowen found an injured, ginger street cat curled up in the
hallway of his sheltered accommodation, he had no idea just how much
his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the
streets of London and the last thing he needed was a pet.
Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent tom cat, whom he quickly christened Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas.
Soon the two were inseparable and their diverse, comic and occasionally dangerous adventures would transform both their lives, slowly healing the scars of each other's troubled pasts.
Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent tom cat, whom he quickly christened Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas.
Soon the two were inseparable and their diverse, comic and occasionally dangerous adventures would transform both their lives, slowly healing the scars of each other's troubled pasts.
Genre: non-fiction
Publication date: March 2012
Mature content: references to drug abuse
Review: I loved this book. The writing may not be Noble prize-worthy and a bit repetitive in places, but the depth of the narrative more than compensates that.
A Street Cat Named Bob makes you smile, laugh, cry and, above anything else, think. It makes you think about life, about choices and second chances. It shows the harsh reality of those living in the streets, about all the obstacles they have to face and how, sadly, they are so often invisible to the rest of society.
Bob is certainly a special cat - and as a cat lover I really enjoyed that part of the book - but I want to believe James is a special human being too. Because when Bob showed up, James could have just ignored him, or sent him away. Many in his place probably would have done just that, if not worse. The fact that despite all his problems and his dysfunctional life, he owed up to the added responsibility of taking care of a pet to the best of his abilities makes James special too.
And maybe it's wishful thinking, but I also want to believe James would have gotten rid of drugs with or without Bob. It might have taken longer, but he was already heading in the right direction when Bob appeared in his life.
James is the living proof that there are severe consequences for all the bad choices you make in life, but in telling his and Bob's story he's also passing on the message that somewhere along the way you will be offered a second chance. And that second chances can come in all shapes and sizes.
Recommended.
A Street Cat Named Bob makes you smile, laugh, cry and, above anything else, think. It makes you think about life, about choices and second chances. It shows the harsh reality of those living in the streets, about all the obstacles they have to face and how, sadly, they are so often invisible to the rest of society.
Bob is certainly a special cat - and as a cat lover I really enjoyed that part of the book - but I want to believe James is a special human being too. Because when Bob showed up, James could have just ignored him, or sent him away. Many in his place probably would have done just that, if not worse. The fact that despite all his problems and his dysfunctional life, he owed up to the added responsibility of taking care of a pet to the best of his abilities makes James special too.
James is the living proof that there are severe consequences for all the bad choices you make in life, but in telling his and Bob's story he's also passing on the message that somewhere along the way you will be offered a second chance. And that second chances can come in all shapes and sizes.
Recommended.
Happy readings,
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