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139 reviews for:
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat
James Bowen
4.09 AVERAGE
139 reviews for:
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat
James Bowen
4.09 AVERAGE
I'm not by nature a cynical person; in fact, I'm often overly romantic, but nature can be overwhelmed by environment, and I've learned, or been taught, to always doubt people's motivations and ethics. Reading The World According to Bob (and A Street Cat Named Bob) both inspired me and at times made me very uncomfortable.
It's easy, as someone who grew up, not wealthy by any means, but at least above the poverty level, to not even try to understand how people end up homeless, "sleeping rough," or otherwise trapped by circumstances. It's not easy to pass someone on the street and look them in the eye without those judgments that we've heard on TV or from other people running through our heads. How they don't "work hard enough" or simply "live off the government." There are undoubtedly some out there who don't try and are willing to subsist on handouts, but it's important to remember that there are plenty of others out there like James Bowen: having made mistakes in the past, but willing to admit them and try again--if someone will give him a chance.
So that's why at times I was uncomfortable reading this book. Because sometimes I saw myself--and not always in the kind people who helped, but instead in the ones who passed obliviously, or worse, sneeringly, on by. James is brutally honest in his admissions of his own problems. While there may have been catalysts in his life that contributed to his drug problem and ending up on the streets, ultimately it was his own choices that lead there, and James is not shy to say it. But he's also willing to point out the faults of others, how society has let down, ignored, and disempowered people who are no longer convenient or "pretty" to have around.
So yes, Bob and James's continued story is inspirational and uplifting, humorous and heartbreaking. But it's also a not-always-subtle finger pointing out things that need correcting, even when it's just a little more human compassion. I sniggered and grinned, but I also cringed and winced at cruel actions of others that are all too easy to imagine, and even understand.
The charm in this book for me, particularly, came out of the line-drawings at the end of each chapter. The stark art is whimsical, yet it shows a perfect picture of what life has been life for these two. At times fun and easy, more often hard work, but always together. Though the writing isn't elaborately literary, it doesn't need to be to get it's message across.
I'll also admit to being fascinated by the final chapters detailing how the unexpected writing of the first book, and the public's reaction to it, started changing James's life. It's only the start of another great adventure for Bob and James, I'm sure.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
It's easy, as someone who grew up, not wealthy by any means, but at least above the poverty level, to not even try to understand how people end up homeless, "sleeping rough," or otherwise trapped by circumstances. It's not easy to pass someone on the street and look them in the eye without those judgments that we've heard on TV or from other people running through our heads. How they don't "work hard enough" or simply "live off the government." There are undoubtedly some out there who don't try and are willing to subsist on handouts, but it's important to remember that there are plenty of others out there like James Bowen: having made mistakes in the past, but willing to admit them and try again--if someone will give him a chance.
So that's why at times I was uncomfortable reading this book. Because sometimes I saw myself--and not always in the kind people who helped, but instead in the ones who passed obliviously, or worse, sneeringly, on by. James is brutally honest in his admissions of his own problems. While there may have been catalysts in his life that contributed to his drug problem and ending up on the streets, ultimately it was his own choices that lead there, and James is not shy to say it. But he's also willing to point out the faults of others, how society has let down, ignored, and disempowered people who are no longer convenient or "pretty" to have around.
So yes, Bob and James's continued story is inspirational and uplifting, humorous and heartbreaking. But it's also a not-always-subtle finger pointing out things that need correcting, even when it's just a little more human compassion. I sniggered and grinned, but I also cringed and winced at cruel actions of others that are all too easy to imagine, and even understand.
The charm in this book for me, particularly, came out of the line-drawings at the end of each chapter. The stark art is whimsical, yet it shows a perfect picture of what life has been life for these two. At times fun and easy, more often hard work, but always together. Though the writing isn't elaborately literary, it doesn't need to be to get it's message across.
I'll also admit to being fascinated by the final chapters detailing how the unexpected writing of the first book, and the public's reaction to it, started changing James's life. It's only the start of another great adventure for Bob and James, I'm sure.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
A touching tale that doesn't only appeal to me as a cat-lover, but also because of the insight it offers to those who live with the realities of addiction, poverty and homelessness. It is daringly honest, but without hype and demonstrates how friendship, love and hope can come in all guises.
