Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The ending was sweet and funny and heartfelt but unfortunately the story just took too long to get me interested. 3.5 stars
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a good one !
Cute, light, funny, feel-good. So what if it may not be great literature. It's a fun read.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Genuine, heart-felt, funny!!
Gould-Bourn gave us a sad story that turned to a comical trials and tribulations novel. I laughed through his antics, I cried through his loss, I rejoiced as he reconnected with his son. Wonderful read!
Gould-Bourn gave us a sad story that turned to a comical trials and tribulations novel. I laughed through his antics, I cried through his loss, I rejoiced as he reconnected with his son. Wonderful read!
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn
Print Book
Pages: 320
Published: 8.4.2020
Scribner
Reviewed by mrsboone4, Green Forest, AR, USA
6.2.2020
Rating: 5 Stars
Bear Necessity is about Danny, a single father who has just lost his job and has a violent landlord who is threatening to do bodily harm to Danny for his unpaid rent. Danny has applied everywhere, but no one will hire him.
Danny has an 11 year old son Will who hasn't spoken for the year since Will's mother died in a car accident, a year ago. Danny has no idea how to reach his silent son.
Danny watches street performers in his local park and sees that they make loads of cash, by just acting stupid. Danny is sure that he can if not surpass their acts, at least make enough to support himself and Will.
Danny keeps the secret of losing his job, from Will. He happens upon a costume shop and applies for a job there, but the owner only wants to hire a woman. Later on, he comes back to the costume shop to see what kinds of costumes the owner has for a really cheap price. Turns out, a panda costume is what he gets. It's very cheap due to the fact that it was rented for a fraternity party and was vomited on and though it has been cleaned, it still holds the offensive odors. Danny is desperate and seizes the panda suit.
He finds out that putting on the costume alone, won't make him any money. Other performers take pity on him and suggest he get a sidekick like a cat or do an act. The problem is Danny can't do much of anything. His old job was in construction. He has no rhythm and can't dance. He does get a few pennies, but then neighborhood kids run up and kick him in the shins and runaway with all of his loot. He finds that he has to get smarter about his program. He glues the teaser pennies into his lunchbox, where he will accept donations.
One day, he happens upon his son getting beat up by some local toughs and saves his son and the boy says "Thanks!" Danny is ecstatic! Now, he knows that his son can talk he wants to keep him talking. He starts leaving some free time for just sitting in the park. His son swings by regularly to talk to him. Danny doesn't actually speak to him, he writes down his responses in a small notebook and has Will read that. Will has no idea that it is his very own father who is hiding in the panda suit.
Danny is harassed by a pole dancer named Krystal. He decides to go to the bar where she dances and see if she will teach him a few lessons on dancing. His wife had a wonderful inner balance and could dance to anything or nothing and looked very beautiful while doing it. Unfortunately, none of his wife's dancing moves rubbed off on Danny and he most certainly can't fake dancing.
This is a very original story, easy to read and pulls at your heartstrings. Many thanks to Scribner for the opportunity to read this book.
Print Book
Pages: 320
Published: 8.4.2020
Scribner
Reviewed by mrsboone4, Green Forest, AR, USA
6.2.2020
Rating: 5 Stars
Bear Necessity is about Danny, a single father who has just lost his job and has a violent landlord who is threatening to do bodily harm to Danny for his unpaid rent. Danny has applied everywhere, but no one will hire him.
Danny has an 11 year old son Will who hasn't spoken for the year since Will's mother died in a car accident, a year ago. Danny has no idea how to reach his silent son.
Danny watches street performers in his local park and sees that they make loads of cash, by just acting stupid. Danny is sure that he can if not surpass their acts, at least make enough to support himself and Will.
Danny keeps the secret of losing his job, from Will. He happens upon a costume shop and applies for a job there, but the owner only wants to hire a woman. Later on, he comes back to the costume shop to see what kinds of costumes the owner has for a really cheap price. Turns out, a panda costume is what he gets. It's very cheap due to the fact that it was rented for a fraternity party and was vomited on and though it has been cleaned, it still holds the offensive odors. Danny is desperate and seizes the panda suit.
He finds out that putting on the costume alone, won't make him any money. Other performers take pity on him and suggest he get a sidekick like a cat or do an act. The problem is Danny can't do much of anything. His old job was in construction. He has no rhythm and can't dance. He does get a few pennies, but then neighborhood kids run up and kick him in the shins and runaway with all of his loot. He finds that he has to get smarter about his program. He glues the teaser pennies into his lunchbox, where he will accept donations.
One day, he happens upon his son getting beat up by some local toughs and saves his son and the boy says "Thanks!" Danny is ecstatic! Now, he knows that his son can talk he wants to keep him talking. He starts leaving some free time for just sitting in the park. His son swings by regularly to talk to him. Danny doesn't actually speak to him, he writes down his responses in a small notebook and has Will read that. Will has no idea that it is his very own father who is hiding in the panda suit.
Danny is harassed by a pole dancer named Krystal. He decides to go to the bar where she dances and see if she will teach him a few lessons on dancing. His wife had a wonderful inner balance and could dance to anything or nothing and looked very beautiful while doing it. Unfortunately, none of his wife's dancing moves rubbed off on Danny and he most certainly can't fake dancing.
This is a very original story, easy to read and pulls at your heartstrings. Many thanks to Scribner for the opportunity to read this book.