Although this book was very much like the first, I still couldn't put it down!
Full of heartwarming stories and struggles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest updates which were in the book and I was so happy to hear James' feelings about writing the first book and the signings!
Full of heartwarming stories and struggles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest updates which were in the book and I was so happy to hear James' feelings about writing the first book and the signings!
I could read about James and Bob for hours and hours. Another lovely book, although unsurprisingly not quite as hard hitting at the original book – hence the four stars, rather than five.
I wouldn't say I liked this book at all.
I got it as a gift a few years ago as a joke; I never got around to reading it because I just couldn't imagine how a book about a cat could be good. I was right because I thought this book was dreadfully boring. To be fair, this book is a non-fiction memoir, and that's not always supposed to be very entertaining and fun. I did go into reading it with the wrong mindset, but I found it so hard to read and so incredibly boring at times.
Now, I read the book in less than 24 hours; that is only because I was hurrying up so I could read something else. I didn't get sucked up into the story. It didn't captivate my mind and beg me to continue reading it throughout the day.
The writing was okay, and I guess I liked how he continues to describe his life on the street and his struggles. However, it does feel like nothing ever happens, there are a few chapters where something fundamental in the story is going on, but it's sparse throughout the book.
Half the book was about how the first one got together, his meetings with publishers and other people related to the book business, and I truly can't imagine who would want to read that.
I'm sorry, but I truly did not like this book at all. The best thing about it might've been the cute drawings at the end of each chapter.
I got it as a gift a few years ago as a joke; I never got around to reading it because I just couldn't imagine how a book about a cat could be good. I was right because I thought this book was dreadfully boring. To be fair, this book is a non-fiction memoir, and that's not always supposed to be very entertaining and fun. I did go into reading it with the wrong mindset, but I found it so hard to read and so incredibly boring at times.
Now, I read the book in less than 24 hours; that is only because I was hurrying up so I could read something else. I didn't get sucked up into the story. It didn't captivate my mind and beg me to continue reading it throughout the day.
The writing was okay, and I guess I liked how he continues to describe his life on the street and his struggles. However, it does feel like nothing ever happens, there are a few chapters where something fundamental in the story is going on, but it's sparse throughout the book.
Half the book was about how the first one got together, his meetings with publishers and other people related to the book business, and I truly can't imagine who would want to read that.
I'm sorry, but I truly did not like this book at all. The best thing about it might've been the cute drawings at the end of each chapter.
Another Bob book. What can I say except I'm utterly smitten! James Bowen and his wonderful feline, Bob, effortlessly touch hearts with their continuing story. This time around, the reader is treated to plenty of situations James and Bob find themselves in--from humorous to worrisome. Best of all, we get to see how their future moves forward with the publication of the first Bob book.
If you love Cinderella stories, miracles, magic, and the exceptional bond of man and animal, don't miss this phenomenal story. Bob not only changed James' life---together, they have changed so many more worldwide with their incredible story. This is a feel-good story on steroids, all the more exceptional because its's true.
If you love Cinderella stories, miracles, magic, and the exceptional bond of man and animal, don't miss this phenomenal story. Bob not only changed James' life---together, they have changed so many more worldwide with their incredible story. This is a feel-good story on steroids, all the more exceptional because its's true.
The continuation of James Bowen and Bob’s adventures. We pickup from the first book, A Street Cat Named Bob. . I thought this was a good followup to the previous book. Bob’s impact on the Big Issue was a nice highlight. If you read the first one, I would check this one out too.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Spoiler
James continues to sell The Big Issue but runs into problems, including his health. Also, he prepares for the memoir’s release w/Bob in tow.Rating: 3.5 / 5
Katukatti Bobin ja Jamesin seikkailut jatkuivat. Ei vieläkään mitään kirjallista ilotulitusta, mutta tarina on kiinnostava, koskettava ja silmiä avaava, mutta kuitenkin myös kevyt ja viihdyttävä. Sopi hyvin luettavaksi kaikkien raskaampien juttujen lomaan.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced